Sandra Paul

Sandra has a wealth of experience in criminal and related litigation. She is sought out for the most complex and sensitive criminal cases and consistently justifies her enviable track record as a smart, effective trusted advisor for individuals and corporates who require representation.

Sandra’s 20 year career has included discreet representation of high profile individuals including politicians, bankers, music, sports and media personalities and high net worth individuals. Sandra’s strength lies in her unique approach to resolving matters quickly, quietly and effectively. Her success in doing so accounts for the trust and confidence her clients express.

Sandra’s strategic approach to representation enables her to offer continuity of representation acting throughout the life of a case. She is an experienced advocate able to assess your case for litigation and alternative resolution. She is also a member of the new Times Crime & Justice Commission. 

Sexual offences

The majority of her work concerns defending historic or current allegations of sexual misconduct. She advises clients, in the UK and abroad, in relation to allegations following the #MeToo campaign and advises both individuals and organisations in relation to investigations into sexual misconduct in the workplace. She is currently advising young people and their parents following allegations arising from the Everyone's Invited campaign.

Youth Justice

She has a particular passion and aptitude for working with children and young adults, navigating them safely through the youth justice system. Youth crime is a specialist area in which Sandra is a leader in her field. She was an Advisory Board member for the Youth Justice Legal Centre. She is Chair of the JUSTICE working party who recently produced a report on - Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System.

Investigation advice

Sandra provides proactive police station advice and representation designed to resolve matters at the earliest opportunity and without charges. Along with Matthew Hardcastle and Ed Cape, she co-authors “the police station Bible “ - Defending Suspects at Police Stations [8^th Edn] providing her clients with a unique perspective and unrivalled skill in navigating police investigations successfully while protecting their reputation.   

Inquiries and court proceedings

As an experienced Higher Court Advocate, Sandra is particularly accomplished in preparing witnesses to give an account or evidence in settings ranging from court proceedings through to internal and external investigations or inquiries.

• Ranked as a Star Individual in Chambers & Partners UK
• Hall of Fame in Legal 500 UK

• Top Recommended in Spears 500 (U)HNW Guide

Sandra features in the Powerlist 2025. The list features Britain’s 100 most influential men & women of African, African Caribbean and African American Heritage.

Recent cases

Young people and children

• Secured a community resolution for young person accused of “sexting” and “malicious communications”
• Secured a non-custodial sentence for two youths charged with possession of firearms
• Successful CCRC application for a child convicted of serious sexual offences resulting in the conviction being overturned
• No further action taken by the police following 3 allegations of rape made by friends of our client
• Secured no further action in respect of a child investigated for several sexual offences in respect of another child

Unlawful killing

• Secured a decision to take no further action for two men arrested of murder following their restraint of a shop customer
• Advised a company regarding criminal liability for Corporate Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Manslaughter. Police investigation concluded with no further action
• Acting for corporate group in relation to police investigation concerning Corporate Manslaughter

Sexual Misconduct

• Successfully defended a high-profile female charged with historic sex offences.
• Represented a regulated individual accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace during an internal investigation
• Provided specialist advice to law firms, chambers and companies regarding Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace
• Acquittal of entertainment industry individual for rape
• Advised a student accused of rape under the university regulations – disciplinary proceedings concluded without sanction

Other Offences

• An individual in a Privy Council application following a foreign murder conviction
• Acquittal of individual charged with conspiracy to pervert course of justice
• Successfully represented a family investigated for Modern Slavery in respect of their domestic staff cases

Interviews

• Prepared and represented clients for interviews with the police, SFO, FCA and internal investigations

 

What clients and directories have said

She has an ability to take a step back and see the bigger picture and she frames things in a way that gives reassurance."

Chambers UK 2025

She is very tenacious and thorough, leaving no stone unturned."

Chambers UK 2025

Her attention to detail is extraordinary."

Chambers UK 2025

Sandra Paul, Maeve Keenan and the team possess a rare combination of professional skill and human compassion, making them an extraordinary team."

The Legal 500, 2024

The team around Sandra Paul, Matt Hardcastle and Maeve Keenan is highly professional, and every client should honour their honesty, professionalism and profound in-depth analysis of all options. Their thoughts do not only include the easy and obvious ones, but they are mind-blowing brilliant. Working with and being represented by them is the best decision."

The Legal 500, 2024

Sandra Paul was recommended to me by four separate sources and given the complexities of my case, this speaks volumes. From my initial meeting I knew I had come to the right place. Sandra formed a team around me and guided this throughout. Sandra never distanced herself from my case and consistently navigated the team. Her ability to prepare me, taking valuable time out to handle this one on one is something that I look back on with great admiration. She was able to mentally prepare me for what was to come.”

