"Charlotte Godber is well known in the area. She has good strategic judgement and she is authoritative." Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is very astute and thinks outside the box. She is solution-oriented and brings great knowledge to the area." Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is a fine advocate. A clear thinker who presents her argument with clarity and force." Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2026)
Overview
Charlotte Godber is a mature and impressive barrister. She is an excellent communicator with a conscientious and intelligent approach to every case.
Charlotte’s early career as a Senior Press Officer in the Cabinet Office and No. 10, make her an exceptional and versatile communicator. She has a unique ability to engage with a wide variety of audiences whether that’s a jury, the chair of a public inquiry, or a vulnerable client.
Charlotte is strategic in her approach to each stage of the case no matter how complex or simple the issue – from an international money laundering conspiracy with thousands of pages of evidence, to a fight in a car park captured on CCTV, allegations of sexual assault, driving offences or a public inquiry into a major national incident.
In court Charlotte is respected as a reliable, persuasive and intelligent advocate. She is a highly effective at cross-examination, dealing with expert evidence, conducting legal arguments and making speeches.
Charlotte specialises in crime and public law.
Crime
A talented and conscientious advocate with a reputation for excellent client care from first instructions right through to trial. Charlotte's practice encompasses the full range of criminal offences.
Public Law
Charlotte's intelligent and thorough approach make her a highly sought-after advocate in inquiry and inquest work.
A talented junior with an impressive practice in public law, particularly Public Inquiry work. Charlotte has worked on several of the most high-profile public inquiries including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Manchester Arena Inquiry where she was instructed as Counsel to the Inquiry.
Charlotte is currently instructed on the Covid Inquiry, and the Lampard Inquiry.
Charlotte accepts instructions in Inquests. In 2022, Charlotte juniored for Matthew Reeve KC (Quadrant Chambers) in the Emiliano Sala Inquest.
Reviews
Chambers UK 2026: Inquests and Public Inquiries - Band 5
Legal 500 2026: Inquests and Inquiries - Leading Junior
"Charlotte Godber is well known in the area. She has good strategic judgement and she is authoritative." Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is very astute and thinks outside the box. She is solution-oriented and brings great knowledge to the area." Chambers UK Inquests & Public Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is a fine advocate. A clear thinker who presents her argument with clarity and force." Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is very clear and robust." Chambers UK Inquests and Public Inquiries (2025)
"She is a hard-working and pleasant advocate." Chambers UK Inquests and Inquiries (2024)
Appointments
- Direct Access appointed
- CPS Grade 3 Prosecutor
- Counsel for the Home Office (Asylum and Immigration Appeals)
- Government Legal Department Junior Junior counsel list
- The Youth Justice Legal Centre approved counsel
Professional Memberships
- Women in Criminal Law
- Middle Temple
- Association of London Welsh Lawyers
- Centre for Women's Justice
Publications
Contributed to an investigation by ITV and the Evening Standard into the Single Justice Procedure
- Credited as a researcher in Sentencing for offences of cheating the revenue (R v Michael Richards and others) for LexisNexis (2017).
- Contributed to research for – ‘A Practical Guide to INTERPOL and Red Notices (Bloomsbury)' by Christopher David and Nicholas Hearn.
Education
- LLM Law, BPP University
- BPTC, BPP University (Queen Mother scholar)
- GDL, City Law School
- English BA Hons Queen Mary University (& Berkeley, University of California, USA)
- State school educated (Charlotte is happy to give talks at London state schools for students who are interested in a career in law)
Recent Cases
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Charlotte Godber of QEB Hollis Whiteman is representing Davointe Thomas in an ongoing trial at Inner London Crown Court concerning allegations arising from events said to have occurred at a secure psychiatric unit in April 2022.Mr Thomas denies three coun...
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The prosecution for a historic sexual offences case has been terminated after Charlotte Godber of QEB Hollis Whiteman successfully argues abuse of process. The Defendant, now aged 64, faced thirteen counts of rape and attempted rape dating back to the 199...
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Charlotte Godber, led by David Jeremy KC and instructed by Tom Brymer and Sue Head of Reeds solicitors defends in murder trial at Reading Crown Court. The Defendant had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but this plea was not accepted by the Prosecution.The ...
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Charlotte Godber led by Anne Whyte KC defends in a multi-million pound, international, cryptocurrency money laundering case at Isleworth Crown Court. POCA proceedings are ongoing.
