Caroline Rees

Caroline is an outstanding advocate. She is the safest pair of hands on the circuit.

Chambers UK

Caroline Rees KC

  • Called in 1994
  • Silk in 2018

Since taking Silk in 2018, Caroline has been in high demand by both Prosecution and Defence as one of the leading advocates on the Wales and Chester Circuit.

As a junior, Caroline maintained a busy practice prosecuting and defending in the full range of serious criminal cases. She acquired a particular expertise in cases involving rape and other serious sexual offences, including historical offences and cases with multiple complainants. She handled a large volume of cases involving vulnerable witnesses requiring significant adjustments to facilitate participation in the trial process. Caroline gained extensive experience in advocacy involving the vulnerable and was one of the advocacy trainers involved in the roll-out of specialist training on Circuit.

Caroline continues to maintain her expertise in relation to cases involving rape and serious sexual offences so that she remains the “go to” counsel for this category of work. She has also secured an outstanding reputation arising from her work in homicide cases.

In recent years she has appeared as Leading Counsel in the highest profile cases which have attracted national media attention. Caroline was instructed as leading counsel for the Prosecution in many high profile trials arising from the killing of children by their carers and/or parents during the time of Covid restrictions, including the murder of Logan Mwangi in Bridgend, the murder of Lola James in Haverfordwest and the manslaughter by gross negligence of Kaylea Titord in Newtown.

Caroline’s practice in Silk has also included trials arising out of large scale police operations for drugs supply and the activities of organised groups. She has also appeared in trials for offences of high value frauds.

Caroline is the current Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit, the first woman to be elected to that post. She sits as a Recorder of the Crown Court and is authorised to try cases involving serious sexual offences. Caroline also sits as the Legal Chair of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Wales (Restricted Patient Panel).

Caroline is committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar and was the Founding Chair of the Wales and Chester Circuit Women’s Forum.

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Notable Cases

R v Lloyd-Jones and Titford [2023]
Leading counsel for the Prosecution in trial of a mother and father for gross negligence manslaughter of their 16 year old daughter who died from neglect of the utmost severity. The victim was disabled, severely and morbidly obese and was restricted to an environment which was unfit for human habitation. The physical decay caused by neglect of the deceased was described by a Great Ormond Street Hospital Consultant of many years experience as the very worst she had ever seen. The trial involved adducing evidence from a number of experts including pathologists, paediatricians, nursing experts and an expert in insect development. The trial involved presentation of very sensitive and distressing evidence including recordings and images of the scene and the Deceased and her extensive physical deterioration. This case attracted national media interest. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64424723

R v Bevan and James [2023]
Leading counsel for the Prosecution in trial of the murder of 2 year old Lola James in Haverfordwest. Bevan (mother’s partner) was tried for murder and James (child’s mother) was tried for allowing the death of a child. Lola had sustained over 100 external injuries and extensive brain injury from shaking or high impact. The trial involved extensive expert medical evidence from a range of specialists on causation of injury including pathology, paediatric neuro radiology, paediatric ophthalmology and general paediatric evidence. https://news.sky.com/story/lola-james-mother-and-her-monster-partner-jailed-over-two-year-olds-death-in-pembrokeshire-12865022

R v Timms Williams and 2 others [2022]
Leading counsel for a 17 year old girl with extensive communication needs tried with 2 adults for the murder of Dr Gary Jenkins in Bute Park Cardiff. The trial was high profile with extensive national media coverage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60862833

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R v Cole, Williamson and Mulligan [2022]
Leading Counsel for the Prosecution in trial of a step father, mother and teenager for the murder of Logan Mwangi, a 5 year old child from Sarn, Bridgend who died whilst isolated as a result of a positive Covid test. The case involved the construction of the prosecution case from a wide range of evidence, including extensive CCTV, communications evidence and a range of complex medical expert evidence from a range of specialism. The trial also required adjustments to accommodate the 13 year old Defendant who had significant needs. At the conclusion of the trial, issues arose as to the lifting of the reporting restriction in respect of the 13 year old Defendant. The trial was very high profile with extensive national media coverage. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/full-story-murder-logan-mwangi-23549037

