OUR TEAM

Grant Ambridge

Senior Partner

Grant practises exclusively in criminal defence work since his qualification in 2002.

Working in established nationally recognised firms at the beginning of his career, Grant recognised his passion to ensure all clients, no matter what the background nor offence, should receive an excellent service. For this reason, he invested in Murrays Partnership and is the managing partner since joining the firm in 2013. This has given Grant the opportunity to not only instil the excellent standards in quality of advice and client care that he thinks are crucial with any client, but also to recruit some of the best lawyers in the profession to help deliver those standards.

Specialising in serious and complex cases from the outset of his legal career, Grant has developed a strong and dedicated interest in fraud, homicide and serious sex offence allegations from police station to Crown court. He has a very hands-on approach with all his clients and is meticulous in his understanding of the case and liaising with the top experts in England and Wales. He is regularly instructed to defend clients being prosecuted by the National Crime Agency (previously known as the Serious Organised Crime Agency), Serious Fraud Office, Sapphire Unit (serious sex offence unit in the Metropolitan Police), as well as Trading Standards and the HMRC.

Due to his skill, knowledge and expertise in criminal defence, Grant has been recognised by highly regarded directories that rate solicitors and their law firms across the world. Only a select few receive the accolade of being listed in Chambers and Partners; Grant has been chosen as one of them. Since his management and responsibility of Murrays Partnership in 2013, he has also proudly succeeded in his team and the firm being recognised.

Grant is currently ranked at Band 3 with the Firm now recognised as Notable Firm in the field. He has been described by many in the market place as the following:

“The most intuitive criminal solicitor I have met” – Chambers 2015
“Very practical approach to cases” – Chambers 2016
“Very good with clients” – Chambers 2016
“Is efficient and effective in his cases, demonstrates a caring approach to clients, and has an excellent understanding of legal issues and tactical problems.” – Chambers 2018
“Grant Ambridge is an experienced criminal litigator who is adept at defending clients against serious charges related to the supply of firearms and drugs, as well as violent offences and homicides. Sources consider him “a very safe pair of hands” who “is incredibly hard-working and goes above and beyond for his clients.” – Chambers 2019

[ Grant Ambridge ]

Admitted: 2002

grant@murrayspartnership.co.uk

0207 701 8653

Notable career cases include:

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R – v – MR & PR – Nottingham Crown Court - 2017 ( Slavery and Fraud )

Grant was instructed to represent a father and son charged with Fraud together with their extended family who were also charged under the modern slavery provisions. Due to the sheer number of defendants and charges the case was split into three different Trials. At the conclusion Grant’s clients were the only ones not to receive custodial sentences. Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) for MR and Leon Kazakos (2 Hare Court) for PR

bbc.co.uk

R - v - AD – Snaresbrook Crown Court – 2018 (Juries Act 1974 Offences)

Grant represented AD (on a privately funded basis) who pleaded guilty to researching the case he was trying during the trial period for reasons connected to that case and he intentionally disclosed this information to other members of the jury that had been obtained by research in contravention of s20A and the information had not been provided by the court. The offence in almost every circumstances result in an immediate custodial sentence. However following excellent mitigation put forward by Grant and Counsel the Court took an exceptional stance and AD’s term of imprisonment was suspended with community punishment. Fiona Robertson 2 Hare Court instructed Counsel for AD

itv.co.uk

R – v – DH – Inner London Crown Court – 2018 (Sexual Assault)

Grant represented a Nurse (privately funded) employed by a national charity charged with a sexual assault. Following extensive representation to the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the severe evidential deficiencies the case against DH was discontinued. Grant together with Francis Gomer of the Firm represented DH and subsequent Nursery and Midwifery Council hearing with regard to his eligibility to practice. Following representations at two hearings DH has been allowed to continue his career without restrictions.

getsurrey.co.uk

R v. R - Central Criminal Court - 2005 ( Murder and Firearms )

Defendant was charged with one other of shooting another man at a Traveller Site in Surrey. The Defendant, following a full Trial, was acquitted of all charges. Andrew Trollope QC (187 Fleet Street) and Susan Rodham (5 Kings Bench Walk) instructed as Counsel.

getsurrey.co.uk

R – v – S – Nottingham Crown Court – 2018 (Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs)

Grant together with Andrew Rootsey of the Firm represented S who was charged with others with supplying large quantities of cocaine between London and Nottingham with S being alleged to have been head of the London operation. Following a 6 week Trial S was unanimously acquitted.

R – C & C – Blackfriars CC – ongoing – (Fraud and Money Laundering)

Grant together with Hannah Sampson of the Firm are representing 2 of 12 defendants alleged to have been involved in a large scale Diversion Fraud to the value of £8 million.

R v. H - Central Criminal Court - 2006 ( Murder )

16 year old boy accused together with one other of stabbing a man outside the Mass Nightclub in Brixton.

