Emma Akuwudike

Barrister

Emma is an outstanding senior barrister with over 30 years' experience in criminal defence work for both private and legally aided clients.

Emma is an extremely hard-working, personable, and tenacious advocate who exudes confidence, gravitas and commands the courtroom. Her presence quickly gains the trust of her clients.

Emma and has rightly earned an excellent reputation amongst her professional and lay clients, her colleagues and the judiciary.

She is fearless and unflappable and fights for clients. She has no weaknesses and comes to court fully prepared and on top of her game.

Emma has consistently held an unrivalled acquittal rate which she is extremely proud of. She owes this to her meticulous preparation, excellent knowledge of the law and her exceptional advocacy.

Juries trust Emma, because of her relatable manner and her closing speeches always hold their attention.

Emma’s Practice

Emma has a heavy weight practice with over 30 years' experience in a very broad spectrum of criminal offences of a high profile and complex nature which often gain national media attention. Her specialism is in gang land homicide, serious and organised crime, firearms offences, armed robbery and multi-handed drugs conspiracies. Emma is highly sought after in serious sexual offences for both private and legally aided clients.

Emma has also expanded her practice to include Inquest work.

Emma is highly recommended as a Leading Junior in Chambers UK and the Legal 500 and has been recognised in Doyles Leading Criminal Law Counsel - London 2024 list.

Associated Work

Emma is a Visiting Lecturer at the Inns of Court College of Advocacy providing tutoring in Criminal Advocacy and Conference Skills.
In Emma's article, "Going Country", Emma explains the growing epidemic of ‘County Lines’ criminality and modern slavery. Read the full article here.
In September 2019, Emma coordinated and hosted an anti-knife crime initiative at Middle Temple which had a panel including a lead trauma surgeon, former Old Baily Judge, HHJ Joseph (who sits at the Central Criminal Court), a homicide detective, mother of a murder victim, Queen's Counsel and a youth mentor.
Emma is a committed and passionate mentor and is on the mentoring list at Inner Temple.
Registered Pupil Supervisor since 2003.

Directory Testimonials

"She is vastly experienced and excellent with clients." Chambers UK 2026, Crime
"Emma has tactical awareness and is a tough negotiator." Chambers UK 2026, Crime
"She is good at hard, sensitive cases, and she really fights for clients." Chambers UK 2026, Crime
"Akuwudike is an excellent advocate." Chambers UK 2026, Crime
"Emma Akuwudike is an extremely experienced counsel." Chambers UK 2026, Crime
"Emma's advocacy skills are exceptional." Legal 500 2026, Crime
"She has a commanding courtroom presence and is highly responsive and quick-thinking under pressure." Legal 500 2026, Crime
"Emma's case preparation is excellent as is her knowledge and understanding of the law." Legal 500 2025, Crime
"She looks after the clients and works very hard to win a case." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"Emma has very good client care." Chambers UK 2025, Crime
"Emma's case preparation is excellent as is her knowledge and understanding of the law. She relates extremely well to both professional and lay clients/ Her tactical judgment is also excellent as is her written work. In cross-examination she is clear, precise and to the point." Legal 500 2025, Crime
"Emma is a superb advocate and a great strategist who provides excellent client care." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"She is very proactive and meticulous in the preparation of her cases. She has an excellent rapport with clients." Chambers UK 2024, Crime
"Emma is very good on the law and is a highly competent advocate." Legal 500 2024, Crime
"Emma is a dream to work with. Even where there is what the prosecution would call a 'confession' recorded and served in evidence, she can see the defendant's side of the story, gently put it to the jury and secure an acquittal." Chambers UK 2023, Crime
"She is able, over the course of a long trial. to keep juries interested and the client's spirits up." Chambers UK 2022
"Emma is an extremely able lawyer. She is very bright, hard-working, focused and has an impressive ability to master large and complicated case papers efficiently and effectively. She is also very supportive and a team player." Legal 500 Crime 2022
"An extremely engaging and effective advocate who has a great eye for detail and is very good at appreciating the bigger picture". Chambers UK 2021
"She has a fantastic rapport with the jury, and is very clever". Chambers UK 2021
"She has a brilliant analytical mind". Legal 500 2021
"She is able to read, digest and then explain to even the most challenged clients serious legal principles and yet, make it seem so simple. She is an excellent advocate who commands any court.at the same time, she is able to empathise with her clients without compromising her very high professional standards" Legal 500 2021
"A tough, no-nonsense advocate who delivers results" Legal 500 2020
"Tenacious, hardworking and caring about her clients, she is a good lawyer and strong advocate". Legal 500 2018
"A passionate advocate who empathises with, and fights hard for her clients". Legal 500
"She has extensive experience of murder, sexual offence and drug cases". Legal 500
"Incredibly good with heavyweight violent crime cases". Legal 500

Recent Client Testimonial

“From the very beginning, Emma demonstrated an extraordinary level of professionalism, expertise and dedication. As a client going through one of the most stressful experiences of my life, having someone of her calibre represent me made an enormous difference. She has an exceptional ability to quickly understand complex situations and respond with precision and confidence. Her ability to think on her feet in the courtroom was remarkable.

