Rebecca Hadgett

Call: 2015

"Rebecca Hadgett shows great attention to detail and has a sound grasp of the law."

Chambers UK 2024: Extradition

“Rebecca is exceptionally hard-working and produces outstanding results."

Legal 500 2023: Crime

“Her advocacy is very persuasive … “

Legal 500 2023: Crime

“… has an impressive ability to draw together huge amounts of detail into a cohesive and compelling whole.”

Legal 500 2023: Crime

Rebecca Hadgett has a broad practice across the main areas of Chambers’ areas of expertise, with a focus on crime, financial crime, extradition, professional discipline and public law.

Legal Expertise

Crime overview

Rebecca appears regularly in the criminal courts for both defence and prosecution.

She represents individuals in relation to a wide range of serious offences, including those involving violence, firearms, sexual offences, fraud, money laundering, public disorder and drugs. She represents clients in a range of related matters, including advice for victims of crime, pre-charge advice for suspects and ancillary orders post-conviction.

As well as appearing regularly for the Crown Prosecution Service, Rebecca acts for other prosecution authorities and public bodies, such as the Financial Conduct Authority, Transport for London and the Information Commissioner’s Office. Rebecca has recently gained additional experience acting and advising in relation to private prosecutions.

Rebecca has represented a number of vulnerable clients with learning difficulties and mental health conditions. As a result, she has significant experience instructing and examining experts on these issues and dealing with matters of fitness to plead. She has completed specialist training on dealing with vulnerable witnesses.

Rebecca also advises on appeals against sentence and conviction.

During the 2021-2022 academic year, Rebecca supervised undergraduate students at the University of Cambridge in criminal law.

Notable Crime cases

R v F (Ongoing)

Currently acting behalf of an individual accused of physical assault and cruelty against his children, and perverting the course of justice.

R v H (Ongoing)

Currently acting on behalf of an individual accused of familial rape.

R v B (2023)

Represented an individual who pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of his late wife. The defendant received a suspended sentence.

R v F (2023)

Acted on behalf of an individual accused of rape by his ex-partner. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.

R v S (2023)

Led junior counsel for an individual facing allegations of high-level drugs and firearms offences. The case involves the consideration of Encrochat material.

R v H (2023)

Represented a police officer accused of sexual assault, on another police officer, whilst on duty at work.

R v S (2022)

Appeared for the first of three Appellants in a successful appeal against sentence, which concerned the application of the Sentencing Council’s Definitive Guideline on Sentencing Children and Young People.

R v J (2020)

Successfully raised the defence of insanity on behalf of an individual who, whilst fit to stand trial, had been suffering from a psychotic episode at the time of the alleged offences, namely having a knife in a public place, making threats to kill and criminal damage.

R v W (2019)

Successfully defended an individual charged with possessing excess ammunition contrary to section 1 Firearms Act 1968.

Financial Crime, Proceeds of Crime and Sanctions

Financial Crime, Proceeds of Crime and Sanctions overview

Rebecca appears in and advises on matters across the spectrum of financial crime and POCA, for both the defence and prosecution, including in complex frauds, confiscation, forfeiture, restraint, and civil recovery proceedings.

Notable Financial Crime, Proceeds of Crime and Sanctions cases

FCA Investigation (Ongoing)

Instructed as junior counsel for the Financial Conduct Authority in a complex insider dealing investigation currently pre-charge.

R v Y&N (2022)

Led junior counsel instructed on behalf of a a leading product design and manufacturing company in the drinks industry, who successfully brought a private prosecution against a former employee and his partner, in relation to a high-value fraud and associated money laundering offences.

R v M (2022)

Represented a Special Constable accused of defrauding the MPS of over £20,000 by submitting false expenses claims.

R v T (2022)

Led junior counsel acting on behalf of an individual facing 14 separate counts of fraud by false representation.

NCA v Mrs Hajiyeva (2018-2020)

Rebecca assisted the legal team acting on behalf of Mrs Hajiyeva in relation to the first ‘Unexplained Wealth Order’ for the wife of the former Chairman of the International Bank of Azerbaijan.

