Victoria Meads

Year of Call: 2002

"Her cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses strikes just the right balance."

Legal 500, 2020

"Victoria's conduct of cases is always outstanding and her command of the evidence second to none no matter the size or complexity."

Erin Cowley, Partner, Burton Copeland LLP

"Victoria is proactive in her preparation and always contactable and efficient with her advice both to the solicitors she works with and the lay clients she represents. She always goes that extra mile."

Erin Cowley, Partner, Burton Copeland LLP

"Victoria has a calm and quiet assurance and earns immediate respect from everyone she meets. She is robust and tenacious in Court and always the consummate professional. I would not hesitate to recommend her to any of my clients knowing they will always feel immediately at ease with her."

Erin Cowley, Partner, Burton Copeland LLP

"Victoria is a very tenacious and meticulous advocate who displays a great deal of client care. She builds a good rapport with clients and goes that extra mile in terms of case preparation. There is no doubt that she is an extremely talented court advocate, one who instills confidence in the clients she represents."

Legal 500, 2021 (Crime)

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Legal 500 2023: Leading Junior

Criminal Defence

Overview

Victoria is a highly regarded and experienced criminal defence practitioner appearing as both Leading Junior and Junior alone. She is regularly instructed in cases involving sexual offences, historical sexual offences, conspiracy to supply/import drugs, child cruelty, serious violence, firearms and homicide. She has significant experience in cases involving multiple defendants and is particularly knowledgeable and specialised in telephone and cell site evidence.

Notable Cases

Serious Violence:

Defendant unanimously acquitted of Possession of Firearm with Intent to Cause Fear of Violence and 3 x s18 shooting. R v O'Sullivan, Chelmsford Crown Court, (2018). Defendant acquitted of possession of firearm with intent further to successful submission of no case to answer and thereafter unanimously acquitted by the jury following trial of 3 x s18 and dangerous driving.

Case stayed following successful Abuse of Process Application due to disclosure issues - R v Peach (2018) Chelmsford Crown Court. Acquitted of serious violence in domestic setting. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of s18 malicious wounding - R v McDonagh (2018) Snaresbrook Crown Court. Defendant acquitted of serious violence alleged between members of travelling community. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted s20 GBH - R v Dewar (2018) Southwark Crown Court. Acquitted following trial. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of allegations of serious and persistent child cruelty - R v L (2018) Croydon Crown Court. Junior alone.

Led Junior in Murder Trial involving two defendants in a conspiracy to stab the deceased in a revenge attack following an argument. R v G (2017) Central Criminal Court. Led by Peter Finnigan Q.C. Convicted following Trial.

Defendant acquitted Conspiracy to Commit s18 Wounding following successful half time submission - R v PZK Birmingham Crown Court (2017). Led by Stephen Kamlish QC.

Junior alone in high-profile Conspiracy to commit Violent Disorder reported on BBC and ITV - R v Randall (2017) Basildon Crown Court. Client accused of planning and participating in a football-related Violent Disorder involving members of the 'CS Crew' resulting in life-changing injuries to the complainant.

Prosecution Offer No Evidence on Attempted Murder following Abuse of Process Application relating to Disclosure - R v FK Birmingham Crown Court (2016) Led by Stephen Kamlish QC

Drugs Offences

Defendant acquitted of Conspiracy to Supply £10 million cannabis.  R v Badland (2018) Woolwich Crown Court.  
Defendant was accused together with four others, of conspiracy to import and supply over £10 million worth of cannabis.  The Prosecution relied upon telephone and cell site evidence in the case against this defendant which they abandoned in their closing address as a result of the cross examination of their expert by Miss Meads.  The defendant was acquitted by unanimous jury following five week trial.  Junior alone.

Successful Appeal Against Conviction for Conspiracy to Supply Class A Defendant Acquitted at retrial. R v Wasim Ali (2017) CoA & Cardiff Crown Court. Victoria represented Mr Wali before the Court of Appeal in Appeal against Conviction based on wrongful admission of evidence. The Court of Appeal ruled the conviction unsafe. Victoria represented Mr Ali at the retrial at which he was unanimously acquitted. Junior alone.

