Christopher
Pembridge

Barrister | Called 2015

Christopher Pembridge

Background

Chris has previously volunteered as an advocate for the Free Representation Unit. He was also a key member of the Mooting Society at Nottingham Law School, judging competitions and assisting other students.

Before completing a Criminal Law pupillage, Chris was a prison lawyer at a firm of solicitors based in Nottingham where he gained experience in advocacy before the independent adjudicator in prison disciplinary matters, parole board hearings. He obtained full police station representation accreditation in 2018.

Education

  • Bar Professional Training Course, Nottingham Law School (Very Competent)
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB),  University of Birmingham

Christopher‘s expertise

Criminal Law

Chris completed his pupillage at a solicitors firm based in Oxfordshire and upon successful completion of pupillage joined Chambers in February 2020. During pupillage he gained a wealth of experience in all types of criminal law matters but most notably, he worked alongside his pupil supervisor in an appeal against conviction and sentence of a client implicated in Operation Silk (Oxford grooming case).

Chris regularly defends and prosecutes all types of cases in both the Magistrates Court and Crown Court; this includes offences involving drugs, weapons and violence. He has particular experience in cases involving the use of serious violence and public disorder, including offences committed within a domestic context. Chris is also frequently instructed to represent clients charged with road traffic offences, including dangerous driving, and regularly represents clients at risk of driving disqualification.

Police Law

Chris has a developing practice in Police Law, dealing with breaches of Domestic Violence Protection orders and Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions, among others.

Notable Cases

R v Brewster (May 2022) Successfully prosecuted a cocaine courier eventually sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment.

R v Cooney (March 2022) Successfully defended a client charged with burglary the basis of DNA alone, leading the CPS to abandon the case against him.

R v Smith (September 2021) Successfully secured the conviction of a defendant charged with multiple offences of domestic violence against his then partner.

R v Scheel-Kruger (February 2021) Successfully application to dismiss all counts against a client charged with multiple ABHs.

R v Wilkins (January 2020) Successfully secured the acquittal of a client charged with assault by beating at Oxford Magistrates Court.

R v Steele (January 2020) Possession of an offensive weapon. The client’s acquittal was successfully secured following legal argument.

R v James (January 2020) Young adult charged with affray and possession of bladed article; on an existing suspended sentence. Successfully secured continuation of the prior SSO along with imposition of a further SSO for new offences. Reported in the Bucks Free Press.

D v Parole Board (2019) Successfully secured the release of an indeterminate sentenced prisoner from HMP Bullingdon following his recall to custody for a relapse to drug misuse.

R v Clatworthy (June 2019) Successfully mitigated on behalf of a client charged with stalking at Oxford Crown Court in order to secure a favourable sentence categorisation. Reported by the Oxford Times.

R v McCloud (June 2019) Successfully resisted the imposition of a Criminal Behaviour Order on a client convicted of numerous begging and public order offences at High Wycombe Magistrates Court.

R v L–L (July 2019) Successfully mitigated on behalf of a thirteen year old at the Youth Court in Oxford in order to secure a referral order for an offence of possession of a bladed article.

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

Interests

Chris enjoys cooking, cricket and country walks with his partner.