Matilda Robinson-Murphy

Practice area

Crime

Year of call: 2015

Matilda has a diverse criminal practice and is instructed both to prosecute and defend. She practises across London, Thames Valley, The Midlands and the Western Circuit.

Matilda joined chambers in 2018 after successful completion of pupillage. Prior to joining the Bar, Matilda interned at the International Criminal Court in The Hague during Laurent Gbago and Charles Blé Goudé’s crimes against humanity trial where she was responsible for the translation of proceedings and drafting judgments of the Chamber. Matilda has a keen interest in international affairs and linguistics; she speaks fluent French and is currently learning Italian.

Matilda is a grade 2 prosecutor regularly instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service as trial counsel. She has experience in dealing with complex issues of law and is regularly instructed to advise on cases from the earliest stage. Matilda has prosecuted a wide variety of cases including burglary, drugs supply, robbery and weapons offences.

Matilda has extensive experience defending in both the Crown and Magistrates Courts. She has secured multiple acquittals for her clients and approaches each case with meticulous preparation and empathy. She is experienced in advising youths and vulnerable clients and has been successful in several submissions of ‘no case to answer’ in the youth court.

Outside of court, Matilda is a self-confessed ‘foodie’ and animal lover who spends most of her time hunting out Caravaggio paintings in Italy.

 

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Recent prosecution cases:

  • R v D, Woolwich (2020) – (Operation Barolo) – Successful prosecution of the getaway driver in an armed robbery of a Post Office in Plumstead. The robbers used a claw hammer and 12-inch knife to rob £1000 from the counter. The case involved complex issues of accessory liability and close liaison with the specialist police Flying Squad Unit.
  • R v J, Salisbury (2020) – Successful prosecution for burglary of a dwelling. Issues in the case included the effect of intoxication on specific intent.
  • R v B, St Albans (2020) – Malicious Communications prosecution involving extensive disclosure.
  • R v H, Reading (2020) – Instructed in a serious stalking case spanning 2 years. The appeal was dismissed and the Appellant received a sentence of immediate imprisonment.
  • R v J, Croydon (2019) – Successful prosecution for robbery where complainant was a vulnerable person.
  • R v S, Snaresbrook (2019) – Successful prosecution of youth for dangerous driving. Issues in the case involved identification and non-defendant bad character.

Recent defence cases:

  • R v E, Portsmouth (2020) – Successful submission of ‘no case to answer’ for 17-year-old client charged with Assault occasioning actual bodily harm and 5 counts of Assault by Beating.
  • R v B, Portsmouth (2020) – Successful submission of ‘no case to answer’ in domestic violence case.
  • R v M, Portsmouth (2019) – Client acquitted of multiple counts of assault where there was relevant CCTV covering assault.
  • R v J, Inner London (2019) – Secured a suspended sentence for client’s second conviction for possession of bladed article. The court was persuaded to depart from recent guidelines.
  • R v S, Wood Green (2019) – Secured a suspended sentence for man convicted of Class A drugs supply on a large scale.
  • R v P, Woolwich (2019) – Instructed to represent a vulnerable client found with razor blades in public. Issues for the trial were good reason to be in possession of a bladed article.
  • R v P, Portsmouth (2019) – Client acquitted of multiple counts of assaulting youths.
  • R v A, Portsmouth (2019) – Client acquitted of multiple counts of benefit fraud where the allegation was that she had hidden inheritance payments.
  • R v S, Portsmouth (2019) – Client acquitted of multiple counts of benefit fraud where the allegation was that she was fraudulently claiming carer’s allowance.

Education:

  • BPTC – The University of Law (2015)
  • GDL – The University of Law (2014)
  • BA French – King’s College London (2013)
  • Lincoln’s Inn European Scholarship