Jenni Dempster KC
Call: 1993 | Silk: 2018
Personal profile
Jenni Dempster KC is a highly experienced and respected King’s Counsel with almost 35 years’ experience at the Criminal Bar, specialising in the defence of the most serious and complex criminal cases. Homicide lies at the heart of her practice.
She is regularly instructed to defend in murder and manslaughter cases, with much of her work undertaken at the Old Bailey. Her practice also encompasses gross negligence manslaughter, including cases involving health and safety issues, together with serious sexual offences, road traffic fatalities and other grave criminal allegations.
Over the course of her career, Jenni has established an outstanding reputation for meticulous preparation, strategic judgement and formidable advocacy. She is frequently instructed in high-profile, sensitive and legally complex cases and has developed longstanding relationships with solicitors who value her tenacity, diligence and unwavering commitment to her clients.
Jenni has particular expertise in representing young and vulnerable defendants and dealing with vulnerable witnesses, as well as in the careful analysis and presentation of forensic, scientific and expert evidence. Her practice includes matters concerning diminished responsibility and automatism, requiring close consideration of psychiatric evidence and questions of criminal responsibility.
She is recognised for her ability to master detailed evidential material and to present difficult issues with clarity, precision and persuasive force before juries.
Highly regarded by solicitors and lay clients alike, Jenni is regularly privately instructed on behalf of professional clients in serious and sensitive criminal proceedings, often involving sexual allegations, where both reputation and career may be at stake. She also frequently acts for members of the legal profession. Alongside her private practice, she remains committed to publicly funded representation.
Jenni was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2018.
Recommendations
― Chambers & Partners (2026)Jennifer Dempster KC is very good with juries. She is very bright and great at the law and at dissecting the legal aspect in cases. She stands above the others.
― Legal 500 (2026)Jenni is a research fiend. Her analytical skills are second to none
― Legal 500 (2025)Jenni has an ability to digest and then explain the very complicated in terms a lay person can understand. Then when she is in court she is an advocate with energy and determination like no other.
― Chambers UK (2025)Jennifer is a very classy advocate who can make effective legal submissions and run a case beautifully.
― Chambers UK (2025)She is considered in her approach and responses and her ability to get to grips with issues of the law and argue them is impressive. She is an outstanding silk.
― Chambers UK (2025)Jennifer is a specialist defence silk who is instructed in the highest quality and most demanding work. She is a strong lawyer and advocate.
― Chambers UK (2024)She has the most wonderful temperament and is very confident in court.
― Chambers UK (2024)Jenni is on a whole other level. She's phenomenal; she's very persuasive and very well-respected.
― Legal 500 (2024)Jenni is an eloquent and tenacious advocate. She is meticulous with her preparation of cases and knows them inside-out. Jenni also has an excellent bedside manner with lay clients and is able to immediately put them at ease with her legal knowledge and knowledge of the case.
― Chambers UK (2023)Jenni is an excellent advocate who works incredibly hard and masters her cases with ease.
― Legal 500 (2023)Jennifer's advocacy skills are second-to-none. Her preparation of a case is extremely thorough with no stone left unturned. Every piece of evidence is scrutinized and double checked. She leads from the front and she is always involved in every aspect of the case.
― Chambers UK (2022)A massively intelligent silk who grasps the points and understands them straight away. She is incredibly articulate, persuasive and forceful in her arguments.
― Chambers UK (2022)Just superb with incredible client skills and a real mastermind when it comes to cross-examination.
Murder & Manslaughter
The majority of Jenni’s practice concerns defendants charged with murder or manslaughter, including gross negligence manslaughter. Her cases often involve homicide offences committed in a family setting and frequently involving mental health defences. Jenni has a particular interest in cases in which the issue of automatism arises.
Featured cases
• R v. M (2026) – instructed for defendant charged with murder arising out of an incident on a London tube platform. Trial due to take place in May 2027.
• R v. W (2026)- Instructed for defendant charged with murder (stabbing) in South London. Trial took place in April 2026.
• R v. C (2026)- Instructed for defendant charged with gross negligence manslaughter arising from a fatal incident on a building site in London. Trial began in October 2026.
• R v. N (2026)- Instructed for defendant charged with gross negligence manslaughter arising from the death of her sister. Trial due to take place at the Old Bailey in December 2026.
• R v. G (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder of his wife (by drowning).
• R v. A (2025) – instructed for defendant charged with the robbery and murder of an 86-year-old male in East London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in November 2025.
• R v. K (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged along with two others with murder (stabbing) in Essex. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in October 2025.
• R v. B (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder of his housemate in East London. Trial took place in September 2025.
• R v. K (2025) – Instructed for 18-year-old defendant charged with murder (stabbing) along with 2 others following an incident in Essex. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in July 2025.