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B was charged with robbery, possession of a knife and grievous bodily harm following a robbery which took place in an alleyway off the Bath Road in Slough at around 9.30pm on 22 November 2022.Mr B denied the charges, asserting that two of the Prosecution&...
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Charlotte Godber represents man acquitted of 10 counts of indecent assault, including buggery, charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956. The defendant, Mr V, was accused of 10 counts of historic sexual assaults dating back over 35 years.Mr V had known t...
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Charlotte is Junior Counsel, instructed by the Directorate of Legal Services for the Metropolitan Police Service.The National Police Chiefs' Council are a Core Participant in the UK Covid 19 Inquiry. The NPCC have Core Participant status for Modules 1 and...
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On 17 September 2020, a drug dealer by the name of Jean Loeike Guei was found dead on Mitcham Common. His body was on fire. He had been killed two days earlier inside the flat of another drug dealer named Raphael Kokkinos. Present with Kokkinos when Guei ...
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Charlotte Godber was junior counsel, instructed by Daniel Machover of Hickman and Rose, and led by Matthew Reeve of Quadrant Chambers in the Inquest into the death of Emiliano Raul Sala. The jury concluded that the tragic death of Emiliano, a 28 year-old ...
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The 28 year old Argentinian footballer was on a private plane travelling to Cardiff when it crashed in the English Channel in January 2019. He was travelling as a result of a multimillion-pound transfer from FC Nantes in France to Cardiff City, Emiliano...
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Member of chambers Tom Kark QC, Edward Henry QC, Tom Orpin-Massey, and Charlotte Godber appear for the defence in a seven-handed murder trial being heard at Reading Crown Court. The case concerns the killing of Luke O’Connell in north Wat
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Dozens of former subpostmasters appealed against their convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, they claim was due to computing errors. Zoe Johnson QC represented the Post Office at the hearing having been engaged to review and consider decision...
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Following a dawn raid at the defendant's home, by over a dozen police officers, Ms N was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply. Ms N made immediate admissions to having a small quantity of cannabis for her personal use. A lump of fud...
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Charlotte Godber is junior counsel to the Manchester Arena Inquiry legal team, instructed by FieldFisher. The independent public inquiry is chaired by Sir John Saunders. It was set up to investigate the deaths of 22 victims, following a terror attack on ...
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Defendant acquitted despite, seemingly damaging DNA evidence.Charlotte Godber represented Mr Sukkar on a charge of robbery. The robbery was in 2009, but DNA evidence connecting Mr Sukkar to the crime only came to light in 2018. Solicitors worked with Mr S...
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Charlotte defended Mr Sale who was adamant that he had not intended to set his block of flats on fire, despite admissions at the scene of "I did it" recorded on Body Worn Video. Mr Sale had a complex mental health history and despite 'lighting the match' ...
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Charlotte Godber was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service for the sentencing hearing of Mr Digpal and Mr Wellings who had pleaded guilty to the s.20A offence of juror misconduct.The case was reported in the press and can be found here.
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Charlotte Godber secured the acquittal of a young man charged with perverting the course of public justice.The case involved a series of s.172 Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) sent first to a hire company, then to the defendant’s mother, and th...
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Charlotte Godber successfully represented a client charged with controlling or coercive behaviour towards her husband.The case involved over 90 minutes of audio recordings, covertly recorded by the husband, and third party material from the family lawyers...
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Charlotte Godber is acting on a direct access basis for a former employee of Celotex; a Core Participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Celotex is a corporate whose RS5000 insulation was a component in the cladding system used on Grenfell Tower. Charlott...
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The defendant was accused of publishing a private image of her former partner.
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Charlotte secured acquittal for woman facing charge of driving without due care and attention.
News
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The Lampard Inquiry is holding further hearings until 15th May at Arundel House and available via live stream. Nicholas Griffin KC is Counsel to the Inquiry, leading Rebecca Harris KC, Thomas Coke-Smyth, Charlotte Godber, Kyan Pucks and Anna Draper of QEB...
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Charlotte Godber, along with three other barristers, independently reviewed 50 cases for the purposes of an investigation by ITV News into the micro miscarriages of justice under Single Justice Procedure.Charlotte commented “Of the millions of peopl...
