Philippa Eastwood

Profile

Philippa is a specialist criminal defence advocate. She has built on strong academic foundations of first class honours (BA Oxon) and an LLM distinction to develop particular expertise in criminal defence law, courts martial, and financial and regulatory law. Instructed in diverse cases from serious violence and sexual assault, to drug offences and offences of dishonesty, she has established a reputation for determined and incisive defending. She has particular experience in financial crime and issues of forfeiture and confiscation having dealt with substantial and high-profile allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Philippa is also a trustee of Cecily’s Fund, a charity helping with the education of Zambian children orphaned by AIDS. Selected for a 2011 Bar Human Rights Committee delegation, she has tutored advocacy and criminal procedure in Tanzania.

Regulatory and Financial Crime

Philippa has particular expertise in financial crime, having been instructed as junior counsel or sole advocate in complex and serious fraud and money laundering offences. She has gained a reputation for strength in marshalling and managing voluminous material and meticulous case preparation. Whilst she is an experienced defence advocate, she has also been instructed by the SFO as independent legal counsel for consideration of material for the determination of legal professional privilege.

Recent and current cases in fraud and financial crime include:

R v Hodgson & Ors ~~[2012].~~ Junior counsel representing the primary defendant in a multi-handed, multi-million pound, nationwide fraud trial arising from a property business franchise scheme. Significant issues of disclosure and investigative failings complicated an already complex case with over 100 witnesses and extensive cross-examination on behalf of the defendant.
R v Stephens & Ors ~~[2011].~~ Conspiracy to defraud (VHCC): The defendant was ‘an integral member’ of this SFO-prosecuted international ‘advance fee’ fraud, resulting in victims’ losses of c£12mil. Originally charged with an associated ‘rent’ or ‘ramping’ fraud, the case was of considerable complexity, with served evidence exceeding 65,000 pages. It boasted both a high-profile co-defendant and victims from different jurisdictions. The case required the instruction of experts in the field of land surveying, and included opaque accounting evidence.
R v Toor & Ors ~~[2011].~~ Large-scale conspiracy to defraud the Department for Education and Skills arising from the Individual Learning Account scheme (c£6 million) with complex issues of disclosure (VHCC);
R v Scamp ~~[2009].~~ Money laundering (c.£1/2 mil) within the traveller community.
R v Kenyon & Ors ~~[2008].~~ Fraudulent trading (c£16 mil): successfully represented company Managing Director in 5-month multi-handed trial, a complex case with issues pertaining to disclosure, LPP, directors' liabilities, fiduciary duties and forensic accountancy/solvency (VHCC).

Homicide and Related Grave Offences

Philippa has experience as led junior in notable murder cases including:

R v Lambeth. Murder: a complex case of stabbing involving issues of diminished responsibility and loss of control through hypoglycaemia.
R v Athwa. Murder: a high profile 'honour killing' where the defendant was co-accused with his mother of murdering wife in India, the body undiscovered.
R v Tew. Murder: the defendant accused of killing her alcoholic husband.

Other Serious Criminal Offences

Philippa has been instructed in serious and complex cases from offences of violence and sexual assault, to high-level drug offences and offences of dishonesty as both led and sole counsel. A constant theme throughout the diversity of caseload is her committed and considered defending.

Recent cases include:

R v Wassell. A factually complex and extensive case of high-level conspiracy to supply cocaine involving legal argument regarding autrefois convict/abuse of process.
R v Richards. Multi-handed case of violent disorder arising from London ‘riots’.
R v Soe. Blackmail, Kidnap, False Imprisonment
R v T & Ors. Successful defence against allegation of 'gang' rape involving significant medical and toxicologist expert evidence and argument relating to capacity
R v Hinde. Successful defence of s18 attack with hammer.

R v Edwards (Steadman). CCRC referral of historic murder case involving alleged ‘cell confessions’
R v Lang & Ors. Guideline case on CJA 2003 'dangerousness' provisions;
Athwal & Athwal. Guideline case on recent fabrication and s120 CJA 2003.