Professional Discipline and Regulatory overview

Rebecca has developed a successful practice in professional discipline and regulatory proceedings. To date, Rebecca has gained significant experience representing police officers facing gross misconduct proceedings. More generally, Rebecca is able to provide advice, drafting and advocacy services for individuals facing professional misconduct hearings and to individuals and companies seeking assistance with regard to their obligations under a range of regulatory regimes.

Notable Professional Discipline and Regulatory cases

SCO C (2023)

Represented a Special Chief Officer said to have breached the Standards of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct, arising from the Officer’s handling of, and evidence given in relation to, a sexual assault on a colleague. All allegations were found not proven.

PC K (2023)

Represented an Officer accused of coercive and controlling behaviour by her ex-partner, a more senior Officer. All allegations were found not proven.

Insp C (2022)

Represented an Inspector said to have breached the Standards of honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; orders and instructions; and discreditable conduct, arising from the Officer’s refusal to provide a breath sample at work and his interactions with senior officers thereafter. Most allegations were found not proven and those that were found proven were found to be misconduct only. The Officer received a written warning.

PS S (2022)

Acted in complex gross misconduct proceedings on behalf of a Police Sergeant who faced allegations by two ex-partners of rape, coercive and controlling behaviour and physical assaults, after the CPS had decided not to pursue criminal charges officer.

S (2021)

Advised a company following service of a Seizure Notice under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.

PC S (2021)

Successfully represented a police officer in a gross misconduct hearing accused of failing to challenge improper conduct by another officer, damaging property belonging to a detainee and subjecting a detainee to degrading and inappropriate treatment. All allegations were dismissed.

PC X (2020)

Represented a police officer facing numerous counts of acting without honesty and integrity. During proceedings, the Officer claimed whistleblower status, having previously made an allegation against a superior officer.

Public Law overview

Rebecca is developing an extensive practice in public and administrative law.

She has had significant involvement in a number of public inquiries, having been instructed as junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service on the Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing and on an ad-hoc basis by the Archdiocese of Birmingham in connection with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Rebecca has also assisted in a number of judicial review proceedings, with a focus on matters relating to the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases. She has an interest in matters dealing with the scope of police or other investigatory body powers, particularly those concerning search and seizure. She accepts instructions in such matters on behalf of both public bodies and individuals.

Rebecca also has experience advising on applications to withhold disclosure of material on the basis of public interest immunity.

 

Notable Public Law cases

T (2023)

Instructed on behalf of the Parole Board for England and Wales in a judicial review claim concerning the Board’s consideration of unproven allegations.

X (2021)

Advised on the merits of a challenge, by way of judicial review, to a search warrant issued in relation to an investigation into money laundering by a large-scale OCN and their use of cryptocurrency.

Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing (2017-2019)

Instructed by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Inquests overview

Rebecca acts for interested persons in inquests and is experienced in inquests which engage the state’s Article 2 obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. She advises on potential liability arising from coronial proceedings, and on both public and civil law remedies available following inquests.

Notable Inquests cases

Inquest into the Death of SC (2021)

Acted on behalf of the Family of the bereaved. SC died from a fatal head injury he incurred during an alteration outside of a public house in Huddersfield. Another individual involved in the incident had been acquitted in related criminal proceedings. The Senior Coroner of West Yorkshire concluded that SC had been unlawfully killed.

Inquest into the Deaths of C & A (2021)

Acted on behalf of the Metropolitan Police in an Article 2 inquest into the tragic deaths of two individuals involved in a head-on collision on the A13.

Inquest into the Deaths of R & M (2019)

Acted on behalf of a police officer in an Article 2 inquest into the tragic deaths of a young boy and his aunt.

Civil Law overview

Rebecca acts and advises in civil matters arising from or associated with criminal or coronial proceedings.

Rebecca also appears in applications for civil preventative orders, including Closure Orders, Sexual Risk Orders and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, both in the Magistrates’ Court and on appeal to the Crown Court.

Notable Civil Law cases

X (Ongoing)

Led junior counsel on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service in a civil claim for damages for misfeasance in public office.

Duggan et al v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis (2019)

Acted as junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service in a civil claim for damages arising out of the death of Mark Duggan in August 2011.

