Practice Areas
Crime
Alan is known as a specialist in serious crime with an emphasis on homicide and serious gang related crime.
Publications
‘His calm, measured and unflappable approach instantly creates confidence.’ (Legal 500, 2021)
Recommended in the 2019 edition of Legal 500 for his defence in multi-handed Murder cases.
Ranked in Chambers and Partners. The recent 2019 edition ranks him as a Leading Silk in Crime.
“Alan Kent is my go-to QC for any serious or complex case. He never fails to impress with his closing speeches, and his easy rapport with juries and judges alike makes him one of the most effective advocates in the business. In a crowded market of Silks in London, Alan stands head and shoulders above the majority.” (Sept 2020)
“Fabulous at getting in to the mind of the jury. A very bright advocate with a common sense approach, who has the ability to assess every jury differently in the approach to take when delivering his speech” (2020)
“The best decision I made was to instruct Alan to defend in the case” (2019)
“It has been a long time since I was so impressed by a Silk” (2020)
“It’s been a genuine pleasure to work with you again. Your inclusive nature and relentless calmness is both refreshing and very welcome. We do not see those qualities often enough” – June 2019
Alan has a reputation for sound judgement, thorough preparation and fearless advocacy. He has been in Silk for 10 years and has considerable experience of defending and prosecuting in serious and difficult multi handed cases, including allegations of Murder, Rape, other serious sexual offences and fraud.
Alan has outstanding trial strategy and tactics based on over 30 years of experience in the criminal courts. He is regularly instructed in cases involving young and vulnerable people. He is always ready and willing to listen, provide advice and assistance. He is especially good with vulnerable clients including the young and those with mental health issues. Alan is adept at explaining the law and procedure in a clear and simple way. He builds an excellent rapport with clients, both professional and lay. He is down to earth and very easy to work with.
Alan is a solid and dependable advocate whose incisive cross-examination and powerful closing speeches make him a very popular choice for defence solicitors and prosecuting agencies.
Expertise
Alan has outstanding trial strategy and tactics developed over many years of experience. He is a solid and dependable advocate whose incisive cross-examination and powerful closing speeches make him a very popular choice for defence solicitors and prosecuting agencies.
He is in demand to conduct complex and serious cases around the country, often involving numerous defendants. His cases often require the analysis of CCTV, Cell Site evidence, telephone communications between defendants, DNA and identification. He has considerable experience of defences including denial of responsibility, joint responsibility, self defence, loss of control and diminished responsibility.
He is regularly instructed in cases involving young and vulnerable people. He is always ready and willing to listen, provide advice and assistance. He is especially good with vulnerable clients including the young and those with mental health issues. Alan is adept at explaining the law and procedure in a clear and simple way. He builds an excellent rapport with everyone he works with.
His easy going manner makes him an instant hit with solicitors, police officers, juniors, judges, juries, his opponents and, most importantly, lay clients. He has a natural ability to win the confidence of his clients and puts them at their ease, whilst always managing their expectations in an utterly charming and empathetic way. Alan’s reputation has been built on his readiness to listen, to put others first, and he is always willing and able to help his colleagues and clients with advice.
He is in consistent demand from solicitors throughout the country and is one of the finest and most popular advocates at the Criminal Bar.
Homicide and Corporate Manslaughter
Alan is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in murder cases throughout the country.
Current instructions include seven separate murder trials. They include prosecuting two defendants, defending in an 8-handed case, defending a woman who is accused of killing her child, defending in a single handed murder following a fight in a nightclub, prosecuting a defendant who killed a fellow gang member during a knife fight and prosecuting 7-defendants for a gang related shooting and an attempted murder defending in a 7-handed case
He is also instructed in a trial alleging perverting the course of justice, defending in a case that is linked to the Russell Bishop Murder trials.
Recent cases include:
June 2020: Murder: Defended a Polish National who kicked and punched a stranger to death. Pleaded guilty to Manslaughter.
March 2020: Murder: Prosecuted two defendants at Lewes Crown Court
February 2020: Murder: Prosecuted the remaining defendant at the Old Bailey in a 5 handed murder. The Court of Appeal had quashed his initial conviction. It was a gang murder that led to the convictions of all 5 defendants.
January 2020: Murder: Represented a 17 year old who stabbed his friend to death during an argument.
December 2019: Represented CPS in an abuse of process hearing
September/October 19: Murder: Represented a vulnerable young man at Nottingham Crown Court with mental health issues who tabbed his brother to death.
September 2019: Murder: Represented the second defendant at Lewes Crown Court in a 2 handed murder.
July/August 2019: Defended a 72 year old woman at Sheffield Crown Court who was jointly accused with her son of murdering a man following a long standing dispute between them. Issues were lack of involvement and joint enterprise
May/June 2019: Prosecuted three defendants at Wolverhampton Crown Court for the robbery and murder of a man in his own home. Issues centered around DNA, telephone evidence, CCTV evidence, involvement, participation and joint enterprise.
April /May 2019: Defended a 26 year old at Liverpool Crown Court for an allegation of murder. He was jointly charged with 3 others. Issues included a careful examination of DNA evidence; involvement and joint enterprise
May 2019: Defended in Reading Crown Court. The client killed his wife in the early hours of Boxing Day morning by repeatedly stabbing her following the breakdown of their marriage
February/March 2019: Terrorism [See below]
January 2019: Defended at the Old Bailey in a 4 handed conspiracy to commit GBH and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The defendant was accused of being on a ‘ride out’ with other gang members, seeking to attack members of an opposing gang in East London
October – December 2018: Prosecuted 5 youths at the Old Bailey for the murder of a 17 year old youth. Issues involved DNA, identification, CCTV evidence, telephone cell site evidence and joint enterprise
Terrorism
Recent cases include
June / July 2018 and February / March 2019: R v MT: Defended a client at the Old Bailey who was accused of being a member of ‘National Action’ post proscription. He was linked to a conspiracy involving his co-defendant to murder a sitting MP. Two juries failed to reach verdicts in the case of MT.
Civil
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