A woman sat looking out of a window. We are the foremost provider of barristers for sexual offences work in North Wales and into the North West.

Sexual Offences

Linenhall Chambers has a vastly experienced and highly specialised team of barristers both prosecuting and defending allegations of sexual offending. As a result of the depth and breadth of our team, we are the foremost provider of barristers for sexual offence work in North Wales and into the North West but the team advises clients from across England and Wales.

The criminal team at Linenhall Chambers are regularly instructed to prosecute on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), police forces and the National Crime Agency to whom they provide pre-case advices and with whom they work closely to successfully prosecute often very high-profile cases.

They also undertake defence work for privately paying and legally aided clients both through instructing solicitors and on a direct access basis.

The team’s depth of experience in both prosecution and defence work means clients benefit from their fully-rounded understanding of both sides in such cases and enables early identification of the likely approach from the opposition so that cases can be prepared accordingly.

As a result of Linenhall Chambers high levels of expertise in both criminal and family work, and the fact that many of the team are Recorders in both the Criminal and Family Courts, we have a unique understanding of the dynamics of cases running parallel in those Courts. Our team recognises the wider sensitivities surrounding these types of cases where family are involved. The team are adept at handling the most sensitive and complex cases including where the professional implications could be significant.

The team regularly provides advice to clients in the early stages of proceedings, pre-charge, to ensure the case is as well prepared as possible to achieve the best outcome.

A large number of the Linenhall team are Category 3 and 4 Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) panel members and we are the primary provider of RASSO training in North Wales. Additionally, many members of the Linenhall team are Serious Crime Panel members.

A number of Linenhall’s barristers are accredited trainers for vulnerable witness training which they deliver across the North West and North Wales and the team regularly represents those with little to no experience of the criminal justice system including youths, the elderly (often in relation to historic offences) and vulnerable individuals or clients with additional needs. In all cases, the approach taken is tailored to the specific needs of the individual client, with recognition given to particular issues and nuances that may arise in individual cases.

Many members of the team, including RASSO panel members, are Welsh speakers and able to conduct cases in Welsh.

The team has extensive experience in all types of sexual offence cases including a high level of specialism in cases concerning the sexual exploitation of children. Particular specialisms include:

  • Child abduction
  • Child abuse including sexual offences against children
  • Child cruelty
  • Grooming and child exploitation
  • Online child sexual exploitation
  • Youths as defendants in sexual offences
  • Historic sexual offences
  • Stranger rapes
  • Rape and sexual assault
  • Indecent images

Our specialists in Sexual Offences

Gordon Cole KC

Year of Call: 1979

Year of Silk: 2006

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Caroline Rees KC

Year of Call: 1994

Year of Silk: 2018

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Ben Douglas Jones KC

Year of Call: 1998

Year of Silk: 2018

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Owen Edwards KC

Year of Call: 1992

Year of Silk: 2023

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Accreditations and awards

Linenhall Chambers and its members are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.