Legal 500 UK, 2022

She is brilliant and brings a lot to the table - she has a calmness and authority about her and is hugely respected."

Chambers UK, 2021

We found Sandra to be an excellent advocate - she was patient and listened so intently to every detail so she had a full understanding of our case. She was reassuring and compassionate while also being assertive, perseverant and clear-headed."

Chambers UK 2021

I just wanted to express my profound thanks for your input at the very start of this process. It was obvious that [my son] felt a tremendous sense of reassurance knowing that you were there to provide advice and support, and I think the trouble you took to provide sympathetic and constructive advice was invaluable. I wanted to express my thanks to you because I witnessed at first-hand what a difference your input made.  As a solicitor myself, I was able to reflect on the fundamental importance of client care, and on the fantastic job you did."

A Client, 2021

I think it would be hard to over-state the sense of reassurance that [my son] got from your advice and – most importantly – from the way in which you gave it. You were authoritative and sympathetic, and, crucially, you were available whenever he needed your input. All of your communications with him seemed to reflect a real effort on your part to see things from his perspective, and all of the advice was delivered in a language that he really understood. I’m not exaggerating when I say that your input really was one of the main things which helped him to get through the whole business."

A Client, 2021

As a lawyer myself but now in need as a client, I benefited from the excellence of your services (both legal and psychological) , with a critical and appreciative eye. All I can say from the bottom of my heart and the top of my brain is, for all of you, pure and simple, thanks. You were the lawyer's lawyers I was seeking (and always aspired to be) in an emergency and I was lucky to have found you. 

A Client, 2021

Sandra Paul is experienced in dealing with stressful situations."

Legal 500 UK 2021

Completely unflappable, fantastic with clients, highly intelligent and highly motivated."

Chambers UK 2020 - A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession

...is a huge asset for the firm."

Legal 500 UK 2020

A brilliant and very effective criminal practitioner."

Chambers and Partners 2019

Head and shoulders above any other criminal defence practitioner in London."

Legal 500 UK 2019

Creative, original, alert and has a highly developed intuition combined with a practical, concrete approach."

Chambers and Partners UK, 2018

A delight to work with as she is always exceptionally well prepared," while clients highlight her "outstanding" commitment and service."

Chambers and Partners UK, 2017

The "brilliant" Sandra Paul is a well-regarded solicitor advocate focusing on serious criminal matters. She has substantial experience representing clients in relation to historical charges of sexually abusing children."

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2016

Her quiet calm and measured advice is a beacon of light.” 

Defence Witness 2016

The best solicitor anyone could ever wish for… (Sandra is) at the top of the profession. I have never met anyone as dedicated.”

A Client, 2016

She has the "ability to balance the law with a style that is humane and upright," clients say. She regularly handles serious criminal matters, from sex to drugs offences."

Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession, 2015

Her personal touch makes all the difference. Anyone who has (Sandra) as a solicitor has no idea how lucky they are.”

A Client, 2015

 

 

Chambers 2023 UK (Band 1)

• Star Individuals

Legal 500 UK 2023

• Hall of Fame

Professional memberships and societies

• Times Crime and Justice Commission
• Women In Criminal Law (Founding Member)
• Youth Justice Legal Centre Advisory Board
• Black women in Law
• Fraud Lawyers Association
• London Criminal Court Solicitors Association (LCCSA)
• Black Solicitors Network (BSN)
   

 

