Rachel is an experienced criminal advocate practising exclusively in crime and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence in serious criminal cases. In particular, she specialises in murder, violence and serious sexual offences.
Rachel is routinely instructed in cases involving a wide range of sexual offences and is well known for her experience in handling such cases, including “grooming rings”, rape, sexual assault, historic abuse and familial offences, as well as digital sexual offences.
As well as conducting legally aided work she is also regularly sought out by private paying clients.
Rachel has a reputation as a formidable opponent with a high success rate across the board. She is a persuasive jury advocate and has particular skill in dealing with vulnerable witnesses, including children as young as 3 years old and other witnesses with learning disabilities, autism and other mental health problems. She is known for her attention to detail and diligent case preparation , as well as excellent client care.
Rachel has been described as:
“hugely persuasive”; “skillful in cross examination”; and “a tenacious advocate”.
Sexual Offences (Defendant)
Notable Cases
- R v JH (Retrial listed February 2024)
Rape and perverting the course of justice.
- R v CM and CM (April 2023)
Trial and re-trial of sexual allegations made by four complainants over 10 years.
- R v KM (February 2023)
Defendant acquitted of stranger attempted rape.
- R v SY (January 2023)
Four month grooming gang case involving historic rape and trafficking of a child.
- R v PT (October 2021)
Historic allegations of rape and sexual assault upon the Defendant’s sister, daughter and sister-in-law who was deceased. Defendant acquitted on all counts.
- R v AM (July 2021)
University student acquitted of sexually assaulting three female students.
- R v CW (June 2021)
Female Defendant acquitted of sexual assault upon her son’s 15 year old friend.
- R v BT (January 2021)
Church Pastor charged with sexual assaults on 33 children – guilty pleas.
Sexual Offences (Prosecution)
Notable Cases
- R v OH (2020)
Defendant convicted of historic sexual assault upon a child.
- R v MB (2019)
Defendant convicted of rape and sexual assault of a child family member.
- R v JG and AG (2019)
Allegation of rape, sexual assault and grooming over several years. Defendant convicted and received 21 years.
Other Criminal Cases
Notable Cases
- R v JK (March 2023)
Allegations of attempted murder by a female Defendant using an electric screwdriver to attack her neighbour. Pleas to Section 18 and aggravated burglary accepted on the day of trial.
- R v Evitt & McGlacken (October 2022)
Defendants convicted of murdering and dismembering their friend using a circular saw.
- R v Raheel Khan (October 2020)
Defendant unanimously acquitted of murder by stabbing in Oldham.
- R v AR (December 2020)
Allegation of murder, by repeated blows with an axe. Prosecution accepted a plea to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
- R v David Pawluk (October 2018)
Defence murder in a domestic setting.
- R v Diane Ingham (2017)
Mother acquitted of using violence leading up to a murder involving her family members. Convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Directory quotes
‘Rachel is an extremely effective advocate. She is excellent with clients and particularly adept at handling cases which require sensitivity. She has a charming manner with jurors and is a first class trial advocate. She is known for her expertise in serious sex cases in particular and she has a talent for assimilating the facts and getting to the crux of a case.’
Legal 500 2023
Practice Areas
Appointments & Memberships
- Grade 4 Prosecutor
- RASSO qualified
- Qualified Advocacy Trainer at Middle Temple
- Lecturer in criminal law updates
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