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Member of chambers Tom Kark QC, Edward Henry QC, Tom Orpin-Massey, and Charlotte Godber appear for the defence in a seven-handed murder trial being heard at Reading Crown Court. The case concerns the killing of Luke O’Connell in north Wat
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Dozens of former subpostmasters appealed against their convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, they claim was due to computing errors. Zoe Johnson QC represented the Post Office at the hearing having been engaged to review and consider decision...
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Charlotte Godber and Zara Brawley have joined Chambers, following successful pupillages.
Corporate and Financial Crime
A professional advocate with a calm, confident approach to complex financial crime.
Overview
Charlotte's experience in this field spans the defence and prosecution of corporates and individuals facing allegations of financial dishonesty. She is adept at collaborating with large teams as well as acting as sole counsel.
Her earliest experience was in conducting an internal investigation into Rolls Royce, with a team at Wilmer Hale. She was subsequently instructed by the FCA to participate in a major investigation into TSB. Most recently she represented an employee of a company on matters relating to fraud by misrepresentation and market fraud, in connection to the Grenfell disaster.
Experience
Prior to joining Chambers, Charlotte gained experience working on an anti-bribery and corruption risk assessment as part of a global compliance review for the major international corporation, Rolls Royce.
Since joining chambers, Charlotte's practice has developed to include instructions by the Bank of England, HMRC and the Financial Conduct Authority, providing advice and assistance on ongoing financial investigations. Charlotte has also assisted in case preparation for individuals facing investigation by the Serious Fraud Office; the Financial Conduct Authority, and; the US Department of Justice.
Charlotte was instructed by the FCA to work on a major investigation into TSB which resulted in a fine of £48,650,000 for operational risk management and governance failures, including management of outsourcing risks, relating to the bank’s IT upgrade programme. She recently prosecuted on behalf of the HMRC in POCA proceedings arising from the illegal sale of tobacco.
Across her work, Charlotte has experience of cross-jurisdictional investigations. She was instructed by the Director of the Criminal Division in Jersey to assess and review issues arising from disclosure.
Her experience of disclosure is vast, she has completed advices and exercises for large corporates as well as for prosecution teams. Charlotte was part of a team to review disclosure for the investigation into failings at the Post Office.
Charlotte enjoys working as sole counsel and as part of a larger team, collaborating and supporting as well as taking the lead. She was a former civil servant and since being called to the Bar has worked on vast Inquiries (Manchester Arena Bombing, Covid-19) and large multi-handed trials (supported the Hatton Garden trial and murder trials). Her experience is diverse and extends beyond her level of call.
Recent Cases
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Charlotte Godber led by Anne Whyte KC defends in a multi-million pound, international, cryptocurrency money laundering case at Isleworth Crown Court. POCA proceedings are ongoing.
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Dozens of former subpostmasters appealed against their convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, they claim was due to computing errors. Zoe Johnson QC represented the Post Office at the hearing having been engaged to review and consider decision...
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A talented and conscientious advocate with a reputation for excellent client care. Charlotte's practice, both publicly and privately funded, encompasses the full range of criminal offences.
Overview
A talented and conscientious advocate with a reputation for excellent client care from initial instruction right through to trial. Charlotte's practice encompasses the full range of criminal offences.
Charlotte is an approachable and highly intelligent advocate with a professional and realistic approach. In court Charlotte has a reputation as an impressive jury advocate with excellent judgement and a confident, persuasive manner.
Charlotte can be relied on to apply the same conscientious, intellectual rigour to every case. This reliable approach, combined with her ability to communicate and engage with clients, make her a very popular advocate.
Charlotte is also well regarded as a conscientious and scrupulously fair prosecutor. Her meticulous preparation and engagement with the issues early on in a case make her a highly effective Crown advocate.
Charlotte also has Court of Appeal experience including receiving instructions from the Registrar.
Experience
Charlotte applies the same conscientious, intellectual rigour to every case. This reliable approach, combined with her ability to communicate and engage with clients, make her a sought-after advocate.
Recent cases include sexual assaults, rape, murder (led by Ali Bajwa KC) robbery, burglary, possession with intent to supply (drugs), coercive or controlling behaviour, assault, ABH, GBH, arson, juror misconduct, driving offences, and perverting the course of justice.
Recent Cases
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Charlotte Godber of QEB Hollis Whiteman is representing Davointe Thomas in an ongoing trial at Inner London Crown Court concerning allegations arising from events said to have occurred at a secure psychiatric unit in April 2022.Mr Thomas denies three coun...