Publications, Press Highlights & Speaking Engagements

• The continued rise of sextortion and blackmail, Solicitors Journal, January 2025
• About the Boys Podcast, Episode 4: 'Sex and Consent', BBC Radio 4, May 2024
• Commission will examine prisons, Inside Time, May 2024
• The Times launches inquiry, InPublishing, April 2024
• Crime and Justice Commission set up to address most urgent issues facing the police and criminal justice system, Police Professional, April 2024
• What is the Times Crime and Justice Commission? Its aims explained, The Times, April 2024
• Faye has leaked Mary’s photo in Emmerdale: What happens now in the eyes of the law?, Entertainment Daily July 2023
• Temporary prevention: Better than waiting for a full cure, Police Professional, May 2023
• Porn, slut-shaming and salacious WhatsApps: how new drama Consent exposes the shocking reality for teens today, Evening Standard, February 2023
• Why MeToo fallout is wrecking the lives of schoolboys, The Sunday Times, February 2023
• Kingsley Napley wins claim for unpaid fees from property developer, Law Society Gazette, December 2022
• Kingsley Napley argues JR was not ‘reasonable alternative’ in fees fight, Law Society Gazette, December 2022
• Help! The police are arresting my child… November 2022
• ‘How could I have been so stupid?’: People are still being catfished – and it still isn’t a crime, Independent, October 2022
• Featured live on BBC Radio 4's AntiSocial programme with Adam Fleming discussing the impact of rape allegations on professional footballers, online and in real life, August 2022
• The Everyone’s Invited scandal: what happened next - Quoted in The Times, June 2022
• Boys will be boys? What changed after private school girls fought back - The Times, June 2022
• Appeared live on BBC Radio 4 Women's Hour to discuss the Lady Nourse case along with views on the law for those accused of historic sexual abuse - July, 2021
• Everyone’s Invited – the devastating backlash begins, July 2021
• Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child, July 2021
• Parents hire top lawyer to clear boys in sex assault claims - Wrote for The Sunday Times, June 2021
• Students accused of sexual misconduct barred from finishing courses - Sandra Paul & Shannett Thompson quoted in The Telegraph, June 2021
• Investigating Sexual Misconduct in Universities requires balance and fairness, June 2021
• Measure to prevent misconduct in university sexual violence cases not going far enough - Quoted in Byline Times, April 2021
• Youth must be served - Quoted in The Law Society Gazette, March 2021
• Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System - Sandra chaired the working party which produced this report, February 2021
• Unlocking Digital Disclosure - New Law Journal, January 2021
• Youth Justice Online Podcast: Episode 1, Sexting & Social Media - November 2020
• 8th edition of Defending Suspects at Police Stations - Co-authored publication, September 2020
• Legal Comment: Sexual Offences (Sports Coaching) Bill 2019-20 - September 2020
• Law regarding consent is not confused, wrong or unfair - Wrote for The Law Society Gazette, August 2020
• Women In Criminal Laws "In Conversation With" with BAME women - Took part in videocast, June 2020
• Lawyers in lockdown: stories from the frontline - Provided insight to The Law Society Gazette, April 2020
• Westminster Legal Policy Forum keynote seminar on "Probation services in England and Wales - and priorities for the new Chief Inspector" - Sandra spoke on a panel where she covered the impact for young adults, 29 October 2019
• Sex, lies and legal consent: Can deceit turn sex into rape? - quoted in BBC News, September 2019
• Jason Lawrance appeals against vasectomy lie rape convictions - quoted in BBC News, September 2019
• Digital strip search: How everything from Facebook messages to Fitbit data could be used against you in court - quoted in The  Telegraph, July 2019
• Sir Cliff Richard and Paul Gambaccini urge anonymity in sex cases - quoted in The Times, July 2019
• The danger in believing all victims - interviewed by Spiked, June 2019
• Criminalising children: at what age and what costs? Law Society Gazette, June 2019
• Internal investigations in the #MeToo era - participated in panel discussion at the 2nd annual GIR LIVE Women in Investigations Conference, June 2019
• Does accessing mobile data of rape victims threaten their right to privacy? LexisNexis interview, May 2019
• Sentences for young people should take account of their maturity, The Times, May 2019
• Digital strip search: How everything from Facebook messages to Fitbit data could be used against you in court, quoted in The Telegraph, April 2019
• BBC News at 5, 29 April 2019 - speaking on the topic of victims of rape and sexual assault being required to grant access to information extracted from their personal devices 
• Jeff Bezos has given a masterclass in how to respond to blackmail, quoted in Wired, February 2018
• BBC Radio 4, Today programme, November 2018 - speaking about about workplace cultures and clarity around acceptable behaviour
• BBC 2, Victoria Derbyshire programme, October 2018 - commenting on the legal challenges and concerns about new leaflets being issued by the police to people at risk of committing child sexual exploitation
• GIR Live New York, September 2018 - panellist in session on "How to navigate a Me Too investigation" 
• Sextortion: beware the new form of cyber blackmail,  Spear's, July 2018
• "Very few police are aware of Outcome 21 until we raise the issue", Law Society Gazette, May 2018
• 21 January 2018, Quoted in Mail on Sunday, Is it any wonder there’s now a ‘consent’ app? Couples planning an encounter can agree how far they’re willing to go
• Quoted in Mail on Sunday in article about LegalFling, Is it any wonder there’s now a ‘consent’ app? Couples planning an encounter can agree how far they’re willing to go, January 2018
• 15 June 2017, Femail, Why your child could go to prison for ten years for 'sexting' on their phone by Sandra Paul
• Quoted in: 'Stealthing' - what you need to know  BBC Newsbeat 25 April 2017