Sarah Gaunt

36 Crime

Sarah Gaunt is an experienced criminal practitioner specialising in cybercrime, international justice and serious organised crime and complex criminal cases. She sits as a Legally Qualified Chair in police disciplinary proceedings and has been heavily involved in the Undercover Policing Inquiry since 2019. Known for her thorough preparation, excellent and accessible client/witness care and eloquent but robust advocacy, she has been graded 4 (highest grade) since 2012 on the general and specialist International Justice and Serious Organised Crime/ Rape and Serious Sexual offences prosecution lists.

She regularly deals with the country’s most complex and paper heavy cybercrime and international justice and serious organised crime cases, encompassing large scale international fraud and money laundering, homicide, and serious sexual offences. Recent cases include an estimated 50,000 complainant/£9 million loss multi-defendant cyber conspiracy conducted via a serious of fraudulent websites enhanced by vishing techniques, youth murder and a multi-defendant murder with a suspected serious organised crime background.

She regularly speaks at cybercrime seminars in London and countrywide, including at the Midlands Fraud Forum, at various events involving defence solicitors and to several specialist prosecution units in London and Birmingham. Sarah completed the certified course in Cryptocurrency and Disruption at the London School of Economics in 2019. A vulnerable witness and advocacy trainer at Lincolns’ Inn, she is committed to equality and diversity, providing input to various forums and research in this area.

In 2015 Sarah became a CEDR qualified mediator.

Work undertaken:

Cybercrime International Justice and Serious Organised Crime Financial Crime & Fraud Homicide Serious Sexual Offences Professional Misconduct & Disciplinary Tribunals

Emmanuel Grammar School; Cardiff (LLB (Hons)) high 2:1, 1st in Criminal Law and a distinction in Constitutional Law, 1987-1989; Darwin College Cambridge (M.Phil (Cantab) 1990-1991 (2 distinctions awarded); Inns of Court School of Law (Very Competent) (Vice President of the Students Society) 1991-1992, (Very Competent). Scholarships awarded: ESRC scholarship; Lincolns Inn Major scholarship and the Lincolns Inn Denning scholarship.