Kate Chanter

Kate is a criminal litigator and advocate with experience in representing individuals throughout all stages of criminal proceedings.

Kate joined BCL from a large London based firm. She qualified as a solicitor in 2015 and originally joined the Serious and General Crime team here at BCL in 2017. Her criminal defence practice involves representing individuals for a wide range of offences; from minor public order and assaults through to fraud and serious sexual offences. Kate is experienced in representing those detained at, or voluntarily attending the police station for interview under caution. Kate has particular expertise in the drafting of written representations to the police and to the Crown Prosecution Service in respect of charging decisions; which can avoid prosecution and result in no further action, or lead to a case being discontinued following a charging decision.

Kate also has experience in representing individuals facing disciplinary action by Universities and other educational bodies, for matters which may also form the basis of a criminal investigation.

Kate recently spent two years working as a Complex Casework Lawyer at the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, working closely with the Registrar of Criminal Appeals. She was responsible for the case management of applications to appeal against conviction, considering and providing advice to the judiciary as to the lawfulness of sentences, and preparing summaries for the Full Court hearing an appeal. Kate was also one of the two lawyers assigned to co-ordinate the 2022 Whole Life Order ‘Special Court’. This was a five judge constitution, presided over by the Lord Chief Justice, which considered the sentences of four offenders convicted of murder and manslaughter. These included the high-profile case of Wayne Couzens. (R v Stewart, Couzens, Tustin and Hughes [2022] EWCA Crim 1063).

Kate returned to BCL in July 2023, bringing with her the considerable experience which she gained in appellate work, through her role at the Court of Appeal.

Kate graduated from Nottingham Trent University (LLB Hons) with first class honours before continuing her studies in London.

Professional Memberships:

• Law Society
• London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association
• Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum
• Women in Criminal Law (Committee member)