Dr Tunde Okewale OBE

Dr. Tunde Okewale OBE is an award-winning barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, recognised globally for his exceptional advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and unwavering commitment to justice. Raised on a Hackney council estate, Dr. Okewale’s journey to the Bar is a testament to his resilience and determination. He was the first in his family to attend university, earning a law degree from London Metropolitan University while working multiple jobs to support his studies. A scholarship from the charity From Boyhood to Manhood enabled him to pursue his passion at Bar School, setting the foundation for an illustrious career.

Legal Expertise and Pioneering Achievements: Dr. Okewale specialises in serious and financial crimes, where his meticulous approach and formidable presence in court have earned him a reputation as one of the leading junior barristers of his generation. His practice is distinguished by a series of high-profile cases, including the landmark appeal that overturned the wrongful murder conviction of Dwaine George—a case that set a new precedent in appellate law.

His expertise extends into business and financial crime, where he is highly sought after by prominent individuals and corporations. Dr. Okewale advises on complex matters, including anti-corruption regulations, money laundering, and the legal intricacies of emerging technologies such as cryptocurrency. His advisory role has also expanded to the sports sector, where he serves as an FA registered intermediary, representing elite athletes and advising on brand management, contractual negotiations, and reputation management.

Social Entrepreneurship and Community Impact: In 2010, Dr. Okewale founded Urban Lawyers, a charity dedicated to making legal education and career opportunities accessible to marginalised communities. Under his leadership, Urban Lawyers has empowered over 32,000 students and educated more than 50,000 individuals on their legal rights, fostering informed and empowered communities across the UK. His innovative approach to legal accessibility has earned him numerous accolades, including the Chambers & Partners award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity.

Honours and Recognitions: Dr. Okewale’s contributions to the legal profession and society have been widely recognised. In 2019, he was honoured as the youngest Master of the Bench at the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in its 650-year history—a remarkable achievement that underscores his influence and dedication to legal excellence. His work has been highlighted in prestigious publications such as Forbes, which named him one of the 25 Leading Black British Business People to Follow, and GQ magazine, where he was featured as one of the most influential people under 38.5.

In recognition of his pioneering efforts in criminal justice and social mobility, Dr. Okewale was awarded an MBE in 2016 and an OBE in the King’s New Year Honours List in 2024. These honours reflect his significant impact on society, particularly in advocating for the rights of disadvantaged and marginalised communities.

In addition, Dr. Okewale was appointed as a Bar Council Race Training Panel Member and plays a pivotal role in delivering race training courses to barristers' chambers. He is a trainer for the newly introduced 'Introduction to Race: Starting a Conversation about Race in Chambers' course, which is instrumental in fostering important discussions and awareness around race within the legal profession.

As a highly sought-after speaker and mentor, Dr. Okewale regularly addresses national and international audiences on topics related to justice, leadership, and social change. His insights and experiences continue to inspire the next generation of legal professionals and social entrepreneurs.

Dr. Tunde Okewale OBE’s journey from Hackney to the heights of the legal profession is a powerful testament to the impact of resilience, advocacy, and a relentless pursuit of justice. His work at Doughty Street Chambers and beyond continues to shape the future of the legal landscape, championing diversity, equity, and access to justice for all.

Casework:

R v Stella Oyella & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2023, Terrorism – Funding arrangements (Junior Counsel)
Rukon Miah, Southwark Crown Court, 2023, Multi-million pound Fraud, (Junior Counsel)
R v Ahmed Sharif, Southwark Crown Court, 2023, Multiple Armed Robberies (Acting Alone)
R v Lady Mendes, Lavender Hill Magistrates Court, 2023, Driving Offences
R v William Solhotra, Kingston Crown Court, 2023, Multiple Charges of Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition with Intent to Endanger Life
R v Mohammad Jakaria & Others, Snaresbrook Crown Court 2023, Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs

