Christopher Youell

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“Red Lion Chambers excels at the intersection of business and environmental crime.”
Legal 500 (2026)

Personal profile

Christopher Youell has been appearing in court as an advocate for 35 years, mainly in the Crown Court and the Magistrates Court but also in the Youth Court, Court of Appeal and the Divisional Court. He has a wealth of experience dealing with serious crime including homicide, rape, crimes involving children as complainants and perpetrators, organised crime and road traffic cases including fatal collisions.

He is well known for his ability to communicate with young and vulnerable witnesses. He is also developed particular skill at dealing with communications data and technological evidence.

Serious & Organised Crime

Regularly instructed to deal with organised crime cases including drug trafficking and human trafficking, and cases involving extradition and international co-operation.

Featured Cases

Operation Gravity 2018 – extensive police operation involving 150 defendants arrested as a result of covert police operation and undercover police operatives. Instructed to deal with disclosure, advice on evidence and Crown Court advocacy.

Sexual Offences

Over the last 20 years he has been instructed in cases of rape and sexual offences involving adults and children.

Featured Cases:

R v M R 2023 – instructed for prosecution. Vulnerable witnesses with communication difficulties. Defendant convicted and received 13-year sentence
R v J S 2026 prosecution of familial rape. Vulnerable witnesses. Defendant convicted and 14 year extended sentence.

Murder & Manslaughter

He has extensive experience delivering written advice and conducting advocacy in homicide and attempted homicide cases

Featured Cases

R v AP 2018 advised police throughout re conduct of case and appeared as junior counsel in a murder case involving a random killing of a dog walker resulting life sentence and 28 year minimum term.
R v G – 2025 appeared alone to prosecute a stabbing case involving a random attack in the street by an 18 year old defendant.

Appeals

Experienced at presenting appeal cases in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and the Divisional Court

Featured Cases

R v Y and others 2017 – prepared skeleton arguments and conducted advocacy in the Divisional Court for a case involving a large number of appellants convicted as a result of faulty drug tests carried out by a company contracted by UK Home Office.

Road Traffic Offences

Instructed regularly to deal with sensitive fatal cases involving liaison with family members and conduct of trials involve collision expert evidence.

Featured Cases

R v AP 2024- use of mobile phone resulting in fatal collision with motorcyclist
R v P 2023 extensive police chase across countryside resulting in death of bystander