Olivia Chessell
- Called to the Bar in 2023
To instruct Olivia Chessell, contact her clerks at clerks@2drj.com or call 020 7936 2613
Biography
Olivia is building a strong practice in criminal defence, having secured an impressive run of acquittals.
Prior to joining the Bar, Olivia was a youth worker and teacher for fourteen years in London, often working with vulnerable and at-risk teenagers. This foundational experience makes Olivia a go-to choice for vulnerable defendants and youths.
What those instructing say about Olivia:
“She approached the case with an intelligent energy and saw the route to acquittal. The client was overjoyed and sang Olivia’s praises.” – Partner Solicitor
“This has been a truly difficult period for [my daughter] and for us as a family. Through your absolute professionalism, you were able to effect the correct outcome to a truly distressing time.” – Lay client
“I have not come across many for her call with such an appetite for success.” – Solicitor, Head of Criminal Department
“You conducted yourself with a confident poise both in and out of the courtroom and argued the case to the jury with formidable intellectual conviction. Your preparation was thorough, your explanations accessible, your patience inexhaustible, and your trial strategy flawless.” – Lay client
Prior to pupillage Olivia was a paralegal for a leading international crime and extradition barrister assisting on cases before the European Court of Human Rights in life without parole cases, applications for the removal of INTERPOL Red Notices, submissions to the FCDO for sanctions breaches, and Part 2 Extradition cases.
Olivia has written for publications including the New Law Journal, Red Notice Monitor. In a two-part article Olivia presents an overview and analysis of hate crime laws in England and Wales (read Part 1 and Part 2 here).
Olivia completed pupillage under the supervision of Michael McAlinden and Samantha Wright.
Notable Cases
- R v WS (2026) Wood Green Crown Court - WS acquitted of s.18 GBH and s.20 GBH. Prosecution relied on DNA evidence linking the defendant to a bloodied glass bottle, medical evidence of the complainant’s broken jaw and five fractured teeth, civilian witness testimony and the defendant’s bad character.
- R v RH (2026) Swindon Crown Court – RH unanimously acquitted of Stalking the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and unanimously acquitted of the statutory alternative of Harassment. RH released after months remanded in custody.
- R v JW (2026) Guildford Crown Court – WS unanimously acquitted of three counts of Exposure. The Crown relied on three eyewitnesses and footage of the act. Olivia made a successful application to adduce non-defendant bad character.
- R v DF (2026) Isleworth Crown Court – Successfully opposed Prosecution application to rely on res gestae hearsay evidence leading to no evidence being offered and not guilty plea entered. The court found that the possibility of concoction or distortion could not be disregarded.
- R v MG (2025) Reading Crown Court - Led Junior representing a 19-year-old accused of s.18 GBH and Violent Disorder in a multi-handed tit-for-tat gang trial involving a shooting and two machete attacks in Watford. Led by Michael McAlinden.
- R v SO (2025) Canterbury Crown Court – SO (D1) acquitted of s.18 GBH. The Crown relied on CCTV and eyewitness testimony to support an allegation of intentional GBH against a man who had racially abused the defendants.
- R v AJ (2025) Southwark Crown Court - AJ unanimously acquitted of Rape, Strangulation, ABH and two Common Assaults following a six-day trial. The case involved a s.41 YJCE 1999 application to adduce the complainant’s previous complaints as bad character evidence.
- R v NN (2025) Southwark Crown Court - NN found not guilty of two Sexual Assaults against the same woman in a nightclub for which the Crown relied on CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony.
- R v SX (2025) Canterbury Crown Court - Defended in a two-week Money Laundering and Drug Conspiracy trial arising from police operation ‘Raptor’ targeting county-lines drug supply. Mixed majority verdicts.
- R v GG (2025) Isleworth Crown Court - Represented GG, of good character, accused of Money Laundering arising from a fraud whereby a business email account was compromised to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
- R v BJ (2025) Maidstone Crown Court - Following Olivia’s written representations in response to the Crown’s application to adduce hearsay complaint evidence, the CPS offer no evidence against BJ who pleaded not guilty to Attempt GBH and three ABH's.
- R v SD (2024) Woolwich Crown Court – SD acquitted of ABH against a disabled man. Successfully advanced self-defence and successfully opposed the Crown’s application to adduce multiple previous assault convictions.
- R v PB (2024) Canterbury Crown Court - Secured a sentence of 6 years imprisonment for a foreign-national who pleaded guilty to importing 40 kilograms of high-grade cocaine into the UK in his vehicle.
Qualifications
- Bar Vocational Studies - City Law School
- Graduate Diploma in Law - City Law School
- BA (Hons) Education Studies - Univesity College London
Recent News
Crown Offer No Evidence Following Successful Contestation of Res Gestae Hearsay Application
Olivia Chessell successfully opposed the prosecution’s application to adduce res gestae hearsay evidence, resulting in the CPS offering no evidence against her client. The prosecution
Successful Application to Vacate Guilty Pleas
Olivia Chessell represented a man of good character in a contested application to vacate five guilty pleas. The charges – Driving Whilst Unfit Through Drugs and
Olivia Chessell’s client acquitted of s.18 and s.20 GBH at Wood Green Crown Court
A jury has acquitted Olivia’s client of s.18 Causing Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent and the alternative count of s.20 Inflicting Grievous Bodily Harm following
Olivia Chessell’s Client Acquitted of s.18 GBH at Canterbury Crown Court
Olivia (for D1) secures a not guilty verdict for a young man of good character accused of intentionally causing grievous bodily harm to a stranger
Defendant acquitted on all charges following successful Submission of No Case to Answer by Olivia Chessell in Assault and Criminal Damage Trial
In upholding the half time submission the Judge found that following cross-examination by Olivia of the Prosecution’s principle witness the Crown’s evidence was incoherent and
Michael McAlinden and Olivia Chessell secure excellent result at St Alban’s Crown Court
Instructed by Kit Pung of KSP Solicitors in Hatfield, Michael McAlinden assisted by Olivia Chessellof 2DRJ Barristers secured a fantastic result at St Albans Crown Court.
