Shekinah Anson

Shekinah is a highly experienced criminal advocate with over two decades’ practice in serious and complex crime. She is a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor and a member of the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Panel, regularly instructed in some of the most sensitive and high-profile cases.

Her practice spans the full range of serious crime, with particular expertise in rape and serious sexual offences, human trafficking, and organised violence. She is recognised for her ability to manage vulnerable and child witnesses sensitively while maintaining robust, incisive advocacy. She is frequently instructed as leading counsel in trials involving multiple complainants, historic allegations, and complex evidential issues, including hearsay, bad character, and digital evidence.

Shekinah’s recent cases include:

• Securing conviction in a non-fatal strangulation and multiple rape case where the defendant abused his partner for 18 years.
• Leading for the Crown in a human trafficking and sexual exploitation prosecution involving 5 defendants and 5 complainants.
• Prosecuting a Metropolitan Police special constable for sexual offences and theft, a case attracting national media coverage.

She also undertakes defence instructions in serious sexual and violent crime, giving her balanced strategic insight into case theory and cross-examination techniques. Notable defence successes include a successful No Case to Answer submission in an attempted rape trial and the acquittal of a man accused of multiple rapes.

Shekinah is highly regarded for her written advocacy and appellate work, preparing advices for the CPS on appeals against conviction, Unduly Lenient Sentence referrals, and complex evidential rulings.

Before joining the independent Bar, Shekinah spent almost two decades with the Crown Prosecution Service, where she was a Crown Advocate Liaison at Croydon Crown Court and was awarded a Trophy of Excellence in Advocacy for consistently outstanding courtroom performance. She continues to mentor junior advocates and is committed to maintaining high standards of advocacy across both prosecution and defence.

Key Skills & Expertise

• Elite Criminal Advocacy: Extensive experience as leading counsel in serious and complex crime, including rape, attempted murder, human trafficking, and multi-defendant violent conspiracies.
• Serious Sexual Offences Specialist: Appointed to the CPS RASSO Panel (2024); expert in historic and familial abuse, multi-complainant allegations, and vulnerable witness handling.
• Complex Case Strategy: Trusted for pre-trial evidential advice on disclosure, digital evidence, and expert testimony in high-profile, multi-handed cases.
• Written Advocacy & Legal Analysis: Successful appeals against conviction and ULS referrals; drafted complex submissions on abuse of process, bad character, and hearsay, often in multi-handed cases.
• High-Profile Casework: Regularly instructed in cases attracting national media attention, including the Grindr blackmail prosecution and misconduct by a Metropolitan Police special constable.
• Judicial Liaison & Leadership: Former CPS Liaison Advocate at Croydon Crown Court; strong relationships with judiciary and case progression expertise.
• Mentoring & Advocacy Training: Trains junior advocates in trial advocacy, charging decisions, evidential strategy, and ethical case preparation.
• Recognition for Excellence: Awarded a Trophy of Excellence in Advocacy for outstanding courtroom performance.