Rhian Wood

Rhian’s criminal practice spans both prosecution and defence work. She is frequently instructed as sole counsel in complex and serious cases in the Crown Court including violence, drug supply, fraud and sexual offences. She is a proficient advocate with meticulous attention to detail.

Rhian is often instructed in sensitive cases involving neurodiverse and vulnerable defendants and will passionately advocate on their behalf. Rhian is noted for her ability to deliver focused and pragmatic advice in a way which most appropriately meets her clients’ needs. She will always ensure that clients are able to understand the case against them and make properly informed decisions during the proceedings.

Rhian is adept at handling vulnerable witnesses including children. She has successfully completed the Advocacy & the Vulnerable training at Lincoln’s Inn.

Rhian is a CPS Level 2 Prosecutor. She also has experience of private prosecutions including for the Insolvency Service, Local Authorities and the DVSA particularly in relation to fraud. She is recognised for her sensible advice and tactical case management.

Notable Cases:

R v JB, St Albans Crown Court (2025)

Rhian prosecuted a trial in which the Defendant was accused of robbing two young girls (13 and 16 at the time) of their mobile phones late at night outside a Tesco’s in Watford. He was convicted unanimously of both counts and sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.

R v MB, Aylesbury Crown Court (2025)

Rhian represented a defendant accused of sexual communications with an undercover police officer purporting to be a girl aged 12. Following a successful application to dismiss, the Crown offered no evidence.

R v FK & Ors, Winchester Crown Court (2024)

Rhian acted as Junior Counsel led by Clare Evans in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud over 40 elderly people in a complex and high value courier fraud. The case involved extensive cell site and documentary evidence. 

R v MSY, Luton Crown Court (2024)

Rhian represented a young defendant charged with s18 grievous bodily harm following a stabbing outside a busy pub in Luton. The victim suffered two stab wounds to the back. It was alleged that the attack was gang related.

R v MB, Aylesbury Crown Court (2024)

Rhian secured the unanimous acquittal of her client charged with intentional strangulation and battery against his father. She successfully applied to adduce evidence of calls made by the defendant to the police following his father locking him out of the house.  

Rhian is a sought-after junior acting for the police in misconduct proceedings. She has significant experience representing a number of police forces in disciplinary cases involving the most serious misconduct allegations. Rhian accepts instructions in both gross misconduct hearings and accelerated hearings and appears in associated appeals in the Police Appeals Tribunal.      

Notable Cases:

Rhian represented the Appropriate Authority in the gross misconduct case brought against a police officer accused of sexually assaulting a student police officer when he was her tutor. All allegations were found to be proven and the officer was dismissed without notice.

Rhian represented the Appropriate Authority in the gross misconduct case brought against a Detective Constable accused of making racially discriminatory comments to another police officer both on and off duty. All allegations were found to be proven and the officer was dismissed without notice.

Rhian is currently instructed in a case in which a Superintendent has been accused of attempted rape and sexual assault of a junior colleague. The case is sub judice whilst criminal proceedings are ongoing.   

Rhian regularly attends hearings on behalf of police forces in civil applications relating to injunctions, banning orders and forfeiture of cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. She has experience in Football Banning Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Stalking Protection Orders. Rhian often represents the police in applications for disclosure in family proceedings up to and including the High Court. She has also dealt with cases involving issues surrounding public interest immunity.

Rhian has carried out independent assessments of police policies including a comprehensive assessment of the Simple Caution Guidance and the Adult Factor Matrix following the death of Caroline Flack.

Rhian advises and represents police forces involved in civil claims in a number of areas including data protection breaches, misfeasance in public office, false imprisonment, assault and wrongful arrest.

Rhian also has experience advising on and defending contested forfeiture proceedings involving the police.

Notable Cases:

BTP v CSH (2024)

Rhian successfully represented the British Transport Police in an application to strike out a claim against it for discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, breaches of the Data Protection Act 2018 and misfeasance in public office. Costs were awarded against the Claimant and permission to appeal the costs order was refused at an oral hearing.

Re. PD (2023)

Rhian successfully represented the police in an application made in care proceedings not to disclose indecent video footage of the subject child on public interest immunity grounds.

Police v PC (2022)

Rhian successfully represented the police in a two-day contested hearing for a sexual risk order. The hearing involved evidence from an anonymous witness who had been sexually assaulted by the Respondent when he was 17. A Sexual Risk Order was made prohibiting the Respondent from having

Children:

Rhian is instructed to represent parents in all areas of private children law including applications for Child Arrangements Orders, Prohibited Steps Orders and Specific Issue Orders. She has experience in complex cases including those involving the Local Authority and those involving issues surrounding parental alienation. She has conducted multi-day fact finding hearings within Children Act proceedings involving serious allegations of sexual and child abuse.

Financial remedies:

Rhian acts in all aspects of family finance proceedings including matrimonial finance, applications under Section 1 of the Children Act 1989 and applications pursuant to TOLATA 1996. She has experience in cases involving third party interventions, commercial property and pre/post-marital assets.

Rhian has experience representing clients both in court and through alternative dispute resolution means including Arbitrations and Private FDRs.

Injunctive proceedings:

Rhian regularly represents parties at all stages of Family Law Act proceedings. She has experience of urgent, without notice applications and final contested hearings.

Notable cases:

AP v RP (2025)

Rhian represented the Applicant Wife in long-running financial remedies proceedings involving assets worth over £2.5 million including seven properties in the UK and land and properties in India. The Wife was involved in bankruptcy proceedings with HMRC as a result of the Husband failing to pay tax due in respect of his company. During the proceedings, the Husband variously failed to comply with directions, obstructed the agreed sale of a property and failed to file any evidence in support of his case. The Court found that the Husband had significant undisclosed assets available to him and agreed with the Wife’s position that all properties in the UK should be transferred into her name. The judgment has been published (AP v RP [2025] EWFC 98 (B)) and was shortlisted for Family Law Case of the Year at the Family Law Awards.

L v S (2025)

Rhian represented the Mother in a case in which the Father was seeking contact with his two daughters following convictions for possession of indecent images of children and voyeurism against the Mother. Rhian successfully in secured a no contact order for the Mother.  

LB v LB (2025)

Rhian represented the Father in a complex case in which he was seeking contact with his children following the breakdown of his relationship with the Mother. The case included issues surrounding the children’s religious beliefs as the Father was a Jehovah’s Witness.

F v B (2024)

Rhian represented the Father in a long-running dispute in relation to the contact of their daughter. This included (amongst others) applications in respect of specific issue orders providing that the Mother ensure the child was vaccinated in accordance with NHS recommendations.

Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn
Waugh Academic Scholarship, Exeter College
Choral Scholarship, Exeter College