Angela is a Senior Associate in JMW Solicitors’ Business Crime and Regulatory team, where she has practised since 2022. She is a Solicitor-Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience (Criminal) and holds over eight years’ post-qualification experience across serious criminal defence, extradition and regulatory investigations. Angela acts for individuals and businesses at all stages of the criminal process — from police station through to appellate proceedings — across a broad range of complex and sensitive matters.

Angela’s practice encompasses allegations of fraud, bribery, money laundering, drug importation, serious sexual offences and violent crime, with instructions from clients facing investigation and prosecution by the CPS, HMRC, Trading Standards, local authorities and other enforcement bodies. She has a strong record of securing early favourable outcomes, including through robust pre-charge engagement and representations to prosecuting authorities.

Extradition

Angela has developed a particular expertise in extradition law, advising and representing individuals at all stages of Part 1 and Part 2 proceedings, including before the High Court (Divisional Court). She routinely advances complex arguments under the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Extradition Act 2003, with experience spanning sentence transfers and cross-border procedural issues. She was the lead fee earner in a significant Divisional Court authority concerning Hungarian prison conditions.

Criminal Defence & Regulatory

Angela advises individuals and corporate clients from the earliest stages of investigation through to trial, with a track record of achieving substantive pre-charge outcomes. She has particular experience of serious fraud, financial crime and regulatory matters, and regularly acts for individuals facing serious allegations of a sexual nature, including those involving cross-border or historic elements. She is currently instructed in, amongst other matters, a multi-agency fraud, bribery and money laundering investigation involving allegations of significant financial gain and a cross-border historical sexual assault investigation.

Angela is a member of the Young Fraud Lawyers Association, the Female Fraud Forum, the Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum and the European Criminal Bar Association.

“Absolutely wonderful experience with Angela Leskaj and Katie Ward. Swift responses, professionalism throughout and a stress free resolution of the issue. Recommend wholeheartedly!” - Nicoleta Suruceanu, 14 March 2024

“When the legal system is failing you and you are surrounded by what seems to be a never ending battle, it was incredible to have such a supportive sympathetic and knowledgeable group of people to seek advice from and to know at all stages they were doing everything humanly possible to help us. Thank you, Angela, Daniel and Alex. - Mrs Maz Aghili, 23 August 2022

“During a period of stress, where you feel you are being incredibly wronged, the best people to have on your side are Daniel, Angela and Council Alexandra. They tirelessly worked on my case and were proactive at every stage. They supported me, even outside work hours, which was so appreciated by myself and my wife.” - Arian Barvarz, 23 August 2022

“Outstanding and very swift service from Angela Leskaj who helped my daughter avoid a vindictive prosecution by one of the railway organisations. She had to pull out all of the stops to take up the case with the organisation within 2 days of being instructed by us. Despite being knocked back at the first attempt, a direct appeal by her led to the case being dropped. Thank you so much.” - Kevin Smith, 29 June 2022

Recognised in the Legal 500 as a key individual and noted as the bedrock of the team’s extradition offering.

Extradition

• Successful defence of a Polish extradition request concerning an allegation of GBH.
• Representing a client at a High Court appeal on the basis that Hungarian prison condition assurances were not being complied with under the Human Rights Act 1998.
• Resisting extradition to Greece on grounds of conviction in absence and denial of a retrial.
• Acting for a client sought by Belgium in connection with a human trafficking conspiracy.

General / Financial Crime

• Securing no further action following a local authority investigation into allegations of fraud.
• Achieving a prosecution offering no evidence in a £142,000 Crown Court fraud matter.
• Obtaining a caution for a client, the subject of criminal prosecution by Trading Standards for health and safety breaches.
• Securing no further action for a Police Inspector subject to misconduct proceedings arising from alleged unlawful access to IT systems.
• Discharge of an Account Freezing Order imposed by HMRC over a client account holding approximately £800,000.