Mary Cowe > Chambers of Anna Vigars KC > Bristol, England > Barrister Profile

Mary Cowe

0117 930 9000 mary.cowe@guildhallchambers.co.uk

Work Department

Crime.

Position

Mary is a criminal barrister and a fraud specialist with a reputation for incisive advocacy and high calibre legal analysis. Now often called upon to provide pre-charge advice, clients compliment her ability to master complex issues of fact and law rapidly and to provide advice that is clearly expressed and comprehensive. Mary is sought after for her advocacy, and for her ability to pursue a good point tenaciously but graciously, taking the Judge or jury with her. She was described in a recent legal directory recommendation as ‘a class act – precise, considered, clever and persuasive’.

In addition to her fraud practice, Mary appears for both defence and prosecution in cases where expert evidence is central, including understanding and challenging clinical evidence in cases involving sudden infant death and traumatic brain injury to children. She has a built a reputation as someone who can confidently lead a team and understands when and how medical experts may assist in the building of a case. Mary also appears in cases of rape and serious sexual offences, often instructed when issues relating to a defendant’s functioning arise, given her professional and academic interest in ensuring defendants’ effective participation in trials. This interest prompted a sabbatical in 2011, in which Mary pursued an MPhil in criminology with a dissertation concerning mental health and the criminal process.

Mary is currently a member of the Criminal Bar Association Law Reform Committee and has recently co-edited a book about criminal advocacy. She has been a pupil supervisor and currently acts a mentor with the Inner Temple and as an advocacy trainer on the Western Circuit.

Career

FRAUD

Mary has a substantial practice in relation to cases of fraud and financial crime. She has appeared as a leading junior, alone, and as part of a silk-led team in cases of this type. She is a member of both CPS Fraud and Serious Fraud Office panels. Mary has been instructed in cases relating to allegations of investment fraud, procurement fraud and fraud by those acting under a power of attorney; she has called or challenged evidence relating amongst other things to forensic accountancy, intellectual property and share-dealing. Mary is also often instructed in relation to confiscation proceedings and has advised on ancillary matters, such as challenges to restraint orders and civil contempt relating to breaches of such orders.

CASES INVOLVING FATALITIES/SERIOUS TRAUMA TO CHILDREN

Mary’s sensitive but sure-footed approach means that she is instructed by both defence and prosecution in cases involving fatalities or serious trauma to children, including advising in relation to charges of manslaughter, inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, child cruelty and causing or allowing death or serious injury. She has instructed or cross-examined pathologists, consultant paediatricians and radiologists and child psychologists. She is often instructed to defend in cases where clients have mental disorder or intellectual impairment as she is regarded as someone who really strives to communicate effectively with every client.

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association; Lawyers for Liberty.

Education

Keble College, Oxford (2005 MA (Hons) in Jurisprudence); University of the West of England (2006 Bar Vocational Course); St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge (2012 (sabbatical) – MPhil in Criminology).
Qualified Inner Temple 2006; pupillage under the supervision of Anna Vigars 2006-07