Melanie Simpson

Barrister

Melanie is a criminal defence specialist acting as leading and junior counsel in serious and organised crime including: murder and serious violence, sexual offences, large scale drug and robbery conspiracies, fraud, money laundering and firearms offences.

Conducts high profile, complex and difficult cases requiring strong skilful advocacy, negotiation and tactical and forensic analysis of evidence and law. Melanie is frequently instructed in cases brought by national agencies such as SOCA, Trident and CPS special casework unit and the Flying squad.

Regularly advises and conducts complicated appeals including domestic and Privy Council. Melanie has worked in other jurisdictions including the Caribbean and is very experienced in dealing with cases that have an international dimension; her work has taken her into fields such as International Law and Treaties, confiscation, serious fraud and corruption.

Melanie has expertise in defending rape and sexual offences particularly in cases involving vulnerable complainants

Qualified to undertake ‘Direct Access’ work.

Associated /International Work

Appears in Advocacy and training videos for College of Law Bar Vocational Course.
Recently advised a significant individual in relation to the corruption investigation in the Turks & Caicos Islands.
Has spent three months working in Jamaica defending in capital murder cases.
Has previously worked for ChildLine and the London Rape Crisis Centre.

Professional Memberships

Gray’s Inn
Criminal Bar Association
Female Fraud Forum
Jamaica Council for Human Rights

Education

University College, London, BA (Hons), Law
Inns of Court School of Law

The Legal 500 - The Clients Guide to Law Firms

Serious Organised Crime

R v RL & Others – Represented defendant in largest seizure of liquid cocaine in UK history; 103 kilos of liquid cocaine valued at £8m was found concealed inside an imported shipment of foodstuffs. The case involved cut-throat defences, complicated surveillance, telephone and bank evidence and mutual international assistance
R v RB & Others- Represented only acquitted defendant in ‘Millionaire Muggers’ case. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone and BAA chairman Sir Nigel Rudd were among wealthy victims preyed upon by a highly professional gang of robbers. Proceeds of the robberies were disposed of in and around Hatton Garden jewellers. The case involved extensive cell site evidence and lengthy surveillance and telephone evidence.
R v AP & Others- Large-scale cocaine conspiracy organised from inside prison and involving corrupt prison officials. A covert police operation recorded several months of PIN conversations on a large scale from inside prison. Client was the only one of eight defendants to be acquitted. Case involved complex issues of PII.
R v GJ & Others- Leading junior in major class A drug conspiracy; wholesale drugs were being transported from London across the UK. The case involved vast amounts of covert surveillance and probe evidence and involved complex RIPA legal arguments.
R v RW & Others- Case involved a covert police operation targeting the large-scale purchase and distribution of firearms linked to a serious criminal gang known as the “untouchables”. Undercover officers infiltrated the gang over the course of one year and the case involved lengthy cross-examination of police surveillance techniques.
R v CW- Conspiracy to supply cocaine related to the activities of former reggae star ‘Smiley Culture’ who died in controversial circumstances following a drugs raid at his home address days before the trial was due to commence.
R v MW- Importation of 80 kilos of cannabis, case involved process known as ‘Rip On/ Rip In’ whereby corrupt overseas baggage handlers secrete drugs into luggage after it has been checked in.
R v GJ & Others- Junior alone in the “Graff Diamonds” trial, concerning Britain’s biggest ever jewellery heist carried out at the exclusive Mayfair jewellers, £40 million of jewellery was taken and never recovered. The case concerned an extremely sophisticated and well-planned robbery involving firearms, disguises and numerous defendants. The case required detailed technical analysis of volumes of evidence. Represented defendant was acquitted.

Murder and Serious Violence

R v KP & Others– Very young juvenile defendant charged with a gang related multiple shooting incidents. Defendant was acquitted of possession of firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life and of s.18 following half-time submission. Case involved complex legal arguments regarding recklessness and joint enterprise.
R v TA- Represented defendant accused of assisting offender for murder following deadly gunfight resulting in murder and bloodshed at the St Pauls Carnival, Bristol. Case involved complex ballistic evidence and extensive CCTV evidence.
R v DG & Others– Kidnapping, false imprisonment and blackmail conspiracy involving multiple defendants kidnapping an associates 12 year-old brother on his way home from school.He was kept hidden under stairs for two days while ransom demands were made and was rescued by CDS-1.
R v BA – Murder taking place in crowded nightclub. Case involved legal argument regarding witness anonymity, hearsay and vast quantities of cell site and CCTV evidence.
R v AC & Others – Represented only acquitted defendant in torture case involving rival drug dealers. Case attracted worldwide publicity due to bungling police eating pizza at scene ordered by suspects.
R v AJ- Represented defendant charged with stabbing rap star Professor Green in the neck.
R v CA & Others- Led junior in ‘Christmas Day’ murder where victim left paraplegic and tube fed. Case involved horrific injuries and complicated medical evidence. Represented only acquitted defendant.
R v PM- Led junior in 10 handed gang related murder. Case involved vast amounts of evidence and complicated legal issues of joint enterprise. Represented defendant was acquitted.
R v ZO – Case concerned child cruelty of an 8-month old baby who subsequently died. The case involved complex cross-examination of experts from across Europe relating to complicated medical issues of cerebral palsy and Osteopenia; defendant was acquitted.
R v SP – Case involved the death of a child on a construction site. Defendant was acquitted of gross negligence manslaughter. Case concerned complex issues of company responsibility, construction and health and safety regulatory law.

Rape and Sexual Violence

R v DR – Represented defendant charged with rape while allegedly asleep. Case involved the complex medical issue of sexsomnia.
R v TO & Others- Defendant acquitted of ‘gang rape’ in a case involving multiple defendants against single very young complainant.
R v A & Others – Defendant acquitted of multiple defendant ‘gang rape’. Case involved lengthy cross-examination on the issue of consent.
R v E- Defendant acquitted of multiple vaginal and anal rapes of 10 year-old. Case required sensitive cross-examination of very young children.

Reported Cases

Staplylton v R [2012] EWCA Crim 728,
T [2012] Archbold Review issue 10, December 21,2012
R v Twist & Others [2011] 2 Cr.App.R.17
R v Miller [2010] 2 Cr.App.R.19