Amy Cox

Winner of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2024, Amy is the Head of Litigation at SMW. 

Amy oversees the Crown Court team. She was made an Associate Director in 2023.

Amy’s expertise lies in very serious crime work, including homicides, serious violence, and sexual offences including historic allegations.

Amy has particular experience representing defendants accused of involvement in large-scale serious organised crime including drug supply, drug importations, money laundering and possession and supply of firearms.

Amy also has a practice in fraud and regulatory matters having represented defendants facing prosecution by The Insolvency Service and Environment Agency.

Ranked in both Chambers and Partners (Band 3) and Legal 500 (Next Generation Partner). 

Amy has worked solely in criminal defence since qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 and joined Sonn Macmillan Walker later that year. Amy continues to attend police stations and the magistrates' court but specialises in Crown Court litigation, including undertaking work in respect of Confiscation proceedings and Appeals. She undertakes both privately funded and legal aid work, and her caseload is nationwide. 

Encrochat Expert 

Following the NCA’s Operation Venetic in 2020 Amy has been instructed in numerous Encrochat cases and has developed working relationships with leading counsel and experts in this field. Amy is persistent in pursuing the necessary disclosure in these cases, including making applications under section 8 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act.  

Legal Argument Strategist 

Amy is always alive to potential legal arguments during the course of a case. She is known to pursue abuse of process arguments and applications to dismiss.  Amy is confident in making written representations pushing the CPS to review decisions to prosecute cases arguing there is a lack of sufficient evidence or that the case is not in the public interest.  Additionally, Amy is adept in negotiating with the CPS to agree pleas to less serious offending behaviour in cases if necessary. 

Amy's Approach 

Amy is empathetic, calm and patient and thrives representing vulnerable defendants, especially those with mental health conditions. Amy quickly identifies and arranges psychological and psychiatric assessments when necessary. She has a keen eye for identifying when a client may need an intermediary assessment to consider what assistance they might need during conferences or at their trial. Amy ensures that each client has their needs met, no matter what vulnerabilities they may have.  Amy is very approachable and promptly earns the trust and confidence of her clients by demonstrating her knowledge and adapting her communication skills to ensure her client’s understand her advice.  Amy has many clients she has repeatedly represented over the years due to her commitment and dedication to them, along with her legal skills.  

In the preparation of her cases Amy is known for her unfaltering work ethic and dedication to her clients and their cases always ensuring clients are informed and updated throughout.  She analyses and understands the evidence in her cases with great attention to detail and conducts defence enquiries leaving no stone unturned.  Amy’s work is regularly complimented by Counsel and she is referred work by Counsel and solicitors at other firms due to her reputation. 

Connections to Expert Witnesses 

Over her years in the field, she has amassed a strong network of experts and is adept at identifying what experts could assist in a case, ranging from collision reconstruction experts in serious driving matters, causation experts in violent offences, drugs experts to comment on drug weights and valuations or interpretations of messages, cell site experts, facial mapping experts, experts who enhance CCTV, the list goes on. She has even previously instructed a light bulb expert!  

Sentencing 

Not just skilled in case preparation, Amy gives careful attention to preparing for sentences. She is aware that not all clients can secure an acquittal, and sometimes getting the right result at sentence is even more crucial. Amy is masterful at collating strong mitigation bundles to put her clients in the best position at their sentencing hearings. 

Founder of WICL 

Amy has a real passion for the profession as a whole and is a founding member and Vice Chair of the organisation Women in Criminal Law. WICL works to support and promote women working in the criminal justice system. She also heads the Mentoring Committee. Amy was also a finalist in the 2021 Inspirational Women in Law Awards

Amy's Notable Cases

View Amy's Cases

"Her strategic way of dealing with cases is great and her judgement is brilliant."

