Criminal
Fiona Clancy is an experienced Junior with an expanding practice in serious and complex crime.
She has extensive experience in analysing and presenting high-profile cases involving Conspiracy offences, Organised Crime, Drugs, Firearms, and serious violence including Murder; having both prosecuted and defended as a led Junior in multi-handed, serious and complex cases. Fiona has the fortitude to deal with legal arguments in a fearless manner, and prides herself on her detailed written advocacy and preparation.
As one of a team of lead investigators on the Hillsborough Investigation for the Independent Police Complaints Commission, Fiona honed her skills in dealing compassionately with witnesses and in analysing and investigating extensive historic evidence. She is also adept at working patiently and sensitively with youths, and in the cross examination of vulnerable individuals, and has particular experience in dealing with Defendants who suffer from mental health.
Fiona is a former member of the Royal Military Police, and therefore has an excellent understanding of defending those in the military or emergency services. She was also previously a member of the General Medical Council Legal Team, and is proficient in cases involving complex medical evidence and multiple expert witnesses, including cases involving non-accidental injuries.
Fiona is a Grade 3 CPS Prosecutor and has taught Advocacy, Criminal Law and Criminal Litigation on the Bar Professional Training Course, Graduate Diploma in Law and LLB Law.
She is committed to supporting social mobility at the Bar and through the Inns of Court. She mentors Bar students, and has given her time to sit on the scholarship panel for Inner Temple. Fiona is Chambers’ Pro Bono Champion with the charity Advocate.
Criminal Cases
Criminal Cases
Serious and Complex Cases
Operation Kingman – Leading Junior. Successful prosecution after a three week trial in relation to offences of Conspiracy to Supply in excess of £2,000,000 worth of Class A Drugs (Cocaine and Heroin) and a Conspiracy to Transfer Prohibited Weapons, in order to settle the disputes of an organised crime group. The Conspiracies were based upon Encrochat evidence uncovered during Operation Venetic, alongside expert evidence. Following trial, the Defendant was convicted of all three counts on the indictment and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment.
Operation Mortimer – Led Junior alongside Mark Rhind QC in a successful multi handed prosecution for Conspiracy to Rob and Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs offences. The case involved reliance on Operation Venetic encrypted phone data, alongside covert audio recordings and analysis of complex financial evidence. Four of the Defendants were involved in a plot caught by the National Crime Agency to rob and torture a wealthy businessman. All five Defendants were also involved in a multi kilogram Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. In total the Defendants were sentenced to 133 years imprisonment and made the subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders.
To view news coverage: click here
Operation Dime Edge – Junior alone successfully prosecuting a Rogue Builder for 58 Fraud offences and two Counterfeit Currency offences. The total value of the fraud was £473,166.96 over an offending period between 2019 to 2021. The case involved 58 victims, some of whom were elderly. Many of the victims were left with homes in a state of disrepair, without roofs during the winter months and have been adversely emotionally and financially impacted by the crime. The Defendant Adam Priestley was sentenced to 5.5 years imprisonment for the untold misery that his offending caused.
To view news coverage: click here
Operation Crowbar – Led Junior alongside Adrian Farrow in the successful prosecution of eight Defendants for a complex series of Drug Production, Importation and Supply offences and a ninth Defendant for Assisting an Offender. The offences came to light following the interception of a disguised 5kg package of MDMA tablets by Border Force and a subsequent drugs search. The Defendants were linked to this offending by way of forensic evidence, mobile phone cell site analysis and telephone data.
To view news coverage: click here
Operation Accordion – Led Junior for the Defence alongside Ian Harris in a complex mortgage fraud case involving Conspiracy to Commit Fraud by False Representation.
Operation Canvas – Led Junior prosecuting a multi handed Conspiracy to Produce Cannabis.
R v MS – Led Junior alongside Mark Rhind QC in a Murder trial for the Defence. The case involved extensive expert evidence from Fire Investigators.
R v TA – Junior alone on a case of Child Cruelty, in the context of wider allegations of S18 injuries caused during baby shaking incidents by TA’s partner. Following analysis of complex medical evidence and the service of an extensive and detailed Defence Statement, the Crown offered no evidence in respect of the Child Cruelty counts relating to TA. Formal not guilty verdicts entered.
R v MM and ND – Acting as a Noting Junior to Christopher Tehrani KC in a ʻbaby shakingʼ case involving complex medical evidence and multiple expert witnesses.
Disclosure Counsel in relation to a complex historic fraud, including precharge disclosure advice and disclosure management.
Representing at high value Confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act and applications for Restraint Orders.
General Crime
R v BC – Acquittal. Successful defence of a victim of trafficking who was accused of producing in excess of 800 cannabis plants. The National Referral Mechanism concluded with reasonable grounds that the Defendant had been trafficked. A detailed and comprehensive Defence Statement setting out the facts in support of the Modern Slavery defence led to the Crown offering no evidence against the Defendant. Formal not guilty verdict entered.
R v BM – Acquittal – Successfully defended a male accused of sexual assault. Hearing on the voir dire in relation to the admissibility of identification evidence. The Defendant was acquitted following a successful submission of no case to answer.
R v DH – Acquittal – Successfully defended a male accused of sexual assault in the workplace.
R v CR – Acquittal – Successful defence of a male on three counts of historic sexual offending and hung jury upon the remaining counts.
