email: info@sgkllp.com call: 020 7734 9700
Email: m.corr@sgkllp.com Secure email: m.corr@sgkllp.com.cjsm.net Office: 020 7734 9700 Direct dial: 020 3167 6463
Madeleine joined Shaw Graham Kersh in 2010 and was promoted to partner in 2022. She is a highly experienced and committed criminal defence solicitor with 20 years’ experience at Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners firms in London.
Madeleine has a diverse practice, advising clients across the full range of criminal offences, including murder, terrorism, complex fraud, money laundering and serious firearm and drug offences, from the police station through to the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.
Known for her tenacity, thorough preparation and sound judgement, Madeleine’s ability to work in close collaboration with her clients and counsel at each stage of the proceedings, ensures that she achieves the best possible results.
Madeleine has a special interest and extensive experience in representing women accused of murder and manslaughter at trial and at appeal. She is acutely aware that female defendants accused of such crimes tend to be victims themselves. Madeleine is a panel solicitor for the Centre for Women’s Justice.
Madeleine represents both privately funded and legally aided clients. She is regularly instructed to privately represent clients at the pre charge engagement stage of the police investigation. Madeleine is instructed to make applications to ACRO, the Criminal Records Office, for the deletion of arrest records. She also accepts private instruction for fare evasion.
Madeleine is also the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice.
Memberships
Explore our rankings and lawyer testimonials in the UK's leading legal directories: Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and The Times
Madeleine Corr is brilliant and one of the best criminal litigators out there. She is generally pretty tough, but is exceptionally tactical and is really all-round a brilliant criminal litigator.
Chambers & Partners 2026
Madeleine Corr is a good person to speak to for discussing cases. She is very diligent and always available. She puts the work in. She is very good with clients and very sensible. She understands the work very well and is a pleasure to work with.
She is really passionate about women in justice system. We have really complex and difficult case at the moment. She really understands which experts are needed. She has her fingers on the pulse in a way other solicitors wouldn't have in those cases. She is a specialist lawyer.
"Madeleine Corr is a stand-out lawyer. Her work with Centre for Women's Justice places her in a unique position of having a strength in not only dealing with women in the justice system but with serious cases of homicide and violence."
Legal 500 2026
"Madeleine Corr is a star. Highly intelligent and tactically smart, she is also robust and thoughtful with her advice and able to handle the most challenging cases. She is an absolute joy to work with and an emerging leader in her field."
"She really understands which experts are needed on a case and has her finger on the pulse in a way others wouldn't."
"Madeleine is very diligent and always available. She is very good with clients and very sensible."
"Madeleine is generally pretty tough, but exceptionally tactical and really an all-round brilliant criminal litigator."
"Madeleine Corr is an absolutely stand-out practitioner, with a focus on client care and engaged with all legal and tactical aspects of a case. A true powerhouse of a lawyer."
Legal 500 2025
"Madeleine is brilliant: she's on top of everything and has a very strong tactical brain. She is very good with clients in terms of being compassionate and no-nonsense."
Chambers & Partners 2025
"I think Madeleine Corr is the best solicitor I have ever met. She should be given an award for how brilliant she is."
"We were taken back by Madeleine's dedication."
"Madeleine Corr has broad experience in handling very serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual offences and terrorism. She has notable strength in advising vulnerable clients including those with significant mental health issues."
Please read Madeleine's reviews on Review Solicitors
R v RH Maidstone CC Successfully acted for one of the defendants in a multi-handed trial. The event occurred in 2020, when the client had just turned 17, now aged 23. He was acquitted of wounding with intent under section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 (s18). The defendant previously offered pleas to violent disorder, which the prosecution rejected. The defendant was tried alongside seven others, all of whom were charged with violent disorder and s18 wounding with intent.
R v RC Leeds Crown Court Successfully secured a suspended sentence in a serious domestic violence case involving a stabbing. The client had inflicted a single stab wound to her husband's chest, penetrating both the pericardial sac and lung, resulting in life-threatening injuries. Despite the gravity of the offence, a custodial sentence was suspended following careful mitigation addressing the client's limited recollection of events and the complex circumstances surrounding the incident.
