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  1. Crime – Leading Sets
  2. Crime – Leading Silks
  3. Crime – New Silks
  4. Crime – Leading Juniors

Crime – Leading Silks

Crime – Leading Juniors

2 Bedford Row is widely regarded as ‘the go-to set for any complex criminal or fraud case’, fielding a ‘superb’ collection of leading silks and juniors. Head of chambers William Clegg QC is considered a doyen among criminal defence practitioners, and recently acted in R v Tabak, the high-profile case involving the murder of Joanna Yeates in Bristol. Jim Sturman QC’s impeccable advocacy skills make him a regular feature in high-profile cases, increasingly where the case has an entrapment element. Mark Milliken-Smith QC is an ‘all-round top-drawer criminal defence silk’; Peter Lodder QC has ‘a formidable ability to grasp all the detail of a case and then present it to the jury in a simple yet sophisticated manner’; and Michael Wolkind QC is ‘without doubt the best cross-examiner in the business’. Recommended juniors include Dean Armstrong, who has ‘immense court presence’; Michael Levy, who is able to ‘grasp complex issues without hesitation’; Christine Agnew, noted for her ‘sensitive cross-examination skills in all cases, but particularly involving the evidence of aggrieved children’; Tony Wyatt, who ‘conducts cases as you would as an ex boxer – pulling no punches’; Craig Rush, noted for his ‘dogged persistence and high intelligence’; and Dean George, who is ‘destined for greatness’.

2 Hare Court is ‘able to offer a vast number of experienced counsel’, with a ‘highly reputable’ and ‘very professional’ collection of silks and juniors. Orlando Pownall QC ‘has huge presence in court, is always thoroughly prepared and provides excellent client care’. Jonathan Laidlaw QC, Brendan Kelly QC, Jonathan Rees QC and Peter Wright QC are also highly sought after. Recommendedjuniors include Craig Ferguson, Parmjit-Kaur Cheema and Christopher Coltart.

6 King’s Bench Walk is ‘at the top of the tree’ for its wealth of leading silks and juniors. David Perry QC has a pre-eminent reputation in appellate cases and serious crime matters, and John Ryder QC and Nicholas Hilliard QC also stand out among the set’s leading silks. Leading juniors include Duncan Penny, Gareth Patterson and Miranda Hill.

Three Raymond Buildings is highlighted as ‘putting the client first and delivering its services beyond excellence’. It is noted for its exposure to multi-jurisdictional matters, as illustrated by head of chambers Alexander Cameron QC’s representation of Mohammed Asif before the ICC anti-corruption tribunal in Doha, Qatar. Other recommended silks include Patrick Gibbs QC, who is ‘one of the very best criminal silks around’, ‘wears his considerable intellect lightly and (unlike many of his peers) combines this with an emotional intelligence with which he wins the respect and trust of clients’; Michael Bromley-Martin QC, who is ‘a masterful tactician, a consummate professional and most importantly one who fights for his client every inch of the case’; Helen Malcolm QC, who ‘instils great confidence in both her instructing solicitors and lay clients’; and Richard Horwell QC. The set also has ‘one of the best juniors at the criminal Bar’ in Neil Saunders, along with Nicholas Yeo, who is ‘very talented and dynamic’; and Hugh Davies, who ‘prosecutes at the highest level short of silk’.

25 Bedford Row has amassed a heavyweight selection of criminal silks and juniors who regularly feature at the forefront of legal developments and are particularly well regarded in the appellate arena. The ‘tremendously hardworking and client-friendly’ George Carter-Stephenson QC ‘takes points that lesser mortals miss’, making his defence practice in high demand. Paul Hynes QC is ‘methodical in his preparation and articulate on his feet’ and, since taking silk in 2010, John Cooper QC has fast developed a reputation as being ‘head and shoulders above the majority of other QCs’. Jo Sidhu QC’s recent appointment brings the tally of silks at the set to 16. Jonathan Mann is ‘a real leader in his field of serious criminal offences’; defence specialist Ronald Jaffa ‘commands respect when he appears in court’; and Aisling Byrnes ‘knows what needs to be done and is at all times alive to the tactical issues that arise in serious crime matters’.

Doughty Street Chambers fields 44 dedicated criminal practitioners, including 13 QCs, who have developed the set into a leader in the field of terrorism cases, as well as being noted for its appellate work and presence in international tribunals. Christopher Sallon QC has the ability to ‘win over the hearts of the jury and the minds of the judges’, and is ‘extremely effective at Crown Court level and at the Court Of Appeal’; Edward Rees QC ‘leaves no stone unturned’; and Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC is ‘always willing to consider innovative arguments’. ‘One of the most naturally gifted advocates around’, Sarah Elliott is ‘on the most-wanted list for complex, heavyweight crime and for tricky mitigation matters’. Richard Fisher is ‘a very solid advocate and is excellent with clients’. Ben Cooper ‘fights hard to pursue every legal remedy available’. Lauren Soertsz is also recommended. Rebecca Trowler QC’s recent appointment is reflective of her ‘very impressive range of practice’.

