Jane Osborne KC


HEAD OF CHAMBERS

YEAR OF CALL 2000

SILK 2020

‘Jane is very well respected by judges and reads in properly, really going into the nitty gritty.’

‘Jane Osborne KC is very tactical in her approach.’ Chambers UK Bar 2025

‘Jane is tactically astute and skilled at handling young clients. She holds the respect of the court and her judgement is spot on every time.' The Legal 500 2025

Jane has a leading practice in serious and legally complex prosecution and defence work and is particularly experienced in the areas of homicide, multi-million pound fraud and financial offences.

Jane has broad and varied experience in cases involving homicide.  She has appeared for both the prosecution and the defence in gang based violence offences and is familiar with the difficulties around the use of gang evidence and particularly drill music. She has appeared in cases where parents have been accused of killing their child and is experienced in dealing with expert witnesses in all aspects of pathology.

Jane is regularly instructed in complex, multi million pound, cases of conspiracy to defraud and to cheat the revenue, MTIC and carousel frauds, and money laundering investigations.  Jane is part of the Serious Fraud Office counsel panel.

Since taking silk Jane has also been instructed in niche areas, such as Misconduct in a Public Office, which require specialist knowledge and expertise in the area, and sexual allegations with bespoke defences, such as sexsomnia.  She is available for instruction on a private basis and frequently appears privately instructed, particularly in relation to allegations of a sexual nature. 

Jane has been described as jury friendly with a reassuring manner which puts jurors at ease.  When cross-examining she is said to be commanding and assertive.  She has a straightforward manner and is capable of making even the most complex evidence easy to understand for a jury. Her attention to detail is particularly apparent when presenting and challenging detailed financial evidence, or complex telephone and cell site evidence. 

Those who regularly instruct Jane to defend identify her excellent client care skills as a particular strength.  She is routinely instructed to represent those with learning difficulties and mental health issues and also young defendants charged with the most serious offences.  She is a talented jury advocate who gains the trust and respect of juries through her detailed and thorough knowledge of the detail of the case.  She is a compelling presence in court and deploys advocacy which is both persuasive and direct.

Jane’s current instructions include:

  • Manslaughter, where a mother and her partner are charged with the  manslaughter of a four month old child.

  • Murder, where the defendant is 16 years of age, and murdered a family member.

  • Offences relating to an undercover firearms supply operation.

  • A private prosecution on behalf of two overseas companies (fraud/money laundering allegations)

  • Pre-charge advice on a multi-million pound fraud.

  • Pre-charge advice in relation to an HIV infection case.

For a detailed summary of Jane’s recent cases and relevant press and judgment links, please click here.

Jane is available and qualified to take instructions directly from members of the public in appropriate cases.

Ranked in Legal 500 for both General Crime and Fraud and in Chambers and Partners for Financial Crime.

Areas of Expertise

Homicide with gang connections;

Homicides involving infants and children;

Serious and complex Fraud and Money Laundering offices, including Revenue Fraud;

Confiscation Proceedings, including acting for third parties on a private basis;

Serious Organised Crime;

Sexual offences.

Email: josborne@2hb.co.uk

MEMBERSHIPS

Criminal Bar Association
Fraud Lawyers Association

‘Jane is an excellent KC.’

‘She is good with the client and a great person to work with.’ Chambers UK Bar 2024

‘Jane has an excellent legal brain. Her written and oral submissions are of a very high standard. She has a comprehensive knowledge of her brief. Her cross-examination is suitably concise and effective. Her final speeches are very jury friendly and effective.'

‘Jane assimilates case papers rapidly and has a clear grasp of the details. She gives important strategic advice from the outset of her instructions and is very pragmatic and forthright with clients when necessary.’ The Legal 500 2024

‘Jane Osborne KC is regularly instructed to prosecute complex frauds, including tax and revenue frauds, boiler room frauds and MTIC fraud. She is noted for her expert handling of cases involving allegations of money laundering. She acts on behalf of the Central Fraud Group.’

‘Jane possesses the full range of advocacy skills required to be a performer at the highest level.’
Chambers UK Bar 2023

‘Jane combines a busy prosecution and defence practice, including a specialism in manslaughter.’
The Legal 500 2023

‘She is very diligent, has a nice manner with witnesses and judges, and is good with legal submissions.’
Chambers UK Bar 2022

‘She has a great courtroom presence, and demonstrates command over both the law and the facts.’

‘Jane’s advocacy is persuasive and direct. She is a down-to-earth and approachable silk.’
The Legal 500 2022

‘A talented jury advocate.’
Chambers UK Bar 2021

‘Her attention to detail and client care skills are incredible.’

‘She is a commanding, jury-friendly silk who stands her ground.’
The Legal 500 2021

‘A precise and focused advocate, respected by the judiciary for her unflappable court style.’
The Legal 500 2020