Charles Drinnan
YEAR OF CALL 2016
Ranked as a Leading Junior in Crime and in Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
‘Charles is the full-package; he is extremely knowledgeable, diligent, and leaves no stone unturned, and his advocacy is always of the highest quality.’
'Charles is a confident communicator and very personable.'
The Legal 500 2026
Charles has quickly established himself as a coveted junior with a substantial practice specialising in serious crime and regulatory law.
Charles defends and prosecutes in the Crown Courts across London and on circuit. His approach combines sound legal advice with formidable advocacy. He prides himself on his client care.
Charles is regularly instructed in serious and multi-handed matters far beyond his year of call, across all of Chambers’ specialisms. His current Crown Court instructions include being led on large, multi-handed drug conspiracies and importations, cyber crime, attempted murder, S18 GBH, arson, armed robbery, rape and sexual assault, firearms, fraud, and money laundering. He regularly defends cases of rape and serious sexual assault and is a member of the RASSO panel.
He deals with complex evidence, including cell-site analysis and medical evidence, and is expertly equipped to deal with complex matters of disclosure. He has represented a number of vulnerable clients, as well as appearing in cases with particularly vulnerable witnesses.
His fearless yet personal approach keep him in high demand for cases where client care is paramount.
He regularly receives private instructions to advise and represent clients before the criminal Courts and regulatory tribunals
As a direct access barrister, Charles welcomes instructions at any stage of a case and provides a stellar service with both written advice and advocacy. He is further able to use his network to recommend solicitors and experts to clients where required. His noted direct access specialisms include serious crime and professional discipline and regulatory.
Charles is a very experienced regulatory practitioner and has acted for regulators, local authorities, and registrants, both privately and on a direct access basis. He is ranked as a ‘leading junior’ in this practice area. He regularly advises and presents cases for the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and acts for a wide range of regulators and unions, including the Health and Care Professions Council, Care Quality Commission, Royal College of Nursing and the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Charles is at Level B of the Specialist Regulatory Advocates Panel in Health and Safety and Environmental Law and has accepted instructions involving alleged breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, and Security Industry Act 2001.
He additionally has a growing inquest practice and an interest in inquiries and sports law.
Read about Charles’s notable cases here.
MEMBERSHIPS
CPS Advocate Panel Member, Level 3
Serious Crime Group Specialist Panel Member, Level 2
Fraud Specialist Panel Member, Level 2
Serious Fraud Office, Prosecution Panel C Rape and Child Sexual Abuse Specialist Panel Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law, Panel B
Member of the Association of Regulatory & Disciplinary Lawyers
Direct Access Qualified
EDUCATION
LLB (Hons), Newcastle University
Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent), The University of Law
Ranked as a Leading Junior in Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory Law
The Legal 500 2025