Jason Beal

Practice areas

• Serious crime
• Regulatory crime
• Financial crime

What others say

‘A very measured, calm advocate who prepares thoroughly’
Ranked as a leading junior in the Legal 500 2021

‘He is a really strong practitioner and has a fantastic manner with juries. He gets the tone exactly right, which is a rare skill… He is very hard-working and has good attention to detail and excellent judgement’
Ranked in the Chambers & Partners Guide 2021

Profile

Jason has more than 25 years’ experience as a criminal barrister. He has been Head of Chambers at Devon Chambers since 2012. He is regularly instructed to defend in the most serious and complex criminal cases, provides straightforward and practical advice to clients and is meticulous in his case preparation. He deploys the knowledge that he has accrued over the years in the tactical and strategic approach towards cases.

Jason’s attention to detail means that he is instructed regularly in cases involving allegations of fraud, drug trafficking, people trafficking and applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

He has particular interest in cases involving vulnerable defendants, witnesses and complainants. He has been a lead facilitator in training other advocates in relation to the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses. He is responsible for providing ethics training on the Western Circuit as part of the New Practitioners’ Programme.

Jason is authorised to undertake work in accordance with the Public Access Scheme, which means that members of the public can instruct Jason directly.

Jason is regulated by the Bar Standards Board.

Recent Cases

• R v C (2020). Prosecuting a man charged with multiple sexual offences committed against strangers over a period of several months in Cornwall.
• R v A (2020). Defending a man charged with the alleged rape of a female outside a nightclub in Devon.
• R v G (2020). Prosecuting a man charged with the rape of a student in Exeter.
• R v B (2020). Prosecuting a dance instructor charged with multiple sexual offences against young females.
• R v S (2020). Defending a man charged with the murder of a friend following an act of alleged drunken ‘horseplay’.
• R v S (2020). Defending a woman of good character charged with an allegation of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
• R v K (2020).  Prosecuting a woman charged with causing death by dangerous driving.
• R v B (2021). Prosecuting a man charged with serious sexual offences against 2 young boys.
• R v J (2021).  Prosecuting a man charged with sexual offences against his stepdaughter.
• R v R (2021).  Defending a man charged with sexual offences against his step-daughter and another female.