Philip Cowburn
Philip is known for his measured judgement, meticulous preparation, and ability to deliver clear, strategic advice in demanding circumstances. Solicitors instruct him for his proactive reliability, his calm authority in court, and his ability to build rapport with clients, including those with sensitive needs.
He is regularly entrusted with cases that carry significant complexity or consequence, often beyond what might typically be expected of his tenure. His work encompasses the spectrum of criminal offending, including; violence, sexual offences, dishonesty and public protection. Philip has experienced particular success when defending road traffic matters.
Before coming to the Bar, Philip enjoyed a successful academic career as a Senior Lecturer in Law, specialising in Crime and Professional Discipline. This background informs his analytical approach as well as his ability to distil complex issues with clarity and precision. Philip is the author of two textbooks on criminal law and practice.
Philip completed his pupillage under the supervision of Joint Head of Chambers, Simon Eckersley.
Away from Chambers Philip is a keen contributor to the local community. He currently serves as the Honorary Legal Advisor to the Great Central Railway, the UK’s only double track, main line, heritage railway.
Inn: Middle Temple
Degree: LL.B. (Hons) – University of Derby (First Class); LL.M. – Nottingham Law School (Distinction).
Affiliations
Grade 2 Prosecutor.
CPS RASSO Panel.
Advocate Pro-Bono Panel.
Recent Cases
Operation Insworke (2026) – Prosecution of a police officer for alleged ABH during an arrest.
R v TS (2026) – Prosecution of a driver who killed a pensioner by careless driving.
R v RS (2026) – Defended a driving instructor accused of failing to stop for police. The CPS were persuaded to offer no evidence on the morning of the trial.
R v DM and Others (2026) – Successfully obtained a community order in a joint enterprise matter of violence where all other convicted defendants were sentenced to immediate custody.
R v CG and Others (2026) – Defended a youth defendant jointly charged alongside two adults in the Crown Court, on a matter of aggravated (knife-point) burglary. The Jury returned Not Guilty Verdicts.
R v JO (2025) – Defended a son, accused of strangling his mother. The jury returned a Not Guilty verdict.
R v KJ (2025) (RASSO) – Prosecution a father accused of the sexual assault, of his young daughter’s friend, during a sleepover.
In the News
Officer hit autistic man with baton, court hears
Woman, 86, 'thanked' driver seconds before fatal crash
Nottingham dealer caught with more than £10,000 of drugs at city house
Derby account manager who stole £90k to fund gambling habit to pay back just a fraction
Female prison officer who became pregnant with inmate's baby after starting a relationship with him while he was on overnight release is spared jail
West Bridgford paedophile caught out by undercover police officers