Mary Cowe | Red Lion Chambers

Go Back

Mary has an established practice in fraud and financial crime. She regularly prosecutes complex, multi-handed cases which require advocacy that engages a jury whilst dealing with the forensic detail. Her broader background in general crime, including a specialism in defending those with learning disability or psychiatric problems, mean that she is well-placed to deal with challenging clients and expert witnesses.

Crime

Operation Range (2018) – Leading junior prosecuting a six-handed car-ringing conspiracy
Operation Everest (2018 – Led junior prosecuting a fraud relating to claims made by a biotechnology company in an Information Memorandum. The claims were false both in terms of the technical achievements of the company and the nature of the shares being sold. Mary was heavily involved in the legal arguments in this case and dealt with many witnesses including the evidence of an intellectual property expert.
R v RF (2018) – Defending alone a man charged with having explosive devices without a lawful object relating to a stockpile of home made bombs in his bedroom; this case involved psychiatric evidence
Operation Blisland (2017/2018) – Led junior prosecuting six men charged with a series of rapes against a vulnerable girl
R v SMN (2017) – Defending alone a woman with an extremely low IQ charged with historic sexual offences; this case involved input from a psychiatrist, a psychologist and an intermediary
R v C and Others (2017) – Prosecuting alone a man charged with wilfully pretending to be a barrister and a variety of frauds including appropriating funds intended to be used by his ‘client’ to purchase land
R v AS (2016) – Prosecuting alone 25 counts of fraud relating to an international freight forwarding business

Education

MA (Hons) Jurisprudence, Keble College, Oxford

MPhil Criminology, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge

Memberships

Inner Temple
Criminal Bar Association
Western Circuit
Lawyers for Liberty
Howard League for Penal Reform
Bar Pro Bono Unit

Professional Appointments

CPS Grade 4

Pupil supervisor

Recommendations

CHAMBERS UK 2019

Crime

An experienced junior who prosecutes and defends serious criminal cases, including sexual offences, child cruelty, drugs, serious violence and high-value frauds. As a Grade 4 prosecutor she is regularly instructed by the CPS in complex criminal matters.

Prosecuted nine defendants who were charged with operating a class A drugs conspiracy from a flat in Weston-super-Mare.

CHAMBERS UK 2018
Crime – Band 3

“An experienced junior who prosecutes and defends serious criminal cases, including sexual offences, child cruelty, drugs, serious violence and high-value frauds.”

Strengths: “She is meticulous in preparation, sensitive and thorough in cross-examination and particularly strong in dealing with vulnerable witnesses.” “She is contactable and will always provide advice – nothing is too much hassle.”

Recent work: Prosecuted multiple allegations of fraud and one allegation of furnishing false information to the revenue over the course of six weeks. The defendant used different aliases, bank accounts and company names.

LEGAL 500 2019
Crime

Prosecutes and defends in cases of fraud, sexual offences and multi-handed drugs conspiracies.

LEGAL 500 2017
Crime
Leading juniors
“She shows judgement beyond her years of call.”

LEGAL 500 2016
Crime
Leading juniors
“She has a powerful intellect, and is a formidable and hardworking advocate.”

LEGAL 500 2015
Crime
Leading juniors
“Her ability to identify the important issues of any case ensures thorough preparation.”