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...

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. 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...

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...

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.

Jessie Smith and Henry Blaxland KC secure acquittal on a count of murder following a 10-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court. Counsel were instructed by Ali Has of Morgan Has Solicitor.

The High Court upheld a judicial review by a vulnerable autistic man accused of cyber crime, establishing new defence rights within the Extradition Act 2003 in a victory for natural justice. Guy Mitchell and Francesca Cociani at @hjacriminaldefence.bsky.social instruct Ben Cooper KC & Amelia Nice.

Woman taken off Children’s Barred List - Omran Belhadi, instructed by Ghazi Abbas of Knightsbridge Solicitors, represented AB, a woman placed on the Children’s Barred List. This prevented her from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Bomb hoaxes: Custody suspended - Gonul Guney, Director of GSG Law Solicitors, and Anna Maj, instructed Abigail Bright. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/bomb-ho...

Acquitted: Intentional strangulation & other counts. Samayra Ashraf at ITN Solicitors instructed Abigail to defend LJ at trial. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/acquitt...

Following a 10 day trial at Harrow Crown Court sitting at Hendon Magistrates, Tunde’s client was acquitted of multiple counts of rape. Tunde Okewale was instructed by Kate Nichol at @gtstewart.bsky.social. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/tunde-o...

Hospital Order with Restrictions imposed for Manslaughter (Diminished Responsibility) Benjamin Newton KC and Jessie Smith, instructed by Sevim Tonbul of Morgan Has Solicitors, represented GT who had killed his partner in 2024. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/hospita...

Sarah Elliott KC Secures Acquittal for Critical Care Doctor in Rape Trial. Sarah was instructed by Adam Weston of Clyde and Co solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/sarah-e...

Sean Summerfield and Samayra Ashraf (ITN Solicitors) successfully defend 63-year-old man accused of rape. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/sean-su...

Violet Smart, led by Nick James of 33 Chancery Lane chambers, represented PA, a woman of good character charged with fraudulent trading. Following a three-month trial at St Alban’s Crown Court, she was acquitted by the jury. Violet and Nick were instructed by Tricia O'Sullivan of Sperrin Law.

Laura Stockdale’s client found not guilty of supply of wholesale quantities of cocaine - Laura was instructed by Stephanie Theivendrarajah at Bark & Co Solicitors.

United Nations Special Rapporteur granted permission to intervene in Palestine Action judicial review against terrorism proscription decision - Adam Straw KC and Rabah Kherbane act for UN Special Rapporteur, instructed by Daniel Machover and Laura Chapman of @hickmanandrose.co.uk

After 28 years, and 3 appeals, Katy Thorne KC and Peta-Louise Bagott secure the quashing of wrongful murder conviction of Justin Plummer in the Court of Appeal. They were instructed by Annalisa Moscardini of TBI Scanlans Solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/court-a...

In late April 2025 Jonathan Lennon KC was instructed by Lin Hou of Zhong Lun Law Firm. Using POCA Pt 5 powers Cheshire Police secured Account Freezing Orders against 7 bank accounts held by a Chinese student who was studying at the time in the UK. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/jonatha...

Court of Appeal allows extension of time to appeal against historic conviction for murder. Annabel Timan is instructed by Nora Talbi at EBR Attridge and the appeal is supported by the Centre for Women's Justice. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/court-a...

Maryam represented a retired senior Trader charged with historical sexual assault. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/maryam-...

Ben Cooper KC overturns unlawful search warrant in extradition case. Ben Cooper KC, instructed by Sundeep Soor, represented a client who was the subject of a police search warrant executed at both his business and home premises: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/ben-coo...

Chambers is delighted that four King's Counsel and three junior counsel have been recognised in the Doyle’s Guide 2025 as leading barristers in crime: - Tim Moloney KC - Liam Walker KC - Richard Thomas KC - Ben Newton KC - Piers Marquis - Kate O’Raghallaigh - Rabah Kherbane

Omran Belhadi represented AP, a young man of good character charged with several offences of dealing Class A drugs. Omran was instructed and expertly assisted by Ellie Bird at HJA Solicitors (@hodgejonesallen.bsky.social) incorporating Birds Solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/prosecu...

Laura Stockdale successfully defended a man who stood trial at Harrow Crown Court on a charge of attempting to enter the UK illegally. Laura Stockdale was instructed by Jonathan Black (@jonblackbsb.bsky.social) at BSB Solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/laura-s...

Graeme Hall has successfully defeated a request for the extradition of a British national teacher accused of sexually abusing a 4 year old pupil in Turkey. Graeme Hall was instructed by Rhona Friedman of Commons Law Solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/graeme-...

Markus Findlay and Oya Suleyman of EBR Attridge LLP have successfully defended the Managing Director of a Canary Wharf-based cryptocurrency investment firm against a private prosecution.

