A confident woman with wavy blonde hair and a black pinstriped shirt poses with her arms crossed and a slight smile.

Gwen Henshaw

Year of Call: 2000

Practice areas:

Crime

Gwen is a highly experienced criminal barrister who has not lost the ability to relate to clients who are often vulnerable, and certainly in a vulnerable position. Gwen is someone who gets results by her compelling advocacy."

Legal 500 (2024)

Overview

Gwen was called to the Bar in 2000 as a member of Middle Temple and is the Head of the Cobden House Criminal Team.

Expertise

She specialises in all aspects of criminal law, with particular expertise in serious sexual cases. Gwen has extensive experience in long and complex trials including grooming, rape and other serious assaults, as well as firearms, theft, robbery, blackmail, fraud and drug matters.

Gwen accepts instructions in both defence and prosecution cases. She is a Category 4 prosecutor and a member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel. Gwen has appeared in the Court of Appeal on numerous conviction and sentence appeals.

Notable Cases

R v GS – lead counsel for the defence with an indictment alleging numerous sexual offences over a number of years.

R v BL – prosecuted a defendant charged with committing drug offences involving child witnesses.

R v RJ – represented a defendant with significant special needs who faced historic sexual allegations.

R v OO & others – prosecuted a multi-handed fraud case, working closely with specialist police officers in advance of and during the trial.

R v RM – made a successful application to dismiss the charges in a case of violent disorder with multiple defendants, the rest of whom faced trial.

Achievements

Rankings

Ranked in The Legal 500 2018/2019/2020 "Recent work includes drugs conspiracies and serious sexual offences."

Ranked in The Legal 500 2017/18: "Very experienced in serious sexual offences cases."

Gwen Henshaw

Overview

Expertise

Rankings

News & Insights

Louise Blackwell QC and Gwen Henshaw conduct Training Day with Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Cobden House Chambers takes on the Manchester Half Marathon for Day One Trauma Support

Cobden House Chambers Conquers Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Day One Trauma Support

Cobden House Chambers Battles It Out for Day One Trauma Support!

Gwen Henshaw

Overview

Expertise

Rankings

News & Insights

​Louise Blackwell QC and Gwen Henshaw conduct Training Day with Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Cobden House Chambers takes on the Manchester Half Marathon for Day One Trauma Support

Cobden House Chambers Conquers Yorkshire 3 Peaks for Day One Trauma Support

Cobden House Chambers Battles It Out for Day One Trauma Support!

Louise Blackwell QC and Gwen Henshaw conduct Training Day with Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre