'Straight-talking with clients, she is someone with an unparalleled knowledge of sexual offence law. She is excellent all the way through the process' Chambers UK 2023
'She exudes competence and has a proven track record when it comes to sexual misconduct cases.' Chambers UK 2022
Awarded Silk of the Year by Chambers & Partners 2020/2021 ' Chambers UK 2020/21
Eleanor Laws KC is listed as one of Chambers UK's 'Star Practioners' for crime Chambers UK 2021
Overview
Eleanor is listed as one of Chambers UK’s ‘Star Practitioners’ for crime. A leader in the field of serious crime, Eleanor is frequently instructed to advise well known public figures in the entertainment industry, sports, and politics in relation to criminal and civil proceedings.
Awarded Silk of the Year by Chambers & Partners 2020/2021
Nominated for Silk of the Year by Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in 2015.
Crime
A Silk with a forensic mind, Eleanor is an expert tactician dedicated to pulling apart the issues of a case to gain the absolutely best result for the client. She is particularly known for commanding court presence and exemplary cross-examination skills. Having specialised in serious crime for some time, she is now in the main instructed by private clients to represent them in the criminal courts, in university and school disciplinary hearings, defamation and civil harassment cases, and to advise in private prosecutions.
Eleanor Laws KC's specialism includes pre charge advice and representation with a view to halting proceedings, Her clients, include celebrities and other well-known individuals. More recently, Eleanor has successfully represented youths and young adults under police investigation and /or subject to school/university proceedings, as a result of complaints generated by social media websites.
Eleanor Laws KC conducts post-conviction reviews of convictions where she has not been trial counsel: Recent successes in the Court of Appeal include: R v Mehta, R v Lloyd Phillips, R v Katira.
Eleanor Laws KC is a member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association.
Eleanor sits as a part-time Judge in the Crown Court and is authorised sit at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).
Reviews
Chambers UK 2024: Crime – Star Individual for the last six years.
Legal 500 2024: Crime - Tier 1
Awarded silk of the year 2020/2021;
‘Eleanor is at the top of the tree when it comes to sexual offences work. She is a warrior and takes no prisoners. On her feet she is excellent - persuasive, calm, picks up on aspects of the evidence and uses this skillfully in cross-examination. Her closing speeches are excellent.’ Legal 500 (2024)
"Eleanor is a top class silk who puts clients at ease. Jurors and judges are putty in her hands." Chambers UK Crime (2024)
"She is at the top of her game and deservedly instructed in the highest profile cases." Chambers UK Crime (2024)
'Straight-talking with clients, she is someone with an unparalleled knowledge of sexual offence law. She is excellent all the way through the process. Her pre-charge advice is spot on, her strategic nous well honed, and her jury advocacy formidable. She always excels.' Chambers UK (2023)
‘Eleanor is simply exceptional in all respects. She has an immediate command of any courtroom she attends and the results she achieves speak for themselves.’ Legal 500 (2023)
'She exudes competence and has a proven track record when it comes to sexual misconduct cases.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)
'She is a paragon of sheer class and gravitas, and a very skilled cross-examiner who commands the respect of the court. She is fantastic - an authority for sexual offences.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)
'Pure excellence and a fearsome opponent. An incomparable mix of skilful strategy and gravitas commands the courtroom. she has great emotional intelligence which she deploys to great advantage in order to cross-examine witnesses.' Legal 500 Crime (2021)
‘She has an understated but highly persuasive manner.’ ‘In front of judge and jury she has great presence.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)
‘Her significant reputation in cases of sexual offending is wholly deserved.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)
‘One of the leading lights at the Criminal Bar, she is very client-friendly and astute, and clearly knows her subject matter.’ Chambers UK Crime (2019)
‘An expert tactician with unparalleled knowledge.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)
‘She has made an art form out of cross-examination.’ ‘Has a forensic mind when it comes to pulling apart the issues in a case.’ ‘She is an expert tactician, her legal knowledge is near unparalleled and she has a commanding court presence.’ Chambers UK Crime (2018)
‘No doubt one of the best prosecutors and defenders in sexual cases.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)
‘Outstanding. Astonishing performance, breathtaking cross-examination and closing speech. I would have thought the go-to silk for all sexual allegations. Brilliant.’ Chambers UK Crime (2017)
‘She is a barrister of the very highest quality scoring high marks in all categories.’ Chambers UK Crime (2016)
‘She is very well prepared and a very good strategist. She has a calm manner that radiates power.’ Chambers UK Crime (2015)
‘Her enormous experience of high-profile cases is always invaluable. Her advice is on point, practical and of the highest quality. She is excellent to work with.’ Chambers UK Crime (2014)
Appointments
- Recorder 2016: Licensed to sit at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, on Appeals and on serious sexual offence cases.
