Joanna has experience in crime, extradition and regulatory work.
Joanna has experience in crime, extradition and regulatory work. Before coming to the bar, Joanna practised for 8 years as a solicitor - first at Ashurst LLP and then at Brown Rudnick LLP - where she focused on high-profile civil fraud and commercial litigation matters, with a number of her cases involving a crime or extradition element.
Joanna’s degree was in Spanish and Russian and she has spent time working and studying in both Madrid (2016) and Moscow (2010-11).
Crime
Joanna regularly defends in the Crown and Magistrates Courts, representing clients charged with a range of offences. She is appointed to the CPS Advocates Panel Level 1 for General Crime.
She has also acted in confiscation proceedings, account forfeiture proceedings, and proceedings for stalking protection orders, sexual risk orders and a slavery and trafficking prevention order. Joanna also acts in Youth Court proceedings.
Extradition
Joanna has a growing extradition defence practice and regularly represents clients in full extradition hearings and interim applications.
International
As a solicitor and during pupillage, Joanna assisted on matters in relation to international sanctions and international crime.
Disciplinary and Regulatory
Joanna also has experience as a solicitor advising on financial regulatory disputes, as well as experience in pupillage of police disciplinary proceedings.
Notable Cases
R v R, 2026
Joanna secured an acquittal in the Crown Court for possession of a bladed article, based on the defence of good reason.
Inner London Crown Court
R v H, 2026
The Crown offered no evidence in a case of assault against an emergency worker.
Central Criminal Court
CrimeNetherlands v Z
Joanna successfully defended her client against an extradition request, on Article 8 grounds. Read more here
Joanna is also instructed in Part 1 cases where issues are raised under s. 10/65 (extraterritorial jurisdiction), section 12A (decision to charge or try), section 20 (conviction in absence), Article 3 ECHR (prison conditions), Article 5 ECHR (lawfulness of detention) and Article 7 ECHR (lack of foreseeability).
ExtraditionNews
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Achievements
- Criminal Bar Association
- Women in Criminal Law
- Defence Extradition Lawyers Association
- CPS Advocates Panel Level 1 for General Crime
- Solicitors’ Higher Rights of Audience (Crime and Civil)
- LPC with LLM: Distinction
- Graduate Diploma in Law: Distinction
- BA in Modern and Medieval Languages (Russian and Spanish): Double First, Robinson College, University of Cambridge. Third year abroad studying Russian and Sociology at Moscow Lomonosov State University. Scholarship of Robinson College 2008-2012; College Prize for Modern Languages (2008)