Anna Matelska
Principal & Managing Director
Languages: English & Polish
Anna Matelska is the Principal and Managing Director and a founder of AM International Solicitors, a prominent boutique law firm that excels in handling both criminal and civil litigation cases with a global perspective. Her work also revolves around financial disputes and divorce cases and involves international prosecution or division of assets elements that frequently involve multiple parties affiliated with different jurisdictions.
With a strong focus on international clients, from European, Asian, USA and Chinese businesses, Anna brings a wealth of experience and a pragmatic approach to managing complex legal matters, including civil fraud, civil disputes, tracing assets and recovery, mergers, acquisitions, and international contract negotiations. Anna is very often instructed by the directors and corporate entities where VAT fraud, money laundering and Proceeds of Crime (POCA) cases are also potentially considered.
As a leading figure in a diverse legal practise, Anna Matelska stands out for her exceptional leadership, both in the courtroom and within her firm. Her unwavering commitment, high ethical standards, and intelligent approach consistently set a benchmark for excellence among her colleagues and in the legal community. She is actively engaged in several high-profile cases under English law, while also managing the daily operations of her boutique firm.
Anna’s work involves tackling prominent cases that garner respect across international legal circles and business networks. She specialises in defending clients against serious charges such as fraud, white-collar crimes, and money laundering. Anna is adept at handling complex, high-stakes cases with substantial assets, showing her resourcefulness and rapid decision-making skills. Her ability to manage urgent matters effectively often means addressing critical issues that require intervention from the High Court. Moreover, Anna’s role in securing and seizing significant assets highlights her expertise and effectiveness in navigating high-value legal challenges.
Her expertise shines brightest when it comes to her work with international logistics companies facing challenges related to the seizure of goods or assets by Border Force. She understands the complexities involved in these cases, where timely and effective legal intervention is key. Whether it’s negotiating with authorities or challenging unlawful seizures, Anna provides expert legal support to help businesses handle these issues and protect their assets.
Anna’s strategic approach and deep understanding of international trade laws make her a valuable resource for companies operating in the global market.
She excels in drafting and reviewing a wide range of agreements, from partnership contracts and service agreements to intricate commercial deals that may involve elements of fraud or other criminal issues. Her keen attention to detail ensures that every contract is not only clear and enforceable but also specifically tailored to address her clients’ needs and safeguard their interests.
Anna’s thorough approach helps prevent potential disputes and misunderstandings, offering her clients peace of mind knowing that their contractual obligations are expertly managed and their rights fully protected. Her experience in criminal litigation further enhances her ability to address any legal complexities or risks associated with contractual agreements.
Anna’s proficiency extends beyond business transactions into civil litigation. Her extensive knowledge of both English and European law equips her to handle complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions. Whether it’s a dispute arising from a breach of contract, financial disagreements, criminal allegations, or family law issues, Anna is committed to defending her clients’ interests. She works tirelessly to secure favourable outcomes, whether through courtroom litigation or alternative dispute resolution methods like arbitration. Her ability to manoeuvre through complex legal landscapes and her commitment to her clients make her a formidable advocate in civil matters.
Anna remains committed to providing exceptional legal services to Polish speaking clients, ensuring they receive the support they need in their preferred language. This linguistic capability allows her to bridge communication gaps and offer tailored legal solutions that address the unique needs of her clients.
Anna’s professional influence extends beyond her legal practise. She actively engages with the broader legal community, collaborating with other law firms, NGOs, and legal institutions. Her involvement in these networks keeps her at the forefront of legal developments and trends, enabling her to offer clients cutting-edge advice. Anna also dedicates time to mentoring younger attorneys and participating in legal education programs, reflecting her commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals.
Overall, Anna Matelska’s dedication to her clients, combined with her extensive legal knowledge and international experience, make her a standout figure in the field of international law. Her commitment to providing high-quality legal services ensures that businesses, particularly those in complex and evolving markets, have the guidance and support they need to manage legal challenges successfully.
With decades of experience, ongoing practise, and a high level of professionalism, Anna stands out as a formidable and dependable attorney. Her commitment to protecting her clients and her strategic approach make her a trusted force in the legal field.
Initial Career and Experience
Anna’s legal journey began in 1998 when she started as an apprentice at a district court in Poland. She gained significant experience working with Polish government agencies, contributing to the amendment of Polish law during the EU accession period. This early experience laid the foundation for her expertise in creating legal frameworks to safeguard business clients’ rights. After completing her Master’s degree in Poland and advanced studies in the US, Anna received a diploma from a leading law school in London before starting her professional career in England in 2008.