- Bencher at Inner Temple
- Appointed by Council of the Inns of Court to chair Bar Disciplinary Tribunal Hearings
- CBA Elected committee member 2012 - 2016 & 2017 - 2020
- External advocacy assessor for CPS Grades 2-4
Professional Memberships
- Criminal Bar Association
- South Eastern Circuit
Education
- Diploma in Law
- BA: History
Recent Cases
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Footballer, Jack Diamond has been cleared of raping a woman with whom he had a casual sexual relationship. Mr Diamond, winger for Sunderland was charged with raping and sexually assaulting the woman at his home in Fatfield, Washington, on 7 May 2022. He...
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Footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of all charges against him following a re-trial.
...Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly represented Benjamin Mendy who faced ten charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. He has now been acquitted of every one of these charges after the jury in his second trial returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.E...
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Marcus Reedman, who had in turn, served as a Commanding Officer of the Royal Gurkha Regiment, Head of the National Security Council Secretariat and Deputy Director of the Government’s Covid-19 task force, was charged with fraud by failing to disclo...
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Mr Mendy has been on trial at Chester Court since August last year. Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) represented the Manchester City footballer who was unanimously acquitted of e...
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Today, a trial is starting at Chester Crown Court of Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy. Eleanor Laws QC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) will be defending the footballer in relation to ...
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Eleanor Laws QC was instruct to represented Gene Gallagher who was facing public order offences. After several days negotiation at the start of the trial, the prosecution offered no evidence against him.The case was widely reported in the media and can be...
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully represented a man Charged with strangling his wife during the period of a break down in their marriage.
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Eleanor Laws QC secures the acquittal of a young man charged with Rape at Bristol Crown Court.
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Eleanor Laws QC was instructed to represented a young man with autism for multiple computer mis use offences and blackmail. Careful preparation of the mitigation bundle led to a substantial reduction in A’s sentence.Counsel was instructed by Ben Bra...
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Eleanor Laws QC defended a Newcastle University student accused of raping a fellow student in student accommodation. The allegation took 3 years to be tried and the accused was acquitted on Tuesday 13th April 2021.Eleanor was instructed by Paul Morris a...
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The long time and well-loved chauffeur of Queen guitarist Brian May and his wife Anita Dobson was found not guilty of plying a girl with drugs and alcohol in order to carry out abuse between 1999 and 2006.Mr Philip Webb was found not guilty of three count...
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A couple are found guilty of fatally poisoning an Irish dancer using a drug known as 'Devil’s Breath' as part of a plot to steal money from men they met on Grindr.The jury returned a majority verdict on all counts for both defendants on Friday 23rd ...
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Eleanor Laws QC and Rachna Gokani are instructed to represent a British Politician charged with sexual offences.Counsel are instructed by Ellen Peart of BCL LLP and the trial is due to take place in June.
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Yousef Makki, 17, was stabbed to death on the 2nd March in Manchester.
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Eleanor Laws successfully appealed a conviction in a case involving a sexual allegation made against Dr Rajeshkumar Mehta. Eleanor did not conduct the trial but took over after the conviction and raised several points on appeal. Leave to appeal was initi...
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Eleanor Laws QC defends Oxford medical student acquitted of rape.Niall McPaul, an Oxford medical student charged with the rape of a fellow student after a party, 20 months before the CPS decided to charge him and was tried and acquitted 2 years 8 months a...
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John Allen was the owner of a number of care homes in North Wales. Eleanor Laws QC prosecuted him in 2014 and he was convicted in relation of to offences upon 19 victims. In 2019 he was convicted in relation to five victims.Articles are available by the B...
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Dr J faced serious sexual offences over a 10 year period. The trial involved the review of a substantial volume of social services material, in patient treatment records and court transcripts. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.Eleanor Laws was in...
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended a father accused of serious regular sexual abuse of his own daughter who was committed to a mental health care unit for 9 months and made repeated allegations to mental health professionals during this time and therea...
