Clea Topolski.
What others say:
- 'Brilliant with professional and lay clients, she is able to present cases well and is someone who knows the issues straight away - Clea has all the attributes to become a silk in the coming years'. 'She leaves no stone unturned and wants the best result for her client'. Chambers & Partners - Crime 2023
- Legal 500 - Crime, Leading Juniors 2023
- 'A very able advocate who works collaboratively and always keeps a clear focus on the important issues in her client’s case. She is diligent and prepares her cases fully.' Chambers & Partners, Crime in London (Bar) 2022
- Clea Topolski ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ Chambers & Partners, Crime in London (Bar) 2021
- 'Impressive in her handling of prison-related matters. She is committed and shows good judgement.' Chambers & Partners, Crime in London (Bar) 2021
- 'A dedicated advocate who will go the extra mile’ Legal 500 -Crime, Leading Juniors 2020
Practice Profile:
Clea Topolski has an extensive general crime and extradition practice spanning over 12 years having been called to the Bar in 2014 after qualifying as a solicitor six years previously.
Clea has an exclusive defence practice in serious crime and is regularly instructed in cases involving serious violence and organised crime. She is often instructed in high profile murders, serious sexual assaults and high value frauds. She has extensive experience in cases involving alleged gang related activity that often involve large scale conspiracies to supply significant quantities of class A drugs as well as conspiracies to rob or murder.
She always applies her meticulous case preparation with any case she is instructed on. Her manner and professionalism puts both the lay and professional client at ease, whatever the case.
She is often commended for her witness management and cross-examination.
Clea is a founding member of a programme to give pupils from non-traditional backgrounds, access to life at the criminal Bar. Through this programme, Chambers have developed a relationship with two secondary schools in London, which gives interested students an opportunity to undertake mini-pupillages with members of Crucible Chambers. The programme has been a resounding success.
Clea is also Pupil Supervisor.
Qualifications:
- LL.B (Hons), University College London
Professional memberships:
- Criminal Bar Association
Other details:
- She is a member of both Amnesty International and Liberty.
- When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her two young children, and is a keen runner.
Practice Areas:
A specialist in serious violent crimes, she is well-known for her client care and ability to provide advice regarding often complex cases in a friendly and clear manner. She has substantial experience dealing with vulnerable clients, whether suffering from mental illness or of a young age.
She has a growing practice in extradition where she represents clients from final hearings to appeals in the High Court.
Notable cases:
R v G 2021
Central Criminal Court - Junior alone - unanimously acquitted of attempted murder.
R v L 2020
Kingston Crown Court – instructed in a multi-defendant conspiracy to rob and possess firearms case involving the targeting and robbing of cash in transit vehicles.
R v T 2020
Central Criminal Court – led junior in a two-handed murder resulting in acquittal.
R v L 2020
Kingston Crown Court – large scale conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
R v C 2020
Defended the female defendant in a kidnapping case, when her role was to be a visual assurance to the female complainant getting into a fake taxi-cab.
R v M 2019
Defended in a serious kidnapping case, when the complainant was a drug dealer targeted for his drugs and money.
R v D 2019
Kingston crown court successfully argued a stay of proceedings as an abuse of process in a multi-handed s18 trial.
R v F 2019
Maidstone Crown Court defended in the first of three trials of a large-scale prison mutiny case. One of the few defendants to be acquitted of Criminal Damage
R v T 2019
Blackfriars Crown Court – defended in the original trial of this modern slavery case which resulted in a hung jury in January. Made a successful half time submission in the re-trial in October.
R v S 2018
Led junior in a murder committed in a domestic setting, with a 12 year old as the Crown’s key witness.
R v SS 2018
Successfully defended a man charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
R v D 2018
Multi-handed s18 assault.
R v D 2016
Represented a man in a large conspiracy to burgle residential properties spanning over 5 years.
Serious Sexual offences
R v P 2020
Inner London Crown Court – instructed in a multiple complainant historic sexual assault case.
R v B 2018
Historic sexual assault on the step-child in the familial home
R v J 2018
Historic sexual assault and buggery of children
R v H 2017
Defended a man charged with multiple rapes, false imprisonment and assault which included careful cross-examination of a witness with learning difficulties.
R v R 2016
Successfully defended a man charged with sexual assault
R v W 2021
Southwark Crown Court – instructed in a multi-handed boiler room fraud VHCC case. The trial will last 4 months in 2021.
R v O 2014
Represented the bride in a sham marriage trial
Policies:
Clea Topolski news.
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Clea Topolski considers the case that has sent shockwaves through the criminal defence community
Libby Anderson and Clea Topolski consider the new Sentencing Code