• R v. R (2025) – Instructed for 21-year-old defendant charged with manslaughter along with two others following an incident in central London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in May 2025.
• R v. U (2024) – Instructed to defend 24-year-old man charged with murder (stabbing) following incident in East London. Trial took place in February 2025.
• R v. S (2024) – Instructed for 19-year-old defendant charged with murder following an incident in north London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in January 2025.
• R v. X (2024) – Instructed for 17-year-old defendant charged with murder (stabbing) along with five others. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in October 2024.
• R v. X (2024) – Instructed for 15-year-old defendant charged with murder along with 2 others. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in September 2024.
• R v. G (2024) – Instructed for 83-year-old defendant charged with murder of his wife. Issue: automatism. Hearing took place at the Old Bailey in July 2024.
• R v. M (2024) – Instructed for 20-year-old defendant charged along with three others with murder (stabbing) of 18-year-old male in London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in May 2024.
• R v. N (2024) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder of her mother. Issue: diminished responsibility. Hearing took place in May 2024.
• R v. R (2024) – Instructed for 23-year-old defendant charged along with four others with murder (stabbing) at victim’s home address. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in April 2024.
• R v. C (2023) – Instructed for defendant charged along with two others with alleged drug-related murder (shooting) in London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in November 2023.
• R v. T (2023) – Instructed for defendant charged along with five others with murder (shooting) said to be gang-related. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in September 2023.
• R v. V (2023) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder of his sister-in-law (stabbing). Trial took place at the Old Bailey in July 2023.
• R v. K (2023) – Instructed for an 18-year-old defendant charged with murder (stabbing) of a 19-year-old male in South London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in June 2023.
• R v. X (2023) – Instructed for a 16-year-old defendant charged with manslaughter following a house fire caused by a firework. Hearing took place at the Old Bailey in April 2023.
• R v. C (2022) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder (shooting) of a 40-year old male in East London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in November 2022.
• R v. X (2022) – Instructed for a 17-year-old defendant, charged with murder along with five others, said to be a gang-related attack. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in September 2022.
• R v. G (2022) – Instructed for defendant charged with murder (following the death of the victim five months after an attack amounting to GBH). Hearing took place at the Old Bailey in July 2022.
• R v. X (2022) – Instructed for a 15-year-old defendant charged with the murder (stabbing) of a 14-year-old boy in East London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in June 2022.
• R v. O (2022) – Instructed for 25-year old defendant charged with murder of his grandfather (stabbing). Trial took place at the Old Bailey in May 2022.
• R v. L (2022) – Instructed for defendant said to have robbed and murdered a female in the street in East London. Hearing took place at the Old Bailey in February 2022.
• R v. W (January 2022 & Court of Appeal in 2023) – instructed for 41-year old defendant charged (following a ‘cold case’ review), with the murder of 6-year-old Rikki Neave, who was found strangled to death in Peterborough in 1994. Defendant was aged 13 at the time of the killing. Extremely complex forensic evidence and abuse of process arguments. Trial lasted three months at the Old Bailey. Reported: R v Watson [2023] EWCA Crim 1016
• R v. W (2021) – Instructed for young defendant charged with attempted murder & firearms offences. Said to be a revenge attack for the fatal stabbing of the defendant’s friend by another.
• R v. X (2021) – Instructed for the lead defendant charged, along with seven others, with the murder of an 18-year-old in East London. Said to be a gang-related attack.
• R v. M (2021) – Instructed to defend a mother charged with the murder of her five-year-old daughter. Issue: diminished responsibility. Hearing took place at the Old Bailey in January 2022.
• R v. C (2021) – Instructed to defend a 19-year-old male charged with the murder of his grandmother and attempted murder of his father. Issue: diminished responsibility.
• R v. X (2021) – Instructed to defend an 18-year-old male charged with the murder (stabbing) of a 16-year-old in East London.
• R v. A (2021) – Instructed to defend a male charged, with seven others, with an alleged revenge murder in London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in September 2021.
• R v. X (2020) – Instructed to defend a 17-year-old charged with an alleged gang-related attempted murder (stabbing) in South London.
• R v. L (2020) – Instructed to defend a male charged, with three others, in relation to a fatal stabbing in North London.
• R v. R (2020) – Instructed to defend a male charged with the murder of a homeless female in Essex.
• R v. X (2020) – Instructed for the lead defendant (aged 15) alleged to have fatally stabbed a 15-year-old boy on a bus in East London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in July 2020.
• R v. H (2019) – Instructed for a 25-year-old defendant charged in connection with a fatal stabbing in East London.
• R v. T (2019) – Instructed in a six-week murder trial. The defendant, along with two others, was alleged to have murdered her husband.
