Justin Rouse KC

Prosecuting Encrochat assassination. Complex issues of telephone, ballistic, cellsite and vehicle evidence.

Defending teenager in knife murder allegation. Dealing with cut throat defences and arguing admissibility of hearsay and analysis of CCTV footage, thereby introducing a new suspect.

Private serious sex case, sensitive cross examination of vulnerable complainant about allegation of assault during lockdown.

Historic murder. Defending at CCC. Dealing with developments in DNA, resulting in the identification of the D as responsible for the death of a woman in the 1970’s. Acquitted of murder.

Defending murder: defending man accused of killing his abusive father in the street, during a family visit.

Prosecuting: Prosecuted a homicide in a psychiatric unit requiring the coordination by counsel of the investigation to ensure that full medical, forensic and psychiatric evidence was collated and adduced in the strongest light. Defendant then changed plea to guilty. Justin was instructed by the CPS.

Justin prosecuted against 14 defence counsel in a multi-handed murder. It involved DNA, identification, telephone cell site evidence and complex pathology issues. Woolwich Crown Court.

See article here

Prosecuting: Led Katrina Charles in prosecuting the largest criminal trial staged under Covid conditions prosecuting a multi-defendant trial involving gang murder of teenager. Youngest defendant was 14 at time of offence. Convictions for murder, manslaughter and knife offences followed. Woolwich Crown Court. Justin was instructed by the CPS.

News report here

Defending: The defendant killed his brother following an argument over a will. He admitted the killing to police attending the scene and pleaded guilty. Although there was no psychiatric evidence to support the defendant, it was argued that the Court should accept that there were exceptional circumstances to the case. Resolution of the issues involved a Newton Hearing. The resulting sentence, although favourable, was then appealed. The Court of Appeal accepted the submissions made and the sentence was substantially reduced for the defendant. Justin was instructed by Nick Seeley of Lawtons Solicitors.

Defending: Defended a cutthroat murder trial involving two defendants charged with killing a drug dealer. Case required strong cross-examination of co-defendant, the prosecution witnesses and police. Issues of law on joint enterprise, bad character and disclosure. Birmingham Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Nayan Patel of JD Solicitors.

Defending: On his way home from a night out, it was alleged that the defendant (a man in middle age of good character) encountered the victim. There was an argument and the defendant went home, armed himself and then returned to the scene to kill the victim. The case involved substantial CCTV analysis, forensic evidence and particularly delicate client management. Birmingham Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Ravi Dev of JD Solicitors.

Defending: Led Simon Stirling in nationally reported murder of victim on a Guildford commuter train in front of his son. Psychiatric, diminished and manslaughter loss of control complications. Admissibility issues: data, previous character and vulnerable witness ABEs. Central Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Helen Snell of Murrays Partnership.

News report here

Defending: Successfully defended a youth accused of the Clapham South station murder. The defendant, who admitted carrying a hunting knife to the scene before giving it to his co-defendant, was acquitted of murder and manslaughter. Central Criminal Court. Justin was instructed by Olukayode Okenla of Simon Bethel & Co Solicitors.

News report here

Defending: Defendant faced murder charge for stabbing his aunt. Found guilty of manslaughter through diminished responsibility. Blackfriars Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Nadia- Jade Semlali of Kaim Todner Solicitors.

News report here

Defending: Defended gamekeeper accused of unlawfully killing peregrine falcons. Series of submissions relating to trespass, data protection, breaches of PACE codes, breach of RIPA requirements and unlawful search resulted in all charges being dismissed. Justin was instructed by Timothy Ryan of Warners Solicitors.

Defending: Defended 2 hunt employees facing criminal accusations made by hunt saboteurs. Submissions on entrapment, self defence, prevention of crime (s.3 CLA), data protection breaches, perverting the course of justice. Prosecution were compelled to make further disclosure resulting in their having to abandon the prosecution. Acquittal. Justin was instructed by Tim Ryan of Warners Solicitors.

Defending: Historic rape case involving a teacher and a 5 year old boy. Abuse said to have continued for 5 years. Required very sensitive cross examination. Acquitted. Heard at Southwark Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Nick Seeley of Lawtons Solicitors.

Defending: Defended a 14 year old boy charged with 4 co-defendants in a gang related murder. Cut throat defences run by all defendants. Issues of causation, telephone data analysis and expert evidence on image analysis. Heard at St. Albans Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Paul Millan of Noble Solicitors.

Defending: Adult son stabbed mother to death during psychotic episode. Psychiatric and forensic expert evidence. Heard at Guildford Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Kate Lyon of Taylor Street Solicitors.

Defending: Defended an 18 year old charged with involvement in gang drugs related murder and violent disorder. Issues of forensic evidence, telephone material and joint enterprise. Acquitted of murder. Heard at the Central Criminal Court. Justin was instructed by Libi Adek of McMillan Williams Solicitors.

Defending: VHCC fraud involving the Government apprenticeship scheme. Nationwide operation defrauding colleges and the government scheme across Britain. Southwark Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Abigail Ashford of Reeds Solicitors.

Defending: Charges of murder and manslaughter. Successful acquittal of husband who admitted killing his wife by cutting her throat during an argument. Cross-examination of 5 experts. Justin was instructed by Kate Lyon of Taylor Street Solicitors.

Press reports:

Daily Mail

The Sun

The BBC

Prosecuting: Two men who shot and killed a teenager. Verdicts: both guilty of murder. Made the subject of Channel 4 documentary "Catching A Killer". Justin was instructed by the CPS.

News story here

Defending: Allegations of conspiracy to defraud the public – by high-profile limousine company, whose clients include X-Factor stars, royal family and international celebrities. Acting for principal shareholder. Heard at Chester Crown Court. Justin was instructed by Lachlan Nisbet of Brabners Solicitors.

Prosecuting: Instructed to represent the Crown in the Court of Appeal on a murder trial involving the killing of a son in front of his mother. Issues of fresh evidence, errors in the Summing Up and conduct of counsel. All grounds and sentence appeal successfully opposed. Justin was instructed by the CPS.