Victoria Sheppard-Jones

Victoria qualified as a barrister in 2005. She practised at a specialist Criminal Defence Chambers until 2016, where she was instructed as Junior and led Junior in matters of financial crime, serious sexual and violent offences and serious organised crime. In 2016, Victoria was invited to join the General Dental Council as Interim Head of the Illegal Practice Team. In 2017, she was appointed a Senior Lawyer at the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, advising the full Court on matters of law in relation to applications to appeal conviction. In 2020, she moved back to the Independent Bar to practice in Crime and Regulatory matters. 

Victoria was appointed a Fee Paid (Part-Time) Judge of the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health) in May 2020.

Victoria joined Capsticks as a Legal Director in August 2021. 

Expertise

Victoria works in the Regulatory Division, prosecuting on behalf of professional regulators, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Notable cases 

• February 2020 – March 2021. Instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority on a dual track criminal and regulatory investigation into the AML and Compliance procedures of a Global bank.
  
• R v McLaughlin. Basildon CC. 2016. Led junior for the first defendant in a high profile people trafficking trial.
  
• R v Dalby. Bradford CC. 2016. Secured an acquittal in relation to allegations of administering Class A drugs and rape of a child.
  
• R v Ul Haq. Leeds CC. 2015. Led Junior for the first defendant in a nationally reported people trafficking and exploitation trial.
  
• R v Ahmed. Preston CC. 2015. Instructed as Defence Counsel in trial of issue, the defendant having been deemed mentally unfit to plead. Matters of kidnap and rape of a child. Matters not found proved.
  
• R v Beatty. Birmingham CC. 2014. Led junior in 3 month VAT fraud trial.
  
• R v Booth. Leamington CC. 2013. Led Junior in 3 month trial alleging mortgage fraud and perverting the course of justice.
  
• R v Guclu. Central Criminal Court. 2013. Led Junior for the first defendant, a solicitor, accused of conspiracy to contravene immigration law and money laundering. 
  

Publications

Victoria is a contributing editor of Archbold Magistrates’ Court Criminal Practice.

Called to the Bar

2005

Qualifications

• Bar Vocational Course (Very Competent), Nottingham Law School  
• LLB Law (2:1), King’s College, University of London

Memberships

• Hon. Society of Inner Temple  
• Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers  
• Criminal Bar Association  
• Fraud Lawyers Association