Rhia Abukhalil

Barrister RHIA ABUKHALIL

Email: clerk@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk

Phone: 0161 214 1500

Year of call: 2019

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Rhia is a criminal defence specialist. She is experienced at working with vulnerable defendants and is able to quickly build rapport with her lay clients. Rhia is a skilled trial advocate and has a particular interest in violent crime.

Rhia is proficient in the use of technology and is adept at making use of technical evidence in court. She is qualified to undertake cases involving youths and vulnerable witnesses, having completed specialist Youth Justice Advocacy Training with the YJLC, as well as the ICCA Vulnerable Witness Training.

Professional memberships

  • Criminal Bar Association
  • Young Legal Aid Lawyers
  • Women in Criminal Law
  • Bar Human Rights Committee
  • The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple

Expertise

  • Crime

    Violence and Harassment

    • R v LB (October 2022) – Defendant acquitted of s20 Grievous Bodily Harm after a successful submission of no case to answer was made in relation to identification evidence.
    • R v ME (May 2021) – Defendant acquitted of Assault Occasioning ABH after a four-day trial. The jury had heard evidence from the complainant and three eyewitnesses.
    • R v A (a youth) (March 2021) – 14-year-old defendant acquitted of s18 GBH with Intent. Submissions were made regarding the limited evidence of intent.
    • R v KA (January 2021) – Defendant acquitted at half time of Assaulting an Emergency Worker where the evidence of the police officers was inconsistent.
    • R v MY (August 2020) – Half-time acquittal of defendant accused of Assaulting an Emergency Worker, Breach of Restraining Order and Criminal Damage.
    • R v DW (July 2020) – Defendant acquitted of Stalking after a successful submission of no case to answer.

    Sexual Offences

    • R v BH (February 2022) – Defendant unanimously acquitted of two counts of Sexual Assault after a three-day trial where the issue was reasonable belief in consent.
    • R v ED (January 2022) – Possession of Extreme Images trial. No evidence was offered against the defendant on day two of trial after a further request for disclosure produced undermining evidence.
    • R v AE (October 2021) – Defendant acquitted of Exposure during an actus reus hearing after a successful submission of no case to answer. The case hinged on identification evidence.


    Fraud

    • R v DD (April 2021) – Persuaded court to impose a Community Order in respect of a Fraud committed against the defendant’s employer.
    • R v BM (July 2020) – Successfully persuaded court to pass a short suspended sentence for 32 charges of Fraud by False Representation, when the defendant was already on post-sentence supervision for Fraud.
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