PracticeShereener specialises principally in the area of criminal defence. She has conducted trials both at Crown Court and Magistrates’ court level in all areas of criminal law, ranging in seriousness from theft to conspiracy to murder.
Shereener has been led in a number of cases defending clients charged with murder and attempt murder, conspiracy to supply class A & B (as cannabis was then classified) drugs, a 26 million pound VAT fraud (at the time one of the few so called “circulation frauds" to go to trial); death by dangerous driving involving a bus driver who killed 5 pedestrians; conspiracy to rob ( a “car-jacking" case that gained some press interest given the age of the defendant’s and their later professed addiction to a video game called “Grand Theft Auto"); conspiracy to murder/blackmail.
Protest WorkShereener has represented those charged with offences arising out of their exercise of their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association (articles 10 & 11 of the ECHR). Notably she represented Brian Haw who held a permanent protest outside the Houses of Parliament. Mr. Haw was charged with assaulting a police officer, Shereener’s application to stay the proceedings before the magistrates’ court as an abuse of process was successful.
Shereener has also successfully defended those involved in protests against the Iraq war; and a number of defendants who were arrested as a result of protests at an Arms Fair held in Docklands area of London.
Defending the youngShereener has represented a number of young defendants charged with criminal offences at various levels. She is regularly instructed by solicitors specialising in the defence of the young.
Immigration related crimeShereener has represented defendants appearing before the crown court for both sentence and trial charged with immigration offences. She is familiar with the leading guideline cases on sentence in this area of law, and of course along with the other members of the crime team, benefits from the exchange of information and ideas with immigration practitioners who practice from chambers. Recently, Shereener called a colleague who specialises in asylum law, as an expert witness as part of the defence case. The jury later went on to unanimously acquit the defendant, a genuine asylum seeker who was charged with criminal offences related to his possession of a false passport.
Other areas of practiceShereener also practises in crime-related judicial review; civil actions against the police; inquests; and prison law. She has appeared on behalf of prisoners before the Discretionary Lifer Panel and at prison adjudications.
Appellate WorkShereener has conducted hearings before the Court of Appeal on appeals against both sentence and conviction. She has represented Appellants whose convictions were “old" and so required leave to appeal out of time, as well as being instructed by the Registrar of Criminal Appeals.
Reported/High profile cases
2008 Shereener has recently completed a trial in which she appeared alone, prosecuted by Queen's Counsel along with junior counsel. The five-handed trial concerned allegations of conspiracy to rob and the use of firearms. Click here to read the news story.
Chief Constable of Merseyside Police v Hickman - case stated dealing with police powers of seizure under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. For details click here .
R v Stephen Topasna – Bus driver charged with 5 counts of dangerous driving when his bus careered out of control on a busy Bank Holiday Monday in the seaside town of Ingoldmells. For details click here.
R v Brown – driving instructor charged with sexual assaulting three of his pupils. The case gained coverage in local newspapers both during the trial and after his acquittal.
Police v John White – a transvestite former SAS soldier convicted of assaulting police officers in the execution of their duty. Reported in local and national press.
R v Rachel Finn - cilck here to read the news story
R v Marcus Smith - click here to read the news story
R v Proverbs Brown - click here to read the news story
PublicationsShereener is a contributor to “The Human Rights Act 1998, A Practical Guide" edited by Ramby De Mello and published by Jordans . Her article entitled “The Lawrence inquiry and institutionalised racism - what is their relevance to the legal profession" appeared in the August 1999 edition of Counsel magazine. As a result of this article, Shereener was profiled by Max Findlay in his column, 'In Person' in the Solicitors' Journal. Shereener has also appeared on BBC London News and has been quoted on BBC News Online, New Law Journal and the Sunday Times.
Shereener currently writes for a blog on the Bar Council website. Click Here to read her blog
Community workShereener was a mentor for two years with the Southwark Black Mentor Scheme, a scheme designed to encourage young black people aged between 14 and 15 to go onto further education. Shereener has in the past taken part in careers talks at South Bank University from where she graduated in 1995. She welcomes requests to talk to young people attending schools in economically deprived areas about a career in law.
SocietiesCriminal Bar Association; Central London Bar Mess Committee.
Past timeShereener is a keen cyclist, cycling to and from court where possible. She also enjoys portrait painting and is the vocalist in chambers’ jazz band.
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