Following a ten week trial at the Central Criminal Court, Farrhat Arshad KC and Jessie Smith’s client was acquitted of all charges. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/farrhat... 1/2

Mindless material? Dealing with ‘mindset material’ in terrorism and national security cases | 11 September 2025 Chaired by Edward Fitzgerald KC speakers will include DSC's Kate O’Raghallaigh, Rabah Kherbane, & Maryam Mir & Dr Robert Gleave, University of Exeter & Akhtar Ahmad, ABV Solicitors.

Doughty Street Chambers is delighted to announce that our pupil Maria Munir, has completed their first six and is now on their feet and accepting instructions in their own cases.

Abigail Bright defended 92-year-old Ryland Headley who was convicted of the rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, who, in June 1967, was aged 75. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/prosecu... 1/2

Laura Stockdale represented AA, a 19-year-old man with no previous criminal convictions, charged with blackmail and perverting the course of justice. Laura Stockdale was instructed by Emily McNally of @hodgejonesallen.bsky.social. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/crown-o...

Rabah Kherbane and Melanie Simpson KC represented MT, 20-years-old at the time of a shooting in North London, who was acquitted of murder. A jury at the Old Bailey returned unanimous verdicts of Not Guilty in two hours. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/rabah-k...

Laura Stockdale represented KW, a 70-year-old man with no previous criminal convictions, charged with indecent exposure and possession of an offensive weapon. Laura Stockdale was instructed by Somsul Hoque of ABV Solicitors. Read more: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/laura-s...

Mindless material? Dealing with ‘mindset material’ in terrorism and national security cases | 11 September 2025 Chaired by Edward Fitzgerald KC speakers will include DSC's Kate O’Raghallaigh, Rabah Kherbane, & Maryam Mir & Dr Robert Gleave, University of Exeter. Register you free place now 🔽

We at Doughty Street are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Courtenay Griffiths KC - a towering figure at the Criminal Bar, nationally and internationally. Courtenay was an inspiration to so many in the profession. A true trailblazer. He will be greatly missed by us at the Bar, and beyond.

Emma Goodall KC represented a company director acquitted of serious historic sexual abuse allegations. Emma Goodall KC was instructed by Seema Parikh, Managing Partner at MPR Solicitors LLP. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/emma-go...

Verdicts in Janus Henderson insider dealing trial. Richard Thomas KC and Tarquin McCulla (instructed by Berkeley Square Solicitors) were instructed for Dema Almeziad who was acquitted of both counts. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/verdict...

A reconvened police misconduct panel has ordered the dismissal of former DCI Mason from the Metropolitan Police due to his sexual harassment of Kristina O’Connor. Read more here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/met-pol...

Edward Fitzgerald KC and Graeme Hall represent the Claimant, Mr Mehul Choksi, in his claim against the Government of India and 5 individuals for his kidnap, torture and attempted rendition from Antigua to India, via Dominica. Read more here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/high-co...

We are delighted to have achieved multiple nominations in this year’s Legal 500 Bar Awards. These nominations are based on the market feedback and research from the directory submissions of individual barristers and practice teams.  See our shortlist here: www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/doughty...

Omran Belhadi represented SH, a woman of good character, who was charged alongside RB with supplying cannabis. Omran was instructed and expertly assisted by Majid Hanif at ABV Solicitors. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/prosecu...

Sanctions Sins: Information Offences | By Markus Findlay In his latest article, Markus Findlay examines the criminal enforcement of financial sanctions through the prosecution of information offences. Read more here: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102kfmf...

In a rare and hard-fought legal victory, extradition specialist Mary Westcott successfully blocked Spain’s second attempt to extradite a vulnerable father of a two-year-old child. Mary Westcott was instructed by @gtstewart.bsky.social, and previously by Taylor Rose.

Criminal Law in Healthcare (Part 1): Corporate Manslaughter – Goodmayes Hospital, Lucy Letby and Beyond | By Maya Sikand KC (@mayasikand.bsky.social) and Jordan Briggs (@jordan-briggs.bsky.social) Read the article here: insights.doughtystreet.co.uk/post/102kdqw...

A three-year inquiry set up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Miscarriages of Justice has found that the UK’s forensic science sector is in a “graveyard spiral”, leading to flawed police investigations, unsolved crimes, and wrongful convictions. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/katy-th...

Kirsty Brimelow KC (@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social) gave evidence to the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee’s examination of the Metropolitan Police’s approach to public order policy. www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/kirsty-...

Laura Stockdale successfully defended a man who stood trial on charges of rape, coercive control and multiple physical assaults against his former partner. Laura Stockdale was instructed by Somsul Hoque of ABV Solicitors.