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The prosecution for a historic sexual offences case has been terminated after Charlotte Godber of QEB Hollis Whiteman successfully argues abuse of process. The Defendant, now aged 64, faced thirteen counts of rape and attempted rape dating back to the 199...
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B was charged with robbery, possession of a knife and grievous bodily harm following a robbery which took place in an alleyway off the Bath Road in Slough at around 9.30pm on 22 November 2022.Mr B denied the charges, asserting that two of the Prosecution&...
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Charlotte Godber represents man acquitted of 10 counts of indecent assault, including buggery, charged under the Sexual Offences Act 1956. The defendant, Mr V, was accused of 10 counts of historic sexual assaults dating back over 35 years.Mr V had known t...
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On 17 September 2020, a drug dealer by the name of Jean Loeike Guei was found dead on Mitcham Common. His body was on fire. He had been killed two days earlier inside the flat of another drug dealer named Raphael Kokkinos. Present with Kokkinos when Guei ...
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Member of chambers Tom Kark QC, Edward Henry QC, Tom Orpin-Massey, and Charlotte Godber appear for the defence in a seven-handed murder trial being heard at Reading Crown Court. The case concerns the killing of Luke O’Connell in north Wat
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Dozens of former subpostmasters appealed against their convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, they claim was due to computing errors. Zoe Johnson QC represented the Post Office at the hearing having been engaged to review and consider decision...
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Following a dawn raid at the defendant's home, by over a dozen police officers, Ms N was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply. Ms N made immediate admissions to having a small quantity of cannabis for her personal use. A lump of fud...
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Defendant acquitted despite, seemingly damaging DNA evidence.Charlotte Godber represented Mr Sukkar on a charge of robbery. The robbery was in 2009, but DNA evidence connecting Mr Sukkar to the crime only came to light in 2018. Solicitors worked with Mr S...
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Charlotte defended Mr Sale who was adamant that he had not intended to set his block of flats on fire, despite admissions at the scene of "I did it" recorded on Body Worn Video. Mr Sale had a complex mental health history and despite 'lighting the match' ...
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Charlotte Godber was instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service for the sentencing hearing of Mr Digpal and Mr Wellings who had pleaded guilty to the s.20A offence of juror misconduct.The case was reported in the press and can be found here.
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Charlotte Godber secured the acquittal of a young man charged with perverting the course of public justice.The case involved a series of s.172 Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) sent first to a hire company, then to the defendant’s mother, and th...
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Charlotte Godber successfully represented a client charged with controlling or coercive behaviour towards her husband.The case involved over 90 minutes of audio recordings, covertly recorded by the husband, and third party material from the family lawyers...
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The defendant was accused of publishing a private image of her former partner.
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Charlotte secured acquittal for woman facing charge of driving without due care and attention.
News
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Charlotte Godber, along with three other barristers, independently reviewed 50 cases for the purposes of an investigation by ITV News into the micro miscarriages of justice under Single Justice Procedure.Charlotte commented “Of the millions of peopl...
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On 17 September 2020, a drug dealer by the name of Jean Loeike Guei was found dead on Mitcham Common. His body was on fire. He had been killed two days earlier inside the flat of another drug dealer named Raphael Kokkinos. Present with Kokkinos when Guei ...
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Member of chambers Tom Kark QC, Edward Henry QC, Tom Orpin-Massey, and Charlotte Godber appear for the defence in a seven-handed murder trial being heard at Reading Crown Court. The case concerns the killing of Luke O’Connell in north Wat
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Regulatory
A skilled advocate with a keen interest and aptitude for all aspects of regulatory law.
Overview
Charlotte has a family background in medicine and has an interest in all medical regulatory work. She has previously been instructed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Charlotte has represented medical professionals in the coroner’s court.
As a keen and accomplished sportswoman Charlotte has an interest in all sports tribunal work. Charlotte has been instructed by the Football Association and advised UK Anti-doping.
Experience
Charlotte has a broad experience of medical regulatory work. She has been instructed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and has assisted on General Optical Council and General Dental Council disciplinary cases.
Charlotte is instructed in professional regulatory matters, presenting cases on behalf of regulators in addition to accepting instructions defending professionals. Charlotte often deals with cases involving allegations of deficient professional performance.
With vast criminal experience, both defending and prosecuting, Charlotte is well placed to take instructions in professional regulatory cases where there is a cross-over with criminal law.
