Rupert Wheeler

Rupert approaches the law with an underlying commitment to the rights of the individual, a principle that permeates all areas of his practice.

He provides representation and advice in the range of criminal matters, appearing frequently for the defence in the Crown Court, Magistrates' Court and Youth Court. A hard-working and tenacious advocate Rupert will ensure that every step is taken to achieve the best possible result for the client. Recent cases include violent crime, financial crime, sexual offences and drugs charges. He is also experienced in quasi-criminal matters, with a focus on regulatory crime and anti-social behaviour.

In addition to his criminal practice, Rupert has a strong interest in public law issues that arise from criminal litigation. He is experienced in judicial review cases, primarily in relation to the actions of the lower courts. Rupert recently appeared in the Divisional Court as a led junior in a judicial review of the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Rupert also accepts instructions in non-criminal matters, and is developing a practice in personal injury law.

Background

Prior to coming to the Bar, Rupert undertook a variety of work in the fields of human rights and criminal justice. He has interned at the human rights division of the Ministry of Justice, and worked for a variety of NGOs. This included a period spent in Bangladesh working for the human rights organisation Odhikar, where he drafted an annual report which was later submitted to the United States Embassy.

He remains committed to human rights, and is a member of the Bar Human Rights Committee and the Human Rights Lawyers Association.

Notable Cases

Crime/Quasi-Crime

R v Pulinski (2012) – Anti-semitic criminal damage trial, involving over 30 individual allegations over damage. Resulted in an acquittal.

R v H (2012) – Case dismissed after the defendant successfully relied on the defence of temporary insanity under the M'Naghten Rules.

R v D (2011) – Successfully defended a youth accused of burglary of a jewellery store during the London Riots of 2011. Presence, substantiated by forensic evidence, was admitted.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets v A & Others (2011) – Application for an anti-social behaviour order by the local authority against six defendants.

Judicial Review

R (Michael Stone) v Criminal Cases Review Commission – Application for judicial review of the Criminal Cases Review Commission's decision to refuse to refer the murder convictions of Michael Stone to the Court of Appeal. Argument based partly on an abuse of process due to loss of key evidence that could lead to exoneration.

R (M) v Westminster Magistrates Court – Advice on merits of application to judicially review the decision of Westminster Magistrates Court not to grant a client the opportunity to seek an expert report when relying on the defence of Automatism.           

Qualifications and Awards

Bar Vocational Course (2010) – Very Competent
MA Law (2009) – University of Bristol (with Merit)
BA Philosophy (2007) – University of Bristol (First Class Honours)
Leonard Woodley Scholarship (Inner Temple)
CPE Scholarship (Inner Temple)
Internship Award (Inner Temple)
Martin Skipper Philosophy Prize

Publications

Contributor – Prison Law Index 2011-2012, FIELD, Stephen (Stockport)

Shortlisted for Turnbull Human Rights Essay Prize 2010 - “Human Rights and Cultural Relativism”