The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
The areas of work in which we have particular expertise, experience and excellence.
Call: 2011
Stephanie has prosecuted and defended a range of criminal offending including serious violence, fraud, rape, and serious sexual offences. Additionally, Stephanie has been led on multi-handed conspiracies to control prostitution; the first fraud against Government Department, the Redundancy Payment Service; fraud following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and assisting unlawful immigration into the UK.
Stephanie regularly interacts with vulnerable complainants. She has prosecuted RASSO trials requiring the resolution of capacity under s.30 SOA 2003, and frequently conducts cases with pre-recorded cross-examination. Likewise, Stephanie has prosecuted defendants with mental health conditions or who require an intermediary, and skilfully adapts her cross-examination to the witness.
Stephanie receives instructions from multiple police forces. She has advised The Met on allegations of misconduct as well as matters arising under the Police Reform Act 2002. In 2021 and 2023, Stephanie interviewed First Senior Treasury Counsel, Tom Little KC, about the prosecutions of Wayne Couzens and David Carrick. Stephanie has been instructed as disclosure counsel in the criminal investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire and defended an appeal against a Sexual Risk Order imposed pursuant to 15 allegations – from distinct complainants, of assault, rape, and sexual violence. In 2021, on behalf of Beds Police, Stephanie conducted a review of privileged material on an historic murder conviction referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Stephanie is experienced in healthcare regulatory work. She is an adept tribunal advocate and has successfully defended nurses, midwives, a clinical scientist, and paramedics before the HCPC and NMC. Stephanie has case presented for the NMC.
Stephanie spearheads the organisation Behind the Gown. She wrote, produced and presented a film commemorating the centenary of women in law, Retaining women at the Bar. 1919 – 2019: is the past inhabiting the present? – YouTube.
R v Little (2024)
Secured 8 convictions for historic indecent assault committed in 1987 and 1988 against an underage, female victim.
R v Glew & Murphy (2023)
Doublehanded ‘acquaintance’ sexual assault requiring robust counteraction of rape mythology and stereotypes. Secured 5 convictions for assault by penetration and sexual assault following 9-day trial.
R v Palage and others [Operation Obligingly] (2023)
Junior prosecution counsel in 6-handed conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK. All defendants convicted following 4-week trial.
R v C (2023)
Unanimous convictions for 3 offences of making indecent images.
R v Metalsi (2022)
Junior prosecution counsel in fraud following Grenfell Tower tragedy. Defendant falsely represented to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Rugby Portobello Trust, and other charities, that she was a resident and eligible to claim emergency accommodation, free housing and grants. Whilst she owned a property in the tower – at the time of the fire – she was living elsewhere, affecting her entitlement to monies claimed. Defendant convicted after trial.
R v Heffron (2022)
Secured conviction for s.18 wounding. Defendant assaulted ex-girlfriend with glass bottle causing multiple head wounds and permanent scarring. Involved careful analysis of cellsite evidence and drafting non-conviction bad character application. Defendant pleaded on first day of trial.
R v Ismail and others (2022)
Secured unanimous acquittal in multi-handed trial involving violent assault in South-West London.
R v Borowka and others [Operation Skawa] (2022)
Junior prosecution counsel in 5-handed conspiracy to traffic women and control prostitution. All defendants convicted following 9-week trial.
R v Vodden and others (2021)
Secured unanimous conviction for robbery in multi-handed case where victim robbed of moped and stolen BMW driven dangerously. Defendant cross-examined in the presence of intermediary.
R v Basilwudike (2021)
Secured 4 robbery convictions following threats to stab and use firearm against 4 teenage boys. Intermediary appointed for defendant requiring compliance with ground rules questioning. Defendant pleaded on first day of trial.
R v Middleton (2020)
Successfully prosecuted defendant charged with exposure on a bus.