Current Role and Achievements
As a qualified Solicitor-Advocate, Anna leads a multidisciplinary practise under the British and Polish jurisdictional systems. Her active involvement in significant international cases, along with her qualifications as a duty solicitor and crime supervisor, highlights her comprehensive expertise. She frequently collaborates with leading barristers and has secured a prominent place on the list of attorneys used at various embassies in London and Warsaw. Anna’s affiliations with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Warsaw Bar Council (ORA) further underscore her professional standing.
Anna Matelska’s dedication, extensive experience, and ability to navigate complex legal challenges make her a standout figure in the legal field. Her commitment to providing high-quality legal services ensures that her clients, whether dealing with criminal, civil, or international matters, receive expert guidance and support.
Professional Influence
Anna Matelska’s influence extends beyond her direct legal practise. She actively engages with the broader legal community, collaborating with other law firms, NGOs, and legal institutions across the UK, Europe, China, and the USA. Her involvement in these networks keeps her at the forefront of legal developments and trends, allowing her to offer cutting-edge advice to her clients. Anna also dedicates time to mentoring younger attorneys and their continuing participating in legal education programmes, reflecting her commitment to developing the next generation of legal professionals.
Education, Training, & Credentials
- Member of the Law Society
- Solicitor-Advocate with Higher rights of audience (SRA)
- Duty Solicitor – Member of Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme
- Attorney-at-Law – Member of the Warsaw Bar Council (ORA)
- Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, London
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School, London
- Postgraduate degree in Psychology and Resocialisation, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland
- Master of laws (LLM), Nicolaus Copernicus University, Poland
- Master of Public Administration, University of Szczecin, Poland
Notable Cases:
Cosar v HMP Wandsworth and others [2020] EWHC 1142 (Admin) acting on pro bono basis for two Wandsworth prisoners from Poland and Romania in an important test case in the High Court on 22 April about coronavirus and extradition.
The two men should have been extradited in February or March 2020 but they remain detained in Wandsworth Prison, where reports say there have been cases of conoravirus. They have not been told why. It was argued that the prisoners should be released because the whole scheme of extradition relies on tight timetables rather than indefinite confinement and because administrative detention without open court process is forbidden by the common law and the European Convention on Human Rights. The Administrative Court held that delays in extradition proceedings caused by COVID-19 did not amount to unlawful detention and so dismissed applications for habeas corpus and, in the alternative, judicial review.The court held that the travel restrictions imposed in response to the coronavirus pandemic satisfied the conditions in Article 23(3) and (4) of the Extradition Act 2003.
https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2020/1142.html&query=(Cosar)
Secretary of State for the Home Department v PF (Nigeria) [2019] EWCA Civ 1139 acting for a Nigerian father “PF”, who was suffering from sickle cell disease (“SCD”) from birth but who was a “foreign criminal”, the Court of Appeal has allowed the Home Office’s appeal against the earlier finding of the Upper Tribunal that his deportation from the UK would breach his rights under both article 3 and article 8 of the ECHR.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2019/1139.html
Regina v Dreszer [2018] EWCA Crim 454 (14 March 2018) representing the Defendant in his all three trials held at Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) in a four-handed kidnapping, false imprisonment and murder of a fellow drug-dealer.The core submission of defence was that there was a misdirection in relation to the approach to the appellant as a secondary party in the light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Jogee. The conviction for murder was quashed by the Court of Appeal twice and the Court re-ordered his re-trial on the allegation of murder with the indictment containing an alternative count of a manslaughter.
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2018/454.html
Wojcik v Poland CO/2181/2014High Court discharged on the basis of the delay in issuing the EAW especially as nearly 3 years delay was caused by the NCA failing to realise that the Appellant lived in the UK despite a caution dating from 8 years previously.
R v Krezolek [2013]acting for the Defendant in the notorious murder trial of the stepfather of Daniel Pelka, the 4 ½ year old boy who died as a result of a blow to the head.
Stopyra v District Court of Lublin, Poland [2013] 1 All ER 18, DCrepresenting the Appellant where the Divisional Court held that delays in the grant of legal aid which are not the fault of the requested person or his legal advisorscannot be held against the requested person
https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2012/1787.html
Majchrzak v Public Prosecutor Netherlands CO/8383/2012acting for the Appellant who was extradited to Holland despite his unlawful arrest and detention in the UK. It was always maintained that there was no evidence upon which to found a prosecution for murder in the UK and that he was an innocent man. After 10 months in prison in the UK and 12 months in prison in Holland Mr Majchrzak was released unconditionally by the Dutch courts because of the lack of evidence linking him with the alleged murder.
