Doughty Street Chambers Crime Team

Sarah Vine KC named The Times Lawyer of the Week Doughty Street Chambers is delighted to congratulate

Doughty Street Chambers is delighted to congratulate Sarah Vine KC for being named The Times Lawyer of the Week.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/sarah-v...

The Winter Conference 2025 – The Annual Update The Winter Conference 2025 – The Annual UpdateRLC members will be presenting at The Criminal Bar Association Winter Conference taking place this Saturday 6th December at IET, Savoy Place.

RLC members will be presenting at @thecriminalbar.bsky.social Winter Conference taking place this Saturday 6th December at IET, Savoy Place.

@mayasikand.bsky.social and @janeystarling.bsky.social will be speaking on on Representing Mothers and Pregnant Women (11:45am – 12:30pm).

The November 2025 Criminal Appeals Bulletin is now live!

Authors include: Farrhat Arshad KC, Emma Goodall KC, David Bentley KC, Peter Wilcock KC, Amanda Clift-Matthews, Jacob Bindman, Natalie Lucas and Violet Smart.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/sites/defaul...

Permission to appeal to Supreme Court granted in protest case The Supreme Court has granted permission to appeal in a case concerning the elements of the statutory offence of public nuisance, following an applicati

Permission to appeal to Supreme Court granted in protest case.

Benjamin Newton KC, Laura Stockdale and Maria Liddiard are instructed by Raj Chada of @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/permiss...

Graham Linehan acquitted of harassment at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Sarah Vine KC successfully defended the comedy writer and journalist, Graham Linehan, against an allegation of online harassme

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 - Sarah Vine KC was instructed by Daniel Berke at 3D solicitors.

Jonathan Lennon KC involved in settlement of Unexplained Wealth Order case Jonathan Lennon KC's client was faced with an Unexplained Wealth Order as a potential pre-cursor to potential POCA High C

Jonathan Lennon KC involved in settlement of Unexplained Wealth Order case - Jonathan was Instructed by Nicola Sharp and Fran Cassidy-Taylor at Rahman Ravelli Solicitors. Jonathan was instructed with another leading Silk in this area, Jonathan Fisher KC.

Doughty Street Chambers’ response to proposals to curtail trial by jury Trial by jury is a deeply entrenched constitutional principle and anchors our liberal democracy. Jury trials enable people to participate and have a say in their criminal justice system.

𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆

Full response available here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/doughty...

Doctor acquitted of multiple allegations of rape Liam Walker KC successfully defended Dr S, who was unanimously acquitted of multiple charges including rape, actual bodily harm, and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Liam Walker KC successfully defended Dr S, who was unanimously acquitted of multiple charges including rape, actual bodily harm, and controlling or coercive behaviour.

Liam Walker KC was instructed by Somsul Hoque of ABV Solicitors.

AG’s Reference Refused The Registrar of Criminal Appeals instructed Abigail, who led Junior Counsel, to respond to an Attorney General’s Reference.

AG’s Reference Refused - The Registrar of Criminal Appeals instructed Abigail Bright, who led Junior Counsel, to respond to an Attorney General’s Reference.

Stay for abuse of process against a child victim of modern slavery Louise successfully argued that the prosecution’s decision to prosecute her client, who was a child forced to work in a drug den, was an abuse of process.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 - Louise Willocx was instructed by Russell Nicholson from Lawrence & Co Solicitors.

Kirsty Brimelow KC successfully appeals 9 years’ imprisonment sentence for offence of manslaughter. Sentence reduced by the Court of Appeal to 5 years 6 months' imprisonment Kirsty Brimelow KC led Steve Donnelly during the trial and was instructed

Kirsty Brimelow KC successfully appeals 9 years’ imprisonment sentence for offence of manslaughter. Sentence reduced by the Court of Appeal to 5 years 6 months' imprisonment.

Kirsty Brimelow KC led Steve Donnelly during the trial and was instructed by Elmira Mirzayan of Hine Solicitors.

Man acquitted at the Old Bailey after bomb scare shuts down US Embassy Rabah Kherbane represented DP, who was acquitted of placing a false improvised explosive device (or bomb hoax) with intent of

Man acquitted at the Old Bailey after bomb scare shuts down US Embassy.

Rabah Kherbane was instructed by Mia Gregory at ABV Solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/man-acq...

Jacob Bindman in the Supreme Court On the 20th of November 2025, the Supreme Court will hear the appeal in the case of R v BDN (Appellant).

Jacob Bindman in the Supreme Court.

Jacob Bindman is instructed on behalf of the Appellant, BDN, led by Henry Blaxland KC and instructed by Vajahat Sharif of Tuckers Solicitors.

Jonathan Lennon KC secures successful outcome for his client in another POCA civil recovery case High Court recognised that a POCA Civil Recovery Order ought properly to recognise the Defendant’s outstanding liability for a Restitution Order

Jonathan Lennon KC secures successful outcome for his client in another POCA civil recovery case.

Jonathan was instructed by Shahid Miah of DBT & Partners for the first Defendant on a claim for civil recovery of over £4M of crypto-currency.

