Ellen Peart

Partner

Ellen is the Head of the Serious & General Crime team at BCL. Since being appointed to the partnership in 2010, she has specialised in serious, general and complex criminal work.

Ellen is ranked as a Band 1 leader in her field by Chambers & Partners, as a Leading Individual in the Legal 500 and features in the Spear’s 500 top recommended lawyers for criminal law.

"Ellen Peart is described as a ‘secret weapon’ who ‘inspires total confidence from her clients’ and is a ‘phenomenal team player.’ She comes highly recommended for her expert representation of high-profile clients, particularly those facing serious sexual and violent offence charges.”

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“Ellen Peart is a force to be reckoned with. A bit like a smiling assassin – so incredibly personable and friendly that her opponents don’t realise just how brilliant she is until it’s too late. When it comes to client care, there is really no one better. Who I would go to if I was in trouble. Phenomenally good. Her reputation within the profession for getting incredible results is absolutely deserved and her success rate reflects her hard-work, her tenacity, her experience and the undeniable star quality that sets her apart.”

Her practice has a particular focus on the representation of individuals facing allegations of serious sexual offences but her practice also covers matters such as assault, homicide, dishonesty, harassment, firearms and computer misuse. She has extensive experience representing high-profile individuals and is well-versed in dealing with parallel reputation management matters alongside other teams.

Ellen is frequently instructed at the earliest stages of an investigation to provide specialist strategic police station advice. She is skilled at making written representations to the Crown Prosecution Service under pre-charge engagement that no further action should be taken.

She has a special interest in Court of Appeal cases where she has successfully advised clients who have sought a second opinion post-conviction and sentence.

She has vast experience in representing young people and students who face school or university investigations. She is also accomplished in advising broadcasters concerning pre-production and post-production matters.

Notable Cases:

  • High-profile hedge fund manager acquitted of sexual assault following trial in 2021;
  • High-profile individual under police investigation as part of Operation Yewtree; no further action taken;
  • High-profile individual under police investigation as part of Operation Midland; no further action taken;
  • Member of Parliament whose conviction was quashed at the Crown Court for a racially aggravated public order offence;
  • Former Member of Parliament in respect of multiple sexual allegations;
  • Member of Parliament in respect of a private prosecution for misconduct in public office - summons overturned;
  • Newspaper magnate in relation to historical sexual offences who was acquitted after trial;
  • TV personality in relation to a private prosecution by a local council for fraud who was acquitted after trial;
  • Undergraduate at a University disciplinary investigation concerning allegations of sexual misconduct resulting in costs being awarded against the University;
  • Premier League footballer in relation to public order offences – no further action taken;
  • Teacher charged with historic sexual offences spanning over 20 years;
  • Student charged with murder who was acquitted after trial;
  • Army officer charged with manslaughter who was acquitted after trial;
  • Doctor in relation to FGM offences;
  • Student charged with attempted murder found not guilty by reason of insanity after trial;
  • Teaching assistant charged with historic sexual offences who was acquitted after trial;
  • City individual charged with offences in relation to possession and distribution of IIOC – prosecution offered no evidence;
  • Student in relation to appeal against conviction for conspiracy to supply Class A; conviction quashed;
  • Student in relation to successful appeal against sentence for possession of disguised stun gun;
  • Schoolboy under investigation following the advent of the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ movement – the matter was no further actioned;
  • Businessman in relation to deletion of caution for assault (and thereafter obtaining compensation from the Metropolitan Police);
  • Businessman in relation to allegations of non-fatal strangulation – the prosecution offered no evidence;
  • Young mother and influencer under investigation for offences of modern slavery. No further action taken following representations made to the CPS.

Publications/Speaking:

Ellen is often invited to present on issues relating to serious sexual allegations, particularly where there are parallel regulatory issues and workplace investigations.

  • ‘Strategies for Investigating and Defending Allegations of Executive Wrongdoing’ (June 2024) IFSEA (the International Forum of Senior Executive Advisers)
  • ‘Dealing Responsibly with Historical Sexual Misconduct Allegations against senior executives and founders’ (March 2023) IFSEA
  • ‘SRA Sexual Misconduct Guidance - What Lawyers and Firms Need to Know’ (October 2022)
  • ‘Senior Executives, Sexual Harassment and NDAs’ (June 2022) IFSEA
  • ‘How to conduct a sensitive workplace investigation with a parallel police investigation’ (April 2022) Employment Lawyers Association Briefing
  • ‘The HNW Client & Financial Crime Investigations – a Multiplicity of Threats’. (February 2021) Chambers and Partners High Net Worth UK

Professional Memberships:

  • Women in Criminal Law
  • The London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association
  • Howard League for Penal Reform
  • The Law Society
  • IFSEA

Education:

Ellen was admitted as a solicitor in 2002 after obtaining a Joint Honours degree in Law with French from the University of Leeds. Ellen spent the third year of her degree at the University of Strasbourg studying French law where she obtained the Diplôme de Français Juridique.

She is top of the market. She is without doubt one of the best criminal solicitors in the game. She tends to be involved with private, high-profile celebrities, high net worth individuals and all sorts of people. She is charming, fantastic, very tough when she needs to be but great at negotiating the way with more difficult clients. She is the complete deal.

Chambers UK, 2023

Ellen is an excellent lawyer. She is an impressive individual.

Chambers UK, 2023

I go straight to Ellen if I have any cases of a sexual nature.

Chambers UK, 2023

She’s always available and very responsive. We’re always happy to recommend her.

Chambers UK, 2023

She is doing a fantastic job in a really competitive market. Ellen is super and has done brilliantly.

Chambers UK, 2023

She is fantastic. I couldn’t say enough good things about her.

Chambers UK, 2023

She is always available and very responsive.

Chambers UK, 2023

Ellen is without doubt one of the best criminal solicitors in the game.

Chambers UK, 2023

Ellen Peart is top of the list of solicitors to recommend for high profile and high net worth defendants. She is discreet and sensitive, but always provides pragmatic and correct advice. Clients trust her to find solutions, and they are never disappointed.

Legal 500, 2023

Ellen is highly experienced. She has dealt with very high-profile matters with great calm and, indeed, success.

Chambers HNW, 2022

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