Merry van Woodenberg

Merry specialises in serious and complex crime, and regulation. She has particular expertise in financial crime, serious violent and sexual offences, and cases involving vulnerable individuals.

Merry’s practice involves defending in some of the most serious cases to come before the courts. In the last year this has included allegations of terrorism and mass-murder. She defends alone in allegations of serious sexual offending, kidnap, and serious violence. She appears in the Crown Courts and the Court of Appeal.

Merry has extensive experience in cases involving fraud, insider dealing, money laundering, tax evasion and bribery. She has an unusual level of sanctions and export controls experience for her call, with experience of alleged breaches of trade and financial sanctions and of export controls of dual-use products. She has worked on cases and advices in this area for topics ranging from oil, to terrorist financing, to spyware.

Merry also represents corporate clients. She assisted in an internal investigation commissioned by Boohoo, and an investigation into fraudulent practices at a large multinational pharmaceutical company.

Her white-collar experience is complemented by past work at the Financial Conduct Authority (in Retail and Criminal Prosecutions), her work advising the Economic Crime Command in the Attorney General’s Office in Jersey, and prosecuting for the CPS for offences such as bribery. She is an experienced LPP and disclosure counsel, dealing in that capacity with cases involving complex PII issues.

Merry has long experience of working with young or vulnerable individuals, and in particular in representing people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. She works regularly with intermediaries, is a trained vulnerable witness handler, and is used to acting in cases where defendants suffer from acute mental health issues or learning disabilities.

Merry has appeared as a legal commentator on Channel 4 News and for the Financial Times, and has written for ITV News, MSN News, The Lawyer, and The Barrister. Merry is a Trustee of the Kalisher Trust.

What others say:

“Merry is superb at dealing with difficult clients in challenging situations. She is both a fighter and a friend when required and is a joy to work with.” – Chambers UK 2023

“Merry is incredibly hard-working, with meticulous attention to detail and wonderful with clients.” – Legal 500 UK 2023