Dana Bilan

Dana Bilan is a Barrister in our Private Client Department.

Dana regularly appears before the courts representing our private clients in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court and Youth Court. She can also be instructed directly to represent you in the Police Station and throughout the investigation stage of your case.

Dana is a versatile and adaptable advocate having worked in the legal industry and qualified in two jurisdictions (Romania and the UK). She has achieved two first class BA degrees (International Relations and Law, respectively) as well as a Master’s degree in European Studies. In addition to this, she was awarded a scholarship from the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 2019.

Dana is fluent in Romanian, English, Spanish and Ukrainian as well as being conversant in French and German. If you would like an advocate that can speak with you in your own language and understands your culture there is no better advocate available.

At court, Dana is highly respected in the Southern Circuit as an advocate known for meticulous preparation and a fierce defence of her clients. She is an advocate with an enviable trial success record.

Dana has a strong background in litigating some of the most serious offences in criminal law. She has successfully litigated cases for those accused of murder, serious sexual offences, grooming and modern slavery. As such, she has a strong connection to leading experts in the fields of forensics (DNA, toxicology etc.), psychiatry, psychology and injury causation.

Dana is particularly useful to be instructed early in an investigation to provide expert counsel opinion and assistance in representations to the Police and Prosecution to persuade them to not pursue a prosecution.

In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Dana Bilan charges Level B hourly rates.

Examples of Dana Bilan’s Work

Notable Litigation CASES

Operation Silk (2020) – Head litigator of two defendants in relation to a historic sexual grooming gang involving 13 defendants over 3 trials. Tracy Ayling KC of 2 Bedford Row and Paul Hines KC of 25 Bedford Row instructed.

R v L (2021) – Head litigator of an allegation of Rape, coercive and controlling behaviour and serious sexual assaults in a domestic context. Tracey Ayling KC of 2 Bedford Row instructed.

R v A (2018) – Litigated the case in Spanish for a Spanish-speaking defendant accused of Rape. Not guilty after trial.

R v B (2019) – Head litigator of a Murder case involving seven medical experts dealing with causation. Successfully persuaded the Prosecution to accept a charge of Manslaughter. Michael Borrelli KC of Three Raymond Buildings instructed.

R v E (2017) – Head Litigator of a sexual assault by penetration of trial for a young man of good character. Eleanor Laws KC of QEB Chambers instructed.

R v F (2019) – Head litigator of a case of perverting the Course of Justice linked to a Murder trial.

Notable Trials

R v O (2021) – Threats to cause criminal damage by fire – Not guilty after trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.

R v A (2022) – Violent disorder – Not guilty after trial in Oxford Crown Court.

R v Z (2022) – Breach of sexual notification requirement and assault on an emergency worker – The prosecution offered no evidence following a trial (Hung Jury).

R v MD (2022) – Dwelling Burglary – Successful application to dismiss the case at the Crown Court at Oxford.

R v T (2022) – Assault on an Emergency Worker x 3 – Oxford Crown Court – Prosecution offered no evidence following a successful application of non-compliance with their duty of disclosure.

R v P (2022) – Assault by Beating (domestic violence) – Not guilty after trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court

R v B (2023) – Possession of a Bladed Article in a Public Place – Not guilty after trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.

Testimonials and Feedback

“Dana Bilan is very professional and was very helpful. I couldn’t have asked for a better barrister. Thank you Dana!”

Client feedback form 2023.

“I was treated with respect and dignity throughout the whole time almost three years. I was listened to and I was treated like a human being, because of my experience I was able to cope with the daunting process of a Court Trial. Reeds are one of the best if not the best legal representatives in the region if not in the Country. And because of your help, advice and support I am here continuing to practice as a healthcare professional. Thank you so very much one and all.”

Client feedback form 2019.

DANA BILAN’S MEMBERSHIPS

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple