Charles
Crinion

Barrister | Called 2002 |
Public Access Accredited

Charles Crinion

Background

Charles is an experienced criminal law barrister who moved to Birmingham in December 2015 from London. He was previously a tenant at 1MCB (the Chambers of John Benson KC).

He believes in innovation and practices through his Limited Company, Charles Crinion Limited which is registered in England and Wales under registration number 11576500 and which is a member of Chambers. His entity is licensed and regulated by the Bar Standards Board to provide advocacy services.

Charles practises in criminal law and has been instructed in a wide range of serious matters from murder trials and drug conspiracies to large frauds.

His particular expertise in computer hacking cases and Proceeds of Crime cases. He is a Level 4 Advocate on the CPS Advocates’ Panel. He is public access approved.

Charles writes regularly for legal journals. His articles have appeared in the Criminal Law Review and Archbold News.

Education

  • Master of Laws (LL.M), University College London
  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with French Law, University College London

Charles‘ expertise

Criminal Law

Charles has been instructed in a wide range of serious matters from murder trials to large frauds. He is a Level 4 Advocate on the CPS Advocates’ Panel. He is public access approved. Charles has a particular expertise in cases involving trademark offences.

Charles has appeared in the Court of Appeal in several reported cases (for example: R v Nelson [2006] in Archbold on bad character applications and R v Fazal [2010] 1 Cr.App.R. 6 CA on the meaning of “converting” criminal property). Charles writes regularly for legal journals. His articles have appeared in the Criminal Law Review and Archold News.

Notable Cases

Current instructions:

  • Representing an IT worker accused of blackmailing his employers over a large data breach.
  • Representing a security guard accused of being part of a multi-million pound conspiracy to steal from an Amazon warehouse.
  • Prosecuting a nationwide ring of cigarette smugglers.

R v ZS (April 2022) at Birmingham Crown Court Represented, a takeaway driver accused of raping a customer in her home. Acquitted after trial.

R v JD (March 2022) at Wolverhampton Combined Courts, Led junior representing a driver accused of causing the death of a very young baby by driving dangerously. High profile and sensitive case.

R v MJ (July 2021) at Birmingham Crown Court, successfully prosecuted a fraudster for sending out thousands of fake COVID vaccinations emails and texts.

R v CM (May 2019) at Stafford Crown Court, successfully represented a garage owner accused of being part of a conspiracy to import a range of illegal drugs from China. Acquitted after a 4 week trial.

R v GF (March 2018) at Shrewsbury Crown Court, represented a man in his 30’s facing a 20 count indictment alleging rape and attempted rape of his stepdaughter over a 6 year period. Acquitted of all counts after an eight day trial.

R v B & 2 others (February 2018) at Warwick Crown Court, successfully prosecuted at trial a gang smuggling handguns, ammunition and conversion kits into the UK from America.

 Meikle & 4 Others (May 2016) at Wolverhampton Combined Courts, successfully prosecuted a gang for selling class A drugs across Birmingham. Substantial sentences imposed. Widely reported in the local media.

 R v W & 4 others (3 week trial in October 2015) at Birmingham Crown Court, defending a retired civil servant accused of conspiracy to rob.  and masterminding a campaign of robberies against members of a rival motorcycle club as part of “a turf war” in Hereford.

 R v Emmanuel Kalejaiye  (April 2014) at Chelmsford Crown Court, defending and led by John Benson KC. K was acquitted of murdering his mother and, instead, convicted of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility. Widely reported in the national press.

 

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

Interests

Charles plays for his tennis club’s first team. He also enjoys indoor climbing and would love, at some point in the future, to have the time to play golf again. Charles reads voraciously, especially Russian literature and history.