2024
Representing a charity in a 12 day Article 2 inquest in the South West following a domestic homicide.
Christopher (Chris) Hopkins is a specialist regulatory and inquests barrister, who qualified at the bar following a period of service in the British Army.
His experience includes over ten years working as an in-house barrister defending criminal regulatory offences including at an international law firm. Christopher is therefore able to adapt between working in a team alongside solicitors, experts and lay clients or as an individual depending upon what is required. He is also Direct Access accredited for members of the public to instruct him directly.
Christopher is an experienced advocate before the Criminal Courts, Coroners Inquests, Public Inquiries before the Traffic Commissioners, Licensing Committees, the First-tier Tribunal and various professional disciplinary panels. As a former full-time prosecutor, he is well placed to provide timely and appropriate advice to regulators on the conduct of criminal investigations and disclosure. By virtue of his in-house experience, Christopher is also highly experienced in advising both individuals and organisations who are under investigation or undertaking their own internal reviews. In 2013, he was seconded to Jaguar Land Rover as its legal compliance manager where he provided support at all levels within the global business.
Christopher has advised on enforcement action and investigations being undertaken by a wide range of regulators including the Police, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Environment Agency, Local Authorities, Natural England, Ofcom and the Marine Management Organisation. He has particular expertise in inquests involving the police, care, construction and education sectors.
Chris previously trained specialist HSE inspectors on giving evidence in court and now regularly trains social care professionals on inquest proceedings.
Christopher practices the following areas:
Chris has appeared in inquests throughout England and Wales involving the Police, NHS, Local Government, National Probation Service, NHS, CQC, care and education sectors. Many of these have engaged Article 2 and/ or required a jury.
Chris has represented private, public and charitable organisation at inquests throughout England and Wales involving the construction, care and education sectors in particular. Many of these have required a jury and been held over multiple days and weeks. He regularly represents drivers following fatal road traffic accidents, and is experienced in advising where potential criminal prosecutions may follow.
Representing a charity in a 12 day Article 2 inquest in the South West following a domestic homicide.
Representing a serving police officer at an inquest in the Midlands following a suicide.
3 day inquest in the North West representing a private sector care provider.
10 day jury inquest in the Midlands representing a construction manager following a workplace death on a construction site.
Chris regularly advises and represents private landlords facing civil and criminal enforcement action. In recent years, he has successfully appealed financial penalties issued to landlords by local housing authorities under the Housing Act 2004 and represented others being prosecuted in the criminal courts. His clients range from large corporate landlords to private individuals.
Chris has many years experience in both prosecuting and defending Health and Safety prosecutions. He was previously a member of a specialist team at a global law firm advising market leading construction and manufacturing companies in this area, and continues to defend in serious cases. Chris is appointed to List A of the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.
Chris also regularly prosecutes and defends in other regulatory prosecutions involving the environment, fire safety, trading standards, food safety, housing, licensing and animal welfare.
Chris defends in criminal prosecutions nationally in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, and represents drivers at coroner’s inquests. He has successfully appealed sentences to the Court of Appeal. He covers the full range of driving offences from failures to provide information and speeding to causing death by dangerous driving. He has many years experience of appearing at Traffic Commissioner Public Inquiries nationwide.
Chris has for many years represented police, teaching, legal and medical professionals in criminal and professional disciplinary proceedings, and at inquests. He regularly represents serving and retired police officers on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales. He has represented other professionals in proceedings before the GMC, TRA, GOsC and involving the SRA.
Defending a medium sized transport business in the Crown Court being prosecuted following a
workplace transport incident.
Defending a farmer being prosecuted by the Environment Agency for water pollution offences.
Representing a young female driver in the Crown Court prosecuted for two offences of causing serious injury through dangerous driving.
Representing a driver prosecuted for causing death by careless driving.
Representing a police officer in misconduct proceedings accused of domestic abuse against his wife.
Prosecuting for the HSE a large sized business following a machinery accident.
Representing a motorcyclist prosecuted for causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
Representing a doctor accused of multiple instances of dishonesty before the GMC.
Defending a Hotel business prosecuted for fire safety offences.
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is “a fantastic set with an incredible strength in depth” Legal 500 2026 Chambers is delighted to be ranked in 16 practice areas…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is pleased to announce the continued development of its Regulatory team via the most recent release of the List of Specialist Regulatory…
"Christopher Hopkins is held in high regard throughout the market for his ability to represent clients in cases arising from fatal incidents. He is routinely called upon to defend private companies, although he also boasts notable strength in acting as the prosecution."
"He is an incredible advocate. Always has a good manner."
"Christopher is a very professional and intelligent barrister who understands a client’s specific concerns as soon as he is instructed. Christopher is able to empathise with a client and provide pragmatic advice which addresses the concerns a client may have and ultimately results in a client achieving the desired outcome"
"Chris is an excellent barrister who is always thoroughly prepared and has a calm, measured approach. He quickly gains the confidence of the court and those who instruct him"
"Chris is an outstanding advocate, excellent with clients and always thoroughly prepared."
"Christopher is a skilled advocate and such a safe pair of hands. He dealt with us and the clients so excellently."
"A confident junior with a forensic approach and an excellent client manner."
"His advice is at the right level and his advocacy is very good. He is absolutely superb."
"A fantastic advocate, and his attention to detail and court craft is unrivalled. A formidable asset in your corner."
"Chris is reliable, intelligent and a thorough advocate." "He puts clients at the centre of his work and immediately puts them at ease."
"Christopher has good practical awareness, he understands situations and facts, he performs advocacy well in court and he is cautious but robust."
"He is excellent with clients and is always thoroughly prepared."
"Christopher is able to call upon his practical experience to reassure clients about the process and that results in the clients being able to give evidence in a much more confident and assured way."
"Always completely on top of the facts and has outstanding attention to detail. He is brilliant with clients, an excellent advocate, and his knowledge of the law in relation to inquests is highly impressive."
"Christopher is very detail oriented, and nothing is ever too much trouble. He ensures that he works together with his instructing solicitor and always goes the extra mile."
"His ability to communicate effectively and empathetically to a client is second to none. He approaches each case with a positive attitude and seeks the very best possible outcome."
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is “a fantastic set with an incredible strength in depth” Legal 500 2026 Chambers is delighted to be ranked in 16 practice areas…
No5 Barristers’ Chambers is pleased to announce the continued development of its Regulatory team via the most recent release of the List of Specialist Regulatory…
