R v T represented the first defendant charged on a 9 count indictment which included charges of trafficking the complainant for sexual exploitation, controlling her prostitution, rape and 3 offences of supplying class A drugs. It was alleged that between 2015 and 2019 the first defendant and his wife trafficked the complainant for sexual exploitation and controlled her prostitution. It was also alleged that the first defendant raped the complainant. After a 5 week trial, the jury acquitted the first defendant unanimously of the charges. The first defendant was represented by Leading Counsel Alphege Bell of Carmelite Chambers and Joan Mitchell as led junior counsel.
R v S successfully defended a woman who stabbed her partner during a violent domestic dispute. The defendant always maintained that she had acted in self defence. On the first day of trial the complainant admitted that he had written a letter to the defendant shortly after the incident apologising for his violent behaviour. The prosecution offered no evidence and a not guilty verdict was entered. Client was acquitted upon the direction of the trial judge.
R v A successfully defended the first prosecution brought by Lewisham Metropolitan Police against a client charged with controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate personal or familial relationship. The trial Judge commented on Joan’s cross-examination of the main prosecution witness as being “fair and effective.” Client acquitted.
R v W successfully defended a client charged with making a threat to kill and assaulting his ex-girlfriend. Client acquitted.
R v H successfully defended a client charged with burglary and assault. The defendant was charged along with her 17 year old sister. Both defendants were acquitted of all charges by a jury that took 6 minutes to reach their verdicts.
R v L successfully defended a client charged with robbery. Client acquitted at the end of the prosecution case upon the direction of the trial judge.
R v E successfully defended a 16 year old girl charged with conveying drugs and a mobile phone into prison. Her 2 co-defendants were convicted. Client acquitted.
R v H successfully defended a client charged with affray and having a samurai sword in his possession after he chased a group of youths away from his property. Client acquitted.
R v R successfully defended a client who was jointly charged with her 16 year old daughter with internet fraud. Her daughter was selling clothing items on the internet but did not honour the orders and used her mother’ bank account via paypal to retain the monies. Her daughter was later to change her plea to guilty. Client was acquitted upon the direction of the trial judge.
R v K successfully defended a client charged with robbery. He was one of 3 defendants accused of luring victims under the pretext of selling them goods advertised on gumtree. His 2 co-defendants were convicted. Client acquitted.
R v P successfully defended a client charged with conspiracy to commit blackmail, kidnap and false imprisonment. He was acquitted of all charges. 3 others were convicted each receiving sentences of 10 years imprisonment. Client acquitted.
R v A successfully defended a suspect arrested for alleged involvement in the planning of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. It was alleged that Joan’s client arranged the lease agreement on an apartment where the suspect terrorists lived in the US in the months leading up to the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. Joan’s client was interviewed over several days in police custody. Joan represented her client at court hearings where the prosecution sought to extend his detention to interview him further. Joan’s client was eventually released without charge. Today, the case still attracts much media attention due its high-profile nature and links to one of the world’s worst terrorism atrocities.
R v K successfully defended a client who was initially suspected of committing terrorism offences when he drove his car into the gates of Downing Street. The case attracted much media attention at the time given its close proximity to the seat of power in the UK, namely the prime minister’s official residence. Joan’s client spent 6 months in custody before receiving a suspended term of imprisonment for non-terrorism offences arising out of the same incident allowing him to be released from custody immediately.
R v SA We currently represent a client arrested for alleged involvement in a terrorist attack on the Israeli embassy in April 2025.
R v F We currently represent a client arrested for alleged involvement in assisting a foreign intelligence service in acts against the UK contrary to section 3(2) of the National Security Act 2023.
