Justin Rouse KC

Practice Areas

Silk with a strong record in defending grave and high-profile criminal matters including murder, serious and historic sexual offences, multi-million pound drug importation, armed robbery and other firearms related offences. Described as “devastating in defending complex fraud and acquisitive crime” having defended in one of the largest VAT frauds. In 2024, prosecuted one of Britain’s most wanted fugitives for an assassination and defended in a series of high-profile murders and privately instructed sex cases.

Defends in Courts Martial cases. He has represented forces personnel across the UK and in Germany on serious offences including rape and grievous bodily harm. Expert in wildlife crime and press-sensitive case management.

Has lectured on sexual offences, insanity and advised on the drafting of legislation for Parliament on both wildlife crime and cheating the public revenue (2022). As a prosecution junior counsel, he was promoted to Grade 4, served as London RASSO rape accredited counsel and trained whilst a KC at CPS HQ in extradition work.

Career

BA (Hons)

Inns of Court School of Law

Called 1982

Pupillage at CCC with First Senior Treasury Counsel

Grade 4 and RASSO prosecutor

Recorder (Appeals & Serious Sex tickets) 2004 - present

Silk: 2015 - present

Professional Memberships

Criminal Bar Association, South Eastern Circuit, BASC, Lincoln’s Inn.