Siobhan McGuinness

Siobhan Moore (nee McGuiness) has extensive experience as a Crown Court Litigator. She works tirelessly with clients to ensure thorough preparation of their cases.

She has experience in dealing with complex cases including cases arising out of the summer of public unrest in 2012. These cases involved detailed knowledge and analysis of telephone call date and cell site information. She has continued to assume responsibility for other complex and sensitive cases including those of clients charged with historic sexual abuse. Such cases involve Siobhan undertaking careful planning, as well as demonstrating a sensitive approach and attitude towards clients and building up a relationship of trust in order that full instructions may be taken in very difficult circumstances.

Siobhan has been praised by clients as being easy to talk to and considerate, as well as thorough in her approach.

Siobhan has built on her knowledge of criminal law by passing the PSQ accreditation which allows her to represent clients in the police station who have asked for VHS Fletchers or the Duty Solicitor to represent them.

Contact:

Derby Office:
8 St Mary’s Gate,
Derby,
DE1 3JF

Tel: 01332 546818
Email: siobhan.mcguinness@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v H Violent Disorder. The client was one of 11 defendant’s in a case, a 16 year old, pleaded guilty and received maximum credit

R v S Historic Sexual Abuse. Successful application to dismiss in relation to six counts of indecent assault.

Sarah Lees-Collier

Sarah has 20 years’ experience as a Crown Court caseworker. During that time she has qualified as a legal executive and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. She also holds the PSQ accreditation which allows her to represent clients who have asked for the duty solicitor and those facing the most serious allegations.

She has substantial experience of dealing with cases involving cell site and ANPR evidence and the instruction of defence experts. Sarah has previously undertaken preparation on a significant number of benefit fraud cases involving prosecutions by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Additionally, the cases that she has dealt with have qualified as Very High Cost Cases, involving the need for Sarah to prepare the case plans that are a requirement of this type of work. Even when not VHCC, she specialises in complex cases proceeding to trial with large numbers of defendants. She has the ability to assess complex evidence at an early stage without the need to rely on the advocate providing direction, and as a result early preparation including the instruction of defence experts can take place to best advance her clients’ cases.

Clients will always warm to Sarah as she is extremely sympathetic and empathetic in sensitive cases. She has a particular expertise dealing with defendants with mental health, drug and drink issues and instructing experts in that regard that will assist the court but also the client.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: sarah.leescollier@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v P and others. Murder. The client was one of 9 accused charged with a joint enterprise murder that proceeded to trial.

R v H and others. Murder. The client was one of a family said to be implicated in the murder of a family member followed by disposal of the body. She was represented throughout several days of complex interviews.

R v D and others. Public Disorder. The client was said to be one of the lead figures in the Nottingham Riots, charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder and involved in the making of petrol bombs used to attack a local police station.

R v Thompson. Rape. The case involved a defence of automatism to a rape allegation, with the client maintaining that the offence was committed whilst he was sleepwalking. The case preparation involved the instruction of a sleep expert who undertook a sleep analysis and confirmed a sleep disorder.

R v Ali and others. Public Disorder. The client was involved in a large multi-defendant incident of disorder.

R v H. Conveying prohibited articles into prison. Unusual outcome of a suspended sentence for Nottingham client in this particular case. Read more here.

R v RB. Conspiracy to supply firearms. Sarah was Crown Court Litigator on a case for a client charged with conspiracy to supply firearms. Extensive preparation included instructing an expert in drill music. At trial, significant evidence was called in our client’s defence, including character witnesses. The jury unanimously acquitted our client of all charges.

Lisa Sawyer

Lisa has been preparing and litigating Crown Court cases for over 25 years. She holds the PSQ permitting her to represent clients in the police station who have requested the Duty Solicitor.

She specialises in Crown Court casework, and has experience of dealing with the full range of cases involving fraud, murder, immigration offences, serious sexual offences many of an historic nature, drug conspiracies, money laundering and major public order incidents. Lisa also has significant experience of confiscation proceedings.

Lisa’s years of experience gives her an encyclopaedic knowledge of how best to progress Crown Court matters. She is calm and confident in her dealings with all cases, which clients no doubt benefit from, and she recognises that all cases of whatever type are serious to the client. Her thorough approach always means that clients know she has gone the extra mile in their case, whether that be locating witnesses or poring over complex telephone data schedules. Whether it is a case being prepared for an in-house advocate or independent counsel, they can be confident that Lisa will work independently and present them with the client’s best case.

Her personable manner means that she is patient and sympathetic, and it is perhaps for that reason that she is identified as the appropriate litigator for those suffering from mental health difficulties. She aims to treat all clients with dignity and respect.

Details of a recent unusual case that LIsa has dealt with can be found here.

Contact:

Nottingham Office:
111 Carrington Street,
Nottingham,
NG1 7FE

Tel: 0115 9599550
Email: lisa.sawyer@vhsfletchers.co.uk

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Noteable Cases

R v B False Imprisonment. Client’s medication had been improperly supervised and as a result he had a recurrence of mental health issues. Despite doctors maintaining he was fit to stand trial, they were eventually persuaded that he was not due to Lisa’s knowledge of the client and he was transferred to hospital for treatment.

R v S Murder. Represented a client accused of involvement in contract killing due to money owed for a drug debt.

R v B Murder. Represented client at trial prosecuted for procuring a contract killing of partner’s ex-husband in a financial dispute.

R v R Explosives offence. Client was suffering from mental illness and had made an explosive device at home.

R v B Burglary. Client was charged with a string of burglaries, the bulk of the evidence coming from mobile phone data. A detailed analysis of the cell site material led to the defendant’s acquittal on the judge’s direction.

R v J Child neglect. Client faced allegations of joint neglect with the mother of his child who subsequently died.

R v F and others. Nottingham Riots. Represented one of 16 who took part in the riots in Nottingham in the summer of 2011, preparing the case for a complex trial lasting several weeks.

R v H. Firearms Offence. Client alleged to have produced a firearm in a bar in Nottingham following an earlier confrontation. He was aquitted after trial when the evidence of eye-witnesses was successfully challenged.

R v B. Sexual offences. Not guilty verdicts for this client before Nottingham Crown Court. Read more here.

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Siobhan McGuinness

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Noteable Cases

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Sarah Lees-Collier

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Noteable Cases

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Lisa Sawyer

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Noteable Cases

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