Emily Griffiths
Emily has developed a broad practice across Chambers’ core areas of general crime, fraud & financial crime and regulatory.
She regularly accepts instructions to prosecute and defend in the Crown Court and has particular experience in serious and complex criminal matters. Her experience includes cases involving attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, drugs matters, robbery, motor offences and firearms.
Within fraud and financial crime, Emily has acted for both individuals and government agencies in matters involving fraud and money laundering. She also has experience of Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.
Emily is a trained Youth Court advocate and has extensive experience representing vulnerable clients, including those vulnerable by reason of age, mental health or other circumstances. She adopts a measured and client-focused approach, particularly in cases involving vulnerable defendants and complex factual or evidential issues.
Emily has a developing quasi-criminal practice and has appeared for both applicants and defendants in a range of non-CPS prosecutions. She has undertaken specialist training with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and is developing her practice in professional disciplinary matters.
Specialist Areas
Cases
Notable cases
R v RB (Upcoming) – Violent Disorder
Instructed to represent one of eleven defendants alleged to have attacked a rival motorcycle gang on a street in Worthing.
R v GS / “Operation Ryton” – Attempted Murder, s.18 Grievous Bodily Harm, Violent Disorder
Secured acquittal of defendant charged with attempted murder and s.18 GBH following 8-week trial before the Central Criminal Court. The defendant, who was of effective good character, had been charged on a joint-enterprise basis, having been present at the scene of a stabbing in Canning Town. He maintained he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and was the only defendant of the six who were present at the stabbing to be acquitted of both charges. GS was convicted of violent disorder. Emily was led by Henry Hughes in Chambers.
R v JM – Controlling or Coercive Behaviour, Criminal Damage, Intentional Strangulation, Assault, Stalking
Successful application to discharge the jury after serious disclosure failings became apparent during Emily’s cross-examination of the complainant.
R v MH – Concerned in the Supply of Crack Cocaine and Heroin
At sentence, successfully resisted a starting point of 8 years 6 months’ custody and instead secured an overall sentence of 4 years’ imprisonment, despite robust submissions from the Prosecution that the defendant played a leading role in Class A drug supply.
R v T – Conspiracy to Steal Motor Vehicles
Instructed to represent 16-year-old client under Certificate for Counsel. Client acquitted of all charges.
Professional Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- Women in Criminal Law
- Young Fraud Lawyers Association
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
- Grade 1 CPS Counsel
Awards, Qualifications & Other
- PGDip Bar Practice, Inns of Court College of Advocacy, 2023
- Droop Scholarship, The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, 2022
- LLB Bachelor of Laws (Hons), London School of Economics, 2022
- Dean’s List for International Protection of Human Rights, London School of Economics, 2021/22