Emma’s courtroom presence is truly commanding. When she stands to speak, the entire courtroom listens you could quite literally hear a pin drop. She is fierce, dominant and completely in control, yet at the same time incredibly measured and strategic. It was clear that she had the trust and attention of the jury every time she addressed them.

What impressed me most was her balance of strength and empathy. She fought tirelessly on my behalf while also making sure I understood the process and felt supported throughout. Her preparation, attention to detail and tactical judgement were outstanding. Watching her advocate was genuinely impressive she was clear, precise and persuasive at every stage.

It is easy to see why Emma has earned such a strong reputation as an advocate. She combines sharp legal knowledge with exceptional advocacy skills and a natural ability to connect with both clients and juries. I felt completely confident having her represent me and I will always be grateful for the way she supported and guided me through the process.

Please pass on my sincere thanks to Emma. She is an exceptional barrister and a credit to 25 Bedford Row."

Professional Memberships

Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL)
Women in Criminal Law (WICL)

Homicide

R v K: Emma acted as junior counsel in this high profile and complex killing of two men and attempted murder at Warwick Crown Court. The prosecution accepted guilty pleas to lesser counts of Manslaughter on grounds of Diminished Responsibility. The defendant drove a car and killed two people following a psychotic episode of paranoid schizophrenia. He was sentenced to two life sentences for Manslaughter with a minimum term of nine years and four months, and 10 years concurrent for attempted murder within the framework of a s.45A Hybrid Order. News Link
R v JM: After an 8 week multi handed trial of an indictment involving multiple counts of Possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and attempted murder, Emma Akuwudike secured acquittals for her client.
R v DM: Acted for 3rd defendant in multi-handed murder trial under the complex doctrine of transferred malice in which opposing side fired the fatal but defendant and his team held responsible for a member of his team’s murder.
R v JJB: Led Junior for the defendant who pleaded guilty to multiple offences of domestic burglaries/ robberies of elderly victims leading to the subsequent death of one of the victims. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The case had complex issues of causation resulting in the instruction of experts in the specialist field of cardiology.
R v SZ: Represented 15 year old boy charged with murder of drug dealer in multi handed 2 month trial at CCC Jury acquitted of murder and convicted of the lesser count of Manslaughter
R v S: Acted for 14 year old defendant in multi handed gang land murder at the CCC
R v B: Successfully represented female appellant who appealed the minimum term of 23 1/2 years for knife murder. The sentence was quashed and reduced to 20 years.
R v B & Ors: Acted for the first female defendant at the Central Criminal Court in the high profile murder of an 18 year old boy in Ruislip. Case attracted substantial media interest.
R v TWD & Ors: Acted for young defendant in multi handed murder of 17 year old boy and stabbing of 14 year old.
R v C: Successfully represented a taxi driver accused of causing death of an elderly pedestrian by careless driving on Waterloo Bridge.
R v B: Gangland motorbike shooting in Stockwell.
R v U: Matricide. Minimum term successfully reduced on appeal.
R v J & Ors: Acted for young defendant on a plea to manslaughter (initially indicted for murder) at the Central Criminal Court.
R v J & Ors: Acted for the same defendant on multiple counts of Attempted Murder GBH, and Firearms offences in gangland shooting.
R v M & Ors: Acted for a 16 year old youth in ten handed murder- Acquitted.
R v N: Acted for one of two defendants in “Body in the Boot” murder.
R v M: Defended in the six handed CCTV murder of Marcus Hall following a “So Solid” event in Luton. Case attracted national media coverage and was featured regularly on “Crime Watch UK”. This case resulted in the leading case on joint enterprise. O’Flaherty & Ors.

