Rebecca Erkan-Bax

Criminal Defence

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.

Notable Cases:

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.