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 Arusha, 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.
Alfred has recently been seconded to the cannabis law team at Mackrell UK, a law firm in central London. He has been advising them and their clients on cannabis regulation, particularly in relation to the lawful marketing, importation and sale of CBD products.
Practice Areas
Alfred’s practice is primarily in criminal law, appearing regularly in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court for both the prosecution and defence. He has successfully defended clients at trial for a range of offences including domestic assaults, restraining order breaches and dishonesty offences. 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 also has a growing regulatory practice, having recently completed a secondment at the Financial Conduct Authority in their enforcement team and providing ongoing advice to Mackrell UK in relation to cannabis and CBD regulation
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Criminal Defence
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