About

Criminal, family.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE Adoption Bribery and Corruption Care & Supervision Child Abduction Child Arrangement Confiscation Crime Defence Divorce Drugs Family Family Finance & Property Financial Crime & Fraud Forced Marriage Murder & Manslaughter Prosecution Road Traffic & Motoring Sexual Offences Violent Crime

Direct Access

Elizabeth is accredited to accept work under Direct access, also known as Public access, in suitable cases. In order to instruct Elizabeth on a Direct access basis, contact the clerks on +44 (0) 20 7242 6476 or at [email protected]. 

Expertise: murder; fraud; serious sexual and violent offences; children private, public and international; matrimonial finance. Elizabeth is instructed in a full range of criminal offences including murder, fraud, serious sexual offences, drug offences and violent offences. Elizabeth is currently instructed as sole counsel to defend a conspiracy to defraud Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the sum of £2m. In addition to the more traditional criminal work, Elizabeth is frequently instructed to appear in relation to the wide range of ‘civil’ orders that can now be obtained before the Magistrates’ Courts, including ‘civil’ cash detention and forfeiture applications under POCA, football banning orders, ASBOs and Sexual Offences Prevention Orders. Elizabeth undertakes work at all levels in family law. Her practice has a particular emphasis on public law care proceedings where she has acquired considerable expertise in representing parents, relatives and guardians in cases involving suspected non-accidental injuries; psychiatric physical and sexual abuse; adoption and special guardianship, as well as placement outside the jurisdiction. She is experienced in cases where issues of cultural sensitivity arise. In private law proceedings, her practice has included all aspects of residence and contact (now child arrangement) disputes including those with an international element, those where the children have been separately represented and wardship. She is regularly instructed in cases of complex nature and often appears on behalf of vulnerable adults. Elizabeth also has a broad range of experience in advising and representing clients in financial provision. She has advised at all stages in such proceedings from pre-application conference to final hearing. She is experienced in advising on appeals and applications for the enforcement and variation of court orders. Prior to coming to the Bar, Elizabeth spent some time with The Commissioners of Customs and Excise, as it was then known, dealing with cases with international elements. As such she is familiar with the use of letters of request and the exchange of sensitive information across international borders. Additionally, Elizabeth regularly provides written advice on appeals against conviction and/or sentence and as a result has a wealth of experience in arguing technical points of law in the Court of Appeal. Significant cases: R v Puttock & another – Appearing as junior counsel in a five-week murder trial which took place at the Central Criminal Court in 2007. The case depended partly on DNA evidence and facial mapping. After 7 days of deliberations, the defendants were convicted, but their convictions were quashed in 2008 with the Court of Appeal ordering a retrial. The retrial was heard over an 8-week period in 2009. The jury was unable to reach a verdict. A third trial was due to start in June 2010 but the prosecution indicated, for the first time that guilty pleas to manslaughter would be acceptable. Such pleas were entered, leading to the early release of the defendants; R v Mohammed Ali (2010) – Junior counsel in 6 week trial defending allegation of conspiracy to smuggle cigarettes involving covert recordings; R v Ha Thi Vu Tran (2010) – Instructed as junior alone to defend a gardener in this multi-handed conspiracy to cultivate cannabis; R v Thomas Still (2009) – Junior counsel in a trial defending numerous allegations of sexual abuse on very young children; R v Marks & Others (2009) – Instructed as junior alone in this multi- handed conspiracy to commit burglaries; R v Irena James (2008) – Junior counsel in trial defending allegations of defrauding a vulnerable 73-year old of all his assets; R v Dana Ali & Others (2008) – Junior counsel in an 8-week trial defending an alleged participant in a Kurdish gang killing; R v Winston Jarrett (2006) – Junior counsel in a 55 day trial defending an allegation of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The case involved a covert recording by a co-defendant of an alleged confession.

Call 2003.

Introduction

Elizabeth is a highly skilled advocate  who divides her time between appearing in serious criminal cases and in family cases of the utmost gravity. She is currently instructed as counsel in a conspiracy to defraud Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the sum of £2 million.

Elizabeth has a broad range of experience in advising and representing clients in cases dealing with financial provision. She can and will advise at all stages in such proceedings from pre-application conference to final hearing.

She is experienced in advising on appeals and applications for the enforcement and variation of Court Orders. Prior to coming to the Bar, Elizabeth spent some time with The Commissioners of Customs and Excise, as it was then known, dealing with cases with international elements. As such, she is familiar with the use of letters of request and the exchange of sensitive information across international borders. Additionally, Elizabeth regularly provides written advice on appeals against conviction and/or sentence and as a result has a wealth of experience in arguing technical points of law in the Court of Appeal.

Elizabeth is approachable, gives clear advice and prepares meticulously for each case.  She is known as a persuasive jury advocate as well as a skilled and experienced family practitioner.

Criminal Bar Association, Family Law Bar Association.