Introduction

Jennifer is a barrister with more than a decade of experience in her specialisms of criminal and regulatory law. Her criminal practice encompasses fraud and white collar crime as well as serious sexual offences, where she is increasingly in demand as Defence Counsel.

Jennifer also accepts instructions in a broad array of regulatory and licensing matters, with particular expertise in firearms licensing and prosecutions brought under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

She is regularly instructed to provide written advice and is recognised for her analytical skills and pragmatism. As an advocate, she is clear and direct.

Jennifer has drafted secondary legislation and guidance for a public regulator, as well as bye-laws for a local authority.

Jennifer is an advocacy trainer for Inner Temple.

Jennifer is a qualified pupil supervisor.

She is the author of A Practical Guide to Private Prosecutions Under Section 82 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, published by Law Brief Publishing (2024).

Crime

Jennifer is in demand as Defence Counsel in cases involving serious sexual offending, including rape. She has successfully acted for defendants accused of multiple rape counts and is adept at cross-examining complainants in both recent and historic rape trials.

Jennifer also acts in large scale fraud matters, in which she has considerable experience appearing for both the Prosecution and the Defence.

Early in her career, Jennifer was seconded to lead the Prosecutions and Licensing team of a London Borough. For some 16 months she was responsible for all criminal cases brought by the authority. She appeared in the Crown Court in the more serious and complex matters including fraud, proceeds of crime, false identity documents and forgery and counterfeiting offences.

Regulatory

Jennifer has prosecuted a broad range of regulatory offences including environmental protection, housing, health and safety at work, planning and licensing charges. She has appeared on behalf of the Defence in cases brought by Transport for London, the RSPCA, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and in Contempt proceedings in the County Court.

Jennifer has advised on and overseen associated matters including Enforcement Policies, Public Spaces Protection Orders and Cumulative Impact Zones. She has further advised on and drafted secondary legislation and guidance for a public regulator and bye-laws for a local authority.

Jennifer accepts advisory and advocacy instructions across the full spectrum of regulatory matters.

Licensing

Jennifer is experienced in the full range of proceedings under the Licensing Act 2003 including New Grant and Variation applications, Reviews by Responsible Authorities, expedited Reviews for Serious Crime and Disorder and Appeals.

Jennifer spent two years at a local authority working within and (for the latter 16 months) managing the prosecutions and licensing legal team. She oversaw all decisions of the licensing committee and appeals against those decisions, she acted as legal advisor on the more complex and controversial applications. From this experience, she has gained insight into the concerns of licensing authorities and is able to offer practical advice on how to meet those concerns to ensure the best outcome for both current and prospective licence holders. This also places her well to address such decisions on appeal.

Jennifer accepts instructions for both local authorities and licence holders.

Awards & Prizes

Inner Temple BPTC Exhibition Award

City Law School – Stephen Seabrooke Memorial Prize (for highest marks in year in Advocacy and Criminal Litigation)

Inter-Inn Mooting Competition (2013) – Winner, Inner Temple 

Qualifications

University of Edinburgh: MA (hons) 

College of Law: GDL – Distinction

City Law School: BPTC – Outstanding 

Notable Cases

Fraud and White Collar

R v X and others, Nottingham Crown Court (2024-5)

Jennifer was led by Nichola Cafferkey for a defendant in a VHCC (Very High Cost Case) trial involving charges of fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. Following complex legal arguments concerning disclosure, permission to use evidence from the civil courts, and abuse of process, the Prosecution was forced to drop the case against all eight defendants. Jennifer was instructed by Lewis Nedas Solicitors.

R v Z, Croydon Crown Court (2023)

Jennifer prosecuted a trial on behalf of the London Borough of Lambeth. The defendant was convicted of fraud against the local authority.

R v S and A, Inner London Crown Court (2019)

Jennifer was led by Robert Fitt in a prosecution brought by the London Borough of Lambeth against two defendants alleged to have misappropriated some £56,000 of public money.

R v SS and others, Woolwich Crown Court (2019)

Jennifer was led by Robert Fitt on behalf of the Royal Borough of Greenwich prosecuting a month-long trial of six defendants on Fraud Act charges. Jennifer successfully opposed the applications made by some of the defendants to have the case dismissed at the conclusion of the Prosecution evidence.

Sexual Offences

R v W, Leeds Crown Court (2024)

Jennifer acted for the Defence in an historic sex offences trial. The defendant, a man in his sixties, was tried on multiple counts of rape and other sexual offences alleged to have been committed against his children twenty years earlier. Jennifer was instructed on a private basis by Mary Monson Solicitors.

R v S, Wood Green Crown Court (2024)

Jennifer defended a man accused of the date-rape of a vulnerable woman in her own home. The defendant was acquitted after trial and the Prosecution dropped other charges rather than seek a re-trial. Jennifer was instructed on a private basis by Mary Monson Solicitors.