Ben Holt became a tenant in Chambers in May 2008 following pupillage in Chambers. During pupillage he was supervised by Sarah Forshaw QC and Richard Sones.
Ben appears alone and as a led junior in Crown Courts throughout London and the South East of England. He has appeared before the Court of Appeal. Ben is instructed both to prosecute and defend in a variety of offences that include: child abduction, the supply of Class A drugs, conspiracy to steal, fraud and violent disorder. He often conducts confiscation proceedings following conviction. Ben is currently instructed in offences of GBH, robbery and money laundering.
Additionally Ben has expertise in Prison Law proceedings, appearing at adjudication hearings and providing representation before lifer, parole, and recall panels.
Ben regularly defends members of the Armed Forces; both in the civilian Court and the Courts Martial. He has appeared in the Courts Martial in the UK and abroad.
Ben is able to accept instructions direct from the public in appropriate cases. For further information in this regard please contact the Senior Clerk.
Recent Cases:
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R v V – Defence trial. The defendant was charged with handling £25,000 worth of stolen mobile telephone top-up cards. Apparent confessions made early in the proceedings. Acquitted after trial.
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R v W – 5-day prosecution trial. Defendant convicted of possessing over one kilogram of cannabis with intent to supply.
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R v K – Prosecution trial of a “car-jacking”.
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R v F & Ors – Instructed to defend in a 6 handed conspiracy to steal from ticket machines at train stations in Kent. Defendant pleaded Guilty after service of cell-site evidence.
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R v E – 4-day Prosecution trial in relation to a campaign of domestic abuse. The defendant was convicted and imprisoned for two-and-a-half years.
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R v C – Led junior for the Crown in eBay fraud. Confiscation proceedings followed.
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R v P – Led junior for the Crown in child abduction case. On conviction, the defendant was imprisoned for public protection.
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R v S – Instructed to prosecute a Newton hearing regarding an allegation of theft from employer. After a 5-day hearing at the Inner London Crown Court, the Judge ruled in the Crown’s favour.
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R v O – Defence in a GBH trial at Southwark Crown Court. The defendant, of previous good character, was accused of “glassing” another individual in a bar in the City of London.
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R v K – Prosecution of a “scam” involving false money transfers.
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R v R and Ors – Led Junior for the Prosecution in eight-handed violent disorder trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
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R v J-L and Ors – Defending a 15 year-old client charged with conspiracy to commit sexual assault and false imprisonment. The incident took place in the playground of a school. There were 7 co-defendants and the trial lasted for two weeks.
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YOI Aylesbury v I – Parole board hearing for client who had been convicted of murder at the age of 13. Following the hearing he was released to open conditions.
Ben is on the Committee of the South Eastern Circuit, a member of Chambers’ Management Committee and sub-treasurer.