Rhian Wood
- CPS Panel Advocate Level 3
- CPS RASSO panel
- South Eastern Circuit
- Lincoln’s Inn
- Criminal Bar Association
- Women in Criminal Law
- Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
- Bar Professional Training Course (Very Competent), City University (2014-2015)
- Graduate Diploma in Law (Commendation), City University (2013-2014)
- Classics and English BA Hons, University of Oxford (2008-2012)
- Vulnerable Witness Training, Lincoln’s Inn (2023)
- Lord Denning Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (April 2014)
- Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (December 2013)
- Waugh Academic Scholarship, Exeter College, University of Oxford (2010-12)
Instructing Rhian Wood
To instruct Rhian or for any further information please contact our clerks on +44 (0)20 7440 8888 or clerks@2br.co.uk.
Rhian Wood is an experienced advocate specialising in crime and regulatory. She has a busy court practice regularly appearing in the Crown Court, Court of Appeal and in disciplinary tribunals and panels.
Rhian prosecutes (CPS Level 3 and RASSO) and defends as sole counsel or led junior in serious and complex criminal cases in the Crown Court. Her cases include sexual offences, serious violence and drug supply. She is frequently instructed in private prosecutions including for the Insolvency Service, Local Authorities and the DVSA, usually in relation to fraud.
In professional discipline, Rhian acts regularly for police forces in misconduct proceedings involving the most serious misconduct allegations. She is instructed in gross misconduct hearings, accelerated hearings and associated appeals in the Police Appeals Tribunal.
Rhian also has significant experience in quasi-criminal proceedings. She has been instructed both for and against the police in civil applications relating to injunctions, banning orders and forfeiture of cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. She has represented the police in applications for disclosure up to and including the High Court and dealt with cases involving issues surrounding public interest immunity. Rhian has also acted in contempt of court proceedings for breach of civil injunctions.
In 2022, Rhian conducted an independent review of the Simple Caution Guidance and the Adult Factor Matrix following the death of Caroline Flack. This effected a national policy change in the College of Policing caution guidance. She continues to advise forces in the application of legislation and lawfulness of police action.
Prior to becoming a barrister, Rhian worked as a paralegal for a Senior Junior barrister specialising in catastrophic personal injury and clinical negligence. This provided her with an excellent grounding in the intersection between medicine and law which makes her well placed to act in health and safety prosecutions and regulation in the healthcare sector. Rhian is looking to expand her regulatory practice, particularly in the area of healthcare.
Practice Areas
Rhian appears in criminal courts at all levels from the Magistrates’ Court up to the Crown Court and Court of Appeal. She is regularly briefed in cases involving multiple defendants and multi-count indictments. Rhian is comfortable as sole counsel or led junior and is trusted with cases involving complex factual and expert evidence.
Rhian has significant expertise in representing vulnerable defendants with mental health disorders and neurodiversity, including those who require the assistance of a court-ordered intermediary. She has an ability to deliver focused and pragmatic advice in a way which most appropriately meets her clients’ needs. Rhian has consistently been commended for her empathetic communication.
Rhian is skilled at handling vulnerable witnesses, including children, and has successfully completed the Advocacy & the Vulnerable training at Lincoln’s Inn.
Rhian is frequently instructed to prosecute by local authorities and government bodies. Rhian is able to manage reluctant and vulnerable witnesses effectively. She is valued for her strategic input from the pre-charge stage through to trial.
Notable crime cases
R v AH and MJ (2026 – Reading CC)
Prosecuted two defendants jointly charged with s18 wounding with intent and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
R v PA (2026 – Reading CC)
Defended one of four defendants described as the ‘right-hand man’ in a £1.5 million Class A drug enterprise. Case involved extensive phone and cell site evidence.
R v DM (2026 - Isleworth CC)
Defended 21-year-old defendant charged with s18 wounding with intent.
R v HO (2026 – Reading CC)
Defended 18-year-old charged with robbery and attempted s18 GBH. Crown accepted plea to ABH following robust application to dismiss.
R v MB (2025 - Aylesbury CC)
Defended client accused of sexual communications with an undercover police officer purporting to be a girl aged 12. Successful application to dismiss following which client was immediately released from custody.
R v JB (2025 - St Albans CC)
Prosecuted robbery trial involving two teenage complainants. Defendant convicted unanimously of both counts and sentenced to 9 years imprisonment.
R v FK & Ors (2024 - Winchester CC)
Led junior in multi-handed conspiracy to defraud over 40 elderly people in a complex and high value courier fraud. Dealt with significant cell site and mobile phone evidence.
Notable professional discipline cases
MPS v CO (2026)
Officer accused of sexual assault against two female colleagues whilst on duty. All allegations proven at the level of gross misconduct. Officer dismissed without notice.
MPS v CL (2025)
Officer accused of sexually assaulting a student police officer when he was her tutor. All allegations were proven. Officer found to have abused his position of trust for sexual gratification and was dismissed without notice.
MPS v SL (2024)
Detective Constable accused of making racially discriminatory comments to another officer on and off duty. All allegations were found to be proven and amounting to gross misconduct. The officer was dismissed without notice.
MPS v Supt. JG (2024)
Advised on a case in which a Superintendent had been accused of attempted rape and sexual assault of a junior colleague.