• R v. U (2019) – Instructed in an eight-week murder trial involving nine defendants concerning the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old male. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in October 2019.
• R v. X (2019) – Instructed in a four-week murder trial for a 16–year-old defendant charged, along with three others, in connection with a fatal stabbing in North London. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in June 2019.
• R v. P (2019) – Instructed in a four-week murder trial concerning a fatal attack upon a male in the defendant’s home address.
• R v. R (2018) – Instructed in ten-week murder trial involving four defendants, arising out of the activities of a “County Lines” drug syndicate.
• R v. S (2018) – Instructed in a five-week murder trial involving seven defendants and concerning the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old boy.
• R v. H (2018) – Instructed in a six-week murder trial involving six defendants, said to be gang-related and arising from the fatal stabbing of a 19-year-old boy.
Sexual Offences
Jenni is frequently instructed in cases involving multiple, often historic, complaints.
Featured cases
- R v. Y (2026)- Instructed for defendant charged with rape, arising out of a ‘first date’. Trial due to take place in September 2027.
- R v. F (2026) – Instructed for defendant, a University student, charged with rape. Trial due to take place in June 2027.
- R v. H (2026) – Instructed for defendant charged with multiple sexual offences against family member. Trial due to take place in April 2027.
- R v. L (2026) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape. Trial due to take place in August 2027.
- R v. U (2026) – Instructed for defendant (aged 18) charged with rape. Trial due to take place in June 2027.
- R v. W (2026) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape. Trial due to take place in June 2027
- R v. C (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with voyeurism. Trial took place in Jan 2026.
- R v. R (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape following an incident in north London. Trial took place in April 2025.
- R v. H (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape and other sexual offences involving three complainants. Trial took place in February 2025.
- R v. Y (2025) – Instructed for defendant charged with sexual offences said to have taken place in a work setting involving two complainants. Trial took place in February 2025.
- R v. W (2023) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape of a university student. Hearing took place in February 2023.
- R v. P (2022) – Instructed for defendant charged with historic sexual offences against family member. Trial took place in September 2022.
- R v. K (2022) – Instructed for a defendant teacher charged with sexual assault of a pupil. Trial took place in July 2022.
- R v. M (2022) – Instructed for the defendant charged with rape of two family members. Trial took place May 2022.
- R v. X (2021) – Instructed for defendant charged with familial rape allegations dating back to the 1970s.
- R v. R (2021) – Instructed to defend husband charged with the rape of his wife.
- R v. M (2021) – Instructed to defend a former teacher accused of historic indecent assault of pupils.
- R v. T (2020) – Instructed to defend a former headmaster charged with historic sexual abuse.
- R v. W (2020) – Instructed to defend a paramedic charged with sexual offences involving four complainants.
- R v. B (2020) – Instructed to defend an alleged serial rapist, said to have been responsible for night-time attacks on four women in London during the summer of 2019.
- R v. O (2018) – Instructed for defendant charged with serious drug and child sexual offences, arrested following an undercover police operation.
- R v. S (2018) – Instructed for defendant charged with the rape at a music festival.
- R v. K (2018) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape of a male, following a meeting via Tinder.
- R v. P (2018) – Instructed for defendant charged with the rape of a family member.
- R v. D (2018) – Instructed for defendant charged with historic sexual allegations arising out of a large-scale investigation into sexual abuse at a private school.
- R v. B (2017) – Instructed for defendant charged with attempted rape of a former partner.
- R v P (2017) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape following a work party.
- R v. R (2017) – Instructed for defendant charged with historic rape and sexual abuse of a family member.
- R v. M (2017) – Instructed for defendant charged with sexual assaults involving four complainants in a work setting.
- R v. L (2016) – Instructed for defendant charged with 10 counts of rape against four family members, one of whom had severe learning difficulties.
- R v. P (2016 & Court of Appeal 2017) – Instructed to defend consultant gynaecologist charged with sexually assaulting six female patients during consultations.
- R v. D (2016) – Instructed to defend barrister charged with the sexual assault of a female.
- R v. W (2016) – Instructed to defend a company director charged with the rape of a colleague.
- R v. A (2015) – Instructed for defendant charged with rape of a former partner. Psychiatrists and sleep disorder experts called re. issue of “sexsomnia”. Extensive legal argument as to the availability of the defence of insane/non-insane automatism.
- R v. M (2015) – Instructed for lead defendant charged with rape and inciting child prostitution. 50-count indictment. Trial lasted three months at the Old Bailey and involved young, vulnerable complainants, one of whom had significant learning difficulties. CPS press statement: “This was one of the worst cases of child sexual abuse we have seen”.
Serious & Organised Crime
Featured cases
- R v S (2026) – instructed for defendant (a police officer) charged with Misconduct in Public Office. Trial took place at the Old Bailey in July 2026.