Charlotte was instructed by the IOPC as independent counsel to review and provide advice on material that may be subject to legal professional privilege in two separate investigations. Charlotte was instructed to identify and assess all material on various electronic devices The review involved accessing forensic downloads, using the Cellebrite software programme. The investigations involved criminal investigations and allegations of gross misconduct.
Charlotte has assisted members of Chambers on sports regulatory cases and is keen to develop this area of her practice. Charlotte contributed to a ‘Review of the Criminalisation of Doping in Sport’, and continues to monitor international developments in this area.
Inquests, Inquiries and Public Law
Charlotte's intelligent and thorough approach make her a highly sought-after advocate in inquiry and inquest work.
Overview
A talented junior with an impressive practice in public law, particularly Public Inquiry work. Charlotte is currently instructed on the Covid-19 Inquiry, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Charlotte was previously instructed on the Manchester Arena Inquiry for Counsel to the Inquiry.
Experience
Charlotte has developed an impressive practice particularly in Public Inquiry work. She has worked on several of the most high-profile public inquiries including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the Manchester Arena Inquiry where she was instructed as Counsel to the Inquiry.
Charlotte Godber was instructed by the Directorate of Legal Services for the Metropolitan Police Service to represent the National Police Chiefs' Council in the Covid Inquiry. The National Police Chiefs' Council are a Core Participant in the UK Covid 19 Inquiry. The NPCC have Core Participant status for Modules 1 and 2 of the Inquiry.
Charlotte was then separately instructed by the Police Service Northern Ireland to advise and represent them as lead counsel in Modules 5 and 7 of the Inquiry. Charlotte drafted statements and worked with the counsel team to advise on disclosure, written submissions, opening and closing statements to the Inquiry. Charlotte also attended the Inquiry during the public hearings.
Charlotte is currently instructed on the Lampard Inquiry.
Prior to studying law, Charlotte worked in the Cabinet Office and No.10 Communications department. This role included working on the Iraq ('Chilcot') Inquiry.
Charlotte has represented families and medical professionals at inquests.
In a high profile inquest into the death of a young footballer, Emiliano Sala, Charlotte was instructed by the family and worked with an aviation specialist Matthew Reeve KC (of Quadrant Chambers).
Reviews
Legal 500 2026: Inquests and Inquiries - Leading Junior
Chambers UK 2025: Inquests and Public Inquiries - Band 5
"Charlotte is a fine advocate. A clear thinker who presents her argument with clarity and force." Legal 500 Inquests and Inquiries (2026)
"Charlotte is very clear and robust." Chambers UK Inquests and Public Inquiries (2025)
Recent Cases
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Charlotte is Junior Counsel, instructed by the Directorate of Legal Services for the Metropolitan Police Service.The National Police Chiefs' Council are a Core Participant in the UK Covid 19 Inquiry. The NPCC have Core Participant status for Modules 1 and...
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Charlotte Godber was junior counsel, instructed by Daniel Machover of Hickman and Rose, and led by Matthew Reeve of Quadrant Chambers in the Inquest into the death of Emiliano Raul Sala. The jury concluded that the tragic death of Emiliano, a 28 year-old ...
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The 28 year old Argentinian footballer was on a private plane travelling to Cardiff when it crashed in the English Channel in January 2019. He was travelling as a result of a multimillion-pound transfer from FC Nantes in France to Cardiff City, Emiliano...
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Dozens of former subpostmasters appealed against their convictions for theft, fraud and false accounting, they claim was due to computing errors. Zoe Johnson QC represented the Post Office at the hearing having been engaged to review and consider decision...
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Charlotte Godber is junior counsel to the Manchester Arena Inquiry legal team, instructed by FieldFisher. The independent public inquiry is chaired by Sir John Saunders. It was set up to investigate the deaths of 22 victims, following a terror attack on ...
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Charlotte Godber is acting on a direct access basis for a former employee of Celotex; a Core Participant in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Celotex is a corporate whose RS5000 insulation was a component in the cladding system used on Grenfell Tower. Charlott...
News
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The Lampard Inquiry is holding further hearings until 15th May at Arundel House and available via live stream. Nicholas Griffin KC is Counsel to the Inquiry, leading Rebecca Harris KC, Thomas Coke-Smyth, Charlotte Godber, Kyan Pucks and Anna Draper of QEB...
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