Narita Bahra KC

Practice Areas

instructed in high-profile and complex criminal cases across the UK. She is ranked by Chambers & Partners for Financial Crime and for Crime. Her practice focuses on serious crime, financial crime, fraud, money laundering, murder, terrorism, and regulatory defence.

Regularly defends high-net-worth individuals, senior executives, business leaders, and private clients facing serious allegations. Her work involves multi-jurisdictional matters, cases attracting media attention, and proceedings requiring strategic management of reputational considerations.

"Narita is one of the finest silks at the modern criminal Bar. Simply elite."

"She is just a winner. Somehow she gets hold of a case that looks to be going nowhere and wins it through tenacity and strategic acumen."

Career

Silk 2019, Call 1997

Financial Crime Defence

Narita Bahra KC's financial crime practice includes corporate fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, corruption, insider trading, asset confiscation, and regulatory offences. Her work regularly involves high-value matters, multi-jurisdictional investigations, and parallel regulatory proceedings before the SFO, FCA, and HMRC.

"Narita Bahra KC is noted for her expert defence of clients in financial crime matters. She handles cases involving allegations of tax evasion, fraud and money laundering."

"Narita is on point and has a magnetic personality."

She has experience with complex financial structures, corporate governance issues, and challenging financial and regulatory expert witnesses. Her client base includes business leaders, professionals, and high-net-worth individuals where discretion and reputational management are relevant.

"Narita reassures and appeases any client."

"Narita is empathetic and calming for the client."

Market sources note she is "regularly instructed by business leaders, professionals, and high-net-worth clients where discretion, reputational management, and managing adverse publicity are essential." Her "ability to forensically test financial and regulatory expert witnesses has led to acquittals in multi-jurisdictional fraud and complex white-collar investigations."

"Narita defends in money laundering, grant funding and phishing cases."

Serious Crime Defence

Narita's serious crime practice includes murder, terrorism, serious sexual offences, organised crime, and complex conspiracies. Her practice is characterised by expert witness cross-examination across forensic, scientific, and digital disciplines, and strategic use of disclosure litigation.

"Narita commands the respect of the court every time she enters and delivers results time and time again."

"Narita is a fearless advocate with real court presence. When she is on her feet she commands attention and respect and in conference she instils confidence in her clients."

Market sources describe her as "tactically and strategically astute" with "a reputation for achieving the best outcomes in the most challenging cases." She is "particularly valued for handling serious allegations under political, media, or corporate scrutiny and managing adverse publicity."

She "has a consistent record of securing acquittals in trials where forensic and scientific evidence is challenged" and her "expert witness cross-examination and strategic use of disclosure litigation to expose prosecutorial failings" are distinguishing features of her practice.

Disclosure Litigation Expertise

Co-author of Tackling Disclosure in the Criminal Courts – A Practitioner's Guide, a practitioner text widely used by criminal defence professionals. Her practice regularly involves disclosure applications in complex criminal cases.

"Narita is tenacious and she leaves no stone uncovered. She will dive into the unused material and seek disclosure till there is nothing else left to consider, meaning that our clients can be assured that every avenue that could be considered has been."

Expert Witness Cross-Examination

She has experience cross-examining expert witnesses across forensic science (DNA, fingerprints, blood pattern analysis), financial matters (forensic accountants), digital evidence (phone data, computer analysis), medical experts (pathologists, psychiatrists), and scientific experts (toxicology, ballistics).

"Narita will run legal arguments in the face of fierce opposition and invariably she will be correct."

Confiscation and Asset Recovery

Co-author of A Practical Guide to Confiscation and Restraint. She regularly appears in confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, with experience in restraint orders, hidden asset investigations, and challenges to benefit calculations.

High-Profile Case Management

Her practice includes cases attracting significant media attention where reputational management is relevant alongside the legal defence. She advises clients on reputational considerations and has experience coordinating with reputation management professionals.

"Narita is one of the most sought after silks in the country. She is respected and admired by the judiciary and her colleagues. Very few can absorb and then deliver with formidable vigour complex legal arguments before the most senior members of the judiciary like she does.

She is a trailblazer and is in a class of her own."

Client Care and Communication

"Narita Bahra KC under-promises the client but over-delivers every time, while clearly communicating with them on a level that they understand."

"Her level of expertise and advocacy is above par and she provides exceptional client service."

