Grace Forbes

Criminal Defence

Grace specialises in criminal defence. Her experience extends across the spectrum of criminal law.

She has advised and represented clients accused of serious violence, serious drug supply, sexual offences and fraud. She has experience is navigating the complexities and tactical demands of multi-handed criminal cases, including through acting for those appearing first on the indictment at trial.

She has been recognised as a passionate and persuasive defence advocate with a strong work ethic.

Notable Cases:

K v X (Southwark CC) (2023)

Grace was recently led in a multi-million-pound consumer product fraud and money laundering trial where the client was acquitted.

R v H and 2 others (2020)

Grace is currently being led by a QC in a multi-handed murder case due to last five weeks. The case has received media attention.

R v R and 2 others (2020)

Grace is currently instructed as sole counsel on behalf of a businessman accused of fraudulent trading. The case involves allegations spanning across three companies and requires detailed analysis of extensive business records.

R v O and 7 others (2020)

Grace is currently being led by a QC in a multi-handed drug supply case. Grace is representing the second defendant who is accused of playing a leading role in a conspiracy to supply of Class A drugs across county lines. The case has involved analysis of extensive cell site, video surveillance and audio probe evidence.

R v I and 6 others (2019)

Grace was recently led in a multi-handed commercial fraud case, valued at over £1 million. Grace acted for the second defendant, a businessman accused of playing a leading role in a conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. The first defendant and Grace’s client were involved in a “cut-throat” defence, requiring careful tactical decisions throughout. The case involved analysis of thousands of pages of evidence. Grace was trusted to mitigate on behalf of the defendant at sentence.

R v K and 8 others (2018)

Grace was instructed as sole counsel on behalf of a defendant accused of participating in a multi-handed fraud and money-laundering conspiracy. The fraud was valued at £800,000 and the trial lasted 10 weeks. The case involved multiple defendants and Grace navigated a potential “cut-throat” conflict between her client and the first defendant, who was represented by a silk and a junior. The defence involved mastering extensive financial and documentary evidence, and cross-examination of a vulnerable witness. The case attracted media attention.

R v A and 2 others (2018)

Grace was instructed as sole counsel to represent a defendant accused of fraud in relation to construction work. Grace’s client was the first of three defendants on the indictment. The success of the defence turned on the difficult cross-examinations of a vulnerable complainant and an expert witness.

R v S (2018)

Grace was instructed as sole counsel to represent a man accused of an offence under s. 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Grace’s client had a number of mental health conditions and the case required careful handling of the defendant’s own evidence and a robust cross-examination of Prosecution witnesses.

R v C (2017)

Grace was instructed as sole junior to represent a mother of two accused of supplying a large quantity of Class A drugs. Grace engaged in robust legal argument around a complex issue relating to the law on “intent” and “knowledge” in the context of drug supply that ultimately led to favorable directions being put before the jury.