Serious Violence

R v G (2025): Following a 7 day trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Emma secured acquittals on attempted murder, s18 and having an offensive weapon. The defendant successfully advanced self defence despite the severity of injuries to the complainant.
R v JM & Ors : An 8-week multi-handed trial. Emma secured acquittals involving counts of attempted murder and possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life at the Old Bailey. The case involved the alleged sale of a firearm and a subsequent attempted murder: a revenge attack for a serious assault which occurred during the sale of the firearm.
R v RP: Emma Akuwudike acted for D2. Emma secured acquittals on two counts of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life. Alleged revenge shooting following an incident at a family party. The trial took place at the Central Criminal Crown Court.
R v SW: Following service of defence DNA report, P offered no evidence on firearms/ammunition offences.
R v MA: Emma Akuwudike secured the only acquittal for her client following successful legal submissions on identification in a multi-handed trial of six defendants indicted for attempted murder, s.18 and violent disorder. The victim was a 15 year old youth. Media Report
R v TW: Emma Akuwudike successfully defended her client accused of raping complainant who claimed she was drunk and asleep. The defence was consent.
R v SM: Represented vulnerable defendant indicted for kidnapping and ABH of a 14 year old following a two week multi handed trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Client whose was first on the indictment, was acquitted.
R v KJ: Successfully defended a vulnerable defendant in multi handed trial on allegations of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger life Gangs/bad character evidence successfully excluded.
R v B & Ors: Emma Akuwudike acted for the 1st defendant in a multi-handed seven week trial on allegations of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to cause GBH and conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life. Emma successfully excluded gangs evidence at the outset . She secured unanimous acquittals on all counts.
R v G & Ors: Following a 5 week multi-handed trial at Inner London Crown Court, Emma Akuwudike’s client was acquitted of conspiracy to kidnap.
R v L: Represented the defendant following a two week trial at Inner London Crown Court . This was an undercover operation which led to the attempted sale of a firearm to an undercover officer.
R v B: Successfully defended in a two handed trial at Harrow Crown Court for possession of firearm with intent to endanger life. Jury acquitted on all counts. Defendant was sentenced to the lesser counts that he had pleaded guilty to.
R v M: Represented defendant on allegations of attempted murder and possession of firearm with intent to endanger life at the CCC - acquitted.
R v A: Represented defendant at CCC on allegations of violent disorder and possession of firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at CCC. Prosecution accepted plea to lesser offence.
R v A: Acted for defendant in alleged "gang land stabbing". Acquitted following legal argument opposing the Crown’s application to adduce hearsay evidence.
R v L & Ors: Successfully represented one of nine defendants in a very high profile Conspiracy to rob Graff Jewellers, a very exclusive diamond jewellers in Mayfair. Losses amounted to £40 million, making this the UK’s largest ever robbery heist. The case received significant national media coverage.

Drugs

R v B: Successfully acted for the defendant who had allegedly imported high grade cocaine following a trip to Jamaica to support the Jamaica National football team – Acquitted.
R v RN: Acted for 1st defendant in a multi-handed trial involving Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. Acquitted.
R v P: Defended in multi-handed trial for conspiracy to supply 2kg of cocaine following trial at Blackfriars Crown Court.
R v S & Ors: Leading junior for female defendant in multi-handed county lines drugs conspiracy lasting 6 weeks at Inner London Crown Court.
R v L: Successfully represented the only defendant to stand trial in a multi-handed 6kg drugs conspiracy. Co-defendants pleaded guilty.
R v B: Represented a dutch pilot in a sophisticated multi-million pound drugs conspiracy who was convicted of importing 22kg of high purity cocaine from Holland to Rochester airport which he flew in a light aircraft. The case attracted national media interest
R v S: Represented a youth key worker acquitted of conspiracy to supply cocaine in multi-handed drugs operation covering a period of surveillance. Other co-defendants had pleaded guilty and had received lengthy terms of imprisonment
R v M & Ors: Represented an autistic teenager on drugs conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine following a 4 1/2 month surveillance operation.. He was the only defendant to be acquitted.
R v G: Successfully defended a pensioner on multi-handed drugs conspiracy to supply cocaine whose defence was “I thought I was delivering cannabis”.
R v R & Ors: Represented the 3^rd defendant in a multi-handed drugs conspiracy to supply 47kg of cannabis
R v R: Represented defendant in substantial and complex multi-million pound drugs conspiracy.
R v G: Successfully secured a sentence of 4 ½ years on a plea to importation of 3kg Cocaine.
R v I: Successfully represented admitted swallower of cocaine on remaining allegations of cocaine which were found in his suitcase.
R v P: Represented one of two defendants advancing cut-throat defence in relation to possession of cocaine and heroin.
R v O: Successfully defended a woman indicted for importation of 6kg of cocaine.

