Charlotte Newell KC is an experienced criminal practitioner, renowned as both a prosecutor and defence counsel at the very highest level. She is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners UK Bar and Legal 500 Guides.
She has developed a formidable practice, appearing in cases of the utmost gravity in the Crown and Appellate Courts and has particular expertise in the prosecution and defence of serious sexual allegations, homicide and cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses. Charlotte is also regularly instructed in multi handed allegations of fraud and money laundering and is counter terrorism accredited.
Charlotte is known for early and thorough case preparation and her incredible attention to detail. She is tenacious and fearless in court and works tirelessly on every instruction to secure the best possible outcome for her clients. She is an approachable but no-nonsense advocate who regularly wins praise from the judiciary and those that instruct or oppose her, both for her commitment to her clients’ cases and her capacity to work effectively with opposing counsel. In fact, she is frequently rebriefed by opposing solicitors who have been impressed by her advocacy. Alongside the professional rigour that she brings to her cases, Charlotte is also calm and empathetic with young and vulnerable witnesses, empowering them to give the best evidence.
She has a proven track record of successful pre-charge engagement; advising those who have been arrested and are awaiting charge on the strategic approach they should take and the drafting of representations to police and CPS to ensure that allegations do not proceed to Court.
Charlotte has led witness familiarisation and cross-examination training for witnesses in multi-million-pound civil litigation.
She is committed to continuing professional education and maintaining and promoting the high standards at the Bar. To this end, Charlotte has been a pupil supervisor since 2005, emphasising the professionalism, integrity and all-out commitment to clients that are the hallmarks of her practice. Many of her pupils have gone on to take tenancy. A member of the Criminal Bar Association Education Committee, Charlotte is involved in the organisation of lectures, conferences, seminars and webinars for the criminal Bar, notably the renowned bi-annual CBA sexual offences conference. Charlotte recently delivered training to RASSO on s41 YJCEA 1999. Charlotte is also an advocacy trainer for Gray’s Inn, has lectured the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeal tribunal on the handling of vulnerable advocates and is a lead facilitator in the vulnerable witnesses advocacy training scheme.
Alongside her solicitor instructions, Charlotte has a growing practice in direct access work, typically in relation to accusations of sexual offences
