Charles Blatchford > Chambers of Sara Lewis KC > Birmingham, England > Barrister Profile

Charles Blatchford

0121 246 7000 cblatchford@st-philips.com View profile

Work Department

Criminal Group

Position

Specialising in criminal law and regulatory work Charles has a heavyweight practice.  He regularly appears in the most serious types of cases, multi-defendant complex conspiracies, particularly homicide, organised crime groups, drugs supply, historic sexual exploitation and frauds.  Regulatory works includes inquests and covers environmental law, health and safety, food safety and trading standards.

Notable recent cases include: Op Peeredge – junior alone in a gangland murder trial (representing the “Mr Big” according to the Prosecution).  Defendant convicted of assisting an offender.  Op Hazelshot – historic sexual exploitation trial in Newcastle. R v MD – defending sexual assault where defendant’s DNA and saliva present on complainant’s breast – Defendant acquitted because it was established that the complainant had plotted the allegation and planted the evidence.

Inquests – Deepcut – Representing the former Commanding Officer of the Deepcut barracks who was in command at the time when the deaths of 2 soldiers occurred.  Sole junior counsel, all other parties represented by silks or a team of senior junior counsel.

Charles also undertakes direct access work and appears regularly in the Magistrates Court on private driving matters.  Charles is able to fully represent both serving and ex-members of the armed forces due to his knowledge of the workings of the military.

Career

Called 1997, Inner Temple
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer – Solicitor (1999)
HM Army 2000-2008 (Army Legal Services – Major)
Hargreaves Services plc – In-house counsel 2008-2010
Self-employed bar 2011-

Languages

French (basic)

Memberships

North Eastern Circuit
Midlands Circuit
Criminal Bar Association
ARDL

Education

Durham University BSc (hons)
University of Westminster (GDL)
ISCL

Leisure

Literature, movies, cooking, sports events in aid of charity.