Tessa Shroff
Introduction
Thanks to her meticulous approach, her dedication, and her ability to handle cases where clients require patience and sensitivity, Tessa has developed a successful practice both defending and prosecuting.
She is ranked as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners, and a leading individual in Legal 500.
Background and Expertise
Called in 2009, she consistently holds her own in cases alongside opponents and co-defending counsel who are senior to her in both call and experience. Her list of notable cases below is demonstrative of the sorts of cases she is regularly involved in.
Tessa has been instructed in a number of cases investigated by the Trident Gang Command, and is sought out in cases which require attention to detail as well as frank, tactically astute advice. She is often commended for her role in multi-handed, paper-heavy trials, thanks to her case preparation and her focused handling of the disclosure regime.
Her caring but focused approach, and her reputation for representing vulnerable defendants, have seen her also instructed in complex, specialist cases where clients require patience and sensitivity.
She is heavily involved in training our current pupils in advocacy and practice development, and is a respected and valued member of the junior bar. She continually updates her training, including that regarding vulnerable witnesses.
Notable cases
Defending alone – allegation of attempted murder. Multiple stab wounds to defendant’s partner. Wood Green Crown Court
Defending mother accused of allowing the death of her young child. Led by Jane Bickerstaff KC at the Central Criminal Court.
Prosecuting 4 defendants for production of class A drugs and perverting the course of justice in case involving EncroChat evidence. Basildon Crown Court.
Defending one of four defendants said to be the ‘key players’ in a class A drug supply operation. Trial to be heard at Inner London Crown Court in 2022.
Led by Ruth Becker at Southwark Crown Court in a high value ‘diamond fraud’.
Prosecuting 4 handed conspiracy to rob, leading Katie Mustard at Basildon Crown Court. First defendant pleaded guilty during the trial, with the others convicted by a unanimous jury. Sentencing to take place following dangerousness assessments.
Led by Sarah Jones KC at Winchester Crown Court defending in a gross negligence manslaughter case. Defendant was acquitted.
Led by Jane Bickerstaff KC in baby shaking murder trial representing defendant with learning and cognitive difficulties.
Represented a young man whose driving had caused the death of a female who had been crossing the road at the time. Community order imposed at Basildon Crown Court
Led by Ruth Becker in multi-handed diamond fraud trial at Southwark Crown Court. Ruth and Tessa were the only team in the case that didn't have Queens Counsel. The documentary exhibits in the case ran in excess of £3 million.
See article here
Led by Courtney Griffiths KC at the Central Criminal Court in 6 handed murder trial that was one of the only cases to continue during ‘lockdown’. Represented a 16 year old defendant. Acquitted.
Defending at Basildon Crown Court in a conspiracy to supply class a drugs where over 10 kilograms of cocaine was seized a result of police surveillance at various locations.
Defended at Woolwich Crown Court in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs which was the subject of police surveillance at various locations. Cocaine seized in ‘kilo’ blocks.
Led by Sarah Jones KC in a domestic allegation of murder said to have involved a ‘loss of control’.
Read more Notable cases
Gang related crimes
Defending at Wood Green Court in a multi handed London drug dealing conspiracy.
Led by Elizabeth Marsh KC defending in a multi-handed murder trial at Ipswich Crown Court, in this retaliation gang killing.
News report here
Allegation of gang-related stabbing which resulted in pleas being accepted to lesser offences. Isleworth Crown Court.
Allegation of conspiracy to kidnap. Southampton Crown Court, and retrial at Winchester Crown Court.
Read more Gang related crimes
Historic sexual allegations
Defending man accused of historic sexual crimes against his daughters. Trial to be heard at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2021.
Historical multi-rape allegation at Basildon Crown Court. Successfully defended family man against allegations by his daughter, in a case which involved anonymous letters pressing the complainant to come forward.
Defendant acquitted. Southampton Crown Court. Multi-complainant familial abuse alleged.
Central Criminal Court. Led. Multi-complainant familial abuse alleged.
Read more Historic sexual allegations
Vulnerable defendants or witnesses
Defending alone – aggravated burglary and robbery of elderly individuals alleged against defendant thought to be vulnerable and potentially victim of modern slavery / kidnap
Led by Justin Rouse KC at Truro Crown Court defending young man accused of serious sexual offences against 4 young girls. Acquitted of all counts.
Led by Courtney Griffiths KC at the Central Criminal Court in 6 handed murder trial that was one of the only cases to continue during ‘lockdown’. Represented a 16 year old defendant. Acquitted.
Attempted murder tried at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey), in which an insanity defence was successfully raised in relation to a familial attack with a breadknife.
Represented a youth at Bromley Youth Court alleged to have been involved with drugs and weapons against a background of modern slavery.
Represented a 15 year old charged with attempted robbery, and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence. Sentenced on a guilty plea to a referral order.
Defended male accused of an unprovoked attack on his ex-partner, which was said to have been witnessed by her 10-year-old daughter. Acquitted despite graphic injury photographs at Basildon Crown Court.
Read more Vulnerable defendants or witnesses
Other Activities and Interests
- Member of the 9BR Chambers Youth Team
- Member of the pupillage training committee
- Lecturing on victims of trafficking
- Lecturing on mental health disposals
- Level 3 CPS General Panel
- Level 2 CPS Specialist Serious Crime Panel
Professional commentary and attribution
"Tessa is versatile, diligent and experienced." (Chambers UK, 2024)
"Thorough, precise and organised, she's got a nice manner in court." (Chambers UK, 2024)
"A star for the future who is exceptionally hard-working and gifted." (Chambers UK, 2023)
"Tessa is always very well-prepared and rigorous. Her advocacy is excellent and engaging and she is very good on the law. She works hard for her clients. She defends and prosecutes with ease." (Legal 500, 2023)
"Her technology skills are amazing, and when on her feet she makes points with authority." (Chambers UK, 2021)
‘Tessa is a hugely impressive talent at the Bar, meticulous, hard working, nothing is too much for her to undertake. Her advice is always detailed, carefully thought through and importantly timely. A talented advocate with a natural ability to put even the most vulnerable or anxious clients at ease.’ (Legal 500, 2021)
"A highly skilled advocate and fierce protector of her clients" (Legal 500, 2020)
"She has a knack of knowing exactly how to tailor her approach and her manner to get the absolute best out of her lay clients. She is responsive in communications, tactically astute and utterly meticulous in her preparation, with the advocacy skills to boot." (Chambers UK, 2019)
"She was recently described as ‘remarkably fearless and knowledgeable’ by a new instructing solicitor." (Chambers UK, 2018)
"Diligent, tenacious and willing to take arguments that other counsel will overlook." (Legal 500, 2017)
PROFILE: Tessa Shroff
Year called
2009
Specialisms
Crime
Confiscation / POCA
Financial Crime
Fraud, Bribery & Corruption
Serious Crime
Sexual offences
Road traffic
Youth Crime
Contact
020 7489 2727
Education
BPP Law School
University of Sussex
Memberships
Criminal Bar Association
Appointments
CPS Panel (Grade 3)
CPS Serious Crime Panel (Grade 2)
Recognition