Ria is a bright and tenacious advocate and experienced junior in serious multi-handed trials.
Her practice includes a wide range of offences including murder (as led junior), manslaughter, serious and organised crime, financial crime, firearms, drugs, serious violence, and sexual offences.
She is highly skilled in identifying and advancing legal arguments and works tirelessly in seeking the best outcomes for her clients. She has a no-nonsense approach to advice and is thorough in her case preparation.
Ria recently completed a secondment to the Post Office Ltd where she provided advice in relation to ‘Horizon’ appeals, oversaw all internal aspects of post-conviction disclosure and liaised with the MoJ in the months prior to the introduction of legislation exonerating those convicted on the basis of ‘Horizon’ evidence.
Ria has also conducted review work for the Post Office and in relation to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Ria is reliable, diligent and extremely personable. Prior to joining the Bar, she worked as a paralegal and accredited Police Station Representative at a Solicitors firm. Her client care is second to none.
Ria was instructed to represent ZW who was the sole tenant of a property where a significant quantity of Class A drugs were found. Ria successfully argued that a video ostensibly showing ZW preparing crack cocaine was inadmissible, leading to the video being excluded and the Crown offering no evidence.
Ria was led by James Martin in this multi-kilo Class A drugs conspiracy involving firearms. The case featured extensive Encrochat, probe and surveillance evidence.
Irshad Sheikh led Ria Banerjee defending D1 in a multi-handed five week Class A drugs conspiracy. D1 was regarded as the leader and wholesale supplier of multiple kilos. The trial lasted five weeks and involved extensive surveillance evidence, probe recordings, call and cell site data.
Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who was charged with harassment and on life licence for murder. Facing significant consequences in terms of parole if convicted of the offence. Acquitted after trial following lengthy cross-examination of the complainant and legal submissions involving various authorities on “a course of conduct amounting to harassment”.
Ria Banerjee represented six defendants in a Committal for Sentence where each client was facing a sentence of immediate custody. Succeeded in a legitimate expectation argument, which led to the Judge imposing Community/Suspended Sentences.
Ria Banerjee secured the acquittal for this defendant who was charged with two counts of Affray and Possession of an Offensive Weapon. Incidents captured on CCTV. Defendant gave a no comment interview.
Ria Banerjee acted for this defendant who was charged with Attempted Robbery. Complainant was an off-duty prison officer who gave evidence to state that the Defendant had threatened to stab her and take her handbag. Successfully opposed the Crown’s bad character application to admit the Defendant’s previous convictions for Robbery and Attempted Robbery to correct a false impression. Acquitted after trial.
Ria Banerjee successfully secured the acquittal for this defendant who was charged with Having a Bladed Article in a Public Place, namely, a Samurai sword on Dartford High Street. Evidence from a Police officer that he was waving the sword around. Incident captured on CCTV.
Ria Banerjee secured the acquittal of this defendant charged with Threats to Kill where it was alleged that, whilst making the threats, he was wielding a machete. Extensive cross-examination of three civilian witnesses.
Ria Banerjee acted for a defendant charged with Affray and Threatening with a Bladed Article. Crown’s case consisted of a live witness stating that the Defendant threatened him and his friends with a knife. Incident captured on CCTV and mobile phone footage. Defendant gave a no comment interview with no solicitor present. Acquitted of both charges after trial.
Ria Banerjee successfully represented a defendant charged, with others, of a series of knife-point robberies of taxi drivers. Successful applications to dismiss on the basis of identification and cell site evidence.