Now in his third year as head of chambers, ‘consummate professional’ Simon Russell Flint QC has continued to cultivate 23 Essex Street’s criminal defence practice into one of the most sought after in the UK. Despite Christopher Kinch QC’s Circuit Bench appointment and Gareth Rees QC’s appointment as executive counsel to the Accountancy and Actuarial Discipline Board, the set still fields a wealth of prominent silks, including the ‘diligent’ Dafydd Enoch QC, who is noted for his ‘eloquence and ability to persuade’; John Price QC, who is ‘simply an exceptional advocate’; and Daniel Janner QC, who has ‘an excellent rapport with juries’. At junior level, John Causer is ‘first port of call for large or complex criminal cases’, and leading prosecutor Mark Trafford is ‘an outstanding all-round advocate’.

Matrix Chambers’ small but highly valued crime team was bolstered by the arrival of Aaron Watkins from 7 Bedford Row, bringing expertise in financial crime and extradition. He joins a set that includes leading figure of the criminal Bar Clare Montgomery QC, who acted in the high-profile extradition proceedings against Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Other recommended silks include Tim Owen QC, who is ‘one of the most able, quick and clear advocates at the Bar’. Mark Summers has ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of extradition’, and Alison Macdonald is highlighted for her knowledge of human rights law and its application in the criminal justice system.

QEB Hollis Whiteman’s panoply of silks and juniors gives it the bench strength to advise on the full range of criminal matters. Sean Larkin QC’s ‘unfussy presentation and effective strategising’ make him a natural choice for complex criminal matters, and he recently prosecuted a terrorism case which could have lasting implications on the definition of terrorism and the impact of public international law on domestic legislation. Newly appointed head of chambers Mark Ellison QC is ‘a high-quality silk’ who acted on an application to set aside an acquittal, followed by trial for the murder of Stephen Lawrence. Tim Roberts QC has a track record defending high-profile crime cases, and also acted in that case. Other recommended silks include ‘hero of the Bar’ William Boyce QC, Rebecca Poulet QC, David Jeremy QC and Anthony Glass QC. Paul Raudnitz, Benn Maguire, Linda Strudwick (‘genuinely concerned about ensuring the best outcome for the client’) and Ben Fitzgerald are all singled out as leading juniors.

7 Bedford Row is particularly well regarded for its prosecution strength. At silk level, Richard Latham QC acted for the prosecution at trial and on appeal in a murder case that has become the leading authority on legal professional privilege and its partial waiver by a defendant; and William Coker QC, Timothy Barnes QC and Maureen Baker QC are also recommended. Nick Hoffman is ‘a highly skilled advocate who possesses an equally honed client manner’.

At 36 Bedford Row, the ‘calm and composed’ Amjad Malik QC is noted for his ability to provide ‘a clear case strategy from the off, and maintain it through the turbulent waters of a trial’. Frances Oldham QC and Christopher Donnellan QC are also recommended. On the junior side, Adrienne Lucking is singled out for her ‘manner with vulnerable clients’; Felicity Gerry is ‘tenacious in court’; and up-and-coming junior Kathryn Howarth is ‘blossoming into a well-rounded, hardworking and energetic advocate’.

Cloth Fair Chambers’ John Kelsey-Fry QC is the name on many practitioners’ lips when called on to identify leading lights of the criminal Bar. Nicholas Purnell QC and Ian Winter QC likewise draw effusive praise, and Jonathan Barnard is singled out as a leading junior.

Garden Court Chambers’ team of 16 silks and 40 juniors is one of the ‘most rounded’ at the criminal Bar. David Spens QC is ‘one of the very best in a world increasingly saturated with QCs’, and Henry Blaxland QC is ‘a smooth and fluid advocate who does not make bad points’. Shiraz Aziz is ‘fearless in court’, and up-and-coming junior Tom Wainwright ‘cross-examines expert witnesses with considerable skill’.

Specialist criminal set 18 Red Lion Court has a depth of expertise. Peter Carter QC is ‘the sort of person you want in your corner for complex criminal cases’; and David Etherington QC is ‘a man of very sharp intellect, able to absorb significant quantities of information and distil them down into their important components speedily’. John Lyons’ ‘commitment to getting the best result for the client is second to none’, and Jennifer Dempster is ‘very hardworking and has an exceptionally good manner with clients’.

At Tooks Chambers, Michael Mansfield QC has one of the best-respected defence practices at the criminal Bar; Stephen Kamlish QC draws effusive praise for his ‘excellent cross-examination skills’; and Tim Moloney QC is praised for his ‘fantastic arguments both on paper and on his feet in court’. On the junior side, Danielle Cooper and ‘accomplished advocate’ Naeem Mian are recommended.

Also recommended are: Anthony Berry QC and David Hughes at 9 Bedford Row; 9-12 Bell Yard’s Mukul Chawla QC, Philip Katz QC and Mary Poku (‘her success rate has been outstanding’); Michael Wood QC and William England at Carmelite Chambers; Martin Rutherford (‘an imposing and commanding figure’), ‘first-rate advocate’ Sally O’Neill QC, the ‘calm and highly professional’ Jon Swain and Oliver Blunt QC at Furnival Chambers; and Outer Temple Chambers’ Fiona Horlick, who is ‘very good on her feet’. The well-regarded Michael Neofytou is now practising at newly established LDP Artesian Law.

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