Crime
Alex defends regularly in the Crown Court and takes instructions in the full range of criminal work. Recently, he has represented defendants charged with fraud, drug supply, burglary, stalking, sexual assault, money laundering, controlling and coercive behaviour, administering a noxious substance, GBH and wounding with intent. He also has a particular interest in Youth Court work.
Alex prosecutes for the CPS as a Grade 3 prosecutor. He has prosecuted in cases before the Crown Court involving terrorism offences (encouraging terrorism and disseminating terrorist publications), people trafficking, money laundering, fraud by false representation, conspiracy to supply a controlled drug, grievous bodily harm, burglary, threats with a bladed article, and unauthorised immigration advice. His current prosecution work includes acting for the CPS in the potential prosecution arising from the Grenfell Tower fire.
He has acted in several private prosecutions, including one involving complex allegations of trans-national fraud. He is on the SFO’s C panel of prosecution counsel and is currently instructed by the SFO as second junior in a prosecution relating to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance
Alex regularly acts for requesting judicial authorities and requested persons, both in Extradition Hearings at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, and in appeals to the High Court. He also advises individuals subject to INTERPOL Red Notices and has acted for the CPS in import extradition requests.
He is a Grade 2 CPS prosecutor and appeared for the Requesting State in the Divisional Court case of Galusca v Italy. He is currently instructed in an Indian case involving complex allegations of tax evasion, led by Ben Lloyd.
As sole counsel Alex has both defended and prosecuted in Part 2 cases involving requests for extradition to Albania.
Public and Civil Law
Alex takes instructions on public law cases, particularly those with a link to criminal law. He has previously acted as disclosure junior in a high-profile Judicial Review relating to prisoner categorisation (led by Victoria Ailes and James Eadie QC). He also has experience acting on behalf of prisoners in relation to their parole board hearings and linked judicial review applications. He has previously worked on ECtHR cases and a judicial review arising out of an SFO investigation.
Alex is on the SFO’s C panel for proceeds of crime and international cooperation, as well as the CPS POCA Grade 2 panel. He has experience prosecuting contested POCA hearings and applications for international restraint orders. He regularly defends in proceeds of crime matters, most recently acting pro bono for an interested third party in an application to the Court of Appeal. As sole counsel he defended a company facing confiscation proceedings for over £300,000. He has contributed to the forthcoming edition of Millington and Sutherland on the Proceeds of Crime.
Alex is regularly instructed by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (“FCDO”) to advise on the imposition of sanctions under the UK’s autonomous Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 regimes. He has also advised an international charity pro bono on the impact of UK sanctions law on their activities.
Alex acts pro bono (for Bail for Immigration Detainees) in applications for bail for those in immigration detention. He also takes pro bono instructions from Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit), including proceeds of crime and regulatory work. He recently acted in a 3-day hearing before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal, on behalf of a doctor who was a serving prisoner.