Emma Ćojder is a Senior Associate and the Team Manager of our Complex Crime Team. Having joined Reeds in 2014 from Fairweather Whillis & Toghill in High Wycombe, Emma has amassed over 25 years experience specialising exclusively in criminal law particularly in the defence of those charged with some of the most serious and high profile offences before the Crown Court including murder, rape, terrorism, court martials and firearms offences.
Known for her extensive knowledge base, Emma has built a reputation based on her efficiency, organisational skills and the meticulous case preparation that she undertakes to assist our team of litigators and case workers. Working closely with them, Emma is focused on ensuring the best possible service; fully exploring every issue and detail in the case to guarantee that clients are able to receive the best possible tailored advice from their advocates and in turn enabling our litigators and case workers to present the best possible case in the courtroom.
Jointly with Mark Abbott, Emma is responsible for the smooth running and billing of all VHCC cases that are being worked within the Complex Crime team.
Emma also manages many of the consultants that are based within the criminal team at Reeds, ensuring that their cases meet the Reeds standard of excellence.
Emma has attained her accreditation as a Police station representative. As a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate (CILEX) she has the same rights able to conducting advocacy at the Magistrates Court.
Emma Ćojder Memberships
Fellow of CILEX and CILEX Criminal Advocate
Police Station accreditation
Recent and notable cases
Whilst Emma no longer has conduct of cases herself, these are some of the notable cases that she dealt with whilst working as a case worker.
R v S – MURDER
A complicated case whereby the client defended himself during a home invasion robbery with fatal consequences. Unbeknownst to our client, at the time of his trial, the “victim” should have been standing trial for his part in another home invasion robbery, which had resulted in the death of the home owner. The client received a not guilty verdict.
R v V – MURDER
This case involved a client with mental health difficulties who had attacked two strangers in two separate incidents, fatally wounding one and injuring the other. The client was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter and received a Hospital Order.
R v L – FIREARMS
A “gun factory” was found on the outskirts of Reading in a shed at the bottom of a garden behind a residential property. The machinery was being used to convert “fake” MAC10 submachine guns bought from a prop store into live firing weapons. The case was at the time one of the biggest cases of its kind in the UK, with the weapons involved having been sold to gangs across the country and then used in other high profile cases (including 8 murders). The client was found not guilty whilst the co-defendant was convicted and sentenced to life with a minimum term of 11 years.
R v S – MURDER/CONSPIRACY TO ROB
This case involved 5 defendants who travelled from one end of the country to another area to commit murder, or so said the Crown. Our client was the driver. He was acquitted of all charges whereas 3 co-defendants were convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob.
R v B – SECTION 18 GBH/ABH
This case related to a domestic incident involving injuries caused to a partner during an argument. This was a complex case involving numerous
medical experts and a complainant who did not support proceedings. Our client was acquitted of S18, having already pleaded guilty to ABH.
R v S – MURDER
This case involved an allegation of murder and against the parents of a baby with additional charges of neglect relating to an older child. An expert child pathologist was instructed to consider the prosecution expert evidence with a view to undermining a report about the causation and timing of the injuries. Our client, the mother, was acquitted of all charges whilst the father was convicted of murder.
R v W – TERRORISM
This case involved a vulnerable client who was preyed upon by his sister, who was a jihadi bride in Syria. She communicated with him via various means to in a bid to have him send her money, in contradiction to guidance provided by the UK authorities. This was a challenging case that involved a detailed analysis of significant amounts of phone data to build a picture of the pressure put upon him over a period of time. Unfortunately our client was convicted and received a sentence of imprisonment.
R v A – TERRORISM
This client in this case was (a youth at the time) was alleged to have prepared for an act of terrorism which was uncovered when he was arrested on suspicion of money laundering. He was also alleged to have had in his possession a significant amount of violent IS propaganda. The client had unfortunately been radicalised by people online and was ultimately convicted and received a sentence of imprisonment.