Gwen Williamson

AREAS OF EXPERTISE Bribery and Corruption Confiscation Crime Defence Drugs Financial Crime & Fraud Murder & Manslaughter Prison & Parole Boards Prosecution Road Traffic & Motoring Sexual Offences Trading Standards Violent Crime

Introduction

Gwen deals with a wide variety of offences across the crime spectrum, including matters of violence, drugs, fraud and sexual offences. She acts for defendants at all levels and prosecutes for the CPS and local authorities in addition to other prosecuting bodies. Gwen’s work covers types of criminal law, environmental law, animal cruelty, regulatory offences and prison law. She is experienced in any follow-on proceedings, including confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (including advice and drafting).  

Gwen is dedicated to ensuring the best representation whether defending or prosecuting. She will provide advice (oral and written) whether it be on points of law, on the strengths and weaknesses in the evidence, the prospects of success, skeleton arguments for court or appeals. Gwen brings to her cases experience and understanding. She can think tactically throughout her cases and will give realistic advice on likely outcome and sentence, when needed.

Gwen’s practice is almost entirely crime-based, meaning she is in court daily defending and prosecuting. Gwen has the ability to prepare and present complex, document-heavy cases in such a way that a jury can easily comprehend the contents whether factual or financial. Gwen’s regular appearances in Court combined with her prosecution and defence track record creates a valuable collection of experience upon which she can draw. She has undertaken the vulnerable witness course and she continues to deal with cases under the new guidelines. Gwen also understands that some clients can be vulnerable, too, and she will ensure her client’s rights are protected and assistance is made available, when possible.  

She is Grade II CPS prosecutor, meaning that she is aware of, and applies, the various guidelines and policies for prosecutors (Farquarson, CPS/Bar Framework of Principles, and the Code for Crown Prosecutors etc.).

Gwen has built a good working relationship with solicitors, which has developed into being a trusted advocate in cases involving complicated and sometimes historic difficulty in allegations of sexual abuse and rape, R v D at Burnley CC, R v A at Wood Green CC and R v H at Woolwich CC. She is regularly instructed in cases of violence such as a section 18 as in R v M at Peterborough CC, and in firearms cases.  

LLB, Hons

Bar Vocational Course