Andrew Campbell Tiech QC and Zarif Khan (Drystone Chambers ) Instructed Counsel.

dailymail.co.uk

R v. JC - Guildford Crown Court - 2011 ( Murder )

Defendant accused of murdering his employee with one punch following an argument in the work place. The Defendant was acquitted of murder. Trevor Burke QC (3 Raymond Buildings) and Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row)
bbc.co.uk

R v. R - Truro Crown Court - 2009 ( Murder )

Defendant was accused of shaking her baby son to death whilst on a family holiday. Following a lengthy trial and the instruction of various medical experts in her defence, she was acquitted of all charges. Maura Mcgowan QC and Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) instructed Counsel

bbc.co.uk

R v. JM - Central Criminal Court - 2013 ( Murder )

Defendant charged with murdering his former partner and mother of his child. He then hid the body in the boot of his car to avoid detection. Following a full trial the Defendant was acquitted of murder. Orlando Pownall QC (2 Hare Court) and Charles Langley (2Bedford Row) instructed Counsel.

bbc.co.uk

R v. EM - Hove Crown Court - 2014 ( Murder )

Defendant charged with shooting a rival on a busy Brighton Street. Case involved a large number of eye witnesses and the instruction of Firearms experts. Following a fully contested trial the Defendant was acquitted of all charges. Simon Mayo QC (187 Fleet Street) and Leon Kazakos (2 Hare Court) instructed Counsel.

bbc.co.uk

R v. MM - Kingston Crown Court - 2012 ( Fraud and money laundering )

R v M & Ors (2011 & 2012) [Operation Vara] [Fraud] – Lead Junior Defending– Successfully defended a man accused of evasion of import Duty and VAT on gold jewellery. Over £8 million evasion involving an international investigation which moved from the UK to Europe, on to India and Dubai.

This was a case involving a conspiracy to evade import duty and VAT payable on the importation of gold jewellery. In total over £8 million was said to have been evaded. Mr Martin was led in this case by Mr Leon Kazakos and represented a defendant accused of being one of the men responsible for importing the gold Jewellery from Dubai into Frankfurt. The fraud involved the handover of the gold to another member of the conspiracy who would then import into the UK passing off the import as intra-EU trade and therefore VAT exempt. Some of these activities were observed by a covert intelligence unit of the German Police. The case involved complex VAT legal questions as well as jurisdictional issues.

Following 4 Trials the defendant was acquitted of all charges
Leon Kazakos (2 Hare Court) and James Martin (5 Kings Bench Walk) instructed Counsel.

R v. B AL - Southwark Crown Court - 2013 ( Fraud and conspiracy )

This was a case involving fraud and conspiracy to cheat the Revenue – The defendant was charged with defrauding HMRC by claiming Film Tax Credits and VAT for the making of a feature film “Landscape of Lies”. The case involved over 10000 pages of evidence and multiple defendants.
Orlando Pownall QC (2 Hare Court) and Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) instructed Counsel.

bbc.co.uk

R v. R, R and R - Croydon Crown Court - 2013 ( Fraud )

This was a large scale building fraud on multiple homeowners. The value of the fraud was in excess of £500,000. Voluminous material building experts needed to be instructed to assess the quality and value of the work. Confiscation sought in excess of £3 million. This was eventually negotiated down to £300,000 for the main Defendant only.
Trevor Burke QC (3 Raymond Buildings), Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) and Leon Kazakos (2 Hare Court) Instructed Counsel.

R v. HS - Birmingham Crown Court - 2011 ( Fraud and money laundering )

Operation Elemi. The Defendant was charged with laundering the proceeds of large scale MTIC frauds. The case involved voluminous amounts of evidence and a lengthy trial with multiple defendants.

mynewsdesk.com

R v. VM - Manchester Crown Court - 2016 ( Drug Importation )

Ongoing Trial for the importation of cocaine and heroin. The Defendant was charged with others of being an organiser in importing large quantities of drugs from Belgium. Investigated and prosecuted by the National Crime Agency.

James Martin (5 Kings Bench Walk) instructed as counsel.

R v. MR & PR - Nottingham Crown Court - 2016 ( Money Laundering and conspiracy )

Ongoing proceedings for Conspiracy to Defraud and Money Laundering involving 16 defendants and in excess of 20,000 pages of evidence.

Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) and Leon Kazakos (2 Hare Court) instructed Counsel.

R v. TR - Nottingham Crown Court - 2016 ( Conspiracy and trafficking )

This case involved conspiracy to rape and people trafficking. The Defendant were charged with 35 other defendants to rape and traffic vulnerable persons for the purpose of sexual abuse. Following defence disclosure requests and legal argument the matter was stayed for abuse of process.

Charles Langley (2 Bedford Row) instructed Counsel.

R v. MR - Blackfriars Crown Court - 2016 ( Money laundering )

This was a case where the first Defendant was represented. He was a businessman, in a multi-handed high value alleged money laundering conspiracy. The trial, which was expected to take six weeks, collapsed on the third day as a result of successful legal arguments and persistent disclosure requests which caused the prosecution to offer no evidence. All defendants acquitted.

Richard Wormald (3 Raymond Buildings) instructed Counsel.

R v. MH - Manchester Crown Court - 2014 ( Conspiracy to assist an offender )

This case involved a conspiracy to assist an offender. The Defendant was charged with others of assisting the notorious Dale Cregan by helping him escape and hide after he had assassinated rivals and prior to killing two unarmed police officers. Following two trials the Crown offered no evidence due to lack of disclosure.

Tyrone Smith QC (25 Bedford Row) and Emma Goodhall (Doughty Street)

manchestereveningnews.co.uk

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