Melanie Krudy has been practising in the criminal courts for over 20 years. She started her career at the Crown Prosecution Service which gave her an insight into the prosecution process before getting the opportunity to move to her true vocation which is defence work. She has a done a vast amount of advocacy in all the criminal courts ranging from cross examining police officers in execution of duty cases in the Magistrates Courts to successfully appealing conviction at the Court of Appeal. She has conducted many serious Crown Court trials as an advocate including a successful acquittal as leading junior in a multi-handed murder investigation where the co-defendants were represented by QCs. She is often instructed privately by clients who want her to act as litigator and advocate. She brings a huge amount of experience and acute tactical judgment to cases. Her success rate as an advocate is based on tireless preparation and fearless presentation. She often finds telling details in the unused material that win cases often not spotted by the prosecution or other defence advocates.

Melanie recognises the importance of working with her clients and knows that their views are crucial to the success of any case. She is an excellent communicator and is able to quickly analyse and assess the strengths and weaknesses of a case to determine a defence strategy.

Melanie is happy to accept private instructions from anyone being investigated for a criminal offence. These days due to the limits to legal aid she can only conduct complex and serious legal aid cases but she is happy to recommend more junior colleagues who can assist with these.

Melanie is expert in cost issues and she regularly attends the Senior Courts Cost Office on appeals against costs decisions by the Legal Aid Agency.

Melanie loves to win cases and is prepared to make the extra effort to maximise the chances of success.

Melanie’s career highlights:

• Central Criminal Court – acquittal of one of the defendants accused of murder in the high profile Victoria Station stabbing trials acting as junior to Sallie Bennett-Jenkins QC
• Central Criminal Court – bail for a young defendant charged with murder whom she subsequently successfully defended as led junior at trial
• Central Criminal Court – bail for a young defendant charged initially with murder whom she successfully defended as leading junior on indictment for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to commit violent disorder
• Woolwich Crown Court – acquittal of a man of good character charged with serious sexual offences
• Nottingham Crown Court – acquittal of a man of good character accused of causing grievous bodily harm on his 7 week old baby (Baby shaking case) as led junior
• Inner London Crown Court – obtained suspended sentence orders for clients charged with high value fraud offences
• Southwark Crown Court – obtained suspended sentence order for mother who admitted being part of large conspiracy with prison officers to smuggle phones into prison
• Court of Appeal – Successful appeal against conviction of a soldier who had been convicted of serious firearms offences
• Court of Appeal – Various successful applications to reduce sentences of appellants whose sentences were manifestly excessive

Reported cases:

• 2011 R v Goncalves [2011] EWCA Crim 1703 Victoria stabbing case
• 2007 Remice v Governor of Belmarsh [2007] EWHC 936 (Admin) – successful application for habeas corpus following expiry of the relevant period under s.128 MCA
• 2006 Fofanna v France [2006] EWHC 744 (Admin) – successful challenge to EAW based on double jeopardy

Education and Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Economics University of East Anglia
• CPE London Guildhall
• Legal Practice Course London Guildhall
• 1998 Admitted as Solicitor
• 2003 Higher Court Rights

Client Feedback:

“Both Melanie and Kevin were most impressive quickly grasping the details of the case, offering in depth knowledge and support, their meticulous preparation being acknowledged by the judge and able to deal successfully with a complex and difficult prosecution. Thank you so much for your patience, your kindness, your constant availability ,advice and support during a very difficult time ,thank you so much for actually caring and for all of your hard work.”