Riccardo Pagano

I began my first six months of pupillage in November 2024 under the supervision of Sarah Hill.  I am overjoyed to join Hill Twine Solicitors and Barristers as one of the firm’s first ever pupils.

I am developing a busy practice in all areas of criminal defence work.

My Experience

In relation to litigation, I am highly regarded as an expert in Serious and Organised Crime, having a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of criminal matters. I have extensive experience assisting clients charged with a wide range of criminal offences of a high profile and complex nature, often involving gang-related violence, multiple defendants, and/or highly vulnerable clients and complainants affected by mental disorders.

I have been approached and often recommended by lay and professional clients for my ability to represent vulnerable clients in cases that require a delicate and sensitive approach, on a number of difficult matters (privately and publicly funded), including but not limited to, multi-handed murder cases (often involving the so-called “cut-throat defence”), large-scale drug conspiracies, cases involving sexual offences (recent and historic in nature), complex fraud and white collar crime cases, matters involving extensive EncroChat evidence, cases involving firearms, convoluted drug matters engaging the S.45 Modern Slavery Act 2015 defence, and “baby shaking” cases. When acting in high-profile cases which attract national coverage in the media, I do so with the utmost discretion.

I have published an article in the Criminal Law Review concerning the latest developments on the S.45 Modern Slavery Act 2015 and setting out some recommendations on the complexities of the admission of, and reliance on, expert evidence of human trafficking. (see Felicity Gerry KC, Riccardo Pagano, Chaynee Hodgetts, ‘Disorganised Crime: Legal and Evidential Challenges of Raising a Modern Slavery Defence’ (2022) Crim. L.R., 12, 961-986).

Prior to joining Hill Twine Solicitors and Barristers, I worked as Head of Crown Court Litigation at Walker Law for two years. I previously worked as a Serious and Organised Crime Litigator in a boutique London firm specialising in criminal defence.

Education & Background

After having completed international Criminal Justice studies in California (USA) and Australia, I graduated from Kingston University, London with a First-Class degree in Law and Criminology.  I was called to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2023 after completing the Bar Professional Training Course and a Master of Laws at City University, London.

I am an HP Lecturer in Law at Kingston University, London. I reflect on practice and theory together, by targeting first any malfunctioning practical aspects of the law, then reviewing and evolving those with academic research.

I am adept at providing ongoing career mentoring support to students through their transition from study into graduate employment. I advise on professional readiness and commercial awareness, helping them build their CVs. From April to June 2024, 18 undergraduate students from Kingston University completed a week of pro-bono work experience with me, discovering the breadth and depth of our Criminal Justice System and criminal defence.

I also volunteered for APPEAL (formerly, Centre for Criminal Appeals), and JENGbA (Joint Enterprise Not Guilty by Association) working on potential miscarriages of justice. This then led to my contribution to the Joint Enterprise Bill targeting the Criminal Appeal Act 1968, and formed the basis of my LLM (Master of Laws) dissertation on “The evolution of the English law of complicity: from 1800 to out of time post-Jogee appeals”.

Testimonials

I am commended by other lay and professional clients for my “meticulous, extensive and faultless case preparation coupled with [my] client care and boundless tenacity, ensuring that [my] clients are fully supported during the legal process whilst also receiving the most effective representation”. They went on to say that my “calm, cynic, and friendly manner immediately put clients at ease and [my] astute and sound tactical judgement along with [my] incredible eye for detail to a case lead to achieve the best possible outcome for each client [I] assist(s) in offences across the whole criminal spectrum”.

I retain an extensive and loyal client base and I am often referred the majority of my work through recommendations from my longstanding and current clients, which is a testament to the tireless dedication and excellent results that I achieve and the high level of client care that I bring to each of my cases. Clients inform that, no matter how their case presents, no stone is left unturned.

I am praised by other professionals and experts as someone who is never afraid to step forward to protect his clients’ best interests acting fearlessly. I am committed to advancing the profession and ensuring that the law evolves following an ever-changing society through academic research.  Whilst I research complex and contemporary issues of law, I apply theory into practice for the benefit of my clients. As a result, my professional input is frequently sought by professionals and experts alike. My achievements derive from the practical understanding of the law which I acquired from highly skilled experts, and developed, while faced with complex issues of law.

• The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
• Criminal Bar Association
• International Bar Association

During my spare time, I love long-distance driving and travelling the world. I have explored more than 25 countries, admiring different cultures around the world. I also love tennis. I have recently started delivering small one-to-one sessions to young people in boxing clubs in South London. The sessions aim at explaining the meaning of “consent”, and the difference between the non-fatal offences against people.

I am Italian and bilingual.