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Michelle Clarke is a highly regarded advocate with extensive experience in all facets of serious crime. Renowned for her exceptional advocacy skills and unwavering attention to detail, she has earned a reputation as a formidable opponent in the courtroom.
Throughout her career, Michelle has represented a diverse range of vulnerable defendants, including young people and individuals with severe mental health challenges. Her expertise and commitment to fairness have led to her being invited as a panel member for a psychologist studying autism (awaiting funding) and the criminal justice system.
Recognised by the judiciary for her practical common sense and methodical approach, Michelle excels in both solo and leading counsel roles, consistently achieving outstanding results in complex and high-stake cases.
Key cases
Vinten 2025
Maidstone Crown Court
78 year old Defendant charged with historic rapes of his daughter in 1976.
Issues with dementia and dying witnesses had to be dealt with.
Jordan Thorley 2024
Leicester Crown Court
Rape case involving Defendant with Special needs and Complainant with Learning Difficulties and an Intermediary.
Judge on my application allowed my proposed questions to be read to the jury, saving hysterical pregnant complainant from further distress.
Wayne Childs 2024
Luton Crown Court
Leading Junior in complex historic sex case where father had sexually assaulted his daughter.
Brandon Goldsmith 2024
Maidstone Crown Court
Rape trial where Defendant had been acquitted in original trial.
Two further complainants came forward so second trial.
Also acquitted.
Moonasar 2024
Croydon Crown Court
Original Section 20 trial stayed after my application for Abuse of Process.
Prosecution appealed the Terminatory Ruling out of time.
Court of Appeal agreed that Prosecution had failed to follow the correct procedure and did not allow the Appeal.
Patel 2024
Woolwich Crown Court
Hindu overstayer charged with sexually abusing the young daughter of the household where he was lodging.
As well as conducting the trial I had to deal with sensitive cultural issues concerning the Defendant having been transferred from one prison to another without his religious book, picture of his god and his religious beads so was not allowed to eat or drink.
Anderson-Letts 2024
Lewes Crown Court
Woman charged with Animal Cruelty involving very young puppies where one puppy had died.
Boateng 2023
Inner London Crown Court
Fraud at National Westminster bank involving people impersonating overseas account holders.
Defendant suffered from extreme anxiety and had to be dealt with very carefully.
Cameron Robinson 2022
Inner London Crown Court
Autistic Defendant charged with Meeting children in chat rooms.
Psychologist instructed dealing with Autism and criminality.
Expertise with working with autistic Defendant, including importance of being only counsel he saw.
Daniel Carneala 2022
Harrow Crown Court
Defendant charged with Kidnap and Sexual Offences.
Difficult cultural issues, including grooming of Complainants by much older Co-Defendant.
In the end the Prosecution were persuaded by my representations to drop against my Defendant.
Bobby Wood 2021
Norwich Crown Court.
Modern Slavery case.
Young vulnerable obese Defendant who required very careful handling because of the level of grooming.
Dwyer 2021
Lewes Crown Court
Profoundly disturbed teenager accused of sexually assaulting his sister.
Islam 2018
Luton Crown Court
Security guard at Yarlswood detention centre accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was about to be deported and had received a settlement from the Home Office.
Tanimowo 2005
Croydon Crown Court
Sham marriages involving 128 sham marriages when overstayers were marrying EU citizens mainly from Dutch Protectorates.
I was a leading junior.
Rules for Registrars were changed after this case to allow registrars to stop blatant sham marriages.