Charlotte Bégué

‘I assess Miss Bégué to be a highly competent, professional, skilled, and down-to-earth advocate, who will go far’ (CFJ Solicitors)

Charlotte appears daily in the Crown Courts as defence and prosecution counsel in a broad range of criminal matters including violent, sexual, drugs, and dishonesty offences. She also undertakes extradition cases and has experience in quasi-criminal civil cases.

Described by a Circuit Judge as giving a performance that he ‘would expect of an advocate of 10+ years’ call’, Charlotte is able to quickly master any case then present it with skill and sophistication.

Solicitors instruct Charlotte for the combination of detailed knowledge of the law, fearless advocacy, and approachable manner that she brings to every case. She is able to advise with clarity and fight tirelessly in Court, as well as to reassure and guide any client. One solicitor described her in the following terms: ‘Charlotte’s knowledge of criminal law is considerable. Her approach with our clients is professional, friendly and re-assuring’ (DMA Solicitors).

Charlotte’s results follow naturally. She secures unlikely victories at all stages of criminal proceedings. Referring to a particular trial, one solicitor commented: ‘the matter proceeded to trial against a highly experienced prosecutor and [the client] was acquitted of all four charges. The client was delighted and called my office to say thank you… This case was frankly a hospital pass and Charlotte did really well to both win over the client and then to win the case.’ (O’Neill, Wright & Nash Solicitors).

Unphased by new challenges, Charlotte takes pride in rapidly developing her practice. Feedback from one solicitor was as follows: ‘I was particularly impressed with Charlotte when she robustly pursued an application to dismiss a matter in the Crown Court. Charlotte was successful in this application. She also displayed excellent communication skills when dealing with a very difficult client in this matter.’ (Elliott Stern Solicitors).

Notable Cases

R v LA (2023), Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court – Charlotte persuaded the Crown to offer no evidence against LA (who was charged with Assault on an Emergency Worker) through forensic analysis of video evidence that revealed the LA may have been the victim of significant injury at the hands of the police.

R v SH (2023), Snaresbrook Crown Court – Charlotte secured unanimous convictions on 8 counts of Class A and B drug supply relating to a period of almost 3 years as well as the attribution of a notorious ‘drugs line’.

R v TS (2022), Southwark Crown Court – TS acquitted following successful half-time submission in a four-handed bladed article and assault trial.

R v QCS (2021), Croydon Youth Court – QCS, a Youth, was charged with robbery and CCTV demonstrated that he was part of a group who took a mobile phone from another young person using threats of violence. Charlotte skilfully distanced QCS from the plan devised by the other members of the group and he went on to be acquitted.

Education and Awards

Astbury Scholar – The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple

BPTC LLM – City, University of London

BA Cantab. (Law, Peterhouse)

Appointments

Grade 1 CPS Prosecutor