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Eleanor Laws QC was instructed to advise on the case of Mr A, a prominent socialite, who faced two sets of complaints: one set of offences in Paris relating to claims of abuse alleged to have taken place in St Barts and Paris, and another allegation from ...
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Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer represented Professor Ariel Lant who was accused of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients.
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Eleanor Laws QC led Philip McGhee in the defence of former football coach, Barry Bennell, charged with multiple child sex offences.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended property owner for rape offence.
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Represented professional footballer Adam Johnson in his application to the Court of Appeal.
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Successfully defended nightclub owner for sexual assault.
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Gordon Anglesea was an ex North Wales Chief Superintendent who successfully sued Private Eye and other media organisations for naming him as a paedophile.
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Eleanor Laws QC and Nick Corsellis acted for the prosecution in the trial of Marvyn Iheanacho who beat his five-year-old stepson to death for losing his trainer.
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Eleanor Laws QC defended a man charged with historic sex offences.
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Defended youth against rape allegations; he was acquitted.
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Dr F, consultant physician, charged with the serious sexual assault upon a patient was acquitted today at Isleworth CC.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended a man charged with making 170 indecent images on his computer.
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Successfully defended Veterinary Surgeon for sexually assaulting nurses in his practice.
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Eleanor Laws successfully defended a licenced taxi driver for allegations of sexual assault against a passenger.
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Eleanor Laws QC defended student at Royal Agricultural University accused of rape. Prosecution offered no evidence following defence submissions.
News
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Eleanor Laws KC appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour today to respond to concerns raised by academics published by The Guardian about the fact that students facing serious sexual allegations within university disciplinary proceedings, are e...
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Footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of all charges against him following a re-trial.
...Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly represented Benjamin Mendy who faced ten charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. He has now been acquitted of every one of these charges after the jury in his second trial returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.E...
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Mr Mendy has been on trial at Chester Court since August last year. Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) represented the Manchester City footballer who was unanimously acquitted of e...
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Eleanor Laws KC as been invited to join The Editorial Advisory Board for Blackstone’s Criminal Practice. The Board incudes senior practitioners and judges - those who act both as strategic advisers to OUP and as important figureheads for the book. ...
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The review is comprehensive and will address juror education, the admission of expert evidence to deal with perceived misconceptions surrounding sexual offences, evidence relating to a complainant’s sexual history & the use of special measures in co...
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Eleanor Laws QC gave a presentation to Arcturus Network, an informal platform for judges and lawyers across Africa on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses and special measures provisions in the UK.
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Eleanor Laws QC defended a Newcastle University student accused of raping a fellow student in student accommodation. The allegation took 3 years to be tried and the accused was acquitted on Tuesday 13th April 2021.Eleanor was instructed by Paul Morris a...
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Congratulations to Eleanor Laws QC who won Crime Silk of the Year at the annual Chambers and Partners awards which took place on the 19th November.Eleanor has a diverse practice which includes heavyweight and high profile crime. She regularly represents ...
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Tuesday 28th July marks the final day of Johnny Depp's libel action against The Sun's publishers, News Group Newspapers and the Sun's executive editor.Johnny Depp's team make their final arguments in the case against NGN over an article labelling him a "w...
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Eleanor Laws QC is representing Johnny Depp in his libel action against News Group Newspapers and the Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to the film star as a “wife beater”. The trial be...
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A pre-trial review took place yesterday before Mr Justice Nicol in the High Court in a libel action brought by Hollywood actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers, publishers of The Sun.Mr Depp is suing over a newspaper article headed “How can...
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Eleanor Laws successfully appealed a conviction in a case involving a sexual allegation made against Dr Rajeshkumar Mehta. Eleanor did not conduct the trial but took over after the conviction and raised several points on appeal. Leave to appeal was initi...
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Eleanor Laws QC delivers training as part of the SEC’s RASSO Programme. She considered the admissibility of expert evidence on memory, and effective strategies in court for addressing rape myths and stereotypes.
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Dr J faced serious sexual offences over a 10 year period. The trial involved the review of a substantial volume of social services material, in patient treatment records and court transcripts. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.Eleanor Laws was in...
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The BBC’s Beyond Today podcast chose to examine the Alex Hepburn rape case, asking what one rape trial can tell us about lad culture and consent.Eleanor Laws QC was invited onto the show to discuss consent and the law.You can listen to the show here...
