Charles
Crinion
Barrister | Called 2002 |
Public Access Accredited
Practice summary
Charles is an experienced criminal law barrister who is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in multi-handed murder and attempted murder cases as well as in complex fraud, drug conspiracy and computer hacking cases.
Recent instructions include the defence of a high-profile murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court (an asylum seeker accused of murdering an employee at his hotel) (trial in October 2025), and the defence of a youth in a multi-handed attempted murder in St Albans Crown Court (trial in April 2026). Charles is a Level 4 Advocate on the CPS Advocates’ Panel.
Charles 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 writes regularly for legal journals. His articles have appeared in the Criminal Law Review and Archbold News.
Education
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- Master of Laws (LL.M), University College London
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with French Law, University College London
Charles‘ expertise
Criminal Law
Charles appears regularly throughout the Midlands circuit where he both prosecutes and defends serious violent crime and complex matters, including murder and fatality cases, drug conspiracies, and large-scale frauds. Having forged his early reputation in London he is no stranger to travelling when necessary, and his expertise often earns instructions in cases of the utmost gravity on the South Eastern Circuit.
Notable Cases
R v TB and 7 others, Birmingham Crown Court (6 month trial listed in January 2027) – defending a solicitor accused of transferring criminal property as part of nationwide house sales fraud.
R v HK and 6 others, St Albans Crown Court (trial in March 2026) – defending a youth of being part of an attempted murder connected to drug debts.
R v MW, Wolverhampton Crown Court (2025) – defending in an attempted murder and robbery trial, a car was the weapon in the attempt to murder.
R v DM, Wolverhampton Crown Court (2025) – defending, led by Gurdeep Garcha KC, defending an asylum seeker accused of murdering an employee at his hotel.
R v DH and 7 others, Wolverhampton Crown Court (2025) – defending, successfully defended a young man accused of being part of nationwide conspiracy to commit aggravated burglaries against banks and cashpoints.
R v JS and 3 others, Wolverhampton Crown Court (2025) – defending, led by Amjad Malik KC, man accused of being the driver in a drive-by shooting murder.
R v JW and 2 others, Wolverhampton Crown Court (2024) – defending, led by Amjad Malik, young man accused of executing another over a drug debt, JW acquitted of murder, convicted of manslaughter.
R v SL & 6 Others, Nottingham Crown Court (2024) – defending, led by Michelle Heeley KC, 3-month trial, representing a man accused of murdering a gang rival.
R v AL, Reading Crown Court (2023) -defending, represented an IT worker who pleaded guilty to blackmailing his employers, a large medical sciences company, over a large data breach. Favourable basis of plea negotiated keeping the sentence to the minimum.
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 team tennis for his tennis club and enjoys indoor climbing. Charles would love, at some point in the future, to have the time to play golf again. Charles reads voraciously, especially Russian literature and history.