Chris Kessling
“The purpose of Defence-Barrister.co.uk is to provide independent, specialist information about the criminal courts, presented in a format which is accessible to as many people as possible.”
Called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1992 and having been a criminal barrister for longer than I care to remember, I started my career in the East Midlands and was a founding member of the specialist criminal set Garden Square Chambers.
Like many criminal barristers, my practice has involved prosecuting and defending in a wide variety of cases, principally in the Crown Court. My defence practice has involved representing people from all backgrounds charged with criminal cases at all levels of seriousness, from murder and manslaughter, wounding/grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery, aggravated burglary, firearms and other cases involving serious violence, to road traffic offences (including those resulting in death due to alleged dangerous or careless driving), fraud, drug trafficking, rape and other serious sexual offences.
My prosecution practice (CPS Grade 4) has similarly covered a wide variety of cases, in particular cases of rape and other serious sexual violence, including historical sexual abuse.
In terms of the practice of criminal law, I fully understand the approach taken to any case from both a prosecution and defence perspective.
I have appeared for clients in numerous successful appeals to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and acted for and advised in Judicial Review and Case Stated applications.
I am an Advocacy Training Council accredited advocacy trainer and have lectured extensively in the fields of Criminal Litigation, Evidence and Sentencing, Professional Ethics and Advocacy.
I talk (a lot) about the criminal courts, about barristers and about courtroom advocacy. Other things I do a lot of are cycling and drumming. I also have a very small (and very loud) MG Midget, so I must take the opportunity here to apologise to my neighbours once again.
The purpose of Defence-Barrister.co.uk is to provide independent, specialist information about the criminal courts, presented in a format which is accessible to as many people as possible. Many thousands of people access this website every month seeking a steer with all aspects of the criminal justice system, hence the tagline, ‘Making Sense of the Criminal Courts’.
I very much hope this website gives you the help and information you need.
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