Rachel Hobba

Rachel is a committed and dedicated solicitor with over 20 years' experiences specialising in criminal defence.

Rachel is an integral senior member of our Crown Court team representing clients facing the most serious of offences including homicides, serious violence, drugs and firearms offences, as well as serious sexual offences and fraud.  

Rachel began working at SMW in 2014, having already gained vast experience at reputable criminal defence practises. Although Rachel works primarily in the Crown Court team, she is a fierce advocate when attending the magistrates’ court. Rachel also has significant experience attending the police station including dealing with the most serious allegations.  

Vast Range of Experience  

Rachel’s previous homicide and serious violence cases include particular experience in gang violence and her homicide cases have included multi-defendant shootings and stabbings with alleged gang motivation.  In addition, she has experience in homicides involving defendants with mental health backgrounds.  

Rachel’s vast experience in respect of defending those charged with sexual offences means she has prepared so many different types of cases including defending those charged with historical allegations alleging a breach of trust due to their positions and defendants raising sensitive medical defences. Rachel has also acted in human trafficking cases where it is alleged individuals have been trafficked for sexual exploitation.  

Rachel also deals with numerous allegations involving the supply and conspiracy to supply of drugs. Those cases can involve complex consideration of telephone and cell site evidence and legal arguments for instance in respect of the admissibility of Encrochat material.

Rachel is developing her expertise in the area of fraud having dealt with cases both prosecuted by the Crown and Trading Standards, including motor and mortgage fraud some spanning thousands of pages of evidence.

First-Class Client Care 

Rachel is diligent and hard working in respect of her case preparation. She will pursue every point, consider every defence witness and every potential expert.  Her level of experience means Rachel is a solicitor who is never phased by any case before her, whether it involves a significant amount of evidence, sensitive or shocking allegations, technical data in fraud cases, or a defendant with vulnerabilities. Rachel’s professionalism and history of casework means she will always get to the heart of the issues. 

Rachel has a reassuring and dependable manner which puts her clients at ease. Her client care is second to none. She has the skills to breakdown complex legal issues to provide clear and concise advice to her clients. She ensures her clients are updated at every stage and that they have a complete understanding of their case.  

Rachel is well respected by colleagues and Counsel alike and prepares every case she works on to an extremely high standard.