- R v D (2020) – Instructed for the defendant, a former juror in an Old Bailey murder trial, for the offence of juror misconduct.
- R v X (2018) – Instructed to defend a solicitor charged with assault on their wife.
- R v U (2018) – Instructed to defend a heroin dealer charged with conspiracy to supply wholesale quantities of heroin and money laundering.
- R v P (2018) – Instructed to act for a company director charged with fire safety legislation offences.
- R v B (2018) – Instructed for defendants charged with attempted robberies and applying a corrosive fluid with intent.
- R v C (2018) – Instructed for a defendant charged with aggravated burglary, where acid was said to have been thrown over householders.
- R v G (2018) – Instructed as leading defence counsel for the main defendant, a serving prisoner charged with conspiracy to supply drugs into the Prison Estate and participating in the criminal activities of an OCG.
- R v M (Jan 2018) – Instructed to defend a Metropolitan Police Officer charged with sexual assault whilst on duty.
- R v J (2017) – Successfully represented the lead defendant in an alleged gang-related possession of a firearm (sawn-off shotgun) with intent to endanger life. There was said to be a plan for a revenge shooting following the murder of another male the previous day. The trial lasted three months.
- R v W (2017 and A-G’s ref 2017) – Instructed as leading counsel for a defendant charged with aggravated burglary at a farmhouse where the homeowners were tied up and very seriously assaulted.
- R v C (2017) – Instructed to defend an acid attack on three individuals during the course of an aggravated burglary.
- R v J (2017) – Instructed to defend the lead defendant in a conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. This was said to be a planned revenge attack following a murder.
- R v A (2016) – Instructed to defend the lead defendant of a highly organised drugs gang responsible for one of the biggest seizures of cannabis in the UK (four tonnes) and money laundering.
- R v K (2016) – Instructed to defend a conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration into UK.
- R v Y (2016 and A-G’s ref 2016) – Instructed to defend a female prison officer charged with misconduct in public office.
- R v R (2015) – Instructed to defend a US attorney charged with assaulting a former partner
Fraud
Featured cases
- R v C (2017-2018) – Instructed to defend the director of a company charged with large-scale investment fraud.
- R v A (2017) – Instructed to defend the lead defendant in very substantial confiscation proceedings where the Crown (in the event unsuccessfully) contended hidden assets in respect of over £1m.
- R v K (2017) – Instructed as leading counsel in a three-week trial, for the main defendant, a former stockbroker, charged with investment fraud in connection with the sale of rare earth metals.
- R v N (2015) – Instructed to defend a company director charged, with nine others, with fraud, corruption and money laundering. It was the prosecution’s case that, over a number of years, corrupt payments were made to the first defendant, the Deputy Property Manager of the Royal Household, as an inducement or reward for favouring a number of contractors in respect of the award of large contracts at Buckingham and Kensington Palaces.
- R v B (2015) – Instructed to represent the lead defendant of six, who, before its collapse, ran Crown Currency, one of the UK’s largest personal currency exchange businesses. The defendant was charged with fraudulent trading, money laundering, perverting the course of justice and false accounting. The prosecution alleged around 13,000 UK investors were affected.
- R v M (2015) – Instructed to defend in a “social engineering” fraud (losses of £1m+) where large PLCs were targeted. The Crown alleged the victim companies were duped into revealing their security-generated banking codes. Telephone lines were also compromised, allowing access to their company bank accounts.
Road Traffic Offences
Featured cases
- R v A (2018) – Instructed to represent a defendant charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Female knocked over during Police chase and suffered permanent brain damage and total loss of mobility.
- Re J (2017) – Instructed to represent a defendant at this coroner’s inquest into the death of a motorcyclist. The CPS was considering charges after she collided with a motorcyclist, resulting in fatal injuries. The CPS declined to prosecute after the inquest.
- R v B (2016) – Instructed to represent an elderly defendant charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The defendant (who suffered from seizures) lost control of the car on a busy high street.
- R v H (2016) – Instructed to represent a driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving. An elderly female was knocked over and killed as she crossed a road at night.
- R v H (2016) – Instructed to represent a driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The defendant collided with the motorcyclist, killing him instantly, as he joined the motorway from the slip road.
- R v D (2016) – Instructed to represent a driver charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The driver pulled out of the junction turning right. A motorcyclist in his path was killed instantly.
- R v O (2015) – Instructed to represent a driver (of a school coach) charged with causing injury by dangerous driving. The driver was alleged to have fallen asleep at the wheel, causing the coach (which was full of children) to crash.
Education
- LLB (Hons), London School of Economics
- Certificate of Attendance, Diploma in Forensic Medicine & Science course
Professional appointments
- Recorder (2018)
Memberships
- South East Circuit
- CBA