Operation Crosstree (2025)
Led by Jonas Hankin KC. Instructed to prosecute the mother of a 2-month-old charged with the murder of her daughter.
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.
She was ranked in both the Legal 500’s 2024 and 2025 listings as a Tier 1 “rising star.”
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 the coordination 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 newborn son when she was aged 15. Chloë is presently instructed in Operation Ancone 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 other homicide cases have encompassed a multitude of complex issues, including gang-related bad character, anonymous witnesses and child defendants. She is recognised for her ability to win the trust of even the most justifiably self-protective witnesses.
In addition, Chloë both prosecutes and defends in cases involving sophisticated organised crime groups and criminal conspiracies. She has a particular interest in counterterror cases. Chloë’s practice also extends to cases involving alleged modern slavery and large-scale drug conspiracies; many of these cases 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, Chloe is passionate about improving social mobility at the Bar. Chloe regularly contributes to events encouraging aspiring lawyers from marginalised backgrounds to pursue a career at the Bar, she also mentors student members of the Inner Temple and interviews applicants seeking scholarships. Chloe is also equally committed to supporting the South Eastern Circuit Advanced International Course held annually at Keble College, Oxford when her diary allows it.
Led by Jonas Hankin KC. Instructed to prosecute the mother of a 2-month-old 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 the 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. The case involved complex disclosure issues stemming from linked Family Court proceedings.
Instructed alone to prosecute a complex child cruelty case where the defendants, the parents of two very young children who suffered life-threatening respiratory events, exposed their children to Class A prompting several severe medical episodes.
Instructed alone to defend the father of 3-month-old baby alleged to have caused serious non-accidental injuries to his son.
Instructed alone to prosecute a historic child abduction where the parents fled with their daughter to Bangladesh in contravention of an order of the High Court.
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. The allegations followed the defendant being controlled and humiliated by her in- laws.
Led by David Mason KC. Instructed to prosecute the father of a 6-month-old charged with murder of his son. The defendant is alleged to have inflicted brain injuries upon his son consistent with having shaken him
Led by Martin Rutherford KC. A 4 handed killing. The defendants stood charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. The case involved a significant amount of evidence covering telematics, phone data, CCTV, forensic pathology and difficult witness management, along with voluminous disclosure.
Instructed as a junior alone to represent the lead defendant alleged to be part of an organised crime group concerned in the supply of £1.5 billion pounds worth of cocaine over a six-month period.
Instructed to defend, alone, in an attempted murder where at the time of the offence the defendant was in the grips of a psychotic episode.
Instructed to defend one of 29 defendants charged with violent disorder arising out of a large-scale public disorder in Coventry connected to a national amateur junior boxing championship
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 upon him before stabbing him multiple times to the neck.
Led by Jonas Hankin KC. Successful prosecution of a mother found guilty of murdering her new-born son. The defendant claimed that she did not know she was pregnant before giving birth. However, expert evidence from both a midwife and Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology demonstrated that 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.
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…
Jonas Hankin KC led Chloë Ashley in the case of a father accused of gross negligence manslaughter of his severely disabled six-year-old son. Joseph Davidson,…
“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.”
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…
Jonas Hankin KC led Chloë Ashley in the case of a father accused of gross negligence manslaughter of his severely disabled six-year-old son. Joseph Davidson,…
