R v Dale (2025)
Instructed together with Phil Bradley KC to defend a man charged with murder by arson following a fatal house fire in Birmingham. The case involves complex expert evidence in fire science, forensics, and CCTV analysis.
Chloë is a specialist criminal advocate regularly instructed in serious and sensitive cases. Her work sees her act both alone or as a led junior on behalf of both the defence and prosecution in a range of complex cases.
Chloë is ranked in the 2026 Legal 500 listing as a Leading Junior following rankings in 2024 and 2025 where she was recognised as a Tier 1 “rising star.”
Chloë was nominated in the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2026 in the category “Junior Barrister of the Year (10 years’ call and under).”
Chloë is currently the Secretary of the Criminal Bar Association.
Chloë’s work has a particular focus on allegations of non-accidental injuries in infants and cases of child homicide, including infanticide. Advocacy in such cases frequently involves co-ordination of specialist expert evidence.
Previous instructions include Operation Kenita, which concerned the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes in which Chloë defended his father, and Operation Lanvigator in which Chloë was instructed to prosecute a mother convicted of the historic murder of her new-born son, when she was aged 15.
Chloë is presently instructed in Operation Ancone together with Jonas Hankin KC to defend the mother of a 12-month-old in a complex case involving several areas of specialist medical evidence including, burns and odontology.
Chloë’s homicide cases have encompassed a wide range of complex issues, including gang-related bad character evidence, anonymous witnesses, and child defendants. She is recognised for her exceptional ability to gain the trust of even the most understandably self-protective witnesses and has been called upon to take hostile witnesses through their evidence by way of deposition.
In addition, Chloë both prosecutes and defends in cases involving sophisticated organised crime groups and criminal conspiracies. She has a particular interest in counter terror cases and is appointed to the CPS Specialist Panel- many of her cases involve extreme right wing terrorism. Chloë’s practice also extends to cases involving alleged modern slavery and large-scale drug conspiracies, which involve issues of legal and factual complexity.
In her capacity as a barrister Chloë maintains a focus on human rights which originated in her previous career, where she worked for specialist women’s rights charities and international NGO’s focused on issues including counter-terrorism measures and assisting individuals facing the death penalty. This experience has been highlighted by clients as informing a sophisticated and tailored approach to her advocacy.
Chloë retains a special interest in the representation of women, those with mental health issues and those with intellectual disabilities within the criminal justice system and is often counsel of choice for solicitors representing clients whose acute vulnerability, or where utilisation of psychiatric evidence, may be integral to their case.
Equally committed to improving equality and diversity inside the Bar as outside, Chloë is passionate about improving social mobility at the Bar. Chloë regularly contributes to events encouraging aspiring lawyers from marginalised backgrounds to pursue a career at the Bar, she also mentors students members of the Inner Temple and interviews applicants seeking scholarships. Chloë is also equally committed to supporting the South Eastern Circuit Advanced International Course held annually at Keble College, Oxford when her diary allows the time for it.
Instructed together with Phil Bradley KC to defend a man charged with murder by arson following a fatal house fire in Birmingham. The case involves complex expert evidence in fire science, forensics, and CCTV analysis.
Instructed to prosecute parents accused of inflicting repeated, serious injuries on their four-month-old son. Expert paediatric and radiological evidence is relied upon.
Led by Edward Brown KC. Instructed to prosecute a murder involving a significant history of abuse by the defendant towards the deceased.
Instructed to defend together with Jonas Hankin KC in a complex murder case arising out of an alleged altercation in a public house, in which causation is the principal issue.
Led by Jonas Hankin KC. Instructed to prosecute the mother of a two-month-old child charged with the murder of her daughter.
Instructed together with Jonas Hankin KC to defend a mother jointly charged, alongside her husband, with the murder of her 12-month-old daughter.
Led by Michael Burrows KC. Instructed to prosecute four young men charged with murder, attempted murder, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, following a fatal shooting in Walsall.