Sexual Offences

R v JA (2026): Successfully represented the defendant following a trial in which the complainant (a teacher), alleged that she had been spiked and raped.
R v AM (2026): Successfully represented the defendant charged with rape. The crown offered no evidence following defence challenge to whether the case should be prosecuted because the complainant had suffered a brain aneurysm during the sexual act.
R v O (2026): Following a trial in which the defendant was accused of rape, the defendant was acquitted.
R v R (2025): Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Emma Akuwudike secured a speedy acquittal on an allegation of rape against the defendant, a university student of good character. The complainant also a university student claimed that she was too intoxicated to consent.
R v W (2025): Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court for allegations of vaginal and oral rape alleged by a teacher against the defendant, Emma Akuwudike through skilful cross examination took the complainant through CCTV footage which showed her interactions with the defendant inside a nightclub and undermined her account. The complainant had alleged that she had been spiked. Jury acquitted on both counts.
R v N (2025): Following a 7 day trial at Oxford Crown Court, Emma secured a speedy acquittal following a retrial. Emma did not act for the defendant on the first trial. The case involved cross examination of a vulnerable witness with psychiatric issues. The alleged rape was said to have been captured during a 999 call. This was undermined through skilful cross examination of the complainants previous false allegations.
R v Y (2025): Following a 2 week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Emma acted as lead counsel for a defendant charged with multiple counts of rape, sexual offences, assaults, coercive control and witness intimidation. The case involved sensitive cross examination of a vulnerable witness and cross referencing of voluminous phone evidence. The case resulted in acquittal on all counts.
R v C (2025): Following a trial at Northampton Crown Court, Emma secured a unanimous acquittal for her client facing an allegation of rape.
R v VM (2025): Following a week long trial at Harrow Crown Court, Emma secured a hung jury for an allegation of rape resulting in the Crown offering no evidence against her client.
R v R & Ors (2025): Following a two week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Emma secured unanimous acquittals for her client facing allegations of facilitating travel with a view to exploitation and multiple counts of rape. The defence were unable to cross-examine the complainant, but the case was allowed to proceed. The jury were presented with questions they would have asked the complainant.
R v EB: Following a week long trial at Luton Crown Court, Emma secured acquittals on allegations of rape and sexual assault on a 15 year old girl. The jury convicted on the lesser counts of Sexual Activity with a Child. Emma was instructed by Jo Chart at Sperrin Solicitors.
R v ZRD: Emma secured an acquittal in 45 minutes by a Kingston jury on a sexual allegation against her client. The case involved cross examination under the s28 procedure. Emma was instructed by Cassandra Green of Wainwright Solicitors
R v TB & Ors: Acted for the 1st defendant in the largest operation into child abuse covered by West Midlands police. Her convictions were successfully challenged on appeal leading to a retrial. At her retrial she was acquitted on the judge’s direction.
R v MS: Successfully defended on allegation of rape where complainant claimed she was asleep.
R v S: Successfully defended the defendant following a trial on multiple counts of rape.
R v J & Ors: Represented the 2nd defendant on a multi-handed gang rape following a 3 month trial. Case involved the cross examination of a vulnerable witness. Acquitted on all counts. Trial Judge praised counsel her excellent cross examination of the main witness.
R v W: Represented defendant on 19 counts of rape /sexual abuse on two young sisters. Acquitted on 10 counts.
R v F: Successfully represented a heroin addict on allegations of Rape. Complainant was a functioning alcoholic.

Reported Cases

R v Jordan Mcsweeney (2023) EWCA Crim 1250: Successful appeal against the minimum term for sentence, which was reduced from 38 to 33 years, following the defendant’s guilty plea to murder.
R v Binoku [2021] EWCA Crim 48: Impermissible judicial Interventions of trial judge but verdict still safe.
R v Lubemba [2014] EWCA Crim 2064: Leading case in how far a judge should go in protecting vulnerable witnesses.
R v Farren [2013] EWCA Crim 2561: appeal against sentence for breach of a restraining order.
R (on the application of the Crown Prosecution Service) v Bow Street Magistrates Court and Samuel James & Ors [2006] EWHC 1763: appeared for an interested party in relation to whether section 44(2) Identity Card Act 2006 had repealed section 5 Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

R v A: Successfully defended in a two handed allegation of fraud by abuse of position following trial at Croydon Crown Court. The defendant was alleged to have defrauded her young niece and nephews who were beneficiaries out of their late mother’s estate. Her brother and co-defendant was convicted and sentenced to 5 years
R v Wade: Acted for defendant in multi-handed fraud and money laundering. Acquitted of conspiracy and money laundering following half time submissions.
R v Abrahams: Acted for defendant in VAT fraud.
R v Ariri: Successfully represented defendant in credit card fraud.
R v Nauth: Acted for director in mortgage fraud.
R v Macro: Led in a “cut-throat” multi million pound aviation re-insurance fraud between a senior Lloyds underwriter and broker. Represented the broker. Case attracted media coverage.