Crime

R v F (Ongoing)

Currently acting behalf of an individual accused of physical assault and cruelty against his children, and perverting the course of justice.

R v H (Ongoing)

Currently acting on behalf of an individual accused of familial rape.

R v B (2023)

Represented an individual who pleaded guilty to preventing the lawful burial of his late wife. The defendant received a suspended sentence.

R v F (2023)

Acted on behalf of an individual accused of rape by his ex-partner. The defendant was acquitted of all charges.

R v S (2023)
Led junior counsel for an individual facing allegations of high-level drugs and firearms offences. The case involves the consideration of Encrochat material.

R v H (2023)

Represented a police officer accused of sexual assault, on another police officer, whilst on duty at work.

R v S (2022)
Appeared for the first of three Appellants in a successful appeal against sentence, which concerned the application of the Sentencing Council’s Definitive Guideline on Sentencing Children and Young People.

R v J (2020)
Successfully raised the defence of insanity on behalf of an individual who, whilst fit to stand trial, had been suffering from a psychotic episode at the time of the alleged offences, namely having a knife in a public place, making threats to kill and criminal damage.

R v W (2019)
Successfully defended an individual charged with possessing excess ammunition contrary to section 1 Firearms Act 1968.

Financial Crime, Proceeds of Crime and Sanctions

FCA Investigation (Ongoing)
Instructed as junior counsel for the Financial Conduct Authority in a complex insider dealing investigation currently pre-charge.

R v Y&N (2022)
Led junior counsel instructed on behalf of a leading product design and manufacturing company in the drinks industry, who successfully brought a private prosecution against a former employee and his partner, in relation to a high-value fraud and associated money laundering offences.

R v M (2022)
Represented a Special Constable accused of defrauding the MPS of over £20,000 by submitting false expenses claims.

R v T (2022)
Led junior counsel acting on behalf of an individual facing 14 separate counts of fraud by false representation.

NCA v Mrs Hajiyeva (2018-2020)
Rebecca assisted the legal team acting on behalf of Mrs Hajiyeva in relation to the first ‘Unexplained Wealth Order’ for the wife of the former Chairman of the International Bank of Azerbaijan.

Extradition and International Mutual Legal Assistance

Albania v H et al (Ongoing)

Junior counsel led by Ben Watson KC instructed on behalf of a Requested Person sought, alongside four others, for conspiracy to murder.

M v Turkey (Ongoing)
Instructed on behalf of the Requested Person, with live issues including Article 3, Article 6 and the Requested Person’s ill-health.

V (Ongoing)

Instructed to advise an individual whose assets were seized pursuant to a European Investigation Order on potential routes of challenge.

X (Ongoing)

Instructed to advise an individual subject to a request received via Interpol to provide assistance in a criminal investigation.

Kuwait v B (2023)

Junior counsel led by Rachel Barnes KC instructed on behalf of the Requesting State in one of the first cases following the UK/Kuwait Extradition Treaty. The District Judge sent the case to the Secretary of State.

Kuwait v J (2023)

Instructed as sole counsel on behalf of the Requesting State in one of the first cases following the UK/Kuwait Extradition Treaty.

G v Armenia (2023)
Instructed on behalf of the Requested Person, with live issues including extraneous considerations, passage of time, Article 3 and Article 6

B v Romania (2022)
Instructed on behalf of the Requesting State in a complex request arising from the Requested Person’s alleged involvement in a cross-border criminal organization. The Requested Person has raised a number of issues including the validity of the request, passage of time, forum and Article  8.

R v Poland (2020)
Acted on behalf of the Respondent IJA at both first instance and in the Requested Person’s appeal to the High Court. The case raised a number of issues, including under Article 4 ECHR, arising from the Requested Person’s status as a victim of human trafficking.

Belgium v H, G et al (2019)
Successfully represented two individuals sought, alongside others, by Belgium for alleged human trafficking offences. The case largely concerned whether the prison conditions in Belgium were Article 3 compliant and whether a decision had been made to charge/try the RPs.