Led by Jonas Hankin KC. Instructed to prosecute a father charged with the manslaughter of his six-year-old, severely disabled son.
Instructed pre-charge to prosecute the carers of a two-year-old child charged with serious sexual and physical abuse. Both defendants were convicted following a trial in which Chloë was led by Harpreet Sandhu KC.
Instructed alone to prosecute a complex case in which the parents of two very young children, who suffered life-threatening respiratory events, were charged with child cruelty. The defendants had exposed their children to Class A drugs, prompting several severe medical episodes.
Instructed to defend the father of a three-month-old baby alleged to have caused serious non-accidental injuries to his son. Chloë was led by Earl Pinnock.
Instructed alone to prosecute a historic child abduction in which the parents fled with their daughter to Bangladesh in contravention of a High Court Order.
Instructed to defend a young woman charged with the attempted murder of her mother-in-law. It was alleged that the defendant and her husband, the co-accused, plotted extensively to kill the complainant and burn her.
Led by David Mason KC. Instructed to prosecute the father of a six-month-old child charged with the murder of his son. The defendant was alleged to have inflicted brain injuries upon his son consistent with shaking.
Led by Edward Brown KC. Acted for the prosecution in the case of SH, who was found guilty of killing former councillor Wallis Webb following a four-week trial. Experts were deployed in the fields of pathology, forensics, blood spatter, psychiatry, and psychology.
Led by Martin Rutherford KC. A four-handed killing. The defendants were charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. The case involved extensive evidence covering telematics, phone data, CCTV, forensic pathology, and challenging witness management, along with voluminous disclosure.
Instructed to defend a 14-year-old originally charged with attempted murder. The defendant kidnapped a 13-year-old victim and forced him to commit sexual acts before stabbing him multiple times in the neck.
Led by Jonas Hankin KC in the successful prosecution of a mother found guilty of murdering her newborn son. The defendant claimed that she did not know she was pregnant before giving birth; however, expert evidence from both a midwife and a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology demonstrated this to be false. The defendant inflicted complex skull fractures upon her son and suffocated him. Medical experts were deployed in the fields of perinatal pathology, radiology, osteoarticular pathology, neuropathology, and neonatology.
Chloë Ashley represented “J” who faced a sentence in respect of two allegations of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession of…
Operation Tavara” saw the prosecution of three men for murder and possession of a firearm following the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Connor Brookes in Walsall…
“A first-rate advocate. Chloë is one of a handful under ten years’ call who can appear against Silks and hold her own. Her manner is very disarming.”
“Her advice is always spot on. She is as good as an advocate twice her call. She drills down on evidence and keeps it straightforward.”
“Her approach to client care is unmatched. She is always unfailingly kind and compassionate, no matter the circumstances. She’s a real star- absolutely our go-to choice in any criminal case.”
“Chloë is very bright. You see her at her best in complex medical cases, where her intellect shines through. I have never known a junior to be so well prepared. Silks who lead her often say how fortunate they are to have her as their junior.”
“Chloë stands out amongst her peers. She is frighteningly hard-working and demonstrates exceptional attention to detail. She always does an impeccable job, and our clients absolutely love her. In court she is unfailingly courteous and charming- she is an undoubted star.”
“She has a reputation for being a workaholic, which has seen her go on to become a successful and prominent junior barrister- a position she thoroughly deserves.”
“A very intelligent advocate who can master complex expert evidence, distil it, and present it effectively to both lay clients and a jury.”
“Her closing speeches are flawless and a joy to watch; juries absolutely love her.”
“She is always top of our list when it comes to instructing in complex, serious cases. Chloë is extremely hard-working, diligent, and leaves no piece of plausible evidence unexplored. She has an unrivalled commitment to her clients. She genuinely cares for them and their welfare, and to that end she will fight hard for the right result.”
“Her work is worthy of an advocate of 20 years’ call. She is very impressive on her feet.”
