"She has a very considered manner, which inspires confidence in clients and the court alike. She's also very easy to work with, is always well prepared, and is extremely skilled in the courtroom."
Chambers UK 2021
Anna is a criminal practitioner with over twenty years’ experience. She also has extensive experience of health and safety cases.
Since becoming a QC in 2017, Anna has prosecuted and defended cases involving allegations of murder, the multiple rape of children and vulnerable people, and human trafficking. She is very experienced both in leading a team dealing with the prosecution of multiple defendants and also gaining the confidence of frightened or challenging defendants facing the most serious allegations.
Before taking silk, Anna had already been instructed in a number of multi-handed prosecutions of child sexual exploitation as leading prosecution junior. She had also been instructed in cases of homicide.
Recent Cases
Both as a junior and in silk, Anna has prosecuted and defended indictments arising out of health and safety incidents in a wide variety of different settings. She enjoys the combining her depth of criminal advocacy experience with the commercial realities facing defendant companies.
Crime
Often instructed in heavyweight criminal cases, including those of murder and manslaughter. She boasts particular expertise in cases involving serious sexual allegations and those with significant health and safety elements. She brings confidence to cases with multiple defendants and complainants. She has experience of sensitive cases involving offences such as female genital mutilation and child sexual exploitation.
Strengths: "Anna's grasp of statute, practice direction and procedure is extraordinarily good, and she can respond really quickly on her feet." "She has a very considered manner, which inspires confidence in clients and the court alike. She's also very easy to work with, is always well prepared, and is extremely skilled in the courtroom."
Crime (General and Fraud)
"When she speaks in the court room, she is authoritative, poignant and always on key.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Crime
"Her performance in cases involving complex evidential challenges is truly impressive."
Crime
Often instructed in heavyweight criminal cases, including those of murder and manslaughter. She boasts particular expertise in cases involving serious sexual allegations and those with significant health and safety elements. She brings confidence to cases with multiple defendants and complainants. She has experience of sensitive cases involving offences such as female genital mutilation and child sexual exploitation.
"A phenomenal silk - one of the best."
Recent work: Prosecuted in Operation Blisland, a case involving the alleged rape and exploitation of a vulnerable young woman by six different men.
Crime
‘An indefatigable advocate with an engaging personal style.’
Crime
New Silk
Often instructed in heavyweight criminal cases, including those of murder and manslaughter. She boasts particular expertise in cases involving serious sexual allegations and those with significant health and safety elements. She brings confidence to cases with multiple defendants and complainants.
Strengths: "Her attention to detail and her advocacy skills are outstanding."
Recent work: Prosecuted seven defendants for the rape and sexual abuse of young, vulnerable girls. The case involved complex issues over bad character material, vulnerabilities of complainants and evidential difficulties.
Health & Safety
New Silk
Newly appointed silk who has considerable experience of regulatory law. She both prosecutes and defends large corporate clients and individuals in significant health and safety cases.
Crime
Silk
"Her practice includes homicide, violence and serious sexual offences cases."
Crime
Leading Junior - Band 3
Often instructed in heavyweight criminal cases, including those of murder and manslaughter. She boasts a particular expertise in cases involving serious sexual allegations and those with significant health and safety elements.
Recent work: Successfully prosecuted an individual accused of murdering his landlady by pushing her down the stairs.
Health and Safety
Both prosecutes and defends large corporate clients and individuals in an array of significant health and safety cases.
She's extremely personable." "Sees the wood for the trees and presents cases in an attractive way to juries."
Crime
Leading juniors
'Her advocacy is clear, concise and targeted.’
Crime
Leading Junior - Band 3
Her practice covers the full range of criminal offences. She is best recognised for her work in serious sexual crimes.
Strengths: "She is a very skilled and thorough advocate with a real understanding of how to enable vulnerable victims to give evidence in difficult criminal trials."
Recent work: Acted in the trial of three Polish defendants who were charged with the murder of one defendant's girlfriend.
Health & Safety
Leading Junior - Band 2
A regulatory specialist who prosecutes for public bodies and defends corporate and individual clients in a variety of health and safety cases.
Crime
Leading juniors
'Able to build trust with vulnerable victims’
Crime
Leading Junior - Band 3
Noted for her expertise in relation to serious sexual offences. She acts for both the prosecution and the defence, and is also frequently instructed on homicides and cases concerning serious violence.
Expertise: "She is down to earth and trusted by juries."
Recent work: Acted in cases involving child sexual exploitation by a group of men, familial child abuse and a multi-handed murder involving evidential complexities.
Health & Safety
Leading Junior - Band 2
Has a mixed practice that, in addition to health and safety, includes criminal and environmental cases. She is particularly commended for her advocacy skills.
Expertise: "She's a sensible advocate and highly effective." "She is highly rated in terms of her advice, approach and strategy."
Crime
Leading juniors - 'A crime specialist with expertise in matters involving multiple complainants or defendants'.
Crime
Is identified as a very pleasant and sensitive practitioner who is as impressive in her client care skills as she is in the courtroom.
Expertise: "She is a strong leading junior with great people skills and an ability to manage vast amounts of material."
Recent work: She defended a vulnerable mother with alcohol problems accused of seriously injuring her twin babies.
Health & Safety
A criminal barrister who has a strong reputation for handling regulatory crime cases. She has experience of both prosecuting and defending health and safety cases, and has acted for both companies and individuals.
Expertise: "She is a very skilled leading junior with great people skills and a talent for handling cases of considerable complexity."
Other recommended individuals include Anna Vigars, who is highly recommended for serious sexual offence cases.
Crime
Anna Vigars is "regularly praised by judges for knowing her law inside out and being very solid and reliable," say sources. She is particularly noted for her work in cases involving serious sexual offences.
Anna Vigars' 'legal knowledge and advocacy skills are excellent; but it is her caring attitude and ability to relate to clients from all walks of life that sets her apart'.
Anna Vigars is 'extremely good with clients, particularly the vulnerable'.
For further information and enquiries please contact:
Crime: Lucy Northeast
Health & Safety: Lucy Northeast
