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

Gwen is an outstanding advocate, impressing clients with her closing speeches and sentencing submissions. She ensures clients have ample time to discuss matters away from court, which is crucial in many cases."

Legal 500, 2025

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."

News & Insights

Cobden House Chambers Featured in the Legal 500 2025 Rankings

Gwen Henshaw

Overview

Expertise

Rankings

News & Insights

Cobden House Chambers Featured in the Legal 500 2025 Rankings

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

Christmas Opening Hours 2024

Cobden House Chambers Pupillage Opening Evening 2024

Gwen Henshaw

Overview

Expertise

Rankings

News & Insights

Cobden House Chambers Featured in the Legal 500 2025 Rankings

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

Christmas Opening Hours 2024

Cobden House Chambers Pupillage Opening Evening 2024

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