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Eleanor Law QC represented G who faced allegations of rape.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended Richard Holden, the former special advisor to ex-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon who was accused of sexual assault. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning unanimous verdicts. Her Honour Judge...
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QEB Hollis Whiteman are walking with the Lord Chief Justice and thousands of lawyers to raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust, the Free Representation Unit and the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
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Professor Ariel Lant, represented by Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer, at Southwark Crown Court, was today acquitted of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients.
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Eleanor Laws QC, one of the Bar Council's Lead Facilitators for Vulnerable Witness Training, will be speaking on the topic of 'Consent' at the CBA's accredited training event for the purposes of joining the approved CPS Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Advocat...
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QEBHW members Eleanor Laws QC and Philip McGhee are defending former youth soccer coach, Barry Bennell, who is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Having admitted seven charges of sexual abuse Bennell has pleaded not guilty to 48 others relating to conduct...
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Advocacy and the Vulnerable training to the Bar at The Inner Temple Training to the RASSO and other CPS Units London on s28 Representing the CBA at the Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference 2017 as a Panel Member for the session ‘A diverse futu...
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Details of the rankings and commentaries will be published in November 2017 in the Chambers UK Bar Directory 2018.
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QEB Barristers Eleanor Laws QC (instructed by BCL) and Edward Henry (instructed by Shaw Graham Kersh) represented the first and second defendants in the trial of four men accused of rape following the Royal Agricultural University’s May ball in 2014...
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The Court of Appeal today reserved judgement in the appeal of Ched Evans against his conviction for rape and advised that it would be delivered in April. QEB Hollis Whiteman member, Eleanor Laws QC appeared for the prosecution and advised that, in the eve...
Articles
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It is vital that chambers support individuals who have suffered bullying. QEB Hollis Whiteman has now adopted an external bullying policy. A panel of barristers within Chambers (including a senior QC) will now address complaints of bullying by judges, sol...
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On the 16th May Eleanor Laws QC and Dr Julia Shaw presented a seminar exploring memories as evidence in legal proceedings.Dr Shaw discussed the science behind false memories, self-deception and how our memory system really works, with consideration given ...
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Eleanor Laws QC delivered a lecture at the CBA RASSO Training Seminar on the 27th of January 2018.
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Eleanor Laws QC has authored the Legal Research paper which forms part of the compulsory Vulnerable Witness training for all Advocates.
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(Oxford University Press, second edition), the definitive guide to indictments and sentencing dating back to 1950, dealing with special measures, CPS charging practice and ancillary orders upon conviction. The book is recommended to practitioners at Crimi...
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Eleanor Laws QC considers the case of R v F in the context of the changes in the way that courts are dealing with vulnerable witnesses.
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Eleanor Laws QC delivered a lecture to the CBA in June 2013 on the admissibility of expert evidence on recovered memory in criminal trials.
The most accomplished of practitioners, Eleanor Laws KC has industry recognition for being one of the absolute best; she is forensically and tactically astute, commanding in court and a delight to work with. Eleanor is listed as one of Chambers UK’s ‘Star Practitioners’ for crime.
Overview
A Silk with a forensic mind, Eleanor is an expert tactician dedicated to pulling apart the issues of a case to gain the absolutely best result for the client. She is particularly known for commanding court presence and exemplary cross-examination skills. Having specialised in serious crime for some time, she is now in the main instructed by private clients to represent them in the criminal courts, in university and school disciplinary hearings, defamation and civil harassment cases, and to advise in private prosecutions.
Eleanor Laws KC's specialism includes pre charge advice and representation with a view to halting proceedings, representing high profile clients through to trial and representing youths and young adults under police investigation and /or subject to school/university proceedings.
Eleanor Laws KC conducts post-conviction reviews of convictions where she has not been trial counsel: Recent successes in the Court of Appeal include: R v Mehta, R v Lloyd Phillips, R v Katira.
Eleanor Laws KC is a member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association.
Eleanor sits as a part-time Judge in the Crown Court and is authorised sit at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).
Experience
An undisputed leader in the field of serious crime, Eleanor has experience of cases involving drugs, violence, cruelty, murder and the full gamut of sexual offences including: trafficking; assault; abuse and rape and historical allegations of the same. She is recognised for her skill in cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses and the treatment thereof. Her work is invariably complex and high profile.
