Sally Penni

About the role

Sally Penni is a Barrister at Kenworthy’s Chambers practicing in Criminal Law, Employment Law, and Public Access. She handles cases across the civil and criminal spectrum, specializing in complex and sensitive issues such as violent crimes, serious sexual offences, incest, male rape, gang crime, and matters involving vulnerable witnesses and offenders.

Sally is recognized as a Leader in her field in the Northern Criminal Bar and is appointed to the list of counsel for the International Criminal Court in The Hague. She is known for her thorough research, attention to detail, and ability to handle high-profile cases involving sexual assault, mental health, and regulatory crime.

She has practiced both Criminal and Employment Law since 2000, joining Kenworthy’s Chambers in 2004. Sally speaks French, basic Spanish, and is trained in sign language.

Criminal Law Practice

• Accepts instructions for both defence and prosecution.
• Extensive practice includes regulatory crime, fraud, cyber security, and data breaches.
• Advises organizations on breaches of the Data Protection Act and prosecutes for the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
• Experience working with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• Specializes in cases involving fire regulations, fraud, Data Protection Law, and Artificial Intelligence Law governing robotics and autonomous cars.
• Works with young offenders and vulnerable witnesses with mental health issues.
• Author and contributor to Cyber Security Law and Guidance published by Bloomsbury.

Employment Law Practice

• Practices Employment Law involving disability, sex, and race discrimination.
• Advises on whistleblowing cases and representation at professional disciplinary hearings and grievances.
• Represents clients at Employment Tribunal (ET) and Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) hearings.
• Drafts legal documents such as Contracts of Employment and Compromise Agreements.
• Expertise in gender-related issues, including advising Senior Executives on discrimination and menopause in the workplace.
• Provides companies with training in GDPR and has unrivalled knowledge of data protection.
• Acts for both claimants and respondents and accepts instructions on a direct access basis.

Public Access

For appropriate Crime cases, Sally Penni accepts instructions from the general public on a direct access basis. Pricing is subject to case type, complexity, and seniority of the Barrister. Accurate quotes are provided before work begins.

• Crime Magistrates and Crown Court Services:
• Cost Advice and Preparation (Hourly Rate): £200 - £500 + VAT

Travel charges may apply for courts outside the local area. Contact Senior Criminal Clerk Paul Mander for further information.

Notable Cases

• R v Raynard Senega
• R v B: Alleged stranger rape involving complex phone evidence, expert evidence, and multiple social media platforms.

Qualifications and Awards

• MBE Award (Member of the Order of the British Empire), 2020
• Point of Light Award by the UK Prime Minister
• Master of the Bench at Gray’s Inn
• Winner of The Outstanding Woman in Professional Services 2021
• Winner of Barrister of the Year 2020 at the Modern Law Awards
• Winner of The Outstanding Social Behaviour Award 2020 for social impact
• Winner of Northern Leadership Awards 2019
• Winner of Woman of Influence in Law Award 2019
• Winner of Women’s International Network Global Award 2019
• Trained Pupil Supervisor at Kenworthy’s Chambers
• Approved Advocacy Trainer at The Inns of Court College of Advocacy
• Chartered Manager (CMgr) by the Chartered Management Institute
• Nominated for The Independent Newspapers ‘Happy List 2021’
• Nominated for Cranfield University 100 Women to Watch for FTSE list
• Finalist in the Northwest Inspiring Women Awards 2019
• Judge at National Paralegal Awards 2019, The Modern Law Awards 2019, and the 2017 Northern Power Women Awards
• Nominated for Chartered Management Institute Companionship 2017
• Finalist in ‘Outstanding Professional Woman’ at the 2017 Precious Awards
• Star Award by Lift Effects in 2017
• Winner of the Rising Star in Law Award from We are the City
• On the Northern Power List for the 50 Most Powerful Women in the North West of England 2017
• Finalist in HSBC and Forward Ladies’ ‘Highly Commended Inspiring Leader’ 2016
• Winner of Diversity Champion Award at the 2015 UK Diversity Legal Awards
• Rising Star at the 2015 HSBC National Women in Business Award

Professional Memberships

• Criminal Bar Association
• Legal Aid Practitioners Group
• Vice Chair of Association of Women Barristers
• Founder and CEO of Women in the Law UK
• Member of Employment Lawyers Association
• Director Board of Companions at the Chartered Management Institute
• Board Member at The Advocates Gateway
• Member of the all-party parliamentary group on work and women at the House of Commons
• Trustee of The Access to Justice Foundation
• Ambassador for Women on Boards UK
• Member of the Professional Speakers Association
• Speaker and Ambassador at Inspiring the Future
• Ambassador for The Women of the Year Business Luncheon and Awards
• Non-Executive Board Member at the Royal Exchange Theatre
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
• Non-Executive Director at Arawak Walton Housing Association
• Independent School Governor at Camberwell Park School
• Former Council Member for the Medico Legal Society
• Former Board Trustee of Rethink Mental Illness

Publications and Media

• Women in the Law UK: Blazing the Way
• Counsel Magazine: An Extraordinary Day – The Life of
• Sally Penni’s Official Website
• Liverpool Law Society: November 2021 Edition
• Sally Penni’s Author Page
• Talking Law book series by Sally Penni (Link)
• Inspirational, Fabulous & Over 40 – A Selection of Amazing Stories
• Rosie and the Unicorn (children’s book) by Sally Penni
• A Practical Guide to Dealing with Vulnerable Witnesses in Criminal Courts and Beyond (Link)
• Cyber Security Law and Guidance (co-author) (Counsel Magazine Feature)
• Host of Talking Law Podcast (Link)
• Guest on Times Radio

• Kenworthy’s Chambers Proud Sponsor of “Talking Law” Podcast Episode Featuring Baroness Hale of Richmond & Sally Penni MBE
• Sally Penni Awarded Doctorate in Law for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Sally Penni Runs Marathon for Prevent Breast Cancer
• Kenworthy’s Champions Access to Justice with Pro Bono Recognition
• Sally Penni Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Manchester Metropolitan University
• Sally Penni & Olivia Edwards Chair and Present “BAME Matters in Family Law” with Child Concern