R v CR Exeter Crown Court A 70-year-old woman accused of the murder of her husband to whom she had been married for 35 years. Coercive control and violence permeated the relationship. The case involved the use of expert psychiatric and psychological evidence.
R v LRC Liverpool Crown Court An allegation of murder where the accused was a vulnerable young woman with a history of trauma and mental illness. Expert psychiatric evidence, psychological evidence relating to trauma and memory, and toxicological issues were raised for the partial defences of loss of control and diminished responsibility to be relied upon.
R v DL Bristol Crown Court Murder of a former police officer, who was on life licence for manslaughter at the time of his death for the killing of his wife. The accused was a vulnerable woman with a history of trauma. She maintained that she defended herself when she was attacked. There was an extensive bad character application relating to the deceased. The accused had ADHD and relied upon the defences of self-defence, loss of control and diminished responsibility.
R v HH Maidstone Crown Court A murder case which involved obtaining expert evidence from the country’s leading specialists in fractures and neuropathology, blood splatter and psychiatry.
R v AA Central Criminal Court Assisted Raymond Shaw representing a mentally unwell defendant charged with attempted murder. Agreed psychiatric evidence resulted in a finding of ‘not guilty by reason of insanity’ and the imposition of a Hospital Order.
R v RH Central Criminal Court A 15-year-old boy with complex behavioural issues who was accused of a joint enterprise murder. This case involved extensive analysis of cell site call data and required an approach that was particularly sympathetic to the client’s needs, ensuring that he understood each stage of the proceedings.
R v RH Maidstone Crown Court Death by careless driving of an elderly woman following a collision with an Age Concern van. By obtaining a psychiatric diagnosis of the client’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and crucial medical evidence RH received a suspended prison sentence.
R v RH Maidstone Crown Court A 17-year-old boy, serving a life sentence for murder, accused of grievous bodily harm and violent disorder in prison.
R v RH Inner London Crown Court Represented a youth accused of multiple knife point robberies where, after negotiation with the CPS, he pleaded guilty to two matters and all others were withdrawn. Youth Rehabilitation Order passed by way of sentence.
R v PS Kingston Crown Court Represented a young female accused of false imprisonment, making threats to kill and assault ABH to a vulnerable male friend with learning difficulties in a case attracting national media attention. This case was part of a pilot scheme to cross examine witnesses in advance of the trial.
R v ZS Southwark Crown Court A four handed conspiracy to handle stolen goods, namely mobile phones, and conspiracy to commit fraud by making false representations that they were the legitimate owners of the mobile phones and entitled to use the banking facilities to make payments and transfers.
R v CB Southwark Crown Court Madeleine, along with Raymond Shaw and Cheyenne Kiernan, represented a salesman facing prosecution by Oxford Trading Standards in large multi-handed fraud conspiracy.
R v KH Southwark Crown Court Multi-handed bribery charges brought following a lengthy and complex investigation. The prosecution accepted that there was insufficient evidence to pursue two of the three charges, and a plea deal was agreed. KH received a suspended sentence.
R v AT & RT Norwich Crown Court Together with Raymond Shaw and Cheyenne Kiernan represented two brothers who were accredited Independent Financial Advisors accused of a £17 million pension fraud of several hundred clients. This case involved forensic interrogation of complex company accounts.
R v SH St Albans Crown Court Represented a female teacher accused of being part of a multi handed conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.
R v WC Central Criminal Court A Zimbabwean man living in the United Kingdom prosecuted for encouraging terrorism in Zimbabwe against Zanu PF via social media.
R v NC Central Criminal Court Assisted in the successful representation of a defendant accused of preparing to commit terrorist acts against British Nationals on UK soil.
R v MW Westminster Magistrates’ Court Represented a 14-year-old boy accused of multiple terrorism related offences in respect of extreme material. Received a Youth Rehabilitation Order.
