Alex Di Francesco

Barrister

Alex is a leading criminal junior who defends those accused of serious crime and professional misconduct.

Alex is instructed as leading counsel in cases alleging serious organised crime, financial crime, the distribution of controlled drugs and modern slavery.

Alex represents professionals before their regulators, interested persons in the Coroner’s Court and core participants in public inquiries.

He has appeared in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal having described his submissions as elegant and persuasive.

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association
Southern Eastern Circuit

Scholarships and Prizes

2012 Middle Temple Keble Advanced International Advocacy Course Scholar
2008 Harmsworth Scholar, Middle Temple
2007 Lloyd Jacob Memorial Award

Academics

2008 BVC, BPP Law School
2007 GDL, BBP Law School
2005 MSC, The London School of Economics
2002 BA, Birmingham University

2023

R v K [2023] – Junior alone for the first of seven defendants. The Defendant faces trial on an indictment alleging conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
R v M [2023] – Junior alone for the first of seven defendants. The Defendant faces trial on an indictment alleging conspiracy to supply industrial quantities of class A drugs and firearms.
R v K [2023] – Junior alone for the first of 16 defendants. The Defendant faces trial on an indictment alleging conspiracy to commit fraud.
R v G [2023] – Junior alone. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging conspiracy to import firearms.
R v B [2023] – Junior alone for the first of three defendants. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

2022

R v B [2022] – Led by Laurie-Anne Power KC. The Defendant stood trial on indictment alleging conspiracy to murder and firearms offences following a series of east London shootings associated with gang rivalry and drill music.
R v F [2022] – Led by Arlette Piercy. The Defendant stood trial on indictment alleging conspiracy to murder and firearms offences. Both Luke Shrimpton and Dr Duncan Campbell were called to give evidence in respect of the reliability of data obtained under the auspices of Operation Venetic.
R v D [2022] – Junior Alone. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging death by careless driving. The Defendant, a professional HGV driver, was alleged to have carelessly caused a fatal collision on the M25.
R v B [2022] – Led by David Spens KC for the first of six defendants. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging murder in the context of gang rivalry. The case involved a group attack with knifes, the Defendant was said to be the leader of the group and an armed participant in the attack.
R v G [2022] – Junior Alone. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging death by careless driving. The Defendant was said to have carelessly caused a fatal collision with a motorbike.

2021

R v G [2021] – Led by Paul Mendelle KC. The Defendant stood trial on an indictment alleging murder. The case involved multiple forensic collision experts.

REPORTED CASES

R v Cosgrove [2021] EWCA Crim 1491 – For the Appellant who appealed his sentence for supply of cocaine.
Re: G [2019] EWHC 1737 (Admin)– For the Applicant who applied for a certificate of inadequacy in respect of confiscation proceedings.
R v Pal [2019] EWCA Crim 1039 – For the Appellant who appealed his conviction for an offence contrary to section 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 on the basis of judicial conduct.
R v Rooney [2019] EWCA Crim 681 – For the Appellant who appealed his conviction for modern slavery offences on the grounds of jury bias and judicial conduct.
R v Omorogieva [2015] EWCA Crim 382 – For the Appellant who appealed the terms of a confiscation order.
R v Waqanika [2014] EWCA Crim 902 - For the Appellant who appealed his sentence for fraud.
R v Lachman [2013] EWCA Crim 1528 - For the Appellant who appealed his sentence for importation of cocaine.
R v Connors [2013] EWCA Crim 368 - Led by Paul Crampin and for the Appellant who appealed his conviction on the grounds of jury bias.
R v Rathore [2010] EWCA Crim 392 – For the Appellant who appealed his sentence for an offence contrary to section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
Semple v DPP [2009] EWHC 3241 (Admin); [2010] 2 All E.R. 353; [2011] P.T.S.R. 111 - For the Appellant who appealed his conviction on the grounds of police conduct.

PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE

SRA v A [2020] – The Respondent, a solicitor, was accused of serious professional misconduct and dishonesty following an investigation by a television documentary team.

INQUIRIES

The Manchester Arena Inquiry [2020-22] – Led by John Cooper KC, Alex was instructed to represent the families of 11 of the 22 murdered in the bombing of the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena.
The Grenfell Inquiry [2021] – Alex was instructed to represent the interests of a supplier of building materials incorporated into the façade of the tower.

INQUESTS

Southwark Coroners Court [2021] – For the Local Authority following the death of an elderly resident.

CIVIL

H v SYL [2022] – Instructed for the Defendant accused of contempt before Mr Justice Nicklin sitting in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.