Rosheen Iyer

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“Red Lion Chambers has an excellent reputation for financial crime work, and houses a strong bench of senior and junior barristers.”
Chambers UK (2026)

Personal profile

Rosheen Iyer is a sought-after defence advocate, with an increasingly busy criminal practice. She appears regularly in Crown Courts throughout the UK and has established a reputation as a skilful, articulate and determined criminal barrister.

While she accepts instructions in all areas of criminal proceedings, the emphasis of her practice is on violent crime, domestic crime and sexual offences. She also has a burgeoning practice in public law and particularly in public inquiries. Rosheen is noted for her early preparation and her willingness to go the extra mile to present the best-possible case and achieve the best-possible outcome.

Rosheen has completed training in representing both vulnerable witnesses and youth defendants. Her easy manner and sensitive approach to challenging subject matter make her a perfect choice when dealing with witnesses who may be overawed by or suspicious of the legal process.

Prior to coming to the criminal Bar, Rosheen worked as a litigation paralegal at two leading criminal defence law firms and was a qualified Police Station Representative. Through this previous work, Rosheen also has experience of working on professional discipline matters and is keen to extend her experience with new instructions in this area. She has previously been instructed to represent police officers who have been charged with criminal offences and has been instructed by the police to prosecute a contested sexual risk order.

Rosheen is also interested in extending her practice in trading standards matters where she has already achieved some notable successes.

Since January 2023, Rosheen has dedicated a significant proportion of her time as junior counsel to the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan. In this ongoing role, she is a key member of a small team handling vast quantities of complex and highly sensitive information, organisation, attention to detail and the ability quickly to cross-reference multiple sources of data are essential skills. She has been responsible for identifying and obtaining further evidence, including drafting written requests for witness statements and other evidence under Rule 9 of the Inquiry Rules 2006. She is also familiar with drafting complex and detailed notes to assist the Chair and reflect the legal position of the Inquiry team. She is now experienced in restriction order processes and the consideration of redactions for reasons of national security. Rosheen read evidence into the record in an open hearing for the Inquiry in 2023.

Serious & Organised Crime

Key Cases:

R v HM [Westminster Magistrates Court] – Represented a vulnerable individual at an Actus Reus hearing where they were charged with ABH and Assault on an Emergency Worker. This was a complex case with many issues around how the injury was caused to the police officer and was further complicated by the defendant’s mental health issues. The defendant was acquitted after half-time submissions of ABH and acquitted at the end of the trial in relation to the Assault on an Emergency Worker.

R v CB [Woolwich Crown Court] – Represented a vulnerable individual at an Actus Reus hearing where they were charged with ABH and Assault on an Emergency Worker. This was a complex case with many issues around how the injury was caused to the police officer and was further complicated by the defendant’s mental health issues. The defendant was acquitted after half-time submissions of ABH and acquitted at the end of the trial in relation to the Assault on an Emergency Worker.

R v JJ [Monument Nightingale Court] – Represented a client charged with ABH and Assault by Beating. Following advice and the obtaining of an expert in relation to alleged injuries, the client was acquitted of all charges.

R v MPT [Snaresbrook Crown Court] – Secured a Youth Rehabilitation Order for a youth client convicted of s.18 GBH.

R v RI [Maidstone Crown Court] – Represented a client charged with Possession of a Bladed Article. Her client acquitted on the basis of reasonable excuse.

Crime

Key Cases:

R v RL, HM & Others [Isleworth Crown Court] – Represented a company and three individual clients charged with conspiracy to import counterfeit goods, among multiple other trading standards offences. The individuals were acquitted of all charges, while the company was convicted of three offences alone.

R v RM [Harrow Crown Court] – Represented young client on 12 counts of Robbery and was able to negotiate acceptable pleas to two of the counts. The client received a community order.

R v TP & Others [Canterbury Crown Court] – Represented a young client who was first on the indictment in relation to a Robbery. All three defendants were ultimately acquitted after trial.

R v PS [Southwark Crown Court] – Represented an individual on a charge of Burglary that was caught on CCTV. Despite the video evidence, her client was acquitted.

Appeals

Key cases:

R v SR [Court of Appeal] – Represented the applicant in relation to a POCA order that was being incorrectly enforced. The appeal was successful and the order was terminated.