Pillar-Neumann v Austria (2017) EWHC 3371 (Admin)
Junior counsel led by Abbas Lakha KC for the Requested Person, in a successful appeal to the Divisional Court. The RP was wanted in Austria in relation to alleged fraud and embezzlement dating back two decades. The case concerned the application of the term ‘fugitive’ and whether extradition would be oppressive under s14 of the Extradition Act 2003.

Professional Discipline and Regulatory

SCO C (2023)

Represented a Special Chief Officer said to have breached the Standards of honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct, arising from the Officer’s handling of, and evidence given in relation to, a sexual assault on a colleague. All allegations were found not proven.

PC K (2023)

Represented an Officer accused of coercive and controlling behaviour by her ex-partner, a more senior Officer. All allegations were found not proven.

Insp C (2022)
Represented an Inspector said to have breached the Standards of honesty and integrity; authority, respect and courtesy; orders and instructions; and discreditable conduct, arising from the Officer’s refusal to provide a breath sample at work and his interactions with senior officers thereafter. Most allegations were found not proven and those that were found proven were found to be misconduct only. The Officer received a written warning.

PS S (2022)
Acted in complex gross misconduct proceedings on behalf of a Police Sergeant who faced allegations by two ex-partners of rape, coercive and controlling behaviour and physical assaults, after the CPS had decided not to pursue criminal charges officer.

S (2021)
Advised a company following service of a Seizure Notice under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.

PC S (2021)
Successfully represented a police officer in a gross misconduct hearing accused of failing to challenge improper conduct by another officer, damaging property belonging to a detainee and subjecting a detainee to degrading and inappropriate treatment. All allegations were dismissed.

PC X (2020)
Represented a police officer facing numerous counts of acting without honesty and integrity. During proceedings, the Officer claimed whistleblower status, having previously made an allegation against a superior officer.

Public Law

T (2023)
Instructed on behalf of the Parole Board for England and Wales in a judicial review claim concerning the Board’s consideration of unproven allegations. 

X (2021)
Advised on the merits of a challenge, by way of judicial review, to a search warrant issued in relation to an investigation into money laundering by a large-scale OCN and their use of cryptocurrency.

Public Inquiry into Undercover Policing (2017-2019)
Instructed by the Metropolitan Police Service.

Inquests

Inquest into the Death of SC (2021)
Acted on behalf of the Family of the bereaved. SC died from a fatal head injury he incurred during an alteration outside of a public house in Huddersfield. Another individual involved in the incident had been acquitted in related criminal proceedings. The Senior Coroner of West Yorkshire concluded that SC had been unlawfully killed.

Inquest into the Deaths of C & A (2021)
Acted on behalf of the Metropolitan Police in an Article 2 inquest into the tragic deaths of two individuals involved in a head-on collision on the A13.

Inquest into the Deaths of R and M (2019)
Acted on behalf of a police officer in an Article 2 inquest into the tragic deaths of a young boy and his aunt.

Civil

X (Ongoing)
Led junior counsel on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service in a civil claim for damages for misfeasance in public office.

Duggan et al v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis (2019)
Acted as junior counsel for the Metropolitan Police Service in a civil claim for damages arising out of the death of Mark Duggan in August 2011.

 

“Rebecca Hadgett shows great attention to detail and has a sound grasp of the law.”  Chambers UK 2024:  Extradition

“Rebecca is fair and very easy to deal with.”  Chambers UK 2024:  Extradition

“Rebecca is exceptionally hard-working and produces outstanding results.”  Legal 500 2023:  Crime

“Her advocacy is very persuasive …” Legal 500 2023:  Crime

“… has an impressive ability to draw together huge amounts of detail into a cohesive and compelling whole.”  Legal 500 2023:  Crime

