About
Natalie joined the firm as a paralegal in August 2011, having completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at BPP Law School. She subsequently became a trainee solicitor and qualified as a Solicitor-Advocate within the Criminal department in March 2014.
Natalie became a Partner of the firm in April 2025.
Experience & Areas of Expertise
With over 14 years of experience in Criminal Law, Natalie is a dedicated advocate for individuals facing serious criminal allegations.
As a Partner at Edwards Duthie Shamash Solicitors, Natalie specialises in and has extensive knowledge in the most complex and high-stakes charges, including Murder, firearm offences, and large-scale drug conspiracies. Natalie successfully handles complex cases, leveraging her deep understanding of criminal procedure and to achieve the best possible outcomes. She has had many recent successes in securing bail for clients in the early stages of murder and conspiracy to murder proceedings.
She is committed to quality with excellent attention to detail, and with the highest degree of accuracy. Natalie’s strategic approach and commitment to justice have led to plentiful acquittals. She is passionate about protecting rights, challenging prosecutions, and delivering results – whether at the police station, in the Magistrates’ Court, or at the Crown Court.
In addition to having a vast and loyal client base, Natalie also receives many referrals from said clients and also from other professionals working in the legal profession.
Natalie is a Duty Solicitor and Police Station Representative, where she provides immediate legal support at the most critical stages of criminal investigations. She regularly provides advice to adults, children and vulnerable individuals detained at the police station.
Natalie represents clients at the Magistrates’ and Crown Court on a daily basis. She also successfully obtained the Higher Rights of Audience Qualification in 2014, and is qualified to appear as an advocate herself in the Crown Court and Higher Courts.
Panel Membership
Natalie has successfully completed the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme allowing her to act as a Duty Solicitor. She is also police station accredited, and a member of the Young Legal Aid Lawyers.
Cases of interest
- R v MM and others – This two-handed Murder Trial at the Central Criminal Court stemming from events in February 2023. The Prosecution alleged the two Defendants murdered a young man outside a Hackney nightclub. The Defendant was acquitted of Murder, acquitted of Manslaughter, but convicted of wounding.
- R v HA and others – Represented a young Defendant who was aged just 16 at the time of the incident: an alleged ‘drive-by’ shooting. This Defendant was charged with conspiracy to murder and associated offences in regards to firearms. Following extensive testing of the Prosecution case, a submission of ‘no case to answer’ was successful before the Trial Judge. The Defendant was thereby acquitted of all six charges.
- R v CT – Represented a young Defendant who was aged just 16 at the time of the incident. In July 2021 a male was murdered in Northlands Park, Basildon. The Defendant pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of Manslaughter on day 1 of Trial, and received a sentence of 7 years imprisonment.
- R v EH and others – This case concerned a large-scale criminal enterprise to deal cocaine and heroin on the streets of east London. The six Defendants in this case were allegedly involved in the physical act of supplying the drugs to customers. After a 6 week Trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, the client was acquitted of this alleged offending.
- R v MS – Represented a young female charged with possession of a firearm. It was accepted by the Prosecution that she had been ‘duped’ by a male into carrying the weapon. The client was given a sentence of 5 years imprisonment. Said sentence was appealed and heard before the Court of Appeal in September 2024. The Defence were successful, and the sentence reduced drastically from 5 years down to a mere 14 months. This time was deemed served, and the client was immediately released from custody.
- R v LN – An allegation of Rape between two, then, schoolchildren. The client was charged with Rape, and found Not Guilty after Trial at the Central Criminal Court.
- R v RS – Represented a client who faced multiple sexual assault allegations against his ex-partner. Having being Guilty at Trial, said convictions were appealed successfully and overturned in the Court of Appeal.
- R v TM – This case concerned serious weapons, whereby firearms were found in a car that our client was the driver and owner of. 2 other males were also in the vehicle, and all denied ownership of the firearms. After a Trial at Luton Crown Court, our client was found Not Guilty, unanimously. The other two Defendants were convicted.
- R v AC – Represented a client charged with attempted Murder following an unprovoked knife attack in a Pub. The Defendant was found Not Guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court.
- R v LD – Represented one of three men charged with firearms offences and conspiracy to rob. The Defendant was found not guilty after Trial. The other two Defendant’s were found guilty.
- R v NS – Represented a 14 year girl accused of Arson at her school. The Defendant was alleged to have made admissions, however the Defence maintained this was a false confession and therefore not true. Objection was taken to the admissibility of this evidence, which resulted in the case being discontinued against the Defendant.
- R v X [2016] – Represented a Defendant accused of the historical Rape of a family member aged 12 years old. The Defendant was found not guilty at Woolwich Crown Court.
- R v T – Represented a Defendant accused of possession with intent to supply drugs, where she was found with 77 packages of heroin, 5 packages of crack cocaine, and 23 packages of cocaine. The Defendant was found not guilty after Trial, at Inner London Crown Court.
- R v M – Represented a nurse charged with the wilful neglect of a patient which resulted in her suicide in a mental health hospital. After a 3 week Trial, the Defendant was found not guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court.