I have represented such a wide spectrum of clients, which I have found extremely rewarding.
Extradition
Ms Grudzinska represents clients at all stages of the extradition process ranging from advisory work through to appeals in the High Court against extradition orders. Ms Grudzinska has worked closely with lawyers in Poland and has been successful in compromising warrants so that the warrant is withdrawn and the clients can continue to live in the UK. Ms Grudzinska regularly represents clients in extradition hearings and bail applications.
Criminal Law
Having represented clients in relation to an array of offences over the years, Ms Grudzinska has significant experience in the Magistrates and Crown Courts.
She has experience of trial advocacy and appeals.
Road Traffic Law
Ms Grudzinska has vast experience in representing clients in relation to Road Traffic offences.
She regularly appears in the Magistrates Court in relation to Special Reasons hearings and Exceptional Hardship hearings as well as on appeals.
Recent and Interesting Cases
Extradition
Ms Grudzinska represented a client whose extradition was sought by the Polish Judicial Authority in relation to theft matters. The requested person had lived in the UK for some ten years with his family however he was considered by the prosecution to be a “fugitive”. Warrant discharged on Article 8 grounds.
Ms Grudzinska represented a client who was sought in relation to a European Arrest Warrant (“EAW”). He was refused bail twice in the Magistrates Court on the basis that he would fail to surrender. Ms Grudzinska made a successful bail application in the High Court and her client was released from HMP Wandsworth.
Ms Grudzinska’s client was sought pursuant to an EAW for offences of fraud. Despite only living in the UK since 2016 and not having any other significant ties in the UK, the order for her extradition was discharged on Article 8 grounds.
Ms Grudzinska represented a client who was sought by the Polish Judicial Authority in relation to an offence of burglary. Ms Grudzinska made a successful application under s21B of the Extradition Act to explore the possibility of co-operating with the Polish Authorities leading to the EAW being withdrawn and, within a couple of months, the EAW was, in fact, withdrawn and Ms Grudzinska’s client was able to continue to live in the UK without any interruption to his family life.
Ms Grudzinska’s client’s case related to a conviction warrant issued by the Polish Judicial Authority in relation to offences of theft from an employer. The requested person had built his life in the UK with his wife and child. His behaviour in the UK was exemplary, having worked hard and undertaken charitable work in his community. The Requested Person’s child showed exceptional academic ability at school. He was discharged on the basis of article 8 ECHR.
Crime
Ms Grudzinska’s client was charged under s170 of Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 in relation to smuggling a large quantity of cigarettes into the UK in a lorry amounting to just under £1,000 000 unpaid duty to the HMRC. Despite the disadvantageous tachograph evidence, CCTV evidence together with other aspects of the case pointing to the defendant’s guilt, Ms Grudzinska managed to persuade the jury that he was not guilty. He was unanimously acquitted.
Ms Grudzinska represented one of three defendants in a conspiracy to import large amounts of cigarettes into the UK by post. Upon an agreed basis of plea, Ms Grudzinska secured a community order for her client whilst her client’s co-defendant (her partner) was sentenced to a term of imprisonment.
Ms Grudzinska represented a defendant charged with three counts of sexual assault. The client was accused by two women of sexually assaulting them at a house party. Faced with overwhelming evidence, including several independent witnesses, Ms Grudzinska secured an acquittal in relation to one of the counts on the indictment.
The Defendant was convicted in the magistrates of ill treatment of a severely disabled person under his care. Ms Grudzinska was instructed to represent the client on appeal against his conviction to the Crown Court. Despite evidence of two independent witnesses of the client slapping the severely disabled complaint in the street, Ms Grudzinska highlighted significant inconsistencies in their accounts in cross examination. Two defence witnesses were also called from the care home who had not previously given evidence in the court below, which also significantly assisted the case. Client’s appeal was allowed.
Ms Grudzinska represented a client charged with common assault on a 9 year old boy. The allegation was that the client had grabbed the complainant by the neck and dragged him along the pavement. There were 4 child witnesses, all of whom were 9 years old. The client’s 9 year old son also gave evidence for the defence. This was a complex case because of the age of the witnesses and it required great sensitivity in ensuring that the child witnesses were treated in accordance with relevant rules on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses, in particular in cross examination as well as the practicalities of dealing with ground rules hearings, intermediaries and special measures provisions. In this particular case, Ms Grudzinska also made a successful application for special measures for two vulnerable adult witnesses for the defence. After forceful closing submissions Ms Grudzinska’s client was acquitted.
Ms Grudzinska’s client was charged with three counts of outraging public decency whereby on three separate occasions he followed young women in deserted areas whilst naked and exposed himself whilst in full view of children. He also pleaded guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children. After a successful plea in mitigation Ms Grudzinska persuaded the judge to sentence him to a suspended sentence with no requirements so that he could return to his native country for treatment and to be with his family immediately after release.
Following forceful submissions in mitigation, Ms Grudzinska’s client was sentenced to a 12 month conditional discharge for offences of outraging public decency, criminal damage and possession of cannabis.
Ms Grudzinska represented a lorry driver who pleaded guilty to tampering with his tachograph.
Ms Grudzinska represented a lorry driver in relation to a charge of people smuggling.