Sexual Offences

Defendant acquitted in multi-handed Rape trial - R v MM (2018) Inner London Crown Court. Defendant accused of historical rape involving extremely vulnerable complainant with mental health issues. Defendant acquitted unanimously following trial. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted historical sexual offences. R v MK (2018) Wood Green Crown Court. Defendant accused of routinely sexually abusing young niece. Acquitted by unanimous jury. Junior alone

Defendant acquitted of historical offences of having sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13 years. R v WT (2018) Wood Green Crown Court. Defendant accused of historical sexual offences against a family member - due to the age of allegations, this case involved issues of doli incapax and complex legal argument on certain counts. Junior alone

Leading Junior in serious multi-handed People Trafficking - R v Boros (2017) Central Criminal Court - first case to deal with Slavery and Trafficking Prevention and Risk Orders.

Led Junior - representing first defendant accused of being ringleader of paedophile ring in 1970s - R v Grainger (2016) Mold Crown Court

Led Junior - representing first defendant in Oxfordshire case concerning paedophile ring targeting extremely vulnerable girls - R v Ahmed (2015) Oxford Crown Court.

Fraud/Theft

Leading Junior - Defendant acquitted of high-value Conspiracy to commit Fraud - R v Gardener (2017) Bristol Crown Court - Leading Junior in complex fraud involving car finance. Case involving extensive electronic material.

Defendant acquitted high-value Conspiracy to Steal - R v Badland (2013) Blackfriars Crown Court - multi-handed trial alleging conspiracy to steal 1.1 million pounds of railway track. Case involving extensive telephone evidence and cell site.

Miscellaneous

Defendant acquitted death by careless driving - R v Akram (2018) Blackfriars Crown Court. Case involving extensive forensic investigation evidence and significant difference in opinion between experts.

Contact Victoria

Pro Bono Work

Victoria remains dedicated to undertaking pro bono work and has a keen interest in international human rights law.

Contact Victoria

Notable Cases & News

Garden Court Chambers revises policy on Stratford Magistrates' Court

23 May 2024

Garden Court Chambers statement on security searches at Stratford Magistrates' Court

8 May 2024

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North remember Ian Macdonald QC

Garden Court Chambers and Garden Court North were honoured to host a memorial event for Ian Macdonald QC 1939-2019 at Middle Temple Hall on Tuesday 7 February 2023.

17 February 2023

Garden Court secures top tier rankings in the Legal 500 2023

Garden Court Chambers is proud to be recognised as a Top Tier set again in the Legal 500.

30 September 2022

Members of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team support escalating proposed CBA action to include days of action

17 June 2022

Stephanie Harrison QC, Chair and Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, comments on the Nationality and Borders Bill receiving Royal Assent

29 April 2022

Garden Court Crime Team statement on no returns action

30 March 2022

Garden Court secures number one rankings in Chambers UK Bar Guide 2022

21 October 2021

Garden Court Chambers Crime Team shortlisted for Crime Set of the Year by Chambers Bar Awards 2021

We are delighted to announce that the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team has been shortlisted by the Chambers Bar Awards 2021 for Crime Set of the Year.

27 August 2021

COVID-19: a protocol to assist solicitors who are working remotely and advising suspects in relation to police interviews

Please circulate to all of your professional contacts working within the criminal justice sector.

1 April 2020

Coronavirus - Bail and custody time limits protocol for protecting the rights and lives of prisoners and their families

Drafted by Lucie Wibberley, Victoria Meads, Patrick Roche and Keir Monteith QC of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team

24 March 2020

Garden Court wins Legal 500 crime set of the year award

The winners in these awards are chosen by the Legal 500 as a result of thousands of interviews with firms, sets and counsel.

8 October 2015

All related news

Background

Victoria has a long-term commitment to human rights work. This has involved assisting in the representation of defendants facing the death penalty. In 2000, she worked in Louisiana and Texas as part of the 'Innocence Project' in the wake of the election of President Bush. This was an attempt to highlight the many miscarriages of justice in capital cases.

Prior to coming to the Bar, Victoria practised as a criminal duty and associate solicitor for five years and she retains accreditation permitting her to represent suspects at the police station. 

Publications

Victoria recently published a report on the European Resolution on United Arab Emirates (UAE) human rights following her visit to the UAE to investigate the imprisonment of prominent politicians and lawyers in Abu Dhabi. Following the publication of that report, Victoria attempted to gain entry to the UAE for further investigation and was detained, questioned and subsequently deported without being permitted entry. Victoria continues to work with Gulf Human Rights Watch.

Education

  • LLB (Hons) University of Westminster
  • BVC College of Law

Professional Membership

  • Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
  • Amnesty International
  • Reprieve

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