Rebecca Erkan-Bax is an experienced and sought after junior, who has a successful and substantial criminal defence practice. Her practice also incudes inquests and inquiries, prosecuting and criminal regulatory work.
She is regularly instructed in complex and document-heavy cases, through which she has developed a reputation for thorough case preparation, excellent client care and sound judgement. She acts in a variety of cases from long running frauds to homicide and serious sexual multi-handed cases. Rebecca has extensive experience in cases involving mental health, fitness to plead and fitness to stand trial issues, and excels in representing young and vulnerable clients
Prior to commencing her career at the Bar, Rebecca worked as an Analyst at Goldman Sachs, gaining an invaluable understanding of the financial industry. These experiences assist her in preparing and presenting paper-heavy criminal cases meticulously. Rebecca now advises HMRC on issues of criminal law, procedure and evidence arising from the investigations into fraud, tax and money laundering as well as parallel civil investigations.
In addition to Rebecca’s criminal practice in the UK, Rebecca has a successful multi-jurisdictional practice. She has worked within the Economic Crime and Confiscation Unit, at the Attorney General’s Office in Jersey; providing advice in respect of a number of ongoing investigations involving allegations of tax evasion, corruption and money laundering.
Rebecca has repeatedly been instructed as Disclosure Counsel for HMRC and the SFO. She has extensive experience of cases involving large scale financial investigations and her meticulous attention to detail has led to her being instructed as independent counsel by HMRC to review material for LPP (Legal Professional Privilege).
Rebecca was instructed as one of a number of disclosure counsel in Operation Lunar, a ten-handed, multi-million pound tax fraud, which was the largest HMRC prosecution for tax fraud to date. At the SFO, Rebecca was instructed as disclosure counsel on a £250 million fraud, the impact of which reduced the share value of the company by £1.5 billion in one trading day.
Rebecca has extensive experience defending clients accused of a range of serious criminal offences from homicide to fraud. She regularly defends clients at trial in multi-handed conspiracy cases and has successfully represented clients in prison adjudication hearings.
Rebecca frequently represents vulnerable youth clients with complex mental health issues and clients who have been deemed unfit to stand trial. She has defended clients in Civil Injunction Proceedings in the Youth Court and frequently.
R v H
Croydon Crown Court (led Junior)
Rebecca was instructed as led Junior Counsel in a multi-handed case of murder. After a seven week trial of three defendants MH was acquitted of all charges by the jury.
R v M
Croydon Crown Court
The complainant and defendant were previously in a consensual sexual relationship. After the relationship ended, the complainant alleged that the defendant had attended her house and used force to rape her on five occasions. The complainant called the police after the defendant smashed the complainant’s living room windows and made threats towards her.
The defendant and the complainant both had significant mental health issues and required extensive assistance throughout the trial process. The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges unanimously.
R v L
Central Criminal Court (led junior)
Rebecca was instructed as led Junior Counsel for the first defendant in a multi-handed case of attempted murder. The case involved two rival gangs fighting, with L allegedly shooting live ammunition at the other gang. An errant bullet hit a member of the public, causing her life changing injuries. After trial, L was unanimously acquitted of all charges by the jury.
R v RM
Kingston Crown Court
RM faced five counts of rape. The complainant and defendant had previously had a consensual sexual relationship, but the complainant alleged that the defendant had used force to commit the alleged non-consensual acts. The defendant and the complainant both had significant mental health issues and required extensive assistance throughout the trial process. The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges unanimously.
R v W
Guildford Crown Court (led Junior)
Rebecca was instructed as led Junior counsel in a complex case of conspiracy to burgle involving multiple defendants and large amount of cell site and expert evidence.
R v D
Central Criminal Court
Represented D who faced three counts of Conspiracy to Supply Class A. After successful legal arguments were made on D’s behalf, D was permitted to appear by video link from HMP Lewes for the entirety of the trial. Despite D’s DNA being present on the drugs, D was acquitted of all three counts on the indictment after a full trial.
R v Q
Harrow Crown Court
Q faced one count of Possession of an Imitation Firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Q accepted that he was in possession of the imitation firearm but disputed that he ever had the requisite intent for the offence to be made out. Rebecca carefully cross-examined the complainant and made a successful submission of No Case to Answer. The case against Q was dismissed.
2 Hare Court will be exhibiting at the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair this year where…
2 Hare Court will be exhibiting at the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair this year where…
Rebecca Erkan-Bax represented a defendant who faced five counts of rape. The complainant and defendant…
