Anna Chestnutt

Call To The Bar: 2016

“Anna has exceptional forensic analysis and she is a once-in-a-decade quality advocate on all levels. All judges trust her judgement and listen with an acceptance that her points have validity.” Tier 1 Crime (General and Fraud) – Legal 500, 2024

“Anna is a joy to instruct; her energy, sharp intellect, and industry know no bounds. She is a stand-out advocate who brings her authentic self into the courtroom where she is highly persuasive.” Tier 1 Professional Disciplinary Law – Legal 500, 2024

“Anna has demonstrated a capacity to unflappably absorb and define voluminous and challenging instructions at short notice. She has demonstrated sound and proven abilities as a lawyer, advocate and communicator in all matters in which briefed or instructed” – Legal 500, 2023

Anna enjoys a busy Crown Court practice, with a healthy mixture of prosecution and defence work. Whilst managing work both typical of and beyond her level of call, Anna has also been instructed as a led junior in long-running, serious criminal cases.

Aside from her criminal practice, Anna has conducted several Fitness to Practice hearings before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (‘NMC’) on behalf of nurses.

The overlap between criminal and regulatory law is of interest to Anna, who completed a three-month secondment with the Information Commissioners’ Office (‘ICO’), assisting their criminal prosecutions team.

Anna has been appointed to the Specialist List of Regulatory Advocates and is able to receive instructions on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and CQC. However her work in these areas is not restricted to the prosecution, she also undertakes defence work in a number of regulatory areas.

Anna has defended in a significant number of driving offence matters and has an impressive track record for her work in this area. Her services are specifically sought by a number of specialist solicitors as a result of her experience of driving cases involving complex matters of law and procedure. Additionally, Anna represents holders of operator’s licences and drivers alike before the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.

Prior to the Bar, Anna enjoyed a brief period working as a recruitment consultant in Manchester. Further, she developed her pro-bono experience through a three-month secondment with the Texas Defender Service, advising on death row appeals.

Anna is a member of the Criminal Bar Association, the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and a member of the Northern Circuit.

Anna is qualified to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis.