Alfred Underwood
Alfred was called to the Bar in 2016 and joined Chambers in May 2019 after successfully completing pupillage. Alfred is known for his diligence, hard work and excellent client care, as well as being approachable and personable with both solicitors and lay clients. He has been described as an “extremely capable and impressive young barrister”, “likeable and hardworking”, who is not afraid to fight his client’s corner.
He has a reputation with his instructing solicitors for preparing cases thoroughly and being able to represent and engage successfully with even the most vulnerable and troubled clients. He also has an excellent legal knowledge and can quickly identify the important issues in a case that need to be addressed.
Before joining Chambers, Alfred worked as an intern and then as a paid contractor for Lawyers Without Borders, a US based non-profit organisation that promotes pro bono work and facilitates the training of lawyers, judges and law enforcement across the world. As part of this work, Alfred travelled to Tanzania to assist with an anti-trafficking in persons training programme. He has previously volunteered as an appropriate adult, assisting with communication for vulnerable persons detained by police.
Practice Areas
Alfred’s practice is primarily in Crime, appearing regularly in the Crown Court for both the prosecution and defence. Alfred also accepts instructions in complex cases in the Youth Court and privately-funded magistrates’ court work. He has secured acquittals at trial for a range of offences including ABH, assaults on police officers, possession of knives, restraining order breaches, theft and burglary. He also has experience representing local authorities, parents in education offences, animal owners in RSCPA prosecutions, business owners in relation to trading standards prosecutions and dealing with Proceeds of Crime Act hearings.
Alfred has also built a growing regulatory practice, having completed secondments with the Financial Conduct Authority and the Nursing Midwifery Council. Alfred was also briefly seconded to the Cannabis Law department of Mackrell Solicitors, providing advice to clients looking to market legal cannabinoid products in the UK and EU. Alfred has represented the NMC in professional misconduct cases, including multi-week factfinding hearings.
-
Criminal Defence
R v FF – Snaresbrook Crown Court – Client charged with possession of a bladed article. Defendant was a cab driver stopped by police while driving a fare. Carrying a craft knife in his bag. Acquitted after successful defence of “good reason”.
R v MM – Guildford Crown Court – Client charged with assaulting an emergency worker outside his partner’s address. Prosecution offered no evidence half-way through their case following a disclosure request made by counsel and defendant was acquitted.
R v AH – Inner London Crown Court – Client charged with ABH. Defence accepted complainant had been assaulted and received serious injuries but maintained that the complainant was falsely and maliciously implicating AH. One other eyewitness identified the defendant as one of the attackers. AH was acquitted by a jury after less than fifteen minutes of deliberation.
R v KS – Basildon Crown Court – Client was convicted after a trial in the Magistrates’ Court of domestic burglary. KS had several previous convictions for theft offences. He was given a suspended sentence of 12 months.
R v CH – Wood Green Crown Court – Client had pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place. This was his fourth conviction for this offence and a minimum sentence of immediate imprisonment applied. He had a recent conviction for ABH carried out with a knife. CH was given a suspended sentence of 6 months after judge found it would be unjust to impose minimum.
R v S – Guildford Youth Court – 14-year-old client charged with various driving offences. After drafting and serving a legal argument in respect of an improperly obtained confession the CPS discontinued the case.
R v DG – Colchester Magistrates’ Court – Client charged with assaulting his ex-partner on two occasions. Complainant gave evidence. Magistrates found no case to answer on one charge and acquitted DG of the second charge at the end of the defence case.
R v DJS – Colchester Magistrates’ Court – Client charged with handling stolen bicycles. Successful submission of no case to answer made before the District Judge at the close of the prosecution case.
R v MR – Basildon Magistrates’ Court – Client charged with two breaches of a restraining order against ex-wife. Both complainant and her mother gave evidence. Magistrates found MR had no case to answer at end of prosecution case.
R v BG – Southampton Magistrates’ Court – Client charged with assaulting two police officers in execution of their duty. On drafting and service of legal argument the prosecution offered no evidence on day of trial.
Professional Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
Awards, Qualifications & Other
Bar Professional Training Course, Northumbria University – Outstanding
Graduate Diploma in Law, Northumbria University – Commendation
BA Hons Ancient History, Newcastle University – First Class Honours