Elisha joined JMW in June 2021 as a Paralegal in the Business Crime and Regulation (‘BCR’) Department. She graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with First Class Honours and is currently undergoing her studies as a Solicitor Apprentice.
Elisha joined the department initially to assist in the well-publicised Gold Bullion Money Laundering case (R v Frankel, Rawson and Others (2022)) which saw NatWest fined £250 million. As a result she has from the very outset of her career worked alongside leading figures within the criminal landscape which has afforded her extensive exposure and experience on complex high stakes Crown Court cases.
This early experience has meant Elisha has developed a a practice centred on Serious Criminal matters especially those concerning drug offences and financial crime. She has worked alongside and defended a wide array of individuals accused of the most serious offences, including Professional Football Players, former Chief Executives of City Councils, and prominent individuals within the Music Industry.
In addition to serious criminal matters, Elisha has also assisted on matters heard within the Senior Courts Cost Office which have been precedent setting and led to changes via key cost judgements. This is a niche area which allowed her to develop fundamental legal skills.
Elisha is currently, on her first rotation as part of her solicitor apprenticeship, with the Commercial Litigation Department where she is assisting on a range of litigated matters including; shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims, construction disputes and other such complex contractual disputes.
Serious Crime Offences
During her time in the Business Crime and Regulatory Department, Elisha with her team has defended various prosecutions brought by the National Crime Agency (NCA), Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).Though this, Elisha has successful experience dealing with a variety of offences, these include the following:
- Conspiracy to produce and supply Class A/B/C Drugs;
- Participating in an Organised Crime Group;
- Money Laundering;
- Fraud Offences;
- Misconduct in a Public Office;
- Grievous Bodily Harm, Actual Bodily Harm and Assault;
- Serious Sexual Offences; and
- Stalking and Harassment.
White Collar Fraud Proceedings
Elisha also has also assisted in defending individuals and businesses against criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on fraud and white-collar crime. Alongside substantive proceedings, Elisha has assisted on the ancillary proceedings including the following:
- Account Freezing Order
- Forfeiture; and
- Restraint Order.
Interests
Elisha is currently a member of the Midland Asian Lawyers Association committee which is a non-profit organisation based in Leicester and Birmingham.
Outside of work, Elisha is a keen traveller on the Northern line to visit her family in her hometown – Middlesbrough. Just like the fans of Manchester United, Elisha is a loyal individual who still supports her football home team whom she usually refers to as a ‘stepping stone’.
Notable Cases
Serious Crime Offences
- R V AM - NCA Most Wanted (Pre Charge and Post Charge) – Bristol Crown Court – Assisted on the sentencing of AM following his return to the UK. Most wanted man pleads guilty to drug supply charges
- R v A and Others – Participation in a Organised Crime Group involved in Production of Cannabis – Manchester Crown Court - Result – A was acquitted of all charges following Trial
- R v ZK and others – Supply in Class A – Encrochat – Inner London Crown Court - Result – ZK was acquitted of all charges following Trial. Three charged in alleged drug smuggling plot after police raid in Glasgow | The Herald
- R v JP and others – Supply in Class A – Taunton Crown Court – Following various negotiations with Prosecution, client was held to have a role lesser than initially alleged. Six jailed after £2.4m of cocaine found in woman's car boot - BBC News
- R v PW and Others – Importation of Class A – Truro Crown Court – Able to secure a lesser role for the client through the use of a basis of plea. Pair jailed for part in £18.4m cocaine smuggling operation - BBC News
- R v H – Harassment - Tameside Magistrate Court - Result - Charge withdrawn in advance of the Trial due to the lack of evidence presented by the Prosecution following representations to the reviewing lawyer of the case.
Financial Crime
- R v DM and Others – Manchester Crown Court - Ongoing – Misconduct in Public Office relating to the Chief Executives of Liverpool City Council and Lancashire County Council.
- R v FR, DR and Others – Leeds Crown Court – Assisted on largest money laundering prosecution in UK history Yorkshire gold dealer helped launder £266mn in cash, trial told
- R v M and others – Cardiff Crown Court - Money Laundering using Cryptocurrency - Resulted in the Prosecution formally offering no evidence against our client. Result - Our client was the only client to not be convicted or sentenced for the allegation. Crime gang laundered £4.6m of cocaine money in cryptocurrency.
- R v O and others – Cyber-Mandate Fraud – Portsmouth Crown Court - With the trial just a week away and after having received further disclosure from the prosecution we made further written representations as to why our client should not be prosecuted. Result - Within 24 hours the prosecution responded to confirm that no evidence (i.e. not guilty verdict) would be offered against our client at the first day of trial. Two men jailed for money laundering following Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary investigation
- R v JU – Money Laundering – Inner London Crown Court - Result – all charges were dropped following halftime submission at Court.
- Acting for a professional gambler subject to an Account Freezing Order and securing the return of the entire frozen “winnings” of over £300,000.