Strategic and Tactical Approach

"Narita's judgement in relation to decision-making and case strategy is excellent. Her written expression is always clear and precise, with attention to detail."

"Narita runs tenacious arguments and works her socks off."

Jury Advocacy

"Her closing speeches are phenomenal and she is able to relate to a jury no matter what their background or age. A barrister who gets results."

Publications

• A Practical Guide to Confiscation and Restraint (co-author: David Winch, John Carl Townsend)

• Tackling Disclosure in the Criminal Courts – A Practitioner's Guide (co-author: Don Ramble)

Professional Memberships

• Criminal Bar Association

• South Eastern Circuit

• Women in Law

• Lincoln's Inn (Advocacy Tutor & Scholarship Selection Panel)

Languages Spoken

French, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu

Industry Sector Expertise

Based on Chambers & Partners independent research, instructing solicitors value her experience across:

Financial Crime:

• High-value, complex fraud and money laundering cases

• Multi-jurisdictional investigations

• Cases with parallel regulatory proceedings (SFO, FCA, HMRC)

• Challenging financial and regulatory expert witnesses

• Confiscation proceedings (co-author of leading practitioner text)

• Understanding of corporate structures and commercial implications

• Representation of high-net-worth individuals and business leaders

Serious Crime:

• Murder, terrorism, and serious sexual offences

• Cases involving forensic and scientific evidence challenges

• Strategic disclosure litigation

• Matters attracting media attention and requiring reputational management

All Cases: "Narita Bahra KC will always find an avenue to explore and will make sure no stone is left unturned. Her client care skills are also second to none."

Case Experience

Chambers & Partners research records that Narita Bahra KC has been instructed in:

• High-profile murder trials where forensic evidence has been challenged

• Terrorism cases involving complex disclosure issues

• Serious sexual offence trials attracting national media attention

• Multi-jurisdictional corporate fraud cases with allegations exceeding £50 million

• Money laundering prosecutions with parallel FCA proceedings

• Complex tax evasion investigations by HMRC

• Bribery and corruption cases involving international jurisdictions

• Major SFO investigations involving multiple defendants

• Organised crime prosecutions, described as significant by prosecuting authorities

The directory notes she has achieved acquittals and favourable outcomes in complex matters and has secured reductions in confiscation proceedings.

Experience

Media:

Provides legal commentary for BBC, Sky News, ITV, Channel 4, and national radio. Has contributed to public interest inquests including the Gracie Spinks case.

Diversity and Inclusion

Committed to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and mentors aspiring barristers from underrepresented backgrounds. She was keynote speaker for the Midlands Asian Lawyers Association Ball 2025.

How to instruct Narita Bahra KC:

Accepts instructions through professional clients (solicitors) in accordance with the BSB Code of Conduct and is Direct Access qualified.

Media Profile and Public Engagement

Maintains a significant public profile through her legal commentary and media work. She regularly provides expert analysis for BBC News, Sky News, ITV News, Channel 4 News, and national radio on high-profile criminal cases and legal developments affecting the criminal justice system.

Her media work extends beyond news commentary. She has contributed to major true crime documentaries and participated in public interest inquests that have influenced legal reform and public discourse. Most notably, she represented the parents of Gracie Spinks, at her inquest, which attracted significant national attention and led to important discussions about stalking, domestic violence, and police responses to vulnerable victims.

This combination of courtroom advocacy and public engagement means that Narita Bahra KC brings unique insight to cases involving media attention. She understands both the legal and reputational dimensions of high-profile criminal defence, having experienced firsthand how cases are reported, analysed, and discussed in the public sphere.

Beyond her practice at 33 Chancery Lane, Narita Bahra KC is Dual Qualified, which provides strategic legal counsel for complex, high-stakes criminal matters. This dual role reflects her commitment to delivering comprehensive legal services that address both the immediate criminal proceedings and the broader strategic considerations facing clients.

For cases involving fraud, money laundering, or financial crime, her Band ranking reflects recognition by the legal profession of her exceptional capabilities in this demanding area. For murder, terrorism, or serious sexual offences, her Band ranking in crime demonstrates her standing in the most serious criminal work.

But rankings tell only part of the story. The testimonials from instructing solicitors reveal what distinguishes her practice: strategic acumen that turns difficult cases into victories, forensic preparation that uncovers crucial evidence, fearless advocacy that commands judicial respect, and client care that supports individuals through the most challenging period of their lives.