Eleanor’s experience at the highest level has made her the counsel of choice for professionals and those with a public profile. She has represented senior figures in education and various healthcare professions as well as people in the media spotlight.
Notable cases include: highly publicised sex trafficking cases such as the Oxford sex trafficking case; acting as Specialist Advisory Counsel in the Jersey Child Abuse cases; and cases arising out of the recent North Wales Children’s Homes Inquiry.
Eleanor is regularly instructed pre-charge to advise high-profile clients facing police investigation where engaging her at the earliest stage of the criminal process has frequently resulted in an investigation being dropped, promptly concluding any distress that the client has naturally experienced and ultimately maintaining the privacy of the individual, important to all clients and particularly crucial to those in the public eye.
She has been instructed to defend in a number of murder cases, defending youths on murder charges in cases involving gang violence and fatal stabbings.
Eleanor is also frequently instructed to conduct hearings at the latter stage of the process. She has acted in sentences and appeals where she has not conducted the criminal trial. Her knowledge and presence, particularly in the field of serious sexual offences, make her the obvious choice for those who hope to achieve the best where they have been disappointed before.
Eleanor is uniquely liked and respected by associates, partners, junior barristers, her peers and the Judiciary; she has a manner that makes you immediately feel at ease and part of a very effective team.
Eleanor is co-author of the Sexual Offences Referencer, the go-to book for specialist criminal practioners. (3rd edition 2022).
Eleanor is a Recorder with a serious sexual offences ticket. She impresses the market with her vast knowledge and its application in the criminal courts.
Drawing on her considerable experience of high-profile cases, Eleanor is at the forefront of educating the Bar and outside agencies (including police, medical practitioners, the National Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation Online Protection Agency) on the treatment of vulnerable witnesses. She is an External Advocacy Trainer for CPS Grades 2-4, and recently assisted in compiling a training programme for the treatment of vulnerable witnesses as part of the launch of the Advocate's Gateway. She is part of HHJ Rook QC's Working Group whose task is to develop advocacy training for cases involving sex offences and vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She has lectured to the Criminal Bar Association and members of the South East Circuit on false memory, advocacy in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, and disclosure in criminal cases. She was appointed by the Council of the Inns of Court to chair the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal Hearings and she is an elected committee member of the Criminal Bar Association. She is currently involved in various education and compliance projects to assist those in exposed positions.
Eleanor was invited to attend an all-party parliamentary inquiry into the treatment of vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and also took part in Sarah Champion MP’s inquiry into sexual exploitation legislation. She also assisted with Keir Starmer QC’s Victims’ Taskforce to examine victims’ rights.
The work that Eleanor does for her specialist field is remarkable and her practice reflects this.
Notable Cases
Benjamin Mendy
Eleanor Laws QC is currently irepresented Benjamin Mendy, Premier League footballer, for sexual allegations. He was unanimously acquitted.Johnny Depp v News Group Newspapers & Dan Wooten
Eleanor Laws QC was instructed to represent Johnny Depp in his libel action against News Group Newspapers and the Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to the film star as a “wife beater”. The article related to allegations made against Mr Depp by Amber Heard, that he was violent towards her during their marriage. Mr Depp strenuously denies the claims.Yousef Makki – Manchester Grammar School murder (2019)
Defended 'Boy B', charged of perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to rob; he was cleared of both.R v Professor Lant (2018)
Represented Professor Ariel Lant, accused of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients; Professor Lant acquitted of all 11 counts.R v Bennell (2018)
Defended former football coach, Barry Bennell, who faced allegations of non-recent sexual abuse of young boys in the 1980s.R v Adam Johnson (2017) EWCA Crim 191
Represented former England footballer Adam Johnson in his application to the Court of Appeal.R v Anglesea (2017)
Prosecuted ex-North Wales Chief Superintendent for serious sexual offences upon two boys.R v ES (2015)
Successfully defended man charged with date rape.R v Janner (2015)
Eleanor Laws QC was instructed by the prosecution.R v LP (2015)
Instructed to review and advise on grounds of appeal.
