Sasha Wass KC

Profile

“Her skill in cross-examination is incomparable.” – Chambers & Partners

 

“Sasha is great with judges and she has a lovely manner in court. She is a delight to work with and performs at the highest level.” – Chambers & Partners

 

“She is incredibly dignified in court. In jury trials, juries adore her and listen to her.” – Chambers & Partners

 

“Sasha is really great with clients, really calm and reassuring. Her judgement is first class and in court she is commanding and unflappable. She is one of the most experienced criminal silks about.” – Legal 500

 

“Sasha Wass KC gets to the nub of the issues quickly. She is refreshingly humane in her approach to clients, decisive and someone with real gravitas whom judges respect.” – Chambers and Partners

 

“She is an excellent tactician who always makes the right judgement call in the most delicate of situations. She commands respect from her peers effortlessly. She is an incomparable class act, particularly in the most challenging, sensitive and high profile of cases. Sasha adopts a no-nonsense approach and is always prepared and willing to cut through a deadlock situation. A true barrister of principle, she will stand her ground and fight for what is ultimately right.” – Legal 500

 

Sasha Wass KC has practised at the Criminal Bar for 43 years. Ranked in Chambers & Partners and in The Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Leading Counsel. She was made Criminal Silk of the Year in 2015. In 2021, the Lawyer Magazine selected her as one of the “Hot 100”, describing her as “one of the leading lights of the Bar.”

 

Notable cases include:-

Rosemary West:  accused of ten murders.

Rolf Harris, children’s entertainer convicted of child abuse.

Johnny Depp: Hollywood actor involve in libel trial.

John Edwards, picture editor of The Sun (News International)

Colin Gregg of Greggs Bakers: accused of historic sex offences.

Kweku Adoboli, rogue trader responsible for largest British banking fraud $2.3bn.

James Ibori, corrupt Nigerian State Governor and his associates involved in the theft if £250 million from the public purse.

Roger Levitt, financier involved in large scale company fraud.

Ben Butler, accused of baby shaking.

Tesco Stores Limited: successfully negotiated £129 million Deferred Prosecution Agreement.

Amec Foster Wheeler: Deferred Prosecution Agreement of £103 million.

Callum Harriott, secured acquittal for ex-Colchester United footballer accused of rape.

Robert Van Den Berg: senior executive acquitted of indecent assault on a female during a flight to London Heathrow.

Vanessa Whittingham: acquitted of causing death by careless driving.

Graham Wildin, millionaire accused of causing nuisance to his neighbours in a contested Anti Social Behaviour Injunction application.

 

Defence Practice Includes:

Gang related murders.

Those accused of causing the death or serious harm to children/babies.

All allegations of sexual misconduct.

Death by Dangerous/Careless Driving.

Financial Crime including money laundering and offences involving crypto currencies.

Offences relating to controlled drugs.

 

Advisory work undertaken including:

Assessing the merits of private prosecutions.

Serious Fraud Office: advised on Libor, Rolls Royce.

Premier League footballer accused of gang rape.

Professionals accused of sexual misconduct in the work environment.

Advisory work relating to young persons being investigated for sexual misconduct.

General appellate work arising out of miscarriages of justice.

“Clever and ice cool”

 

The Times

Ms Wass has the benefit of understanding all dimensions of the criminal process enabling her to present cases effectively to a jury.

‘She sees the entire landscape and provides pragmatic advice.’ and has been described as being: ‘…incredibly bright and persuasive, and always determined to secure the right result for her client.’

“Exceptionally talented, clients love her.”

Chambers & Partners

Known for her attention to detail and relentless cross-examination she is considered to be: ‘A tremendously tenacious silk, she is eloquent and effective in her delivery.’

Her photographic memory provides a rare advantage.  Able to work swiftly and efficiently through large amounts of material she is the master of her brief and rapidly identifies weaknesses in her opponent’s arguments.  She is recognised as being a fearless opponent who:- ‘does an impeccable job’.

Sasha successfully represented NGN and Sun executive editor Dan Wootton in the Libel case brought on by Johnny Depp. Judge Justice Nicol has now ruled that the tabloid’s report on allegations that Depp was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard was “substantially true”. Accordingly, the Defendants’ defence of Truth was established and Mr Depp’s claim has been dismissed. Justin Walford from The Times Newspaper wrote: ‘This was a civil libel case but we felt we needed the best criminal barrister to lead the attack and we struck gold with Sasha Wass KC. Her three-day cross-examination of Depp was a masterclass.’ See full news article here.

 

Mail on Sunday issues full apology to Ms Wass

In June 2018 Ms Wass fought and won a legal action against the Mail on Sunday.  The newspaper had published a highly libellous article by David Rose relating to confiscation proceedings of £100 million pounds resisted by convicted fraudsters James Ibori and Bhadresh Gohil. The official press release can be accessed here. Associated Newspapers Limited’s apology and Statement made in Open Court can be accessed here.