R v Ejem (2019)
Secured 2 convictions for sustained domestic ABH and perverting the course of justice. Rigorous cross-examination exposed psychological, emotional and ultimately physical abuse levelled against vulnerable victim through painstaking analysis of chat logs and text messages.
R v Chugtai (2019)
Sole prosecution counsel in trial severed from multi-handed conspiracy to defraud the ‘Redundancy Payment Service’.
R v Balciunas (2019)
Junior defence counsel in multi-handed, widespread conspiracy to ring and sell stolen vehicles with theft value exceeding £700,000.
R v Mcleod and Ors [Operation Chum] (2018)
Junior prosecution counsel in multi-handed conspiracy to defraud ‘Redundancy Payment Service’. Fraud value exceeded £700,000. 9 convictions. Also acted as junior counsel in linked VAT fraud, where first Defendant claimed in excess of £100,000 in VAT refunds following death of Director, [Op. Curate].
R v Rogers (2018)
Sole prosecution counsel in aggravated burglary involving imitation firearm and pepper spray.
Stephanie has defended Registrants before the Health and Care Professions Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council. She can ably acquaint herself with unfamiliar subject matter to skilfully represent clients. For example, Stephanie successfully defended a clinical scientist against an allegation of misusing an embryo development system. Due to the pandemic, Stephanie was instructed by Thompsons Solicitors to defend a Band 7 Physiotherapist against an interim suspension order. On the force of written submissions alone, the Panel acceded to Stephanie’s argument and no interim order was imposed.
PG v NMC (2020)
represented nurse who admitted accessing confidential patient records. Persuaded panel that despite NMC application for suspension and admitted misconduct, Registrant’s practice was not currently impaired. Panel agreed and no sanction was imposed.
AP v HCPC (2020)
on written submissions successfully defended application for an interim suspension against a Band 7 Physiotherapist on the basis clinical safeguards militated against the necessity for suspension or conditions of practice.
GC v NMC (2019)
successfully defended allegation of fraudulent entry on the Register. Despite Registrant’s admission of “incorrect entry”, Panel imposed no sanction.
BP v HCPC (2019)
successfully defended Clinical Scientist for misuse of “EEVA” system which monitors embryo development. Allegation of misconduct not proved. Despite Registrant’s admission for failing to transport liquid nitrogen safely, persuaded panel that practice was not impaired.
ES v HCPC (2019)
represented Paramedic suspended from practice for admitted cannabis use (outside of work duties). Pursuant to advice which Registrant followed, secured early lift of suspension order at substantive order review.
RC v HCPC (2018)
successfully persuaded Panel that despite allegation of assault an interim order was neither necessary nor in the public interest. Panel imposed no interim order.
Stephanie has received instructions from the Metropolitan, Devon and Cornwall and Bedfordshire Police forces, to advise on matters relating to PACE and POCA. Stephanie has been instructed to review sensitive and privileged material on an historic murder conviction referred by the CCRC to the Court of Appeal. Additionally, Stephanie was instructed disclosure counsel for the Metropolitan Police investigation into the Grenfell Tower disaster.
MPS v Dyer [2021]
Successfully defended appeal against sexual risk order where appellant faced 15 allegations of assault, rape, and sexual violence from 13 complainants, none of which resulted in a successful prosecution. Required analysis of over 1000 pages of crime reports & robust submissions on why an SRO remained appropriate despite lack of prosecutions, in view of deliberate targeting of vulnerable complainants.
In 2016, Stephanie was seconded to the Parole Board Litigation Team for 5 months which was sponsored by the Kalisher Trust. Stephanie developed her experience of public law, successfully responding to a claim for judicial review against a decision made by the Board not to order an MRI scan when assessing a prisoner’s risk. Stephanie’s core work involved adjudication of claims for compensation for breaches of Article 5 (4) ECHR due to delays in oral hearings being listed and heard.
Stephanie’s interest in parole work was borne out of representing a prisoner recalled to HMP Wayland following breach of licence.
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
Regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and holds a current practising certificate. To see my privacy notice click here.