R v Kaci and 11 others [2021]
Leading counsel for Defendant in a multi handed prosecution for murder arising from police Operation Waterhen, at the time thought to be one of the largest police investigations of recent years. The Defendant was from Albania and did not speak English. The prosecution case was based on circumstantial evidence including scientific analysis, CCTV and telecommunications evidence. Successful application to dismiss made on behalf of the Defendant resulting in his acquittal before the trial was listed.

R v Coulton [2021]
Leading counsel for the Prosecution in trial of man for gross negligence manslaughter arising from the death of his partner from suffocation in the course of sexual activity involving drugs use and bondage. The trial involved the presentation of extremely sensitive footage arising from past sexual activity, forensic evidence from the scene and expert medical evidence https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/warren-coulton-claire-wright-court-20531055

R v Dunnion and 2 others [2021]
Leading counsel for the first Defendant in trial of 3 Defendants for murder in connection with drugs supply in Newport. Trial involved consideration of complex communication evidence from a range of sources including mobile telephones and fitness applications.

R v Clifford and 7 others [2020 – 2021]
Leading counsel for the first Defendant in trial of 8 Defendants for murder by stabbing of a 17 year old in Barry Docks. The first trial was aborted due to the national lockdown and the re-trial was one of the first multi handed trials to be conducted with Covid related adjustments during the second national lockdown. The case involved extensive expert evidence including pathology and evidence relating to blood distribution at the scene. This case attracted national media coverage. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56277319

R v Rowlands [2020]
Leading counsel for Defendant tried for murder of his partner by possible suffocation/strangulation. Case involved issues of mental illness arising from the Deceased’s diagnosis of multiple personality disorder and severe depressive illness. Issues arose relating to the practices of Paganism, practised by both Defendant and the Deceased. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56206967

R v Griffiths (P) and Griffiths (A) [2018]
Leading counsel for the Prosecution in trial of a husband and wife described as the “Fred and Rose West of Barry” for the historical rape and other serious sexual offences against a number of vulnerable young women who had been groomed into sexual activity by the Defendants. The trial involved issues of grooming and manipulation of young teenagers together with issues of lawful consent. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/live-updates-fred-rose-west-15295999

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If you would like to instruct Caroline Rees KC or would like help or advice in doing so, please call and talk to our excellent clerking team, led by Chief Executive/Director of Clerking, Paul Cray. Our phone number is +44 (0)20 7583 9241. Alternatively, please email us at chambers@farrarsbuilding.co.uk

For more information about our clerking team, please click here for the clerks page.

Appointments & Memberships

Judicial Appointments:

2018: Legal member of the Mental Heath Review Tribunal Wales (Restricted Panel)

2016: Recorder (Crime – authorised to try serious sexual offences)

 

Education & Qualifications

University of Birmingham LLB

Ysgol Gyfun y Strade, Llanelli (Welsh medium comprehensive)

 

Directory Quotes

Caroline has been recommended in the legal directories Crime (Wales) annually since 2009. Caroline was shortlisted for Crime Silk of the Year [2022] at the Legal 500 Awards.

Caroline was the Times “Lawyer of the Week’ in June 2022:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/lawyer-of-the-week-caroline-rees-qc-prosecuted-the-mother-stepfather-and-stepbrother-of-five-year-old-logan-mwangi-convicting-them-of-his-murder-52c5t27td

