Maria Masselis - Linenhall

Barrister Overview

Maria specialises in criminal law having begun her career at the Bar in London before moving to Chester in 2003. She is a robust advocate, with a tenacious approach to cases. She has vast experience of dealing with cases involving vulnerable individuals be those defendant’s and or witnesses.

Whilst in London she acted as junior counsel in a number of cases; including offences of child abuse (shaken baby syndrome), multiple defendant rape, drugs importations, kidnap and murder.

In 2003 she left London to join 1 Stanley Place where she has since developed her practise to include prosecution work.

She is a Category 4 prosecutor and a member of the RASSO panel. She has also conducted cases for HMCE and Local Authorities.

Maria is regularly instructed in cases involving serious and highly sensitive allegations of a sexual nature.

Maria has experience acting as junior counsel and leading counsel in the Crown Court.

Specialist Areas of Practice

Assault & Violent Crime
Criminal Law
Drug Trafficking & Drug Conspiracies
Fraud, Business & Financial Crime
Murder and Manslaughter
Sexual Offences

Lists, Panels and Memberships

Member of Lincoln’s Inn
Member of the Criminal Bar Association
Category 4 CPS Prosecutor
RASSO panel member
Vulnerable Witness Facilitator (ICCA)

Appointments

Category 4 prosecutor

Notable & Reported Cases

Homicide

Sanderson – defended a 15 year old charged with manslaughter. Cut throat defence. Defendant acquitted.

Williams – junior for defence of one of two females charged with premeditated murder of businesswoman.

Wilkinson 2021 – junior for prosecution. Anonymity order in respect of main prosecution witness.

Bagall 2021 – junior for defence where the crown’s case was entirely circumstantial until a cell confession. Case required detailed analysis of CCTV, forensics, cell site evidence.

Houghton 2021– junior for defence. Successful case of diminished responsibility for multiple stabbing murder.

Heath 2022 – Junior in case with unusual shake/impact injuries to infant child while in sole care. Defendant convicted of manslaughter.

Sexual Offences

Macbeth – acted for former 1960’s pop artist charged with sexual offences. Successfully appealed Defendant’s sentence.

Junior counsel in an operation Palial prosecution.

Dos Santos / Bleach. Successfully defended rape allegations where crown rely on ‘confession evidence’ via media.

Walters – rape case stopped at half time following successful pursuit of social media disclosure.

Thelwell – successfully defended multiple complainant historic sex abuse allegations against relative.

Successful defence of rape allegation where Defendant was unfit to plead/stand trial.

Gibson – Prosecution of serving police officer for misconduct involving a sex act.

Violence

Welsh 2021 – successful intoxication in s18 wounding case where bottle used to inflict permanent injury.

Drug conspiracies

Operation Blue Fedora 2022 – defending large scale conspiracy to supply into North Wales.

Blue Cobalt 2022 – defending large scale conspiracy into North Wales.

Recommendations

Maria is ranked Band 3 in the Chambers & Partners 2026 Directory

“Maria is a strong advocate and provides an experience to clients of being fought for. She is direct, logical and communicates clearly and concisely with clients”.