R v MS Snaresbrook Crown Court MS was accused of being in possession of a firearm in a public place, which had inadvertently been pointed at a member of the public. Following early pleas and negotiations with the prosecution, the agreed facts were established. His early admissions and genuine remorse resulted in a suspended sentence.
R v PW Wood Green Crown Court Represented a defendant charged with possession of prohibited ammunition, an offence carrying a mandatory minimum 5 year sentence. Following defence insistence, a more detailed examination of the seized items revealed that they were not prohibited ammunition and the defendant received a 2 year sentence after pleading guilty to an alternative offence.
R v NC Central Criminal Court Assisted in the successful representation of a defendant accused of preparing to commit terrorist acts against British Nationals on UK soil involving firearms.
R v JH St Albans Crown Court Secured a reduced sentence for vulnerable young man charged in drugs conspiracy. Early identification of the client's unusual presentation prompted expert assessment, which revealed cognitive and motor abnormalities, highly suggestive of an underlying organic neurological disorder. With substantial mitigation advanced on his behalf and a timely guilty plea, the court imposed a markedly more lenient sentence than would otherwise have been expected.
R v AK Bristol Crown Court AK was originally charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, along with another defendant. The Crown ultimately accepted a plea to simple possession.
R v PB Kingston Crown Court Represented a defendant accused of importing large amounts of cannabis from two different jurisdictions via his fruit and vegetable importation business. Following a lengthy trial the client was acquitted.
R v CM Kingston Crown Court Represented a vulnerable woman accused of suppling class A drugs as part of a multi handed conspiracy.
R v DR Isleworth Crown Court Represented a young man involved in a large scale class A drugs conspiracy.
R v SM St Albans Crown Court Represented a mother accused of international child abduction by the removal of her children from the UK to the USA. Due to the particular circumstances of the case she received a Conditional Discharge, a sentence rarely handed out for such a serious offence.
R v RH Lewes Crown Court A redbrick university student of good character, with ADHD, accused of rape, three counts of sexual assault, and assault by penetration of two separate complaints.
R v DS Kingston Crown Court A historic rape dating back to the 1990s. The parties were known to each other. The allegation was first reported in 1999 but the case was closed. The allegation was made again by the same complainant in 2019.
R v TH Inner London Crown Court Represented a youth accused of rape (on a joint enterprise basis) where the CPS offered no evidence mid-trial following the complainant’s evidence.
R v CR Canterbury Crown Court Represented a defendant, on life licence for murder, accused of multiple rapes, assaults and threats to kill on his partner and mother of his children in a coercive and controlling relationship.
R v AL Snaresbrook Crown Court Represented a highly vulnerable young woman charged with perverting the course of justice, following a false report of rape. After a six-year investigation, charges were brought and a guilty plea entered. Given the severity of the offence, an immediate custodial sentence was the likely outcome. Through detailed expert evidence and comprehensive mitigation, the Court was persuaded to impose a suspended sentence order — keeping the client out of prison.
R v MFS Southwark Crown Court Represented a defendant accused of harassment and perverting the course of justice in one the first examples of ‘revenge porn’.
CL Thames Valley Police Investigation Elderly client alleged to have assaulted her husband amid a toxic marital breakdown, having also self-harmed. Post-interview instruction secured pre-charge representations and a No Further Action outcome.
AC Essex Police Investigation Represented AC, who was accused of raping his girlfriend. Following instruction at the pre-charge stage, SGK engaged proactively with the Metropolitan Police, identifying and advancing detailed lines of enquiry for investigators to pursue. As a result of that engagement, the police concluded their investigation and took no further action — leaving AC without charge or conviction.
AF British Transport Police Investigation Our client was facing a caution for common assault on a ticket inspector. He was very concerned about the potential impact on his future employment and DBS checks in his current field. Following representations to the police, Madeleine persuaded the police to opt for a community resolution, a far more favourable outcome that would not be reflected in standard DBS checks.
AO Metropolitan Police Investigation Following pre-charge engagement and the submission of lines of enquiry, the police decided to take no further action against a young woman who had been under investigation for section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm.
