SILK PROFILE

Charlotte Ventham KC

UK Bar 2026

5 Essex Chambers

Ranked in 1 practice area

Police Law: Mainly Defendant

All Circuits

16 years ranked

About

Provided by 5 Essex Chambers

UK Bar

Practice Areas

Charlotte’s practice embraces all areas of civil and public law relevant to police and government, including judicial review, malfeasance claims, inquiries, inquests, discrimination and national security.

She was appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel in 2019 and as a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2020. She took silk in 2024.

Charlotte’s recent notable police cases include R (Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis) v Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court [2023] EWHC 1938 (Admin) (closed hearings in firearms licensing appeals); DE v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police [2023] EWHC 146 (KB) (necessity of arrest for imposition of bail conditions); Breeze & Wilson v Chief Constable of Norfolk [2022] EWHC 942 (QB) (multi-million pound damages claim for malicious prosecution). Charlotte also handles cases of the utmost sensitivity for government, including in the national security arena, eg Kamoka litigation (claims for unlawful detention and misfeasance based on alleged complicity of the British government in detention and torture abroad).

Charlotte was called to the Bar in 2001 and started her career in a mixed set practising crime and general common law before moving to 5 Essex Chambers to specialise in police law.

Charlotte was editor of the 5 Essex Chambers Police Law Newsletter for more than 10 years.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers website for Charlotte’s profile, which sets out full details of her practice including relevant work of note.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - All Circuits

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Charlotte Ventham KC is well respected for high-value police claims with a focus on malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office, and false imprisonment. She also represents the police in judicial reviews and matters concerning alleged Human Rights Act breaches.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Charlotte Ventham is an incredibly strong advocate at trial while remaining approachable to client and witnesses throughout. She provides quick and concise advice in build up and throughout trial.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Charlotte stands out, she is very bright and has a very sharp mind.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Charlotte has excellent attention to detail and her written work is thorough and meticulous. She is clever, collaborative, hard-working and very easy to get on with; I really enjoy working with her.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Charlotte is amiable, polished, competent and responsive. She is a bright lady, I rate her highly. She is very good on paper, as well as with clients and officers.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
Charlotte Ventham is absolutely brilliant. I have been very impressed by her, she always has the big picture. She is great to work with.
Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar