Charles Austin-Groome
Year of Call
2021
Education
- Law LLB, University of Birmingham 2016-2019
- Very Competent – Bar Practice Training Course, BPP 2020-2021
Attained the second highest mark for criminal advocacy at BPP countrywide (2020)
Areas of Work
Prior to life at the Bar, Charlie worked as a paralegal at Blackfords (crime). He was directly involved in the preparation of serious criminal cases. In addition to his own case load of general crime matters, Charlie spent many months assisting with the preparation of materials and argument on behalf of a number of clients represented by the firm in the Grenfell Inquiry. He also drafted several letters of representation regarding data deletion requests and private TFL prosecutions. They have all resulted in out-of-court disposals.
Charlie prosecutes and defends in cases involving sexual offences, drugs, offensive weapons and other criminal matters. He is currently instructed in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court. Charlie has represented the Nursing and Midwifery Council on several occasions but also deals with complex POCA and enforcement matters.
Cases:-
R v M [Central Criminal Court] - Sole prosecution counsel in a two-week trial at the Old Bailey. The case related to 23 historic allegations of violence. Guilty verdicts were returned on all counts.
R v P [Norwich Crown Court] - Charlie successfully represented a lay-client charged with s.20 Grievous Bodily Harm (Wounding). After a four-day trial, the defendant was found not guilty.
R v L [Bradford Crown Court] - Instructed at trial to defend in a four-week conspiracy to defraud.
R v B [Maidstone Crown Court] - Prosecuted at sentence what was a multi-handed attempted murder charge.
R v P [Kingston Crown Court] - Charlie was instructed as sole counsel to prosecute a domestic violence ABH trial. There were 7 counts. The trial lasted 6 days. The case involved a full day’s legal argument, 2500 pages of text messages, 330 exhibits and several live witnesses.
The jury returned guilty verdicts.
R v B [Ipswich] - Prosecuted a three-day s.49 RIPA offence of failing to disclose information. It was the first effective s.49 trial at Ipswich Crown Court.
R v I [Maidstone Crown Court] - POCA - Charlie represented a defendant who faced confiscation proceedings involving a £500,000 international smuggling fraud. After legal submissions, the defendant was found not to have held any interest in the smuggled goods. The defendant was ordered to pay £1.
R v T [Woolwich Crown Court] - Defended a client charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis and two counts of assault against emergency workers. Not guilty verdicts on two out of three counts were returned.
R v W [Southwark Crown Court] - Charlie prosecuted a four-day robbery trial involving multiple witnesses. The jury returned a guilty verdict.
NMC v S [Nurse and Midwifery Council] - Represented the NMC in a nine-day hearing. The case involved legal argument, multiple witnesses and 29 allegations of wrongdoing.
R v G [Horsham Magistrates’ Court] - Successful defence of Insulate Britain protests - Acted in the interests of seven protesters who had glued themselves to the M25. All seven were acquitted of unlawful obstruction following a Human Rights defence.
Mr Charles Austin-Groome is regulated by the Bar Standards Board, holds a current practising certificate and his details can be found on the BSB’s Barrister Register https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/regulatory-requirements/the-barristers'-register/
Mr Charles Austin-Groome holds insurance cover for all legal services supplied through professional indemnity insurance with the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF) The coverage is worldwide subject to their terms which are available on their website https://www.barmutual.co.uk/
Mr Charles Austin-Groome is registered with the Information Commissioners office under the Data Protection Act https://ico.org.uk/
If you are not satisfied with the service that Mr Charles Austin-Groome provides you can make a complaint to Chambers. Information on Chambers Complaints Procedure is available on Chambers website www.9kbw.com/about-us/complaints-procedure
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from Chambers you may complain to the Legal Ombudsman (This must be done within the time limits set out) The contact details can be found on the Legal Ombudsman’s website http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/
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