Our Criminal Defence Solicitors: Rod Hayler

Rod leads the Old Bailey Solicitors team as Managing Director and has specialised in criminal defence work since 1998.

He is a trial advocate of 22 years’ experience and with an impressive track record of success. As a Higher Courts Advocate since 2007, Rod also represents clients in Crown Courts across the country and in the Court of Appeal.

General criminal defence experience

His reputation as a leading criminal lawyer has grown in recent years due to his experience of high profile cases including murder, fraud and terrorism. Rod has also represented clients being prosecuted by the Serious Crime Agency (formerly the Serious Organised Crime Agency), the Fraud Division of the CPS and the Anti-Terrorism Division. He has represented clients in relation to trading standards allegations, some of which garnered nationwide media interest. He is experienced in handling complex Confiscation proceedings brought under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He has regularly represented clients facing prosecution by the UK Border Agency and the National Crime Agency.

Strong client care ethos

Rod’s level of client care is first class which is why he holds a caseload of professional clients, such as Company Directors, Accountants, Teachers, Financial Advisers and Doctors. In recent years, Rod has also developed a practice representing companies that have been prosecuted in relation to tax or regulatory offences.

A proven ability to handle sex cases sensitively but proactively

Rod has built up an impressive and nationwide practice representing clients wrongfully accused of rape or other sexual offences and he has achieved many notable successes in this area. His ability to form relationships with other specialist professionals has led to Rod being instructed to handle some of the most sensitive and highly pressured cases in this field.

Rod is recommended by Chambers and Partners 2025 as a Leading Individual ‘Rod is very experienced – he is good both at the law and at looking after clients.’

‘Rod Hayler has experience in handling cases concerning homicide and terrorism offences, in addition to trading standards prosecutions. Market commentators commend his outstanding client care.’ (Chambers 2014)

‘Rod Hayler is also a higher courts advocate, and has attracted attention for his “ability to obtain the confidence of very frightened clients.’ (Chamber 2013)

Rod is a Recommended Lawyer in the 2024 and 2025 edition of The Legal 500 UK where he is described as being “hands-on with vulnerable clients and very organised and on top of everything.”

Recent notable cases

R v W – Soliciting murder

R v M – Attempt murder – private instruction

Police investigation into offences of Assisted Suicide – private instruction

R v K – multi-defendant conspiracy to supply Class A drugs – private instruction

R v P – intention strangulation – private instruction

R v L – GBH with intent – private instruction

Consultant Anaesthetist – investigated by NHS Counter-Fraud – private instruction

R v A – Double murder 

R v P – Advice on Appeal against murder conviction – private instruction

Southern Water v TMPH Ltd – Regulatory prosecution relating to misuse of public water – private instruction

R v W – Bribery prosecution of Championship Football Assistant Manager 

R v J – HMRC seeking extradition of client to the UK to face tax evasion charges – private instruction

R v A – Former solicitor client charged with multiple frauds against clients.  Custodial sentence avoided and Confiscation proceedings avoided.

R v R – Private client charged with Fraud in his role as Power of Attorney.  Custodial sentence avoided.

R v H – GBH with intent.  City based insurance broker client.  Custodial sentence avoided. – Private instruction 

R v N – Murder.  City based private client 

R v T – Private client facing Contempt of Court proceedings for failing to comply with Jury Service

R v C – Private client charged with Rape of estranged wife.  Successfully persuaded CPS to discontinue case after disclosure failures.

R v M – Private client charged with Rape.  Acquitted after trial.

R v M – Murder. Acquitted after successful submission of no case to answer

You should consider instructing Rod Hayler to handle your case if you require the following:

• A level headed and pragmatic approach
• Honest advice from the outset of your case
• Hard work and diligence
• A lawyer who cares about the outcome of your case and the effect it will have on you