Leila Gaskin.
What others say:
- 'Leila is an exceptional advocate who is a joy to listen to and a pleasure to work with. She never loses focus and brings formidable intelligence and insight to every case' - Chambers & Partners 2023
- Leading Junior - Crime - Legal 500 2023, Tier 2
- Leading Junior - Fraud: Crime - Legal 500 2023
- Leading Junior – Crime – Chambers and Partners, 2022.
- 'Has the ability to home in on the root of the issue.' Chambers and Partners, 2022
- Leading Junior – Crime and Fraud: Crime – Legal 500, 2022.
- 'Leila is a hugely impressive advocate. She combines a sharp analytical mind with a balanced approach. Her case preparation is exemplary - she is thorough and utterly devoted to the case she is instructed in. ’ - Legal 500, 2022
- ‘Leila is an impressive performer in court where she exudes confidence and professionalism. She has a commendable work ethic. ’ - Legal 500, 2022
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2021.
- ‘A model professional, a steadfast and diplomatic barrister with … the ability to communicate effectively and appropriately with clients in difficult situations’ – Legal 500, 2021.
- Junior of the Year (crime) – Legal 500, 2020.
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2020.
- ‘A charming practitioner unafraid to stand up for what is right’ – Legal 500, 2020.
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2019.
- ‘An extremely articulate and elegant advocate’ – Legal 500, 2019.
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2018.
- ‘A charming, hardworking and very capable advocate’ – Legal 500, 2018.
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2017.
- ‘A popular choice’ – Legal 500, 2017.
- Leading Junior – Crime and Financial Crime – Legal 500, 2016.
- ‘She has an impressive court presence and strong advocacy abilities’ – Legal 500, 2016.
Practice profile:
Leila Gaskin is a leading barrister in her field. She both prosecutes and defends in the most serious and complex criminal cases. She specialises in, and is recognised for, her work both in crime and fraud and was awarded junior barrister of the year by the Legal 500 directory in 2020. Leila is instructed by the CPS Organised Crime Division, Specialist Fraud Division (currently on behalf of HMRC and MHRA) and the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division, as well as being instructed in private prosecutions.
Defending, she conducts complex and lengthy cases on behalf of defence solicitors managing cases from the outset and on through the various stages of court proceedings.
Her practice is complimented by both prosecuting and defending. She has defended in lengthy and complex cases throughout her career and is known for her meticulous approach and dedication to each and every case.
Professional memberships:
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
- Public Access Bar Association
Practice Areas:
Leila has many years of experience in this field. Homicide cases invariably require two separate approaches: on the one hand there must be a meticulous analysis of the evidence, and on the other a sensitive touch in dealing with witnesses and defendants. Leila’s success in this field is attributed not only to these aspects of her approach, but also to the care and commitment she gives each case.
For the last twenty years Leila has been instructed in large scale drug importations and conspiracies. She has been involved in cases investigated by the then NCS, SOCA and these days, NCA. She has a huge amount of experience in representing parties involved in these cases and has developed an expertise relating to issues of disclosure. The evidence in cases of this kind is often multifaceted. The case is often made up of evidence from surveillance, telecommunications, covert recordings and the like. The preparation of these cases therefore requires a measured, studied approach and an understanding of the wider picture. Given her experience in cases involving large volumes of material and data, and her experience in cases involving complicated areas of disclosure, Leila is well placed to conduct cases of this kind and is frequently instructed to do so.
With the recent consolidation and expansion of legislation relating to human slavery and trafficking, investigations and prosecutions for these matters are on the rise. These cases are often complex both evidentially and practically. Witnesses are often reluctant and vulnerable and defendants are often keen to be understood. Leila brings a rational and measured approach to cases of this kind, focusing both on the evidence as presented and on the individuals concerned in the case.
Cybercrime covers a wide array of criminal activity that takes place via digital means. It can range from the use of the internet to commit fraud to phishing scams; identity theft to online bullying and so on. Given her expertise in fraud and financial crime as well as her experience in serious and organised crime, Leila is very well place to deal with cases of this kind. She has the forensic acumen required to analyse and present the evidence in simple form and also the human touch required to help the parties direct and conduct the case through the various stages of the proceedings.
Over the last twenty years Leila has prosecuted and defended fraud cases of considerable length and complexity. Instructed by the Serious Fraud Division of the CPS on behalf of the MHRA, NHS, HMRC and other authorities she is known for her meticulous preparation and attention to detail. In addition, she has represented clients across the range of fraudulent offences and is known for her calm reassuring manner and tenacious approach in court.
Notable cases:
R v B & others [2020]
Multi-handed gang related murder. Central Criminal Court.
R v B [2020]
Causing death by dangerous driving. Chelmsford Crown Court.
R v C & others [2020]
Large scale drug conspiracy. Croydon Crown Court.
R v W [2019]
Murder/ manslaughter diminished responsibility. Central Criminal Court.
R v B [2019]
Large scale drug importation. Croydon Crown Court.
R v MSM [2019]
Large scale multi-handed moped raids/ robberies. Blackfriars Crown Court.
R v C [2019]
Death by dangerous driving. Central Criminal Court.
R v F [2018]
Murder/ manslaughter diminished responsibility. Wood Green Crown Court.
R v B [2018]
Death by dangerous driving. Central Criminal Court.
R v E [2017]
Conspiracy to rob cash-in-transit vans. Inner London Crown Court.
R v MZP [2020]
Fraudulent trading in the pharmaceutical industry. SFD & MHRA. Southwark Crown Court.
R v Patel [2020]
Cheating the public revenue (£2.5 million). SFD & HMRC. Southwark Crown Court.
R v E & others [2020]
Fraud and money laundering. Southwark Crown Court.
R v M & others [2020]
Large scale insurance fraud. Inner London Crown Court.
R v K [2019]
Large scale NHS fraud. SFD & NHS Counter Fraud Specialists. Blackfriars Crown Court.
R v D [2018]
Large scale (£2 million) internet fraud. Blackfriars Crown Court.
R v L & others [2018]
Large scale VAT and corporation tax fraud. Harrow Crown Court.
R v W [2018]
Bank fraud (£750,000). Inner London Crown Court.
R v J & others [2017]
Large scale multi-handed investment fraud (£2 million). Southwark Crown Court.
R v C & others [2017]
Crypto currency/ dark web fraud. Lewes Crown Court.
Policies:
Leila Gaskin news.
Leila Gaskin on the criminalisation of best-selling music
