OVERVIEW
Christopher was called to the Bar in 1996 and was appointed King’s Counsel in 2023.
Christopher is the Head of Chambers and a founder member of Apex Chambers.
He has been the Head of Chambers since 2013 overseeing growth in tenants from 18 to over 30. He has also been responsible for moving Chambers to 32 Park Place, a prestigious building in the heart of the legal sector in Cardiff.
Christopher is the King’s Counsel representative on the Wales Circuit Management board. He is a bencher at Lincoln’s Inn and the Lincoln’s Inn senior representative for the Wales Circuit.
Christopher has been instructed by both the prosecution and defence in the most high profile criminal cases on the Wales Circuit and beyond. He has a nationwide practice and can be instructed by direct access. Christopher also specialises in police disciplinary cases.
Christopher has been recommended Counsel in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years. Legal 500 describes Christopher as ‘An extremely talented individual’ and ‘a peerless trial advocate.’ Christopher is also listed as recommended Counsel in Chambers and Partners. Chambers and Partners says “Christopher has a pleasing presence in court”.
Christopher has extensive experience in acting in serious and complex crime and including murder, fraud and serious sexual offences for both the prosecution and defence. He has acted in high value Proceeds of Crime Act applications both in the Crown Court and High Court. Christopher has successfully represented Defendants in restraint proceedings. Christopher also undertakes Inquest work and appears in regulatory proceedings including Police disciplinary matters.
RECENT NOTABLE CASES
Hassan Inquest [2024]. Inquest touching on the death of Mohamud Hassan following his arrest and release from custody in Cardiff in 2021.
R v Denis Coles [2024] Defending in “cold case” rape trial. The Defendant was arrested in 2021 following DNA evidence for a stranger rape of a child in 1977. Following complex psychiatric evidence defendant was found unfit to stand trial.
Orchard Inquest [2023] Article 2 Inquest touching on the death in custody of Thomas Orchard in 2012.
R v Lewis Bush [2023] Successful prosecution of murder case involving the killing of mother by son.
Operation Arbus [2023] successful prosecution of 9 defendants in a complex serious and organised crime case involving offences of kidnapping, blackmail and false imprisonment.
R v Andrew Jones [2022] represented Defendant in Operation Vermont a massive multi-kilo cocaine conspiracy case. Defendant acquitted after trial.
R v Gavin Lee Price [2022] represented Defendant in Operation Carina, a multi-kilo Encrochat conspiracy. Defendant acquitted after trial.
R v Fiteni and others [2022] represented defendant in multi-handed murder case. Defendant acquitted of murder, manslaughter and robbery.
R v Anthony Hampton [2022] represented defendant in a high profile multi-complainant historic sexual abuse case.
R v Euan Peters [2021] represented defendant in multi-handed murder case involving a killing during the course of an alleged robbery.
R v Hassan and Legall [2020] successful prosecution of two defendants for attempted murder involving a shooting and machete attack.
Christopher
Rees KC
PRACTICE AREAS
General crime
White collar fraud
Regulatory law
Disciplinary tribunals
APPOINTMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS
CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor
Criminal Bar Association
Bencher at Lincoln’s Inn
For any enquiries, please contact the clerking team:
Email: clerks@apexchambers.net
Phone: 02920 23 2032