Riccardo Pagano
Head of Crown Court Litigation
Riccardo is our Head of Crown Court Litigation. He joined Walker Law Solicitors in July 2023 as a Serious and Organised Crime Litigator. Before joining the team, Riccardo previously worked in a boutique London firm specialising in criminal defence.
Riccardo has a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of criminal matters and is regarded as an expert in Serious and Organised Crime. He has 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.
Riccardo is known for his ability to represent vulnerable clients in cases that require a delicate and sensitive approach, and has been instructed on a number of difficult matters (privately and publicly funded), including but not limited to, multi-handed murder cases, large-scale drug conspiracies, cases involving sexual offences, 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, Riccardo does so with the utmost discretion.
Riccardo’s meticulous, extensive and faultless case preparation coupled with his client care and boundless tenacity, ensures that his clients are fully supported during the legal process whilst also receiving the most effective representation.
His calm, cynic, and friendly manner immediately puts clients at ease then his astute and sound tactical judgement along with his incredible eye for detail to a case leads to achieve the best possible outcome for each client he assists in offences across the whole criminal spectrum.
Riccardo has an extensive large and loyal client base and is referred the majority of his work through recommendations from his longstanding and current clients, which is a testament to the tireless dedication and excellent results that he achieves and the high level of client care that he brings to each of his cases. Clients informs that, no matter how their case presents, no stone is left unturned. He is highly regarded by professionals, experts and barristers as someone who is never afraid to step forward to protect his clients’ best interests acting fearlessly. As a result, his professional input is frequently sought by professionals and experts alike. Riccardo recently 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. (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)
After having completed international Criminal Justice studies in California (USA) and Australia, Riccardo graduated from Kingston University, London with a First-Class degree in Law and Criminology.
In July 2023 Riccardo was called to the Bar of England and Wales after completing the Bar Professional Training Course and a Master of Laws at City University, London.
Riccardo 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 his contribution to the Joint Enterprise Bill targeting the Criminal Appeal Act 1968, and formed the basis of his LLM (Master of Laws) dissertation on “The evolution of the English law of complicity: from 1800 to out of time post-Jogee appeals”.
Riccardo is an HP Lecturer in Law at Kingston University, London. Riccardo reflects on practice and theory together, by targeting first any malfunctioning practical aspects of the law, then reviewing and evolving those with academic research. This shows Riccardo’s commitment to advancing the profession and ensuring that the law evolves following an ever-changing society through academic research.
Riccardo is adept at providing ongoing career mentoring support to students through their transition from study into graduate employment. He advises 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 at Walker Law tasting the breadth and depth of our Criminal Justice System and criminal defence.
Recent Cases
R v HH and others
Murder (ongoing) (2024)
R v D and others
Central Criminal Court – Murder (2023)
Seven handed murder involving a fatal stabbing in a residential area. Violence spilled out into the street resulting in a running battle in which one man died at the scene and the other two suffered non-life threatening injuries. All co-defendants were charged with Murder and S.18 OAPA, and one other with perverting the course of justice.
R v A and others
Central Criminal Court – Murder (2023)
Four handed murder involving a fatal stabbing daylight in Central London.
Two weeks before the incident our client was stabbed in the leg by two masked men. It was alleged by the Crown our client set up a revenge attack. The whole incident was captured on CCTV. This involved extensive gang-related evidence. All co-defendants were charged with Murder and Violent Disorder. Client was acquitted on all counts.
R v K and others
Maidstone Crown Court – Murder (2023)
Thirteen handed murder involving multiple fatal stab wounds in a cannabis factory. This was a Murder for gain, involving extensive CCTV footage, phone downloads and cell site evidence to be analysed. All co-defendants were charged with Murder, Robbery and Conspiracy to Supply Class A Drugs.
R v D and others
Central Criminal Court – Infanticide (also referred to as “baby murder”) (2023)
The client was charged with the murder of a 15-month-old baby who suffered from several fatal injuries over a prolonged period. Several medical experts were instructed on the case as there were potential issues of causation.
R v A and others
Birmingham Crown Court – Murder (2022)
Five handed murder involving one fatal stab wound in Birmingham. The whole incident was captured on CCTV. It was a group knife attack where a convicted co-defendant and local rapper was later found with rap lyrics boasting about what he had done. Client was acquitted on all counts.
R v P
Central Criminal Court – Murder
This was a so-called “cold murder case”. The client walked into a police station in May 2021 and confessed to killing the victim in 1980. The client was affected by severe mental health issues. Several medical experts were instructed on the case as there were potential issues of causation.
R v T
Central Criminal Court – Murder (2022)
Three handed murder and manslaughter for gain involving a burned body being found in a rural area. The victim, a drug dealer, sustained several injuries before being burned. Client was acquitted on all counts.
R v M
Winchester Crown Court – Murder and Manslaughter (2022)
Four handed murder involving three fatal stab wounds in a flat. It was a group knife attack with the use of more than a knife. Client was acquitted of Murder.
R v U
Central Criminal Court – Murder (2022)
The client inflicted 57 stab wounds to the complainant’s face in the presence of the children. Loss of control was argued.
R v P and others
Central Criminal Court – Infanticide (2021)
It was alleged that the client had prepared and had explosive substances on his premises. Upon arrest, notebooks were found containing a recipe for explosives and a sketch of an improvised explosive device.
R v PN
Southwark Crown Court – Preparing explosive substances (2022)
It was alleged that the client had prepared and had in possession explosive substances in his premises. Upon arrest notebooks were found containing a recipe for explosives and a sketch of an improvised explosive device.