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Park Court Chambers houses a number of impressive criminal silks, including ‘brilliant advocate’ Alistair MacDonald QC; Paul Greaney QC, who has ‘immaculate advocacy skills’; and Bryan Cox QC, who is noted for his ‘ability to quickly identify the issues at trial’. Simon Bourne-Arton QC, David Hatton QC and Tom Bayliss QC are frequently instructed in fraud and homicide cases. At the junior end, Christopher Tehrani is ‘a formidable advocate’ and Nicholas de la Poer is ‘one of the few genuine confiscation experts on circuit’. Gillian Batts and Robert Smith QC are also recommended, and Nicholas Lumley QC took silk in 2012.

Andrew Stubbs QC took over as head of St Paul’s Chambers following Guy Kearl QC’s appointment to the circuit bench. Junior James Lake is ‘without doubt a leading light of the junior Bar in Leeds’; Simon Bickler QC undertakes criminal work arising out of family matters; and Andrew Haslam is recommended for fraud instructions. Also recommended are the ‘extremely efficient’ Denise Breen-Lawton and Hilary Manley, who specialises in serious sexual offence cases and is ‘meticulous in preparation’. Nick Dry handles serious crime and confiscation cases.

Broadway House Chambers has four members on the Attorney General’s list, including recently appointed silk Tahir Khan QC, Giles Bridge, Louise Azmi and Nigel Hamilton. Its capability was further bolstered by the arrival of the highly regarded Richard Mansell QC from No. 6. Graham Hyland QC is recommended for heavyweight criminal matters, and Michelle Colborne QC has significant experience in serious sexual offence cases. Nicholas Askins ‘quickly gets a grip of the issues in a case’. Sarah Barlow specialises in fraud, drugs and serious violence work, and Emma Downing handles fraud and confiscation cases. The ‘very competent and approachable’ Peter Hampton is recommended, as are Ian Howard, Sophie Drake, Stephen Wood and Gerald Hendron.

Zenith Chambers’ Julian Goose QC handles serious and complex criminal matters, including numerous homicide cases, and Christopher Smith is ‘first choice if a sympathetic mitigation is required’. Simon Kealey is ‘calm, confident, good-humoured and effective’, and Tom Storey has ‘a lovely manner with clients’. Geraldine Kelly, Edward Bindloss and Nicholas Worsley are also recommended.

At No. 6, head of chambers Rodney Jameson QC specialises in serious murder and fraud cases, including ‘honour’ killings. Richard Wright continues to be instructed in high-profile cases, and Andrew Dallas covers the full spectrum of criminal offences. Kama Melley is also recommended.

KBW’s Adrian Waterman QC is frequently instructed in serious or complex matters, including murder cases. Amanda Denton has a ‘down-to-earth approach with clients’, and Tina Dempster - leaves no stone unturned’. Paul Cleasby is noted for his ‘ability to judge a jury’, and Christine Egerton is ‘rigorous in her dealings with the prosecution’.

Trinity Chambers’ Paul Sloan QC was appointed to the circuit bench in July 2011, leaving the well-established Toby Hedworth QC and ‘exceptional trial advocate’ Eric Elliott QC as the set’s leading criminal silks. Caroline Goodwin ‘achieves excellent results’, and Robert Adams’ ‘commands high respect for his court presence and performance’. Carl Gumsley, Christopher Knox and Shaun Routledge are also recommended.

Bank House Chambers’ Paul O’Shea is ‘an experienced and savvy practitioner’. Katherine Goddard has particular experience in cases involving sexual assault and child cruelty cases. Paul O’Shea continues to be instructed in high-profile murder and fraud work, and Andrew Smith MBE has ‘a confident court manner and a sympathetic way of dealing with the client’. Head of chambers James Baird has a broad criminal practice.

At Sovereign Chambers, David Dixon has a growing fraud practice, and Mark McKone and Catherine Silverton have significant expertise in serious sexual offence cases. Head of chambers David Gordon has a heavyweight criminal practice that covers murder, drugs and fraud matters.

At Newcastle-based criminal set New Court Chambers, Julian Smith handles serious and complex cases, including conspiracy, fraud, and rape matters. Amanda Rippon is also recommended.

Dere Street Chambers’ John Elvidge QC and Peter Makepeace continue to handle serious criminal instructions.

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