Chambers and Partners Rankings, 2024

"I think Amy is one of the most phenomenal solicitors I’ve ever worked with – she really cares, nothing is too much trouble and she won’t leave anything unchecked. "

Chambers and Partners Rankings, 2024

"Amy Cox is a truly standout partner in the field of serious crime. Her unwavering commitment to clients sets her apart from others in the field and is reflected in her exceptional results."

Legal 500 Rankings, 2024

"Amy Cox is excellent. She is very personable and good with lay clients. She retains a seemingly perfect control and recollection of each case."

Third Party, 2023

"Amy Cox is an impressive solicitor who manages her cases with efficiency and compassion. She is exceptionally patient, and she ensures her clients’ cases are defended and prepared from the very start of the investigation. She works above and beyond what is required, ensuring that the case is ready in good time for the hearings and the trial."

Third Party, 2023.

"Amy Cox handles work all over the country. She deals with organised crime, drugs, multiheaded murders, sex cases etcetera. She is one of those people who is a bit quiet but brilliant. She is silent but deadly, a lethal weapon in your team. She does not come across as loud but is absolutely on it."

Third Party, 2023

"Just want say a massive thank you for being dedicated, and making me keep positive within the one year period in my case."

Client, 2023

"First and foremost, let me pass over my highest appreciation for your work over the last months. I’m aware I may have been difficult to deal with, or time-demanding on your side, but I’m extremely grateful for you working very hard towards the outcome we achieved today. Quite directly, I owe you my freedom, and that means the world to me!"

Client, 2023

"I’d like to thank you for your kindness, support and professionalism you demonstrated during the past few months of dealing with my case. I admire your composure, work ethic and appreciate the guidance you gave to me. Mentally I was not coping well, but with your reassuring and affable demeanour I was put at ease and for that, I thank you immensely. I will always be grateful for your efforts."

Client, 2023

"Just wanted to send a quick email expressing my thanks. I know it’s your job and my case was fairly a simple but lengthy one over time but I wanted to thank you for all of your guys work and diligence in handling my case and wish all of you guys further success in all that you do in the future."

Client, 2023

"Just like to say thank you for all your help with my case and getting the result I needed. I appreciate all the extra work you put in and working after hours!"

Client, 2023

"I once again wanted to thank you and the team for helping [client]. You have done a great job and we are both thrilled that the case was dropped. We are very grateful for your efforts."

Client’s sister, 2022

"Not guilty! Thank you a million, you and the whole firm are simply amazing. Wish you all the best!"

Client, 2022

"Amy Cox only has one gear – excellence."

Legal 500, 2023 Rankings

"Amy Cox – extremely hard working and dedicated to her clients."

Legal 500, 2023 rankings

"Amy Cox was the best solicitor to have, she was professional and determined to get the right outcome for me. She went above and beyond for me at every stage of the case and left no stone unturned in securing an acquittal. Frederick Legg was also very supportive throughout and he was always there to answer any queries and act on any concerns I had. I would highly recommend this team to anyone."

Client’s girlfriend, 2022

"Can I just say a big thank you to all of you for the hard work, help and support and getting me to a position I’m happy to accept. Thank you all."

Client, 2022

"Thank you Amy and team for guiding us both through this process."

Client’s mum, 2022

"Amy has been fantastic, I suffer with anxiety and she has had to deal with my constant calls..(…)..she has kept me calm is an absolute credit to your company."

Client, 2022

"Amy Cox is a brilliant and committed solicitor who does everything she can to get the right results for her clients."

Legal 500, 2022 rankings

"Amy Cox is a first-class lawyer; her reputation with clients is nationwide. Her case management is second to none, and she is also so good at picking the right counsel for the right case, ensuring her clients have the best outcome – whether that’s avoiding charge altogether or getting brilliant results on the most unpromising cases."

Legal 500, 2022 rankings

"Amy Cox is an excellent solicitor with great organisational skills."

Legal 500, 2022 rankings

Amy's Insights

LALY Awards Logo FINAL Winner Gold
Untitled Design (5)
Untitled Design (3)
Untitled Design (8)
Untitled Design (7)

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