Overview
Claire practices in all areas of crime. She has significant experience of large, multi-handed and complex fraud cases and has proven expertise in serious sex, violence and drugs cases.
Claire has been highly praised for her trial advocacy, particularly in cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses where she has shown herself to be an empathetic and skilful cross-examiner.
General Crime
Claire has extensive experience of defending and prosecuting rape and serious sexual offences and has a commendable acquittal rate in defending such cases. She has dealt with many cases involving historical sexual abuse and a number involving intermediaries.
Claire is frequently instructed in complex multi-handed cases involving firearms, is a Grade 3 prosecutor and has been instructed as Specialist Disclosure Counsel in large cases including a cold case murder.
Business Crime
Claire is meticulous and highly detailed in her case preparation and has a unique ability to absorb, dissect and simplify complex fraud structures. This, combined with her extensive experience, makes her a highly skilled counsel in this specialism.
She has acted in several multi-handed fraud cases including a 12-defendant conspiracy to steal/convert criminal proceeds, and recently as counsel in a multi-defendant case involving large mortgage frauds committed over a substantial period of time. She has also acted on cases involving the fraudulent submission of VAT repayments in excess of £1.5m, car-ringing and the removal of criminal proceeds from the jurisdiction.
Her secondment to a private prosecution law firm as in-house Counsel specialising in “Fraud: white collar-crime” saw her make a significant contribution to a complex Proceeds of Crime Act case worth in excess of £23m, involving a defendant in a foreign jurisdiction.
Claire has significant experience of private prosecutions and is regularly instructed in private prosecution work. She is able to advise on all aspects of this area of law.
Additional Information
Prior to joining the Bar as a practicing barrister, Claire spent a number of years at the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office developing a strong foundation of experience in fraud, with a particular emphasis on multi-handed MTIC frauds.
Professional Panel Appointments
- Claire is a Grade 3 prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Criminal Defence
Claire practices in all areas of crime. She has significant experience of large, multi-handed and complex fraud cases and has proven expertise in serious sex, violence and drugs cases.
Claire has considerable experience of defending in rape and serious sexual offences and has a commendable acquittal rate when conducting such cases. She has dealt with many cases involving historical sexual abuse and a number involving intermediaries.
Claire is frequently instructed in complex multi-handed cases involving firearms.
She has been highly praised for her trial advocacy, particularly in cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses where she has shown herself to be an empathetic and skilful cross-examiner.
Business Crime & Financial Regulation
Claire has significant experience in Business Crime cases. She is meticulous and highly detailed in her case preparation and has a unique ability to absorb, dissect and simplify complex fraud structures.
Claire is also instructed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and frequently defends those charged with benefit and/or mortgage fraud. Please refer to the overview section of her profile above for further detail.
Criminal Prosecutions - Private & Public
Claire has been taking private prosecution instructions for a number of years. She regularly undertakes private prosecution work and is able to advise on all aspects of this area of law.
She is a Grade 3 prosecutor and has been instructed as Specialist Disclosure Counsel in large cases, including a cold case murder. Her remit includes the full spectrum of criminal cases, including serious violence, drugs, fraud and serious sexual offences.
Claire has considerable experience of difficult serious sexual offences prosecutions, having prosecuted numerous rapes and cases concerning the sexual abuse of children. She has dealt with many cases in this challenging area involving historical sexual abuse and a number involving intermediaries. She has also acted as led junior counsel in a serious sexual case concerning the abuse of a mentally handicapped complainant.
Claire has been commended for her trial advocacy, particularly in cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses, where she has shown herself to be an empathetic and skilful cross-examiner.
Professional Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
Cases of Note
REX v A (2023)
Client accused of multiple knife-point rapes and falsely imprisoning a prostitute was acquitted on all counts.
REX v A (2023)
Unanimous acquittals on all rape and sexual assault charges following lengthy trial heavily complicated by disclosure issues at the Old Bailey. Prosecuted by Kings Counsel.
REX v B (2023)
Unanimous acquittal in sexual assault trial involving allegation of assault on the London Underground and mobile phone recording of incident.
R v A & Others (2022)
Case concerning an organised crime group who stole more than £400,000 in a series of armed robberies across London and England. Flying Squad investigation involving multiple defendants and targets. Lengthy trial resulting in convictions and substantial prison sentences. Currently instructed in the POCA proceedings
R v S (2020 and 2021)
Acquitted on all charges of rape in first trial. Prosecution elected to proceed again on the single count of sexual assault that the jury were hung on. The jury acquitted Claire’s client in under 20 minutes.
R v S (2021)
Defended in complex and document heavy, multi-handed conspiracy to import tobacco. Significant overseas material deployed by prosecution.
R v J & Others (2021)
Led Junior in a multi-handed firearms case involving substantial bad character evidence including consideration of gang membership.
R v E (2015)
Case concerning complex legal issue surrounding the definition of a disguised firearm within the Firearms Act 1968. Lengthy cross-examination of expert witness and successful conviction within minutes.
R v Horton (2014)
VAT fraud in excess of £1.5m. Submission of fraudulent claims for VAT repayments. False records
R v Baxter & Baxter (2013)
£2m fraud against Ministry of Defence (MOD).
R v Benn and Others (Op Sledgehammer) (2012)
12-handed conspiracy to steal/convert criminal property.
R v Wiggins (2012)
Prosecuted organised-crime robbery in Kent.
R v C (2012)
Prosecution of child-defendant; sexual contact with minor with learning disability.
R v DS (2011)
Prosecution counsel in case involving grandfather sexually assaulting granddaughter from the age of six.
R v AP (2011)
Prosecution counsel in case alleging penetrative abuse by Great Uncle on eight year old great niece.
R v JE (2008)
Defending client accused of raping the 16 year old, lesbian partner of his own daughter
R v SD (2008)
Junior counsel in prosecution of defendant who raped a mentally disordered complainant.
R v D & B (2009)
Prosecution of three-handed rape and kidnap of a prostitute.