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Young Fraud Lawyers Association (Chair)
  • Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum
  • Private Prosecutors’ Association
  • Women in Criminal Law
  • Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding)
  • LLM (Harvard)
  • MA (Hons) (Cantab)
  • Shelford Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2015)
  • British Academic of Forensic Sciences Prize (City Law School, 2015)
  • Buchanan Prize (Lincoln’s Inn, 2015)
  • Whittaker Scholarship (Trinity College, University of Cambridge, 2014)
  • Lord Denning Scholarship (Lincoln’s Inn, 2013)
  • Hardwicke Entrance Award (Lincoln’s Inn, 2013)
  • Hollond Fund Travelling Studentship (Trinity College, University of Cambridge, 2013)
  • Lizette Bentwich Prize for Law (Trinity College, University of Cambridge, 2012)
  • Senior Scholarship (Trinity College, University of Cambridge, 2012)
  • Fee-Paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (2023)
  • CPS Panel (General Crime) Level 3
  • CPS Panel (Serious Crime) Level 3
  • CPS Panel (Extradition) Level 3

Prior to joining Chambers, while undertaking her LL.M., Rebecca worked as a Clinical Student Attorney for the Harvard International Human Rights Clinic, where she contributed to projects on international criminal law, transitional justice and military reform in Myanmar. Rebecca also volunteered as a Student Attorney for Harvard Defenders, where she represented low-income defendants at the earliest stages of the criminal proceedings against them, and for the Prison Legal Assistance Project, where she provided assistance to inmates with a variety of legal matters.

In 2012, Rebecca also worked as an intern at the Texas Defender Service in Austin, providing assistance to capital defence attorneys.

I, Rebecca Hadgett, am a data controller and can be contacted at 3 Raymond Buildings, Gray’s Inn, London WC1R 5BH or by telephone on 020 7400 6400 or by email at rebecca.hadgett@3rblaw.com.  My Data Protection Policy can be found here.

All personal data that I process is for the purposes of providing legal services, conducting conflict-checks, marketing, defending potential complaints, legal proceedings or fee disputes, keeping anti-money laundering records, training other barristers and pupils and when providing work-shadowing opportunities, and/or exercising a right to a lien.  The types of data I process vary upon the nature of the legal matter in relation to which I am engaged to advise, but can include names, contact details, biographic details and ‘special category personal data’ (such as details of racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, health, sex life and criminal convictions and proceedings).

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, the legal bases upon which I process personal data are (i) the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract, (ii) the processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations to which I am subject, or (iii) the processing is necessary for the legitimate interests set out above, except where such interests are overridden by the interests or fundamental rights and freedoms of the data subjects which require protection of personal data, in particular where the data subject is a child.  When I rely on (iii) legitimate interests, my ‘Legitimate Interests Assessment’ can be found here.  When I process data which has not be obtained directly from the data subject (e.g. personal data contained in evidential materials), it will have been supplied to me as part of my instructions in circumstances covered by legal professional privilege.

Depending upon the circumstances of the case, I may share the personal data with:

  1. my Chambers, which supplies professional and administrative support to my practice;
  2. Courts and other tribunals to whom documents are presented;
  3. my lay and professional clients;
  4. potential witnesses, in particular experts, and friends or family of the data subject;
  5. solicitors, barristers, pupils, mini pupils and other legal representatives;
  6. ombudsmen and regulatory authorities;
  7. current, past or prospective employers;
  8. education and examining bodies;
  9. business associates, professional advisers and trade bodies.

I retain personal data for no longer than 7 years after the case has come to an end or as otherwise required by law.

I do not intend to transfer data to any country which is not either within the European Union, or otherwise permitted by UK data protection legislation.

Under the UK GDPR, data subjects whose personal data I process have the right to request from me access to, and rectification or erasure of, their personal data, the right to the restriction of processing concerning them, the right to object to processing as well as the right to data portability.  Data subjects also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

In cases where there is a contract between me and the data subject, the provision of personal data is a contractual requirement and the data subject is obliged to provide the personal data in order that I can supply legal services.  A failure to provide such data may mean that I will not be able to provide those legal services.

13.10.2022

Data Protection Policy

Legitimate Interests Assessment

Rebecca Hadgett is qualified to accept instructions direct from clients under the Bar Council’s Public Access Scheme. This means that members of the public who seek specialist advice can come direct to her. In addition, she welcomes instructions from solicitors, in-house law departments, qualified foreign lawyers, and clients licensed by the Bar Council to give instructions direct to barristers under the Bar Council’s Licensed Access Scheme.

For further information please contact our Clerks.

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