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Crime

David Bentley KC

David Bentley KC

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Doughty Street Chambers

Doughty Street Chambers is renowned as ‘a leading set full of barristers who know their craft and are renowned for their unwavering commitment to justice’. James Wood KC, known for his ability to ’ability to exude a subtly in his advocacy’ , is a formidable member of the set, having recently represented two men who were retried for murder in December 2024 after a successful reference from the Criminal Cases Review Commission to the Court of Appeal. The set has notable expertise in terrorism cases: David Bentley KC represented a right-wing extremist, who was sentenced to a hospital order after an assassination attempt on a high-profile immigration solicitor, while turning to the set's juniors, Kate O’Raghallaigh , as a junior alone, is instructed to represent the first defendant on the indictment in a case concerning an attack by now-proscribed organisation Palestine Action on defence contractor Elbit Systems, in which it is alleged that £2.2m of damage was done and security guards were attacked with sledgehammers.
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Profile

Work Department

Criminal Law and AppealsBusiness Crime and InvestigationsInquests and Public InquiriesInternational Criminal Law

Position

David Bentley KC, joint head of the Crime team, is a highly regarded criminal defence specialist, whose practice encompasses a wide range of serious and complex crimes, including murder, terrorism, fraud, business crime and sexual offences.

In addition to his trial work, he has an extensive local and international appeals practice.

David has recognised expertise in dealing with DNA and other areas of forensic evidence.

He also acts in inquests – particularly where issues of police misconduct arise.

Career

Year of Call: 1984; Gray’s Inn; Year of Silk: 2013.

Publications of note: article on recent developments in money laundering in Archbold News; ‘Fair trial’ chapter in ’Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime’ (OUP); ‘Developments in DNA law/practice’. Archbold News, February 2011.

Memberships

CBA, South East Circuit, INQUEST, The Fraud Lawyers Association.

Education

Bedford School; London University (1982 LLB (Hons)).

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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'A leading set full of barristers who know their craft and are renowned for their unwavering commitment to justice'
  • 'Great set with brilliant barristers covering all aspects of crime. They are my most used chambers at present for overall quality and service. '
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers is a leading set full of barristers who know their craft and are renowned for their unwavering commitment to justice. A set that I would instruct again and again.'
  • 'Doughty Street is a highly experienced and extremely respected set of Chambers. '
  • 'One of London's super chambers, the clerks room does great work to keep things moving smoothly.'
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers has a rich history as leaders in the human rights filed. The set's commitment to pro bono legal representation in capital cases marks them out as a special set committed to the rule of law and equality of justice. '
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers is renowned for its expertise in criminal law, with a strong emphasis on human rights and civil liberties.'
  • 'It is a reliable, dependable set, full of bright and driven barristers, led by an excellent clerks room.'