2 Dr Johnson’s Buildings

Samrat joined Chambers in 2023, having established a busy criminal and Inquest practice.

Biography

Called to the Bar in 2019

Samrat joined Chambers in 2023, having established a busy criminal and Inquest practice. Samrat’s area of work include criminal trials at Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts covering a broad variety of cases including drugs, GBH weapons and importation offences.

He is also instructed in complex clinical negligence, mental health law and inquests. He had successfully represented families in Article 2 matters and inviting HM Coroner to report Preventing Future Deaths. Samrat’s Civil work include Clinical Negligence and Mental Health. He is a member of The Inquest Group, Mental Health Lawyers’ Association and Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Prior to transferring to the Bar, Samrat was a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist for over 15 years at Broadmoor Hospital. As a consultant, Samrat worked with some of the UK’s most complex, high profile and dangerous patients with wide ranging skills as an expert witness, giving evidence in crown courts, including the Old Bailey. He is also a cross cultural psychiatrist bringing his knowledge in medical anthropology to assist the courts sentence culturally diverse offenders.

Feedback

Samrat receives excellent feedback and repeat instructions from solicitors:

“The case involved a client who had been kept in a secure mental unit for over a decade from a very young age. Samrat’s work on this case together with his expert strategic decisions which were predicated on his background as a psychiatrist and appropriate representations culminated in achieving our client’s discharge from the secure unit.”

“He meticulously prepares for each hearing and takes time and care in explaining things to the client”

“His knowledge of mental health law, procedure and practice is second to none.”

“His background in psychiatry is invaluable and he is a well-respected barrister.”

“Another crucial factor in my choice of counsel is their ability to quickly establish rapport with clients and put them at ease. Samrat has excelled in this aspect”.

“He negotiated in respect of a client facing a trial for harassment and malicious communication to result in the charges been dropped”.

Lay Client: “Especially for Mr Samrat, He was so professional and deeply focused and helpful with his case. I thank Him”.

Cases of Note R v JD [2023], D charged with theft and possession of class B drugs. D had mental health problems. Samrat provided detailed psychiatric advice based on which D was found unfit to plead and stand trial. Crown offered no evidence. R v SR [2023] D was charged with possession of imitation firearm. In conference Samrat noted that D had signs indicative of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Samrat advised the solicitors to instruct a clinical psychologist specialising in Autism. D was diagnosed with Asperger’s and Crown offered no evidence. R v AB [2023] D was charged with arson with intent to endanger life. Samrat meticulously evaluated the DNA evidence and successfully applied for bad character of non-defendant. Crown offered lesser charge of criminal damage to which he pleaded and received a short custodial sentence. R v AK [2023] D was charged with PWITS A. Samrat submitted successful mitigation and D received a suspended sentence order for 18 months.

Inner Temple

Inquest

MBBS, Calcutta University FRCPsych, Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrist MSc, University College London, Medical Anthropology GDL, BPP University BPTC, BPP University 2018