Sentencing of £5 billion “crypto Queen” after world’s largest Bitcoin seizure Richard Thomas KC (instructed by Berkeley Square Solicitors), leading

Richard Thomas KC (instructed by Berkeley Square Solicitors), leading Philippa Eastwood and then Ashley Hendron, has been instructed in both the criminal and civil proceedings arising from the seizure of a vast amount of cryptocurrency, now worth approximately £5 billion.

Natalie Lucas was instructed by Lale Kuzu of Birnberg Pierce.

Natalie Lucas secures acquittal for Palestine protester after appeal to the Crown Court Natalie Lucas has secured acquittals for counts of assault by beating and public disorder at Wood Green Crown Court.

Natalie Lucas has secured acquittals of her client for counts of assault by beating and public disorder. Her client, a person of good character and respected member of their community, has been acquitted of all charges following a successful appeal before the Crown Court.

Acquittal for affray Louise Willocx defended a man with serious mental health issues who was accused of swinging a large kitchen knife and a hamme

Louise Willocx's client, accused of swinging a large kitchen knife and a hammer around and threatening another man to slit his throat, was acquitted after one hour and a half of jury deliberation.

Louise was instructed by Rebecca Field of @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social.

Romanian extradition refused: years of culpable delay renders extradition oppressive and a disproportionate interference with his right to private life The extradition of a Romanian man, represented by Malcolm Hawkes, to serve 3½ years imprisonment for historic offences of theft, a

Romanian extradition refused: years of culpable delay renders extradition oppressive and a disproportionate interference with his right to private life

In Romania v Pascariu Malcolm (@malcolmhawkes.bsky.social) was instructed by Mihaela Padure and Mihai Luchici of Forest & Co Solicitors.

Wrongly re-certified extradition warrant discharged afresh: no basis to proceed An extradition request for a Polish woman, represented by Malcolm Hawkes, who had successfully appealed an order for her extraditi

𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲-𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵: 𝗻𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 - In Poland v Makowska, Malcolm Hawkes (@malcolmhawkes.bsky.social) was instructed by Neil Allan of Tuckers Solicitors.

CEO found not guilty of serious sexual assault The defendant, a respected businessman, was charged with an offence of sexual assault alleged to have occurred at a fetish club whilst under the influence of drugs.

CEO found not guilty of serious sexual assault - The defendant, a respected businessman, was charged with an offence of sexual assault alleged to have occurred at a fetish club whilst under the influence of drugs.

Emma Goodall KC was instructed by Harvey Fox of @reeds.co.uk.

Jacob Bindman and Jessie Smith secure acquittals in multi-handed boiler room fraud Jacob Bindman leading Jessie Smith, instructed by

Jacob Bindman leading Jessie Smith, instructed by Rhona Friedman (Managing Director, Commons CIC) secured acquittals on counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering at Southwark Crown Court.

Court of Appeal quashes sentence allowing for immediate release Sean represented LF, who appealed a sentence of 27 months for causing GBH, imposed at Inner London Crown Court in August 2025.  The appellant had thrown a single punch that broke

Court of Appeal quashes sentence allowing for immediate release.

Sean Summerfield was instructed by Rebecca Field of @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/court-a...

Graeme Hall was instructed by Micheal McKee of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

Graeme Hall secures quashing of judgment “written in water”

On 14 October 2025, Mr Justice MacDonald allowed an application for judicial review of the decision of District Judge Leong sending his client’s extradition case to the Secretary of State. MacDonald J accepted the submission that the judgment was “written in water” owing to procedural unfairness.

Violet Smart successfully represented GM who had been convicted of breach of a restraining order.

Violet was instructed by Rosie Worster of Commons Law.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/success...

Farrhat Arshad KC secures multiple acquittals Following a four week trial at the Gloucester Crown Court, Farrhat Arshad KC’s client was acquitted of three counts of rap

Farrhat Arshad KC secures multiple acquittals.

Farrhat was instructed by Martin Rackstraw of Russell Cooke solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/farrhat...

The September 2025 Criminal Appeals Bulletin is now live!

This issue covers summaries and commentary on appeals against conviction and appeals against sentence.

Read in full here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/sites/defaul...

Acquittal in prosecution by FCA of boiler room fraud Following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court, a defendant investigated for 6 years by the FCA has been acquitted by a jury.

Following a retrial at Southwark Crown Court, a defendant investigated for 6 years by the FCA has been acquitted by a jury.

Kate O’Raghallaigh and Graeme Hall were instructed by Kiran Mehta, consultant at Lartey’s Solicitors.

www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/acquitt...

Admin. Court quashes Judge’s extradition decision The Respondent today withdrew its opposition to P’s application to set aside as wrong a district judge’s decision to order extradition.  P was the subject of a valid c

The Administrative Court quashes Judge’s extradition decision - Anna Maj, and Gonul Guney, Director of GSG Law Solicitors, instructed Abigail post-decision to advise on the merits of applying for permission to appeal.