R v Butler (2015) EWCA Crim 854
Successful response to CCRC referral. Highlighting the limited use to which third party records may be used in an historic case.Operation Pallial (2014-2016)
Eleanor was lead counsel instructed to review and prosecute all cases arising out of Operation Pallial, investigating allegations of child sex abuse in North Wales children’s homes. It is the largest investigation into child abuse in the UK to date.R v Jamil & Others (Oxford sex trafficking cases) (2013)
Successfully defended one of nine defendants.
R v F (2013) EWCA Crim 424
Successfully argued in Court of Appeal that a terminating ruling declaring a vulnerable witness as incompetent be reversed. Witness had learning difficulties and required intermediary and interpreter.Inquiry into the Haut de la Garenne children’s home in Jersey (2010)
Child abuse investigation. Instructed in three cases, all Royal Courts Jersey (2010): Re Jordan, Re Wateridge, Re Donnelly (2010).Reviews
Chambers UK 2023: Crime - Star Individual
Legal 500 2024: Crime - Tier 1
Awarded silk of the year 2020/2021;
‘Eleanor is at the top of the tree when it comes to sexual offences work. She is a warrior and takes no prisoners. On her feet she is excellent - persuasive, calm, picks up on aspects of the evidence and uses this skillfully in cross-examination. Her closing speeches are excellent.' Legal 500 (2024)
'Straight-talking with clients, she is someone with an unparalleled knowledge of sexual offence law. She is excellent all the way through the process. Her pre-charge advice is spot on, her strategic nous well honed, and her jury advocacy formidable. She always excels.' Chambers UK Crime (2023)
‘Eleanor is simply exceptional in all respects. She has an immediate command of any courtroom she attends and the results she achieves speak for themselves.’ Legal 500 (2023)
'She exudes competence and has a proven track record when it comes to sexual misconduct cases.' Chambers UK Crime (2022)
'She is a paragon of sheer class and gravitas, and a very skilled cross-examiner who commands the respect of the court. She is fantastic - an authority for sexual offences.' Chambers UK Crime (2021)
'Pure excellence and a fearsome opponent. An incomparable mix of skilful strategy and gravitas commands the courtroom. She has great emotional intelligence which she deploys to great advantage in order to cross-examine witnesses.' Legal 500 Crime (2021)
‘She has an understated but highly persuasive manner.’ ‘In front of judge and jury she has great presence.’ Chambers UK Crime (2020)
‘Her significant reputation in cases of sexual offending is wholly deserved.’ Legal 500 Crime (2020)
‘One of the leading lights at the Criminal Bar, she is very client-friendly and astute, and clearly knows her subject matter.’ Chambers UK Crime (2019)
‘An expert tactician with unparalleled knowledge.’ Legal 500 Crime (2018)
‘She has made an art form out of cross-examination.’ ‘Has a forensic mind when it comes to pulling apart the issues in a case.’ ‘She is an expert tactician, her legal knowledge is near unparalleled and she has a commanding court presence.’ Chambers UK Crime (2018)
‘No doubt one of the best prosecutors and defenders in sexual cases.’ Legal 500 Crime (2017)
‘Outstanding. Astonishing performance, breathtaking cross-examination and closing speech. I would have thought the go-to silk for all sexual allegations. Brilliant.’ Chambers UK Crime (2017)
‘She is a barrister of the very highest quality scoring high marks in all categories.’ Chambers UK Crime (2016)
‘She is very well prepared and a very good strategist. She has a calm manner that radiates power.’ Chambers UK Crime (2015)
‘Her enormous experience of high-profile cases is always invaluable. Her advice is on point, practical and of the highest quality. She is excellent to work with.’
Recent Cases
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Footballer, Jack Diamond has been cleared of raping a woman with whom he had a casual sexual relationship. Mr Diamond, winger for Sunderland was charged with raping and sexually assaulting the woman at his home in Fatfield, Washington, on 7 May 2022. He...
-
Footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of all charges against him following a re-trial.
Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly represented Benjamin Mendy who faced ten charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. He has now been acquitted of every one of these charges after the jury in his second trial returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.E...
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Marcus Reedman, who had in turn, served as a Commanding Officer of the Royal Gurkha Regiment, Head of the National Security Council Secretariat and Deputy Director of the Government’s Covid-19 task force, was charged with fraud by failing to disclo...
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Mr Mendy has been on trial at Chester Court since August last year. Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) represented the Manchester City footballer who was unanimously acquitted of e...
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Today, a trial is starting at Chester Crown Court of Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy. Eleanor Laws QC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) will be defending the footballer in relation to ...
