Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP

Basic facts about advocacy

The barrister or advocate is the person who presents your case in court. He or she receives instructions which are contained in the brief and which are prepared by your solicitor.  Normally a client will meet his barrister or advocate in conference before the case in order that the finer points of the case may be discussed.

The advocacy department is led by experienced barrister John Barker. Before joining RFB John was a barrister in private practice for more than twenty years appearing in Criminal and Regulatory cases. His experience extends throughout the criminal jurisdiction with him acting as lead counsel in many serious and notable trials. John is available to advise you and to represent your interests whether it be in the Magistrates Court fighting for your driving licence or in the Crown Court fighting for your liberty. The Department undertakes trial advocacy for the firm's own clients and on behalf of other firms of solicitors.

John was educated at University College (London) where he obtained a Masters degree in Law and at the Inns of Court School of Law where he qualified as a barrister in 1982. He is a member of The Honourable Society of Middle Temple and The Criminal Bar Association. John has been appointed to sit as a Legal Assessor to The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, The General Osteopathic Council, The Association of Accounting Technicians and The Market Research Society.

Gillian Frost, barrister, has been appearing in the crown court for over 25 years in private practice. She has principally been in the criminal courts and has defended clients in serious and complex cases. this has included a seven month VAT fraud as leading counsel. Gillian particularly enjoys cross examining witnesses and making speeches to the jury. Gillian is looking forward to continuing her career as part of the advocacy team at RFB.

Gillian obtained a BA in business law before studying for the bar qualification. She was called to the bar in 1979. before starting her pupillage she had several temporary placements including at the Law Commission. She is a member of the honourable society of Lincoln’s Inn and the Criminal Bar Association.

Ben graduated with a degree in history from Bristol University and qualified as a commercial lawyer in 2002. He subsequently developed an interest in Criminal Law gained his Duty Solicitor status in 1996 followed by Higher Court Advocate in 2009.  He has worked on a number of lengthy and complex criminal trials including cases of drugs importation and murder.  He has a broad role at Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP undertaking duty solicitor work and trial advocacy in the Magistrates and Crown Court.  He also provides assistance to the commercial department on a broad range of matters. 

Prior to entering the legal profession he lived and worked in the remote South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu where he learned to speak the language of Bislama.