Vithyah Chelvam

Introduction

Vithyah’s practice focuses on all areas of crime, inquests, professional discipline and regulatory law. She completed pupillage with the Crown Prosecution Service in September 2023. Following successful completion of her probationary tenancy in Chambers, she was invited to join as a full member in April 2024.

Corporate & Financial Crime

Vithyah has a keen interest in corporate and financial crime. She comes to Chambers having worked in the bribery and corruption division of the Serious Fraud Office on a cross-border investigation into a former FTSE 100 company. She currently acts as junior disclosure counsel for a complex fraud case instructed by the CPS Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (“SEOCID”).

Crime

Vithyah is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in the Crown Court, Youth Court and Magistrates’ Court. During pupillage, Vithyah prosecuted lists of trials in a wide array of offences including offences against the person, drug offences and sexual offences. Vithyah also undertook secondments with various Chambers in London and Birmingham, exclusively in defence work. Additionally, she was seconded to the Attorney General’s Office where she advised on matters concerning Unduly Lenient Sentences.

Prior to pupillage, Vithyah was awarded the Sir Joseph Priestley scholarship by the Inner Temple to become an Amicus intern in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where she assisted in the defence of clients potentially facing the death penalty.

Vithyah is a Grade 2 prosecutor.

Professional Discipline & Regulatory

Vithyah has a vast and varied experience in professional and regulatory disciplinary work for various bodies. This has included working in the fields of licensing, education and health and safety. She has been instructed in her own right to appeal against licensing decisions by Transport for London. Additionally, she presents as approved counsel for the Nursing and Midwifery Council (“NMC”). She has acted as disclosure counsel for HMRC and is currently acting as disclosure counsel for the Office for Product Safety and Standards (“OPSS”).

Prior to pupillage, Vithyah worked within the Regulatory team at Kingsley Napley LLP where she worked on cases concerning the Health and Care Professions Council (“HCPC”) and Teaching Regulation Agency (“TRA”).

Inquests & Inquiries

Before joining Chambers, Vithyah acted as the lead paralegal for government decision-making at the Infected Blood Inquiry (2019-2021). She managed projects and investigations examining the response of government. Additionally, she drafted written requests for compelling evidence under Rule 9 of The Inquiry Rules 2006. This was work that was crucial to the oral evidence heard by the Inquiry. She looks forward to developing this area of her practice.