  • “Not only is she a fantastic advocate, she also has a great personal touch with lay clients and puts them at ease.” (Chambers UK, 2024 – Crime)
  • “She is a superb silk; meticulously prepared and an engaging advocate with an excellent legal mind. She is the go-to silk for cases of gravity and sensitivity.” (Legal 500, 2024 – Crime)
  • “Caroline is exceptional at dealing with very difficult and high-profile cases.” “She is a formidable opponent.” “Her knowledge and expertise is second to none. Caroline is an amazing advocate; her delivery in court is a work of art. She is the safest pair of hands on the circuit.” “Caroline is one of the best criminal barristers I have had the pleasure of working with. Her approach to cases is methodical and very thorough.” (Chambers UK, 2023 – Crime)
  • “Caroline is an outstanding advocate, exceptionally strong in cross examination and meticulously prepared. She has a real presence in court and commands the respect of the judge and opponents. She has a measured and composed approach which inspires confidence with every word she says.” (Legal 500, 2023 – Crime)
  • Shortlisted in the Legal 500 Awards 2022 – Crime and extradition silk of the year
  • “She is an outstanding advocate – she is thoroughly prepared and has an excellent manner with both clients and the court alike.” “She is a hard cross-examiner and gets to the heart of the case.” (Chambers UK, 2022 – Crime)
  • “An exceptionally strong cross-examiner. She really gets to the issues quickly and she’s effective in front of the jury.” “She doesn’t miss a trick. She is thorough, well prepared and she understands how sex crimes are handled.” (Chambers UK, 2021)
  • ‘Her advocacy is very polished and she has an aura in the courtroom.’ (Legal 500, 2021)
  • ‘She is a fantastic advocate, as well as being very approachable and down to earth. She is also very good with clients and is able to make them feel comfortable.’ (Chambers UK, 2020)
  • ‘She has the perfect personality for an advocate: pleasant and direct to deal with, but a tough opponent in court.’ (Legal 500, 2020)
  • ‘An outstanding silk.’ (Legal 500, 2018)
  • ‘She is a thorough and experienced barrister. She works very hard and is very well thought of.’ (Chambers UK, 2018)
  • ‘She demonstrates great client empathy’. (Legal 500, 2017)
  • Recommended in Chambers and Partners (Crime: Wales) every year since 2009.
  • Currently recommended as a Band 1 recommended counsel in Crime: Wales.
  • ‘A very experienced prosecution and defence barrister, with particular experience of acting in cases involving sexual abuse. Many of her cases arise from historical accusations or deal with multiple complainants or the trafficking of people for sexual exploitation. She also acts in homicide and drug conspiracy cases.’ (Chambers UK, 2017)
  • ‘Her practice encompasses both prosecution and defence work. She is noted for her skill at dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses.’ “She is very good with clients and is an excellent advocate.” (Chambers UK, 2016)
  • ‘Acts as both a Grade 4 prosecutor and a criminal defence advocate. She is noted for her expertise in complex sexual abuse claims with vulnerable witnesses. “She is a calm, firm advocate who doesn’t let anything phase her.” (Chambers UK, 2015)
  • ‘Caroline Rees is acclaimed for her extensive experience in sexual offence cases. Clients view her as a “talented and effective advocate.’ (Chambers UK, 2013)
  • The “very thorough” Caroline Rees has a reassuringly “calm and deliberate” manner. She advised for the prosecution of Joseph Rees in a case alleging rape of a child’. (Chambers UK, 2012)
  • Recommended in Chambers 2011 in relation to serious sexual offences.
  • ‘Caroline Rees is “deservedly popular and persuasive.”’ (Chambers UK, 2010)
  • ‘Caroline Rees is known as “an excellent all-rounder, who is very good with the clients and an outstanding jury advocate.”’  (Chambers UK, 2009)

Previous Employment

2023-2025: Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit (First female to lead the W&C Circuit).

2018 – 2023: Founding Chair of the Wales and Chester Circuit Women’s Forum – Member of the Circuit Management Team.

1999 to date: Tenant – 30 Park Place Cardiff. Head of criminal team since 2018.

1995-99: Tenant – 33 Park Place Cardiff.

1994-95: Pupillage – 33 Park Place, Cardiff.