-
Eleanor Laws QC was instruct to represented Gene Gallagher who was facing public order offences. After several days negotiation at the start of the trial, the prosecution offered no evidence against him.The case was widely reported in the media and can be...
-
Eleanor Laws QC successfully represented a man Charged with strangling his wife during the period of a break down in their marriage.
-
Eleanor Laws QC secures the acquittal of a young man charged with Rape at Bristol Crown Court.
-
Eleanor Laws QC was instructed to represented a young man with autism for multiple computer mis use offences and blackmail. Careful preparation of the mitigation bundle led to a substantial reduction in A’s sentence.Counsel was instructed by Ben Bra...
-
Eleanor Laws QC defended a Newcastle University student accused of raping a fellow student in student accommodation. The allegation took 3 years to be tried and the accused was acquitted on Tuesday 13th April 2021.Eleanor was instructed by Paul Morris a...
-
The long time and well-loved chauffeur of Queen guitarist Brian May and his wife Anita Dobson was found not guilty of plying a girl with drugs and alcohol in order to carry out abuse between 1999 and 2006.Mr Philip Webb was found not guilty of three count...
-
A couple are found guilty of fatally poisoning an Irish dancer using a drug known as 'Devil’s Breath' as part of a plot to steal money from men they met on Grindr.The jury returned a majority verdict on all counts for both defendants on Friday 23rd ...
-
Eleanor Laws QC and Rachna Gokani are instructed to represent a British Politician charged with sexual offences.Counsel are instructed by Ellen Peart of BCL LLP and the trial is due to take place in June.
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Yousef Makki, 17, was stabbed to death on the 2nd March in Manchester.
-
Eleanor Laws successfully appealed a conviction in a case involving a sexual allegation made against Dr Rajeshkumar Mehta. Eleanor did not conduct the trial but took over after the conviction and raised several points on appeal. Leave to appeal was initi...
-
Eleanor Laws QC defends Oxford medical student acquitted of rape.Niall McPaul, an Oxford medical student charged with the rape of a fellow student after a party, 20 months before the CPS decided to charge him and was tried and acquitted 2 years 8 months a...
-
John Allen was the owner of a number of care homes in North Wales. Eleanor Laws QC prosecuted him in 2014 and he was convicted in relation of to offences upon 19 victims. In 2019 he was convicted in relation to five victims.Articles are available by the B...
-
Dr J faced serious sexual offences over a 10 year period. The trial involved the review of a substantial volume of social services material, in patient treatment records and court transcripts. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.Eleanor Laws was in...
-
Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended a father accused of serious regular sexual abuse of his own daughter who was committed to a mental health care unit for 9 months and made repeated allegations to mental health professionals during this time and therea...
-
Eleanor Laws QC was instructed to advise on the case of Mr A, a prominent socialite, who faced two sets of complaints: one set of offences in Paris relating to claims of abuse alleged to have taken place in St Barts and Paris, and another allegation from ...
-
Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer represented Professor Ariel Lant who was accused of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients.
-
Eleanor Laws QC led Philip McGhee in the defence of former football coach, Barry Bennell, charged with multiple child sex offences.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended property owner for rape offence.
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Represented professional footballer Adam Johnson in his application to the Court of Appeal.
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Successfully defended nightclub owner for sexual assault.
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Gordon Anglesea was an ex North Wales Chief Superintendent who successfully sued Private Eye and other media organisations for naming him as a paedophile.
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Eleanor Laws QC and Nick Corsellis acted for the prosecution in the trial of Marvyn Iheanacho who beat his five-year-old stepson to death for losing his trainer.
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Eleanor Laws QC defended a man charged with historic sex offences.
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Defended youth against rape allegations; he was acquitted.
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Dr F, consultant physician, charged with the serious sexual assault upon a patient was acquitted today at Isleworth CC.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended a man charged with making 170 indecent images on his computer.
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Successfully defended Veterinary Surgeon for sexually assaulting nurses in his practice.
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Eleanor Laws successfully defended a licenced taxi driver for allegations of sexual assault against a passenger.
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Eleanor Laws QC defended student at Royal Agricultural University accused of rape. Prosecution offered no evidence following defence submissions.
News
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Eleanor Laws KC appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour today to respond to concerns raised by academics published by The Guardian about the fact that students facing serious sexual allegations within university disciplinary proceedings, are e...
