Barristers

Appointments

SFO's list of approved advocates - B Panel

Appointed to the Attorney General's unified list "C" Panel

General Council of the Bar, Law Reform Committee

Security cleared to top secret level
Appointed to the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3
Appointed as a specialist rape prosecutor

Practice Areas and Specialisations

Alexandra accepts instructions in relation to all types of criminal cases.

Financial Crime and Asset forfeiture

Alexandra regularly lectures compliance consultants, companies and the legal profession in relation to FSA powers and investigations. Alexandra has expertise in advising in relation to investigations undertaken by the Financial Services Authority. Her experience extends to proceedings before the criminal courts and the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal; she has a sound knowledge of this area and is able to provide realistic and pragmatic advice to those under investigation. Alexandra previously worked as in-house counsel for the Enforcement Division of the FSA and has recently worked in the Regulatory and Criminal Investigations Group of Irwin Mitchell LLP. She therefore has extensive knowledge of the law relating to market abuse, insider dealing and other FSMA 2000 offences. She understands the difficulties client's face and is happy to advise upon responding to FSA requests for information and general requests to co-operate with the Regulator.

She has experience of prosecuting for Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Department of Business Innovation and Skills (formerly the DTI) and local authorities.

Through her financial crime practice and general criminal caseload Alexandra has developed a firm knowledge of all aspects of restraint, confiscation and enforcement. She has acted for those at the pre-charge stage and advised third parties who are affected by the restraint of others.

Alexandra has acted for the prosecution and defence during enforcement proceedings in the High Court and magistrates' court.

Alexandra advises Money Laundering Reporting Officers in relation to their responsibilities under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Sexual Offences and vulnerable witnesses

Alexandra writes the chapters concerning vulnerable witnesses and sexual offences committed against the mentally disordered in the leading text book on the subject, Rook and Ward on Sexual Offences, published by Sweet & Maxwell 3rd Edition.

Alexandra regularly defends those charged with rape and sexual assaults, including historic cases. Her experience extends to representing those accused of assaulting young children and vulnerable adults.

Disclosure

Alexandra has been appointed as special counsel twice by the Attorney General in relation to large scale drug importations. She is fully versed with all disclosure regimes and the sensitivities of public interest immunity hearings. These cases involved voluminous material and her knowledge of one case was described as "encyclopaedic" by Goldring LJ. She is security cleared to top secret level.

Road Traffic

Alexandra edits, "The Encyclopaedia of Road Traffic Law & Practice" Sweet & Maxwell. This six volume encyclopaedia covers all aspects of road traffic law and practice, from company responsibilities under the various Acts to drink drive and speeding legislation. Alexandra frequently represents individuals charged with driving offences and lectures on this topic.

Appellate work

Alexandra is happy to consider advising on potential appeals against conviction/sentence on a pro bono basis. Since an internship to Trinidad in 2001, Alexandra has maintained her interest in appeals from the Caribbean.
Regulatory
Alexandra is regularly instructed by defendant companies and Local Authorities in respect of waste management and statutory nuisance, Trade Mark offences and food & hygiene regulatory matters.  

Education and Qualifications