Tracy Ayling KC
- Chapter on Disclosure by Tracy Ayling QC in Vulnerable People and the Criminal Justice System by Penny Cooper, Heather Norton – Oxford University Press.
- Special Advocate for the Attorney General
- Standing Counsel to HMRC (1998 – 2005)
- Advocacy Trainer, Inner Temple
- “Tracy remains absolutely at the top of her game and is both a charming and deadly opponent. She is certainly someone you would want on your side rather than against you.” Chambers and Partners 2023
- “Tracy has the ability to bring calm to chaos and to navigate through difficult trials.” Legal 500 2023
- “Tracy is tenacious and has excellent judgement. She is well prepared, thoughtful and measured. Moreover, she is a master tactician and is always evaluating and anticipating the tactics of the opposition. Moreover, no matter now difficult the tribunal or formidable the opposition, she remains undaunted and always fights her corner.” Legal 500 2022
- “Her strengths are her ability to focus on key issues, her organisation, her passion and the authority she brings to her appearances.” Chambers & Partners 2022
- “She has extensive knowledge in her subject areas and is widely recognised as an expert in sex and sexual grooming cases.” Legal 500 2020
- “Excellent with defendants and takes time to explain all matters clearly – thus gaining their confidence. Her legal knowledge is right up to date and she makes cogent, persuasive, succinct, focused submissions at all times.” Legal 500 2020
- “She has a tactical brain that not only considers her own case but the other cases around her. She is an all round top performer.” Legal 500 2020
- “Unflappable under pressure, her judgement is always spot-on.” Legal 500 2018
- “A pre-eminent silk, who undertakes the most serious criminal work.” Legal 500 2017
- “Her advocacy is punchy, focused and succinct.” Legal 500 2016
- “An amazing advocate in court.” Legal 500 2015
Instructing Tracy Ayling KC
To instruct Tracy or for any further information please contact our clerks.
Clerk: John Grimmer
Telephone: +44 (0)7776 154 664
Email: Click here
Tracy Ayling KC is a highly regarded specialist criminal silk whose practice focuses on prosecuting and defending some of the most serious, and high profile, multi handed murder and sexual offence cases. She is also frequently instructed in Health and Safety and Criminal Negligence Manslaughter cases.
Some examples include :
Defending in gang murders; representing a triple murderer; defending in a high-profile terrorism case; defending in two multi handed ENCROCHAT cases.
Prosecuting both single and multi-handed murders; prosecuting two defendants for gross negligence manslaughter, the “bouncy castle” case.
As a Special Advocate (appointed by the Attorney General) she is also experienced in cases concerning International Security. It was in this capacity she was instructed in the Terrorism Case, Operation Lanosity.
Tracy is a frequent writer and speaker on criminal law. In February 2020 she took part in a panel discussion with Baroness Hallett entitled “Is the Presumption of Innocence Alive and Well?” as part of the prestigious Social Context of the Law series at Inner Temple. In 2023 she will participate in “ Is our Adversarial System Fit For Purpose” with The Rt Hon Lord Bonomy LLD and David Perry KC in the same series.
She is also the author of the chapter on disclosure in Vulnerable People and the Criminal Justice System (Cooper and Norton, ed., OUP), the leading book on the participation of vulnerable witnesses and defendants in the criminal justice system.
Practice Areas
Notable appeals cases
R v Goldstein & Rimmington
Sending salt through the post pretending it to be anthrax.
R v Davis-Jones
Solicitor murder of wife.
Notable murder & manslaughter cases
R v O
Gang gun murder.
R v D
Gang knife murder.
R v U
Stabbing.
R v H
Drug related shooting.
R v M
Gang related stabbing by juvenile.
R v T
Stabbing.
Notable serious sexual offences cases
R v Karrar & Others
Asian gang grooming young girls in Oxford.
R v Maule & Others
Human Trafficking and controlling prostitution.
R v Moliere
Alleged Sexual abuse of three year old girls.
R v Malcolm
Historic Sexual abuse 38 years previously.
R v Wright
Defended soldier of the Blues and Royals for rape in Green Park.
Notable prosecution cases
R v Padmanabha
Mother convicted of Manslaughter and cruelty of her seven month old baby girl.
R v Blundell
Shooting of John Pordage in Chelmsford.
R v B
Allegation that Headmaster of approved school caned boys in 19 complainant case.
R v Thurston & Thurston
Two defendants who operated a bouncy castle which blew away, were convicted of Gross Negligence Manslaughter of a 7 year old girl.
Operation Director
Conspiracy to Murder.
Operation Manila
Aggravated Burglary where the victims had boiling water poured on them.
Notable defence cases
R v M
Double murder. Defendant accused of stabbing two men in a flat. Acquitted in relation to one deceased.
Operation Bullfinch
One of the first cases concerning a gang of Asian men committing child sex offences by grooming and abusing very young girls over a period of many years in Oxford Also appeared in more recently linked cases of Operations Sabaton 2016 and Operation Silk 2018. Child sex offending, grooming, and human trafficking.
R v Maule
Human trafficking case at Wood Green.
