Alison Morgan

Solicitor - Solicitor Advocate LLB (Hons), PGCE, LPC

SRA ID: 201372

Alison Morgan has 19 years' experience working as a Solicitor. She has extended Higher Rights of Audience (HRA) and represents clients as an Advocate in the Senior Criminal Courts in England and Wales regularly appearing in the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) in murder trials. Alison’s philosophy on case preparation is straightforward. Says Alison – ‘The responsibility is immense. Take it seriously, leave no stone unturned, and above all, put the client first, as if he or she were a close family relative. If you follow these rules as a defence lawyer, you will do the very best for your client.’ Alison has appeared on television and radio as an invited guest discussing various issues centred around the criminal justice system and has been called on numerous times by journalists for comment. R v MWK Old Bailey - Torture, stabbing and shooting case which involved an immense amount of forensics and other experts. R v GP Alison spent one hour with this defendant and knew that he was incapable of being involved in the murder he was charged with, however the CPS would not drop the matter so on she went, instructing Dr Gudjonsson himself to do an assessment on the defendant in regards to suggestibility. This report was used in the defendant’s trial. He was the only one acquitted out of 3 defendants. R v SP A sad case involving a trainee lawyer who developed mental health problems resulting in him killing someone. Alison was able to form a good rapport with the client who had been sent to Broadmoor. He was later convicted of manslaughter based on diminished responsibility. This case in particular sparked an interest in dealing with mentally disordered defendants. R v PM Old Bailey – Alison’s client was charged with a fatal shooting in North West London. Three eyewitnesses all identified the Defendant as the culprit, but this was not accepted by the Defence, as managed by Alison. The Prosecution tried to have these witnesses called anonymously, but Alison challenged this; all these witnesses were later exposed as having an incentive to lie which Alison had found out by her scrupulous investigative work. As Alison says “you have to think like the police, especially when they are taking it personally. When they come at my clients, I come at them”. Gun powder residue evidence was challenged, and enquires were made with trainer manufacturers to comment on cultural and fashion issues to show that the Defendant was unlikely to have worn such trainers so many years out of date as they had found gun powder residue on one set of old trainers. The result – the Jury acquitted the Defendant. Alison later commented: ‘without the work of the Defence, our client would wrongly have been serving 30 years in prison before any hope of parole, but instead, a miscarriage of justice was prevented’. Alison also in this case told her client to give evidence when this had been debated. She stated. I like you. The jury will like you. Proving the very close rapport she builds with her clients making them feel at ease. R v KK – Central Criminal Court - After 27 minutes the lead Defendant, as represented by Alison and the Queens Counsel she instructed was acquitted – which was the quickest ever murder acquittal after a 6 week trial at the Old Bailey. The case involved Alison’s expert cross examination of police officers. The charges involved a case of a shooting, mistaken identity, gang warfare, where cultural issues and especially rap videos lay at the heart of the case. The crown said it was a tit for tat murder, Alison said it wasn’t so had nothing to do with her client. Her cross examination of a police officer led to comment in the summing up on that piece of evidence being “plainly wrong” The jury agreed. R v DT–Inner London Crown Court -this was a murder case where Alison instructed a cardiologist to examine the crowns evidence. Detailed cardiology evidence was presented in this case and Alison was instrumental in ensuring that the expert cardiologist instructed knew exactly what was required in regard to scrutiny of the evidence presented. R v MR - Central Criminal Court. In this stabbing leading to this murder case, Alison took the bold step of advising her client to give evidence and he was acquitted. This was a 5 handed murder case. 3 of the defendants were acquitted of all counts, including Alison’s client. The above are just a small number of murder cases Alison has dealt with over the years. Below, are a small selection of other very serious charges Alison’s clients have faced. R-v-GF Multi handed conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in the West End area. After lengthy preparation was able to get the client an extremely low sentence. R v FS– This case was otherwise known as “The Bank of Terror” case as her client was. Accused of large-scale frauds to fund terrorism, however tenacious defence work led to that claim being unfounded and the Crown were unable to present to the jury any links to terrorism. The trial lasted 2-month long trial at Old Bailey and was reported on every front page of national newspaper. R V BA Huge drugs and firearms, resulting in 3 lengthy trials of the same counts for various legal reasons. R v AMJ No 1 on indictment - £250k money laundering trial where Alison’s client avoided prison after a 6-week trial. Alison mitigated on behalf of her client after this lengthy trial to a standard where although immediate custody was inevitable the client was able to return to their family. R v JJ 4 handed GBH trial resulting in acquittals. Alison’s client was number 1 on the indictment and she acted as junior counsel on his behalf alone. R v SJ defendant previously convicted of PWITS Class previously received 5 years. Arrested again for the same offence 2 years after leaving prison. Alison mitigated for him. Something she is known for. He got 3.5 years after expecting to get more than his first sentence. R v SB The defendant was heavily convicted, including firearms cases. Was on licence when arrested for possession of a firearm with intent. Alison instructed excellent counsel once again and coordinated the whole matter. Client acquitted of possession of a firearm with intent. R v AD Aggravated burglary, Acquittal secured. This case involved the often difficult decision to give or not to give evidence. Alison opted for her client to not give evidence which was a risk, but her judgement called it right and the defendant was acquitted. As well as the above Alison represents defendants in the magistrates’ court too, viewing each case as neither too small or too big. She will represent those charged with shoplifting or common assault as well as those charged with the most serious crimes in the same way, always seeking the best possible outcome regardless of the type of case. The sheer scale of Alison’s case history (all instructed through recommendation) is testimony to the amount of work she attracts through recommendation and referral – 100%. Alison represents to the best of her ability defendants from all backgrounds throughout society.