Anna Vigars QC

As an experienced criminal advocate, Anna has undertaken a number of serious and high-profile cases. She has dealt with cases of homicide and serious violence on a number of occasions and regularly undertakes work involving serious sexual offences both from a defence and a prosecution point of view.

Recent Cases

• R v S - The prosecution of a Jehovah's witness foster mother for cruelty towards three children in her care. The children had been deeply traumatised by what had happened to them but had to be called live. The defendant denied that there had been anything wrong with what she had done. Medical and dental experts had to be called to deal with a range of injuries which had been inflicted upon the children over their childhood and teenage years.
• R v ADL & Others - Prosecution of a company, directors and managers of a care home responsible for the care of 40 elderly residents with psychiatric difficulties, many of whom were senile. The prosecution is under the Mental Health Act 1983 and involves allegations of systematic neglect and under-funding.
• R v M - A case involving a father who was well-known for posing a very high risk of physical violence to his family, to the extent that care proceedings were taken in respect of 5 children of the family. Ultimately two of his step-daughters accused him of repeated incidents of sexual abuse and it was that for which he was prosecuted. The case involved the handling of the full history of the Social Services and County Court involvement.
• R v C - The defence of a man who accused of raping a child and indecently assaulting another. Both witnesses are now adults and the complaints dated back almost a decade.

As an "A" list prosecutor on the newly formed Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law list and a member of the Attorney General's prosecution panel for over five years, Anna has significant experience across a number of regulatory fields. She both prosecutes and defends and has recently acted on behalf of DBERR, DEFRA and HMRC as well as a number of companies and individuals. She has acted as a junior in large scale farming and VAT/tax frauds.

Recent Cases

• R v C & C - Indian restaurant owners managing companies in the face of Court orders following bankruptcy and establishing phoenix companies, trading with prohibited names. Extensive knowledge required of directors' roles, obligations and limitations to their legal conduct and Insolvency Act ramifications.
• R v C & C - Prosecution of a couple who had been involved over an extended period with the importation of cars without declaring them for VAT purposes. The case involved witnesses from Cyprus and Belgium and a very high number of vehicles with a consequent significant volume of documentation.
• R v R & S-K - A multi-million pound fraud on the EU fibre flax subsidy scheme again with an international element and involving the interpretation of EU schemes as they affected UK claimants under the scheme.

CHAMBERS UK 2019

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.

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LEGAL 500 2019

Crime

‘An indefatigable advocate with an engaging personal style.’

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CHAMBERS UK 2018

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.

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LEGAL 500 2017

Crime

Silk

"Her practice includes homicide, violence and serious sexual offences cases."

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CHAMBERS UK 2017

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."

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LEGAL 500 2016

Crime

Leading juniors

'Her advocacy is clear, concise and targeted.’  

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CHAMBERS UK 2016

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.

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LEGAL 500 2015

Crime

Leading juniors

'Able to build trust with vulnerable victims’

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CHAMBERS UK 2015

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."

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LEGAL 500 2014

Crime

Leading juniors - 'A crime specialist with expertise in matters involving multiple complainants or defendants'.

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CHAMBERS UK 2014

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."

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LEGAL 500 2013

Other recommended individuals include Anna Vigars, who is highly recommended for serious sexual offence cases.

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CHAMBERS UK 2013

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.

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LEGAL 500 2011

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'.

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LEGAL 500 2010

Anna Vigars is 'extremely good with clients, particularly the vulnerable'.