Linda Strudwick

A consummate professional, Linda Strudwick attracts praise for her meticulous approach to a case, her care throughout and her skill in the courtroom.

Overview 

A senior junior highly regarded by prosecution and defence teams alike, Linda Strudwick has unrivalled experience of advising and representing prosecuting authorities and defendants pre-charge through to trial and beyond, at appeal.  Her impressive resume features cases spanning the full spectrum of serious criminal offences.  Known for her sharp intellect, thorough preparation and careful yet dogmatic approach, she is well suited to the demands of serious and sensitive crime, frequently acting at the very highest level.

Experience 

Linda Strudwick specialises in serious crime.  She is an outstanding leading junior barrister, both prosecuting and defending in cases of murder, manslaughter, serious fraud, serious drug offences, rape and sexual assault.

Linda has particular experience and expertise in serious sexual offences, often historic.  She is a specialist rape prosecutor and a Category 4 (the highest level) CPS prosecutor.  Linda is often engaged pre-charge for both defence and prosecution to either stop a case in its early stages or advise on the strength of a prosecution.  She has been instructed in the most prominent and demanding matters often involving serious sexual violence, complicated child abuse and grooming. Much of Linda’s work has involved media interest and people with celebrity profiles: she defended a Dutch beach volley ball champion accused of coming to the UK to meet and rape a 13 year old girl; represented a TV presenter against allegations of indecent images; and she was lead counsel for the defence in the first Newcastle Asian grooming case.  She is highly regarded for her instinctive and sensitive approach to the most challenging of crimes and for her effective cross examination. 

Linda has experience of the full gamut of homicide offences and their defences.  She has prosecuted and defended gang murders, filicide, stalker killings and those resulting from mental illness.  She has wide-ranging expertise working with witnesses appearing via video links, working with vulnerable adult and child witnesses and those with learning disabilities.  She is a trained intermediary, who is able to help learning disabled adults and children to understand legal questions and communicate their answers.

Throughout her career Linda has developed an impressive practice in financial crime.  Over recent years her work has included: leading for the prosecution in a £5m money laundering trial; leading for the prosecution of Chelmsford Borough Council for fraud offences; and leading for the prosecution of a sophisticated fraud involving theft of a high value plant shipped to Dubai.  Convictions were secured in all of these cases.

Linda continues to enjoy practising across the full range of serious criminal offences and has the experience in other fields to remain with matters as they progress through regulatory fields into disciplinary tribunals and through public law into Judicial Review and Inquests; her experience and versatility places her at the top of people’s list.

Notable Cases 

R v Kouakou (2018)
Linda Strudwick prosecuted Mr Kouakou, convicted of fraud connected to the Grenfell fire.

R v Rowe & Or's (2018)
Linda Strudwick is prosecuting a 4 handed kidnap and blackmail case. 

R v Mohammed & Or's (2017)
Linda Strudwick conducted the prosecution of a 3 handed attempted murder. The defendants stalked and shot the complainant.

R v Makengo (2016)
Linda Strudwick prosecuted a father for force feeding his 4 year old son over a period of time until the child died.

R v Mohammed Azram (2016)
Lead counsel for the defence in the first of a number of cases. The allegations were that the defendant was the main participant in an Asian gang. He targeted vulnerable young girls, invited them to parties and then plied them with drink and drugs intending that they would feel obliged to act as prostitutes.

Advice Re : Bahamas (2015)
Linda Strudwick advised on issues for a client in the Bahamas. 

R v Doyle (2014)
Linda Strudwick acted for the CPS as leading counsel in the prosecution of Yvonne Doyle, who took over the identity of two deceased people, and claimed over £250,000 over two decades.

R v Samuels (2014)
Lead counsel in successful murder prosecution. Defendant abusive partner of deceased. Finally killed her with one punch. Issues of bad character unsuccessfully taken to the Court of Appeal by the defence.

Reviews

Chambers UK 2022: Crime – Band 2

Legal 500 2023: Crime – Tier 4

'She is calm, unflappable and so good at client care.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)

'She has juries and judges eating out of her hand.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)

'Linda is an absolute star. She is meticulous in her preparation and her analysis of a case. She is very straightforward in her approach, and very responsive to instructions and questions. She is fabulous in court. Her arguments are well structured and extremely persuaive.' Legal 500 Crime (2022)

'A robust advocate' who is 'persuasive and passionate in her delivery.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)

'She is meticulous in her preparation. She is very approachable and engaging and a fabulous role model for young barristers.' Legal 500 Crime (2021)

‘She's so focused on cases. When she picks up a matter, she immerses herself in it and is just superb.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)

‘Juries really seem to warm to her and her skill in cross-examination is like watching a masterclass, particularly with regards to her handling of vulnerable witnesses.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)

‘Receives praise for her ability to achieve outstanding results in the face of difficult circumstances and evidence.’ ‘Strudwick shows true compassion and commitment when handling all the cases she does.’ Chambers UK Crime (2019)

‘An outstanding trial advocate and accomplished cross-examiner.’ Legal 500 (2018)

‘She’s a very thorough and hardworking junior.’ Chambers UK Crime (2018)

‘A fully prepared fantastic advocate who exudes confidence.’ Chambers UK Crime (2018)

‘Relentless in her representation of defendants.’ Legal 500 Fraud Crime (2016)

‘Exceptionally good with clients.’ Legal 500 Fraud Crime (2015)

‘Described as silk quality at junior level by sources keen to draw attention to her charming manner with clients and her thorough preparation, and her considerable jury trial ability.’ Chambers UK Crime (2013)