Pump Court Chambers

Rebecca Fairbairn

Call: 2000

  • LL.B (Hons)
  • CBA
  • Western Circuit

Rebecca is a keen horse-rider, mainly eventing and show-jumping. she owns a spirited bay mare called Molly, who bites and kicks but likes apples. Molly is currently in foal and four hooves are due in early May 2022.

 

Instructing Rebecca Fairbairn

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

Rebecca only accepts instructions in the most serious cases and is routinely instructed in those in which Queens Counsel is instructed by the defence.

As a Grade 4 RASSO prosecutor, Rebecca is a specialist in the most serious sexual offences, with wide experience prosecuting and defending the most grave and sensitive cases, including those involving multiple complainants and defendants.

Rebecca is also a grade 4 Serious Crime panel member and has a wealth of experience in cases such as drug importation, human trafficking, murder and serious violence.  She is routinely instructed in paper-heavy cases.

Rebecca delivers first-class advocacy with fair and effective closing speeches.

 

Rebecca is ranked in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a Leading Junior.

Legal 500 2024 recommends Rebecca as a Tier 1 Leading Junior, stating: “Rebecca is a fearless and tenacious advocate with a calm and effective style. She is all over the detail of a case and very effective in cross-examination.”

Legal 500 2023 states that Rebecca is: “Dedicated, determined and resourceful. She keeps a very cool head however complex the case, and her clear, down to earth style of jury advocacy is highly persuasive. Truly silk class.”

Chambers & Partners 2023 states: “Her judgement is really, really sound.” “She has a phenomenal practice in sexual offending cases and is an absolutely fierce combatant.”

 

 

“I found her to be approachable, open-minded and a guiding hand throughout the investigative and subsequent court processes. Nothing was ever too much. She handled last- minute challenges with flexibility and professionalism and showed a great level knowledge.

As well as Rebecca’s excellent knowledge, she presented a highly positive level of engagement throughout, providing practical advice and guidance to me in what were tight deadlines involving a huge mass of electronic material. Rebecca demonstrated a deep level of understanding of what were disturbingly horrific and complex crime, impeccably presenting the best possible case for the victims in court.”


Another wrote:

I just wanted to update you that the girls are so grateful and happy with the result we were able to give them today. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for this case. I have been heavily invested in it, not only due to, but also because of, the girls and how they’ve been doing. This result really does make it worthwhile.”


Another wrote:

“I was made to feel like all the hard work over two years was worth it. I felt as if you really had a sense of loyalty to the complainants and did so much more — even standing up to the judge when I didn’t have a clue about click share. I cannot thank you enough for believing in the case and for getting the amazing “guilty” for the girls who, may I say, are “over the moon.”  You have changed their lives, for people who have carried this burden for years, they are now free to get the help they need and move forward. I hope to work with you again.”

“Rebecca was excellent and exactly what the prosecution needed to present our case which then obviously led to the guilty verdicts. I don’t look forward to her defending if I’m the OIC”.

Legal Services

Rebecca is a true specialist in terms of rape and serious sexual offences, acting on behalf of the prosecution and defence. She is a grade 4 RASSO prosecutor and is instructed in cases of the most sensitivity and complexity. Rebecca is proficient in assimilating evidence and, if called upon, is able to direct and advise on investigation strategy.

Rebecca has considerable experience in cases involving defendants and complainants who are very young, those with vulnerabilities and learning delay and fitness to plead issues. She is often instructed in cases involving complex medico-legal issues, such as “sexsomnia” and false memory syndrome.

Dealing with those who are vulnerable is an essential part of being a specialist advocate in this field. Rebecca is down to earth and approachable but firm when needed.  She is routinely making and resisting complex legal arguments both in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal.

 

Prosecution

  • 2023 R v B- successful prosecution, campaign of rape 2 complainants sentenced to 25 years extended.
  • 2023 R v S- successful prosecution of rape and assault.  Sadistic features.  Sentenced to 25 years extended.
  • 2023 R v M- succesful prosecution rape under 13.
  • 2022 R v H- successful prosecution of historic campaign of rape.
  • 2021 R v B – successful prosecution of rape and sexual abuse on two complainants sentenced to 25 years extended.
  • 2021 R v B – successful prosecution of rape where alleged to have been suffering with parasomnia – sentenced to 12 ½ years.
  • 2021 R v MC – successful prosecution of campaign of sexual abuse on family member sentenced to 17 years.
  • 2021 R v H & R – successful prosecution of historic sexual abuse on two complainants by former married couple.
  • 2020 R v M – sole counsel instructed in case involving the recording of at least 150 rapes under 13. Advised on undue leniency and sentenced increased to life with a minimum term of 25 years on a plea.
  • 2020 R v G – successful prosecution rape of masseuse at gunpoint- defended by QC.

