Timothy Raggatt QC

Introduction:

After two years training bar final students Timothy joined the Birmingham Bar in 1974 and thereafter practised as a junior in Birmingham until taking Silk in 1993 then moving chambers to London

Timothy practises in all areas of criminal law but particularly murder, serious fraud, drug related offences, arson and serious sexual offences cases. He is also authorised to try all Serious Sexual Offences in his capacity as a Crown Court Recorder .

Timothy has appeared in a large number of complex and serious trials in the West Midlands and South East and in  particular has been at the very forefront of most of the leading cases involving “Black on Black” gun crime in the West Midlands.

Timothy also played a central part as Leading Counsel in the recent evolution of the law of evidence on key witness protection issues such as anonymity and special protection measures advising the police in the Midlands on overall policy as well as on a case by case basis. 

During recent years Timothy has been instructed all over the country in centres such as Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and London. Timothy has a defence practise that geographically covers most of the country; he also prosecutes for the CPS in the Midlands and Thames Valley areas. As well as the above Timothy has an extensive referral practice in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.

Through the cases that Timothy has conducted he has built up an extensive specialist knowledge in mobile phone technology and cell site analysis as well as in DNA techniques & medical issues related to homicide of young children.

Timothy was also instrumental in the introduction of Advocacy Training courses for the Bar on the Midland and Oxford Circuit in 1991 and continued to organise and teach on them up until 1998. The training in the UK is based upon the techniques of the distinguished Australian Professor George Hempel. Timothy was one of those originally trained by Professor Hempel himself when this form of training began in the early 1990’s. Since 1998 he has continued to train advocates and advocacy trainers on a regular basis on behalf of the Inner Temple as a senior member of the Inn’s Advocacy Training Committee.

In the civil courts Timothy is instructed in cases for damages against the police and other public authorities (for torts such as false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and negligence). He also holds a civil recorder post where he also deals with these matters.

Appointments:

1972                

Called to the Bar.

1972-1974        

Tutor in criminal procedure and the law of evidence – Inns of Court School of Law

1991-to date    

Recorder of the Crown Court (Crime/Civil & Serious Sexual Offences)

1992-1998        

Director of Advocacy Training – Midland Circuit

1993                

Appointed Queens Counsel

1999                

Bencher of the Inner Temple

2001-To date  

Head of Chambers, 4 King’s Bench Walk

Professional Courses:

Human Rights Act 1998                 

Sexual Offences Act 2003            

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

Vulnerable witnesses                   

Expert Witnesses                            

Criminal Justice Act 2003

Forensic Accounting                      

International Criminal Court       

Criminal Procedure Rules

Serious Sexual Offences (JSB)

Other Professional Memberships:

Inner Temple                                    

Midland Circuit                 

Criminal Bar Association

South Eastern Circuit                     

St Philips Chambers, Birmingham.

Leisure Activities:

Golf, Scuba Diving, Bridge