PracticeCrimeAnna has recently returned from Laos, where she was working on behalf of the human rights organization Reprieve representing Samantha Orobator, a young British woman accused of being in possession of 0.6kg of heroin. Samantha has been in a Lao prison since her arrest in August 2008 and became pregnant whilst in custody. Until Reprieve's involvement in her case, Samantha had never seen a lawyer despite facing a charge that carries the death penalty. Anna continues to be actively involved in the campaign for Samantha's fair trial and her return to the United Kingdom to serve any sentence of imprisonment. News Coverage
Anna has a busy criminal defence practice and is regularly instructed in the Crown Court in matters of grievous bodily harm, robbery, arson and affray. She also appears regularly in the Court of Appeal. She was recently led in a multi-handed conspiracy to rob 16 Argos stores around the South East of England. Anna specializes in the representation of defendants with mental health issues and young defendants and has been commended for her commitment to working with vulnerable clients by both solicitors and Judges.
An established area of Anna's practice is the representation of protestors, particularly those who demonstrate against the arms trade and as part of the climate camp movement. In 2008, she represented one of the "EDO 5" who were all acquitted by a jury sitting at Brighton Crown Court of charges of criminal damage arising from a peaceful protest at the premises of EDO/MBM. She also represented one of two defendants charged with aggravated trespass at the offices of Erinys international, who provide private security forces to Iraq and Afghanistan. Both defendants were acquitted after successful legal argument before a District Judge at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.
Anna represented members of the "FIT Watch" movement arrested at climate camp, who have now lodged a complaint regarding their treatment at the hands of the police (LINK -http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/22/kingsnorth-protest-police-tactics). She is currently instructed by one of 9 who were involved in a significant demonstration in January 2009 at the EDO/MBM factory to raise awareness of the attacks on civilians in Gaza. As an advocate, Anna is very experienced in the cross-examination of professional witnesses, particularly police officers. She has frequently successfully defended allegations of assault on police officers by showing that the officers were not acting within the lawful execution of their duty. Civil Actions Against the PoliceAnna is currently instructed in a number of civil actions against the police and is keen to expand her practice in this area. Her protest work often leads to referrals for claims for false imprisonment and assault.
She is a member of the Police Actions Lawyers Group and author of the chapter on police misconduct in Blackstone's Guide to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, edited by Maya Sikand (Published by Oxford University Press in January 2009). InquestsIn 2006, Anna was pro bono junior counsel alongside John Cooper representing the family of Pte. James Collinson, one of four young people who died at the Deepcut Army Barracks in Surrey in unclear circumstances. In 2008 she was instructed on behalf of the family of Cpl. Brian Young who died in Armagh Barrracks after the Army failed to implement their own restrictions on the consumption of alcohol. Anna continues to be instructed in inquests across the country and her experience in the criminal courts means that she is a confident jury advocate. She is particularly interested in inquests arising from deaths in state custody or care. She is often happy to under take work on a pro bono basis. At the beginning of 2009 she was asked to be a member of the Bar Council group tasked to respond to the Coroners and Justice Bill 2009, whose report will be considered by the House of Commons at the 2nd reading of the Bill.
Notable Cases:R -v Gomes & Ors - Led junior in multi -handed conspiracy to rob 16 Argos stores.
R v- Masud - Arson with intent to endanger life. Defendant had significant mental health problems.
R -v- Atkins - Young man with significant learning difficulties and compulsion issues charged with robbery.
Regina -v Apple & Ors - Protestors arrested at Climate Camp at Kingsnorth, resulted in complaint against arresting officers
Regina -v- Walsh& Ors - Acquittal of 5 protestors at EDO/MBM charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage
Regina -v- Levin & Ors - Acquittal of 2 protestors demonstrating at the offices of the private security company Erinys International.
Portugal -v- Azevedo - Led by Owen Davies QC in extradition proceedings concerning former president of Benfica football club.
Inquest touching on the death of James Collinson - Inquest concerning the death of young soldiers at the Deepcut barracks
BackgroundAt the start of her legal career in 2002, Anna worked for 2 years as a legal caseworker for a busy immigration firm in Nottingham, specialising in asylum and human rights. After the completion of her LLM in International Law and Human Rights she moved to London and combined the BVC with working as researcher to Keir Starmer QC. Before coming to the Bar, Anna worked as an investigator and campaigner for Reprieve, the death penalty organisation founded by Clive Stafford Smith. As part of this role, she spent 3 months in the Philippines campaigning on behalf of Paco Larranaga, a Spanish national sentenced to death after being wrongfully convicted of double rape and murder. During her time in the Philippines, Anna was invited by the EU delegation to speak at a national series of seminars on the death penalty and restorative justice. In 2006, she was invited by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to train defence lawyers in Macedonia on the implementation of ECHR fair trial standards and the right to liberty. Anna joined Garden Court Chambers in 2007 after completing her pupilage at 25 Bedford Row, Chambers of Rock Tansey QC.
Publications
Contributing author, Blackstone's Guide to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 edited by Maya Sikand, Oxford University Press (Published January 2009)
Contributor to Colin Wells, Abuse of Process, Legal Action Group (2006) SocietiesVice Chair - Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers
Police Action Lawyers Group
Inquest Lawyers Group
Young Legal Aid Lawyers
Legal Action Group
Lawyers for Liberty (Last Updated: September 2009)
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