Homicide and Related Grave Offences

R v John Beswick, Ipswich Crown court , 2023 , Sexual offences against children (acting alone)
R v Hafide Kamara , Inner London Crown Court, 2023 , Conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life
R v Rukon Miah, Southwark Crown Court , 2023 , Fraud
R v Adul Shariff , Southwark Crown Court , 2023, Armed robbery
R v Marcus Pixley & Others , Harrow Crown Court, 2022, Conspiracy to Murder and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life. (acting alone)
R v Abdul Sakib & Others , Snaresbrook Crown Court, 2021, Multiple firearm offences and drugs offences (Junior counsel )
R v Danny Storey, Chelmsford Crown Court, 2021 , Historic Multiple sexual offences against children (acting alone)
R v Daniel Daden & Others , Chelmsford Crown Court , 2021, Murder (Junior Counsel)
R v Ferenc Szabo, Ipswich Crown Court, 2021, Mutiple firearm offences
R v Jonathan Wotton, Ipswich Crown Court 2021, Mutiple firearm offences
R v Alhassan Jalloh & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2020, Murder (Junior Counsel)
R v Mohammed Rahman, Newcastle Crown Court, 2020, Murder (Junior Counsel)
R v Elliot Robinson & Others, The Central Criminal Court, 2019, Arson Murder (Junior Counsel)
R v Ashraf Hussain & Another, Oxford Crown Court, 2019, Murder and Supply of class A drugs and (Junior Counsel)
R v Mark Fysh, Oxford Crown Court 2019, Historic Multiple sexual offences against children (Leading Counsel)
R v Sean Davies, Harrow Crown Court, 2019 Attempted Murder
R v James Lee Ratcliff , Teeside Crown Court 2018 Multiple firearm offences ( super grass case)- ( Junior counsel)
R v Remmay Williams - Leicester Crown Court 2017 Supply of class A drugs and Possession of multiple firearms
R v Benson Chineudu - Woolwich Crown Court 2016, Multiple sexual offences against children
R v Adam Church-Inner - London Crown Court 2016, multiple sexual offences against children.
R v Malik James - Derby Crown Court, 2016, Multi- handed Attempted Murder x 2
R v Nathaniel Grant – Huntingdon Crown Court 2015, Multi-handed prison riot
R v Dwaine George – Court of Appeal Criminal Division, 2014 Appeal against Conviction and Sentence, Murder
R v Junior Payton, Court of Appeal Criminal Division , 2014 Appeal against Conviction and Sentence , GBH and Possession of an imitation firearm
R v Hoxha & Ors, Ipswich Crown Court, 2014, Conspiracy to supply make false instruments
R v Karl Maddox, Wood Green Crown Court , 2014 , Death by Dangerous Driving ,
R v JoJo Mafwa & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2013, 7 - handed Murder, Knife crime
R v Junior Payton, Kingston Crown Court, 2013, GBH and Possession of an imitation firearm
R v Katachi Richards & Ors , The Central Criminal Court 2013, Multi handed Kidnap and Robbery,
R v Ashton Ambursley, Basildon Crown Court 2013 , s.18 Grievous bodily harm
R v Sonny Walker O'Hara, Croydon Crown Court 2013, Armed Robbery and firearms offences
R v Olumyiwa Lafe, The Central Criminal Court 2013 , s.18 Grievous bodily harm
R v Daniel Bryan, The Central Criminal Court 2012, Attempted Murder
R v Nathaniel Grant & Ors, The Central Criminal Court, 2012, Attempted Murder , GBH, (shooting of 5 yr old girl, Thusha Kamaleswaran
R v Oladipe Laguda, The Central Criminal Court 2010 - Conspiracy Murder. 
R v Nathaniel Grant & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2010 - 7 -handed Murder, firearms
R v Daryl Wright & Ors, The Central Criminal Court 2011 – Multi- handed armed (firearms) robbery
R v Kingsley Ogundele, The Central Criminal Court 2009 - Conspiracy Murder
R v Alexander Sharpe, Southwark Crown Court 2011- Historic rape, fitness to plead.
R v Brett Ives, Oxford Crown Court, 2012, s.18 Grievous bodily harm
R v Olubamidele Paul, Chelmsford Crown Court 2010 - s.18 Grievous bodily harm.
Shermon Carty, Reading Crown Court 2010 - s.18 grievous bodily harm. 
R v Carlos Damas, Bournemouth Crown Court, 2011, Aggravated Burglary
R v Amir Raja, Reading Crown Court 2009 -ABH and perverting the course of justice. 
R v Francis Togo, Reading Crown Court 2009 - false imprisonment.

