Ravinder Saimbhi

Work Department

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Bribery and Corruption
• Confiscation
• Crime
• Defence
• Drugs
• Financial Crime & Fraud
• Murder & Manslaughter
• Prison & Parole Boards
• Prosecution
• Road Traffic & Motoring
• Sexual Offences
• Violent Crime

About

• Introduction
• Notable Cases
• Qualifications
• Memberships
• Testimonials
• Languages

Position

Introduction

Ravinder has been involved in the Justice system since 1992 when she began her legal training at a well known firm of solicitors as part of the crime team. Ravinder obtained her higher rights of audience in 2004 and went on to represent clients across the full range of criminal cases for over 16 years as a consultant solicitor advocate to numerous high-profile firms.

In 2016 Ravinder cross-qualified to the Bar and began full-time practice taking on cases at all levels from road traffic cases to allegations of murder.   

Ravinder’s long established reputation led to her being approached to take part in a ground-breaking legal documentary titled “The Accused” made by Brinkworth Films and aired on Channel 5 on 31st July 2017. This documentary, made with the full consent of the accused, follows the progress of an individual accused of fraud and stealing the life savings of an elderly woman customer at the bank where he worked. It is still available on the Channel 5 Catch-up MY5. The programme shows Ravinder working together with Greg Stewart, her instructing solicitor at GT Stewart, preparing the defence and undertaking the detailed evidential analysis the case required. The documentary provides an unprecedented opportunity to see the detail of case preparation from behind the scenes and to see the teamwork that goes into ensuring that a client receives the detailed and committed representation that is essential to our system.

“An intimate, gripping study of the justice system at work” – The Guardian

“Thought-provoking documentary” – The Express

“An extraordinary programme” – The Express

“This is psychology in the raw” – The Daily Mail

“The sobering reality of being charged with a crime” – Legal Cheek

“The best law themed show of 2017 so far” – Legal Cheek

Ravinder is always in demand and examples of cases she had been instructed in recently are set out in the Notable Cases section of the website.

Ravinder is approachable, clear-minded and always goes the extra mile for each client she represents. Although Ravinder is often instructed on behalf of the Defence she does prosecute on occasions and her experience of all sides of an argument informs her approach to each and every case.   

Since joining Chambers, Ravinder has continued to build on her existing profile and has extended the range of cases she covers to include professional discipline  and cases involving children and families.

Career

Notable Cases

Three examples of cases Ravinder has dealt with in 2017:

i.R v JZ (2017)
This case involved an allegation of s18 Wounding with intent by Mr Z. He had been involved in an incident outside a nightclub as a result of which he had hit the complainant with a single punch resulting in a severe brain injury. Mr Z was an extremely vulnerable young man, suffering with paranoid schizophrenia and PTSD. The case was contested on the basis of self defence on the part of the defendant, who it was submitted had an honest but mistaken belief of the need to defend himself caused by the mental health issues.

Psychiatric expert evidence was called on these issues and my Mr K was subsequently acquitted by a jury after trial and immediately released after a significant period in custody on remand. Read more here. 

R v JM (2017)
Mr M was a man of good character, accused of committing a serious sexual assault against a young man at a leisure centre. A purported admission had been filmed by the complainant and passed to the police.

The case was defenced on the basis that the allegation was a false and malicious one made by a complainant who, having propositioned the defendant and been refused, went on to attempt to threaten and blackmail him into giving him  money by making a false claim. The case required sensitive but robust cross examination of the complainant and a diligent approach to taking all points which supported the client’s case.

Mr M was acquitted by a jury after a full trial and released immediately from custody.

R v EA (2017)
Mr A was a man accused by 2 separate complainants of historic sexual abuse allegations when the young women had been aged 6 and 8. There was a complicated back story involving their mothers who were sisters and with whom he had been intimately involved for a number of years. The complainants were cousins and the daughters of these women.

His defence was that these young women had made allegations which were false and may have been motivated by a potential number of reasons, the exact nature of which he could not be sure.

The case involved skilled and sensitive cross examination of the complainants and appropriate use of legal arguments being utilised where necessary.

Mr A was acquitted of all counts by a jury after a full trial and was able to leave court with his good character intact.

Testimonials

What others say about Ravinder:
“A joy to work with. Ravinder matches her excellent client care skills with tactical nous to be an obvious choice  in the most difficult of cases” Matthew Hardcastle, Associate, Kingsley Napley LLP

“I know my clients are in safe hands with Ravinder. She is bright, hardworking, enthusiastic, professional and achieves excellent results. She is great with clients and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Ravinder as an advocate.” Elena Papamichael, Trainee solicitor at Hodge, Jones and Allen solicitors

“I have had the pleasure of instructing Ravinder Saimbhi on a number of cases. Not only was she extremely professional and knowledgeable, as you would expect, she went far beyond the normal level of service. I have had great feedback from clients about her manner and warmth of understanding of their plight. I am always happy when I obtain her services and am sure that the client will have the best possible team in their defence.” Peter Boyle, ILEX at GT Stewart Solicitors, Dartford

“Ravinder is a very hardworking and dedicated advocate.  She is always well prepared and her client care is excellent, approachable but also straight talking when needed.” Sophie Smith, Senior Supervisor and HCA! GT Stewart solicitors, Croydon

“I have worked with Ravinder on several cases of varying degrees of seriousness and am always impressed at the level of professionalism and care she puts into each one. Clients and family members alike have only ever returned positive feedback regarding Ravinder’s handling of the case and her tenacity in court, and she is always at the top of my list when it comes to instructing counsel.” Kevin Williams, GT Stewart solicitors, Blackfriars

“Ravinder is appreciated by both lay clients and instructing solicitors, and for good reason – she’s very personable, works tirelessly and has a strategic legal mind. I would not hesitate to instruct her on my next big case.” Leigh Webber, solicitor and HCA, GT Stewart solicitors, Camberwell

“Excellent result, well done Ravinder. I’m sure the client was very happy” Jenna Chaplin, ABV solicitors 

Languages

Fluent Punjabi

Memberships

Middle Temple

Criminal Bar Association

South Eastern Circuit

Education

LLB (Hons) Nottingham Trent University

LPC 1997 College of  Law

2004,  Higher Rights of Audience

2016 cross qualified at the Bar of England and Wales,  

Called to Bar of England and Wales,  Middle Temple