JA West Yorkshire Police Investigation Our client faced an allegation of Common Assault. Given that a charge would have had serious consequences for their continued employment, we engaged proactively with the police at the pre-charge stage. A decision of No Further Action was subsequently taken.
JB London Airport Police Investigation Following discussions with the officer in charge of the investigation, the police decided to take no further action against a security guard at a London Airport for assault on a child during a security check.
LP Metropolitan Police Investigation A client accused of rape. A successful letter representations was made to the police pre charge which led to no further action being taken by the police. Further, the arrest record was deleted following successful representations to ACRO –Criminal Records Office.
DA Metropolitan Police Investigation A client accused of assault, false imprisonment and theft. A successful letter representations was made to the police pre charge led to no further action being taken by the police.
R v RW Croydon Magistrates Court A solicitor accused of assault. The matter was discontinued before trial following a successful letter of representations to the CPS.
R v NN Kingston Crown Court Successfully represented a mother accused of a serious assault on her husband in the family home. The CPS offered no evidence following detailed representations.
Transport for London v RS Acted for RS, an NHS doctor prosecuted for failing to pay her bus fare whilst travelling on an overcrowded bus. SGK made detailed representations to Transport for London highlighting the significant professional consequences a conviction would carry, including the very real risk of disciplinary proceedings and potential loss of employment. Following those representations, TfL agreed to discontinue the prosecution — protecting RS's career and livelihood.
Transport for London v RP Successfully represented an NHS optometrist who had used a freedom pass to which she was not entitled. Following representations regarding our client's career prospects and acute anxiety, TfL agreed to resolve the matter with a formal warning. RP may have faced potential employment disciplinary action which could have resulted in the loss of her job should she have received a conviction.
Transport for London v SR Successfully represented a young law student who had been accused of fraudulently using a TfL staff nominee card to obtain reduced travel fares to which she was not entitled. Following successful written representations, a conviction was avoided and TfL agreed to a formal warning. A conviction could have led to SR being unable to secure employment in the legal profession.
Transport for London v LS Successfully represented a trainee accountant at a City firm for using his mother's freedom pass to travel on the Underground. A formal warning was agreed with TfL. A conviction could have led to our client losing his job and being unable to pay his extensive student and accounting training debt
Chiltern Railways v AN Successfully represented a chartered accountant who faced fare evasion charges relating to improper use of a railcard over a five-year period. Following comprehensive written representations and extensive negotiations, an out-of-court financial settlement was reached with Chiltern Railways. A conviction could have led to him losing his employment.
South Western Railway v SM Successfully represented a young man with multiple cognitive disabilities who faced charges for underpaying train fares and fraudulent use of a rail card, with alleged offences dating back to 2022. Through written legal representation and compelling evidence provided by healthcare professionals, South Western Railway agreed to resolve the matter through an out-of-court financial settlement.
Thameslink v BS Successfully represented a young master's student at a prestigious London university who failed to pay the full fare for her journey due to her financial circumstances. An out-of-court financial settlement was agreed following detailed representations regarding our client's personal circumstances.
Transport for London v PW Successfully represented a young journalist accused of using his father's freedom pass on multiple occasions. Following representations and supporting evidence regarding his ADHD and associated cognitive difficulties, TfL agreed to resolve the matter with a formal warning. A conviction could have impacted PW's ability to secure employment and to travel abroad.
Transport for London v GR Successfully represented a young graduate working in the hospitality sector for inappropriately using a family member's staff nominee card, allowing for a reduced fare to which he was not entitled. A formal warning was agreed with TfL.
AO and the Metropolitan Police Following the police's decision to take no further action against our client regarding the Grievous Bodily Harm allegation, a successful application was made via ACRO the Criminal Records Office to request deletion of our client's Police National Computer (PNC) record.
RL and the Metropolitan Police
Our client's arrest record relating to a rape allegation was successfully deleted following pre-charge engagement representations and a comprehensive application to ACRO, the Criminal Records Office.