Onika Cadette

Onika is an experienced Paralegal and Police Station Accredited Representative with a strong background in criminal defence and legislative drafting. Holding an LLB and LPC, she has worked in the legal profession since 2017 and in private criminal defence since 2023. She brings an analytical, meticulous and strategic approach to her work, underpinned by a commitment to protecting her clients' interests.

Onika has experience across a broad spectrum of criminal matters, including murder, rape and other sexual offences, serious violence, domestic allegations, firearms, drug offences, organised crime, fraud, money laundering, public order offences, motoring offences and benefit-related investigations. She has worked on complex, sensitive and high-profile matters, with particularly extensive experience in sexual offence allegations and motoring cases.

Managing her own caseload under solicitor supervision, Onika is experienced in all stages of criminal proceedings, from pre-charge investigations through to trial preparation.

Her work encompasses detailed evidence and disclosure analysis, taking instructions, identifying legal and evidential weaknesses, preparing representations and drafting instructions to counsel and experts. She is particularly adept at examining the finer details of a case and identifying issues capable of materially influencing its direction.

As a Police Station Accredited Representative since August 2024, Onika advises and represents clients during interviews under caution, whether following arrest or by voluntary attendance. She places considerable importance on thorough preparation and takes the time to understand each client's account and circumstances before an interview. Her approach reflects her belief that effective representation often depends on the details others may overlook.

Onika has independently secured no further action decisions in complex investigations and successfully persuaded the Crown Prosecution Service to discontinue proceedings by identifying and articulating weaknesses in the prosecution evidence. In one particularly challenging domestic allegations case involving 13 charges, she independently prepared the defence case and worked alongside trial counsel as second chair, at the client's express request. The proceedings concluded in acquittals on all 13 charges. She also has a strong record of preparing and progressing contested motoring matters.

Before entering criminal defence, Onika gained valuable experience working alongside legislative drafters in Trinidad and Tobago. Her responsibilities included scrutinising and proofreading legislation before its presentation to Parliament, contributing to legislative reform and supporting policy development. Notably, she independently developed the legal arguments and drafted an amendment concerning statutory protections for magistrates, which was subsequently passed by Parliament. She also contributed to legislative work concerning cannabis decriminalisation and reforms to improve the efficiency of criminal court proceedings. Additionally, she served as secretary to weekly legislative drafting meetings chaired by the Attorney General. This background provided her with a distinctive understanding of statutory interpretation, legislative intent and the importance of precision in legal analysis.

Central to Onika's practice is her commitment to honesty, patience and collaboration. She has considerable experience supporting vulnerable clients, including individuals experiencing mental health difficulties, neurodivergence, learning disabilities, trauma and significant anxiety surrounding criminal proceedings. She approaches every client without judgment, taking care to listen, provide reassurance and explain the legal process clearly. Her priority is to establish trust and ensure clients feel supported, understood and actively involved in their defence.

Drawn to criminal defence by its intellectual challenges and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, Onika approaches each case with determination, empathy and meticulous preparation. Outside of work, she enjoys gym training, swimming and boxing, alongside her appreciation for jazz, art, painting and baking.

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