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Footballer Benjamin Mendy has been found not guilty of all charges against him following a re-trial.
Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly represented Benjamin Mendy who faced ten charges of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. He has now been acquitted of every one of these charges after the jury in his second trial returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.E...
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Mr Mendy has been on trial at Chester Court since August last year. Eleanor Laws KC and Orla Daly (instructed by Jenny Wiltshire & Peter Csemiczky of Hickman & Rose Solicitors) represented the Manchester City footballer who was unanimously acquitted of e...
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The review is comprehensive and will address juror education, the admission of expert evidence to deal with perceived misconceptions surrounding sexual offences, evidence relating to a complainant’s sexual history & the use of special measures in co...
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Eleanor Laws QC defended a Newcastle University student accused of raping a fellow student in student accommodation. The allegation took 3 years to be tried and the accused was acquitted on Tuesday 13th April 2021.Eleanor was instructed by Paul Morris a...
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Congratulations to Eleanor Laws QC who won Crime Silk of the Year at the annual Chambers and Partners awards which took place on the 19th November.Eleanor has a diverse practice which includes heavyweight and high profile crime. She regularly represents ...
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Tuesday 28th July marks the final day of Johnny Depp's libel action against The Sun's publishers, News Group Newspapers and the Sun's executive editor.Johnny Depp's team make their final arguments in the case against NGN over an article labelling him a "w...
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Eleanor Laws QC is representing Johnny Depp in his libel action against News Group Newspapers and the Sun’s executive editor, Dan Wootton, over an article published in 2018 that referred to the film star as a “wife beater”. The trial be...
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Eleanor Laws successfully appealed a conviction in a case involving a sexual allegation made against Dr Rajeshkumar Mehta. Eleanor did not conduct the trial but took over after the conviction and raised several points on appeal. Leave to appeal was initi...
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Eleanor Laws QC delivers training as part of the SEC’s RASSO Programme. She considered the admissibility of expert evidence on memory, and effective strategies in court for addressing rape myths and stereotypes.
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Dr J faced serious sexual offences over a 10 year period. The trial involved the review of a substantial volume of social services material, in patient treatment records and court transcripts. The defendant was acquitted on all charges.Eleanor Laws was in...
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The BBC’s Beyond Today podcast chose to examine the Alex Hepburn rape case, asking what one rape trial can tell us about lad culture and consent.Eleanor Laws QC was invited onto the show to discuss consent and the law.You can listen to the show here...
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Eleanor Law QC represented G who faced allegations of rape.
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Eleanor Laws QC successfully defended Richard Holden, the former special advisor to ex-Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon who was accused of sexual assault. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning unanimous verdicts. Her Honour Judge...
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Professor Ariel Lant, represented by Eleanor Laws QC and Polly Dyer, at Southwark Crown Court, was today acquitted of 11 counts of sexual assault upon 10 ex patients.
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Eleanor Laws QC, one of the Bar Council's Lead Facilitators for Vulnerable Witness Training, will be speaking on the topic of 'Consent' at the CBA's accredited training event for the purposes of joining the approved CPS Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Advocat...
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QEBHW members Eleanor Laws QC and Philip McGhee are defending former youth soccer coach, Barry Bennell, who is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Having admitted seven charges of sexual abuse Bennell has pleaded not guilty to 48 others relating to conduct...
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Advocacy and the Vulnerable training to the Bar at The Inner Temple Training to the RASSO and other CPS Units London on s28 Representing the CBA at the Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference 2017 as a Panel Member for the session ‘A diverse futu...
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QEB Barristers Eleanor Laws QC (instructed by BCL) and Edward Henry (instructed by Shaw Graham Kersh) represented the first and second defendants in the trial of four men accused of rape following the Royal Agricultural University’s May ball in 2014...
Articles
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On the 16th May Eleanor Laws QC and Dr Julia Shaw presented a seminar exploring memories as evidence in legal proceedings.Dr Shaw discussed the science behind false memories, self-deception and how our memory system really works, with consideration given ...
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Eleanor Laws QC considers the case of R v F in the context of the changes in the way that courts are dealing with vulnerable witnesses.
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Eleanor Laws QC delivered a lecture to the CBA in June 2013 on the admissibility of expert evidence on recovered memory in criminal trials.
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