 

Defence

  • 2023- SPA v R- Leading Ed Wylde, acquitted rape and assault.
  • 2023 – R v N- assault by penetration.  Successful submission at half-time.
  • 2023 R v H- acquitted rape and sexual assault.
  • 2023 R v F- multi-handed rape.  Acquitted.
  • 2021 R v H – man accused of historic allegations of rape against two complainants
  • 2021 R v XXX – child accused of rape in the Youth Court. Acquitted.
  • 2019 R v B – young man with autism and learning difficulties accused of raping his 6-year-old cousin, found unfit and not to have done the act.
  • 2016 R v Q – Before Griffith-Williams J-stepfather accused of campaign of rape under 13 on his stepdaughter. Acquitted.
  • R v C – campaign of rape

Rebecca also prosecutes and defends in cases of serious violence and murder, most recently attempted murder. She has prosecuted and defended in fatal driving cases, including one requiring highly technical reconstruction evidence.

s.18 stabbing.

 

  • 2021 R v R – s.18 stabbing.
  • 2020 R v G – attempted murder.
  • 2020 R v W – multi handed s.18.
  • 2019 R v P – death by careless.

 

Defence

  • 2021 R v F – arson with intent.
  • 2020 R v L – 18-year-old acquitted s.18 stabbing.
  • 2018 R v B – 18-year-old accused s.18 stabbing.
  • 2018 R v C – death by careless.
  • 2013 R v W & ors – body in suitcase murder, led by Oba Nsugbe QC.
  • 2011 R v Henderson – young woman accused of murder of mother, led by Henry Grunwald QC.
  • 2010 R v Crago – 14-year-old acquitted murder, led by Richard Kovalevsky QC.

Rebecca also appears in cases involving serious and organised crime and is currently instructed in an Encrochat conspiracy. She is a grade 4 member of the CPS Serious Crime Group panel.

Rebecca has been instructed in high profile cases, large scale conspiracies of drug importation and firearms and kidnap. Some of these cases involved the use of covert product and the interception of communications. She is also accustomed to prosecuting and defending in paper-heavy cases, cellsite, ANPR and CCTV evidence.  She is currently instructed to prosecute a large-scale prison s.18.

Rebecca maintains a civil and professional relationship with opposing counsel even in a cut-throat case.

 

Recent and notable cases:

 

Prosecution

  • 2021 – ongoing R v P – aggravated burglary
  • 2021 R v A& W – conspiracy to supply and money laundering
  • 2020 R v E – possession firearm with intent

 

Defence

  • 2021 Ongoing R v X – encrochat.
  • 2021 R v C acquitted supply Class A drugs.
  • 2020/1 R v S & ors – County lines conspiracy.
  • 2019 Op Kodak – County lines conspiracy.
  • 2018 Op Saddlebow conspiracy to facilitate breach of immigration law by non-EU citizens aboard a yacht.
  • 2017 Op Brace – kidnap and assisting an OCG.
  • 2015 R v Owen (Cambridge) – defending 1.6 billion drug importation using Dutch ambulances.
  • 2011 Op Bubonic – conspiracy to supply firearms.

Rebecca has a wealth of experience in fraud related matters from trading standards to insider trading.  Shewas sole Junior in an eleven-handed 6½ month fraud trial which was prosecuted by a QC and two juniors.

 

Recent and notable cases:

  • 2021 R v K – successful prosecution of Royal Marine for fraud.
  • 2021 R v B – successful prosecution fraud by employee over £100,000.
  • 2018 Op Albacore – 6 ½ month trial trading standards fraud.
  • 2011 R v Littlewood, Littlewood & Sa’aid– led junior in largest insider trading case at the time.
  • LL.B (Hons)
  • CBA
  • Western Circuit

Rebecca is a keen horse-rider, mainly eventing and show-jumping. she owns a spirited bay mare called Molly, who bites and kicks but likes apples. Molly is currently in foal and four hooves are due in early May 2022.

 

Instructing Rebecca Fairbairn

Would you like to know more?

If you require help or advice please contact our clerking team.

Call +44 (0)20 7353 0711 or email clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.

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