Zach Brettell
Year of Call: 2025
Career overview
Zach joined Citadel Chambers following the successful completion of his pupillage in 2026, supervised by Daniel White. He undertook the ICCA Bar Practice Course before being called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Zach graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first-class LLB and subsequently completed an LLM in International Criminal Law, achieving a distinction. His academic achievements include being awarded the Sir Henry Barber Prize by the University of Birmingham and the Kennedy Scholarship by Lincoln’s Inn.
Zach is a Grade 1 prosecutor and is regularly instructed by the Crown in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. His practice encompasses a broad range of criminal matters, with experience in cases involving contested evidence, vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and complex factual and legal issues.
Zach also has a growing defence practice and is regularly instructed to represent clients in motoring matters, including driving disqualifications and exceptional hardship arguments.
Across his practice, Zach places particular emphasis on careful preparation, clear and measured advocacy, and adapting his approach to the circumstances of each case.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Zach graduated from the University of Birmingham with a first-class LLB and subsequently completed an LLM in International Criminal Law, achieving a distinction. His academic achievements include being awarded the Sir Henry Barber Prize by the University of Birmingham and the Kennedy Scholarship by Lincoln’s Inn.
Zach is a Grade 1 prosecutor and is regularly instructed by the Crown in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. His practice encompasses a broad range of criminal matters, with experience in cases involving contested evidence, vulnerable witnesses and defendants, and complex factual and legal issues.
Zach also has a growing defence practice and is regularly instructed to represent clients in motoring matters, including driving disqualifications and exceptional hardship arguments.
Across his practice, Zach places particular emphasis on careful preparation, clear and measured advocacy, and adapting his approach to the circumstances of each case.
Practice Summary
- R v R – Zach represented a defendant charged with two offences of assault by beating and using violence to secure unlawful entry. The case involved contested evidence from the complainant. Following cross-examination, Zach made a successful submission of no case to answer, resulting in the defendant being acquitted of all charges.
- R v H – Zach represented a defendant at trial in proceedings involving an allegation of sexual assault against a child. The case required careful handling of sensitive evidence and the cross-examination of a vulnerable complainant. Zach adopted a clear and appropriately sensitive approach to questioning while maintaining focus on the issues in dispute. Following the trial, the judge commended his approach to cross-examination.
- R v G – Zach prosecuted an appeal against conviction arising from an allegation of intentional strangulation. The case involved a defendant who required the assistance of an intermediary. Zach adapted his advocacy to accommodate the defendant’s needs while maintaining the focus and clarity required to present the Crown’s case effectively. The appeal was successfully resisted.
Details of practice
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Further Information
Awards
Kennedy Scholarship – Lincoln’s Inn
Henry Barber Prize – University of Birmingham
Membership
The honourable society of Lincoln’s Inn
Criminal Bar Association
Young Fraud Lawyers Association
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