Samantha Leigh

Samantha Leigh has a mixed practice of both prosecution and defence work. Her heavyweight criminal practice demonstrates her intellectual ability, comprehensive knowledge and standing in the profession. Whilst she covers all areas of the criminal law; Fraud, offences involving violence and Sexual Offences. For the last 8 years Samantha has been heavily involved in cases involving the downloading of illegal material. Samantha makes regular use of IT research and presentation tools in court and out. This is highly relevant to the presentation of computer based evidence to the court. Samantha is fully aware of the Attorney Generals advice on digitally stored material. To ensure Samantha is up to date with her legal knowledge she receives daily emails from Lawtel and reads Criminal Law Review, Archbold News and the CBA.

 

Samantha has defended and prosecuted, as junior counsel, in a large number of major cases including murders, rapes and frauds. She is a Grade 3 Prosecutor and is a specialist rape advocate. Samantha has a working knowledge of the Disclosure manual and how to set out PII applications, the level of authority required and the considerations covered in R v H&C. She has attended Preston hearing meetings with the relevant police officers and lawyer. She has reviewed sensitive material, applied the tests in conjunction with the defence statement and advised on disclosure. Samantha has a significant track record in Prosecuting and defending offences that rely on voluminous and detailed financial material. 

 

Samantha is regularly instructed by the Crown to review cases involving a complaint from the victim, an MP or Police. Samantha has advised in cases where defendants have fled the jurisdiction, in respect to their extradition

 

Samantha’s practice involves many cases with either very young or mentally impaired victims of sexual abuse. She has been described as patient and sensitive when dealing with people.

 

Examples of cases and experience;

 

Crump et al; Samantha was the Prosecution junior on this mulit-handed international fraud which was based on vast amounts of financial data. All defendants were convicted.

 

Dagworthy; Samantha was the Prosecution junior on this successful prosecution of this complex pyramid fraud.  

 

McGovern et al: prosecuted six defendants in a wheel conspiracy, a spin-off from a much larger operation. The case involved undercover officers, covert material and cross disclosure. Pre-trial, one of the solicitors was arrested, as part of the conspiracy, leading to issues concerning.

 

Longman and Scarlet: prosecuted a web master, the evidence was contained within numerous computer files. Marshalling this material to form a clear picture was essential to present a compelling case. Working with her junior they were able to link the computer use to the distribution and taking of indecent images. One of the numerous live victims of abuse refused to cooperate Samantha’s experience allowed her to work round this problem by using photographs of her to prove those charges. Longman appealed his sentence and Samantha provided written submissions to the Court of Appeal on the issue of IPP. His appeal was dismissed.

 

Hawes et al: this was a multi-handed cut throat attempted murder, Samantha defended with a silk. She alone conducted the section 51 dismissal argument on hearsay and co-defendants admissions.

 

Allwright: prosecuted this case with major press interest due to the sheer level of sexual abuse alleged. The victim was 14 and groomed by the defendant since she was seven. Whilst remanded, allegations of soliciting to murder emerged. Samantha successfully joined the charges and the defendant was convicted receiving a substantial custodial sentence

 

A: Samantha defended this case of sexual abuse between father and daughter. After the daughter had made her evidence dvd, a solicitor’s statement was received indicating she had lied in the ABE due to police pressure, making it clear she would not attend any subsequent trial. This is a new and developing area of law, skeleton arguments were submitted on the question of admissibility, under section 114, detailing the impact on the trial process when victims refuse to attend and give evidence.

 

Braybrook and Elliott: sexual abuse of a 16-month-old baby with cut throat defences. A vast amount of Social Services records and parallel family court proceedings material had to be reviewed by Samantha and the lawyer and appropriate disclosure made to the parties.

 

Chivers, a murder, Samantha had to advise on obtaining material from Germany; where the defendant had a previous conviction for Murder. After his released he returned to this country and within a few years had murdered again in similar circumstances to before. Once all the material was obtained he pleaded guilty, and sentenced to a full life sentence

 

Samantha is an Advocacy trainer for her Inn and has been involved in assessing CPS advocates for their Higher Court Rights. She is a registered pupil supervisor.

BA (Hons), Essex

Called to the Bar 1995.

 

October 2004: Samantha was appointed as a Deputy District Judge (Crime). At the time she was the youngest woman and most junior appointment.

February 2010: Appointed as a Recorder

 

Samantha grew up in Africa, from an early age mixing with many cultures this providing her with a wonderful insight into other ways of life.