“Her cross-examination is extremely good- she gets under a witness’s skin and will persevere until she gets the answer she wants.”
“Chloë is a joy to instruct. She consistently shows our clients a level of care and commitment that surpasses our expectations.”
“Ms Ashley endears herself to clients almost immediately. She exudes warmth; even with the most challenging of clients, she wins them over. Her presentation in court is faultless- she quickly masters the evidence in a way that appeals to a jury. Judges before whom she appears value her commitment to her cases, and her opponents respect her for it.”
“She has a real command of the law and evidence in any case I instruct her in, which can only come from a brilliant mind. Judges commend her for her forensic attention to detail.”
“Her preparation is meticulous… I receive nothing but excellent feedback from clients- they all warm to her, especially youths.”
“Her ability to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations is second to none. Her relatively junior status is ignored by clients who see her as personable, intelligent, and savvy- she is mature beyond her years.”
“Ms Ashley has always offered us an unparalleled level of service. She is totally devoted to her clients’ cases and achieving the best possible outcome. Her preparation is painstaking and thorough. She is first-class.”
“A first-rate advocate. Chloë is one of a handful under 10 years call who can appear against Silks and hold her own. Her manner is very disarming.”
“Her advice is always spot on. She is as good as an advocate twice her call. She drills down on evidence and keeps it straightforward.”
“Her approach to client care is unmatched, she is always unfailingly kind and compassionate no matter the circumstances. She’s a real star. Absolutely our go to choice in any criminal case.”
“Chloë is very bright. You see her at her best in complex medical cases where her intellect shines through. I have never known a junior be so well prepared. Silks who lead her will often say how fortunate they are to have her as their junior.”
“Chloë stands out amongst her peers. She is frighteningly hard working and demonstrates exceptional attention to detail. She always does an impeccable job, and our clients absolutely love her. In court she is unfailing courteous and charming, she is an undoubted star.”
“She has a reputation for being a workaholic which has seen her go on to become a successful and prominent junior barrister; a position which she thoroughly deserves.”
“A very intelligent advocate who can master complex expert evidence, distil it and present it effectively to both lay clients and a jury.”
“Her closing speeches are flawless and a joy to watch, jury’s absolutely love her.”
“She is always top of our list when it comes to instructing in complex, serious cases. Chloë is extremely hard working, diligent, and leaves no piece of plausible evidence unexplored. She has an unrivalled commitment to her clients. She genuinely cares for them and their welfare and to that end she will fight hard for the right result for them.”
“Her work is creditworthy of an advocate of 20 years’ call. She is very impressive on her feet.”
“Her cross-examination is extremely good; she gets under a witness’ skin and will persevere until she gets the answer she wants.”
“Chloë is a joy to instruct, she consistently shows our clients a level of care and commitment which surpasses our expectations.”
“Ms Ashley endears herself to clients almost immediately, she exudes warmth, even with the most challenging of clients she will win them over. Her presentation in court is faultless- she quickly masters the evidence in a way that lends itself well to a jury. Judges she appears before value her commitment to her cases and her opponents respect her for it.”
“She has a real command of the law and evidence in any case I instruct her in which can only come from a brilliant mind. Judges commend her for her forensic attention to detail.”
“Her preparation is meticulous… I receive nothing but excellent feedback from clients, they all warm to her especially youths.”
“Her ability to meet and exceed our client’s expectations is second to none. Her relatively, junior status is ignored by clients who see her as personable, intelligent, and savvy…she is mature beyond her years.”
“Ms Ashley has always offered us an unparalleled level of service. She is totally devoted to her clients’ cases and achieving the best possible outcome. Her preparation is pain-staking and thorough. She is first class.”
Chloë Ashley represented “J” who faced a sentence in respect of two allegations of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession of…
Operation Tavara” saw the prosecution of three men for murder and possession of a firearm following the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Connor Brookes in Walsall…