Protest Cases

R v David Yamoah, Inner London Crown Court 2013, Theft, London riots
R v Sean Mark & Ors, Inner London Crown Court, 2012, Burglary, (London Riots)
R v Tyrone Ellis & Ors, Inner London Crown Court, 2012, Violent disorder 2012 (London Riots)
R v Rickel Simon , Inner London Crown Court, 2012 , Burglary, Assault Occasioning actual bodily harm on a police officer. 
Police officer (London Riots)
R v Samuel Appiah, Aylesbury Crown Court 2010 - s.20 grievous bodily harm against a police officer
R v Gavin Stride, Aylesbury Crown Court 2010 - Assault Occasioning actual bodily harm on a police officer.

Other Serious Criminal Offences

Recent briefs have included murder, aggravated burglary, armed robbery, drugs importations and robberies. He is regularly instructed in cases involving Trident investigations of gang crime and firearms related violence as well as multi-handed robberies. He is currently instructed in two allegedly gang related London murders.

R v Charles Onuga , Woolwich Crown Court 2014, Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
R v Vladimiro Demorias, Woolwich Crown Court 2014, Robbery
R v Yousseff Chellli, Harrow Crown Court, 2013, Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
R v Carlos Corrodus, Wood Green Crown Court 2013, Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, poession of a firearm
R v Olwafemi Omosuyi , Inner London Crown Court 2012, Knife point robbery
R v Ashley Gill, Woolwich Crown Court, 2012, Violent disorder     
R v Sashmore Grant, The Central Criminal Court 2011 - Possessing and tending counterfeit currency.  
R v Marcus Biggs, Oxford Crown Court 2011 -bringing a prohibited item into prison. 
R v Selma Momah & Ors, Snaresbrook Crown Court 2011- four-handed Affray.
R v Adel Ismael, Southwark Crown Court 2011 - Robbery. 
R v Ashley Malcolm, Snaresbrook Crown Court 2011 – Contempt of Court  
R v Masterton & Ors, St Albans Crown Court 2010 - knife point robbery.  
Dwight Alexender v Commisoner of Police of the Metropolis (Administrative Court) 2011 Appeal by way of case stated.
Masterman v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (Administrative Court) 2010 Appeal by way of case stated.
R v Stella Garbor, Southwark Crown Court 2010 - Robbery.
R v Ashley Mason, Snaresbrook Crown court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (23kg) 
R v Errol McCardo-Weir, Croydon Crown Court 2011 - Importation of 2kg class A drugs 
R v Chloe Shangwele, Chelmsford Crown Court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs  
R v Chloe Shangwele, Kingston Crown Court 2011 - Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs  
R v Anton Kist, Isleworth Crown Court 2009 - Importation of cocaine (2kg).

Sports Law

Tunde Okewale is a FA registered intermediary who is building a reputation advising and representing footballers, boxers and Olympic athletes. His most recent clients include Christopher George, four-time defending national Judo champion of Trinidad and Tobago and Ekow Essuman Team GB welterweight Boxer.

He advises athletes and clubs in relation to brand management, contractual matters, confidentiality and reputation management. Additionally, Tunde is also able to represent athletes in professional regulatory hearings. Tunde also writes and speaks regularly on his areas of legal specialty and is happy to take cases on a direct access basis.