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Lincoln House Chambers’ Alistair Webster QC is ‘an eloquent, brave, effective advocate and a first-class tactician‘. James Pickup QC is ‘first choice for any serious, complex fraud‘. Anthony Cross QC and Suzanne Goddard QC have handled complex criminal trials. New silk, Andrew Thomas QC ‘will rapidly become one of the most sought-after silks‘ on the circuit. James Gregory is expert in financial services crime including conspiracy offences, as is Andrew Nuttall, whilst Mohammed Nawaz, Peter Warne, Paul Lawton and Richard Simons are all white-collar crime and fraud experts. Rachel Smith ‘offers legal knowledge, tactics and advocacy of the highest calibre‘. ‘Unflappable and determined‘ Ian McMeekin joined Lincoln House Chambers from Cobden House Chambers. Katherine Blackwell and Katherine Pierpoint are recommended.

St Johns Buildings’ Michael Shorrock QC is ‘a tenacious advocate of immense intellect‘. Andrew O’Byrne QC includes serious commercial crime in his practice. Richard Marks QC adds to the silk roster, joining from Peel Court Chambers. Hugh McKee and William Baker are recommended for high-value fraud, as is David Pojur. Keith Harrison is very experienced in serious criminal trials and David Bentley is building a very good practice.

9 St John Street’s Nicholas Clarke QC excels at medico-legal defence. Nicola Gatto ‘attracts unusually complex cases, handling them very well‘, and Alaric Bassano who is ‘very quick, and clever‘ is recommended for defence work. Simon James is ‘an excellent individual in an excellent set‘. David Friesner, is ‘superb at succinct explanation‘. Jaime Hamilton and Tom Gilbart are also recommended.

Deans Court Chambers’ David Fish QC and Stuart Denney QC both rank among the circuit heavyweights. Michael Hayton is a ‘very effective advocate who makes the most of what he has to work with‘ praised for case-handling skills. Joseph Hart’s defence practice is highly rated.

Garden Court North Chambers’ ‘committed and extremely clever‘ Pete Weatherby recently appeared in the leading imprisonment for public protection case; Secretary of State for Justice v Walker and James. Farrhat Arshad’s busy defence practice is based on her ‘refusal to retreat when she believes there’s a point to be made‘. Nick Stanage is expert in serious public order offence cases. Melanie Plimmer is currently appearing as Special Advocate on behalf of controlees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Cobden House Chambers’ crime group houses Louise Blackwell QC, who has long experience in serious criminal defence, alongside former CPS prosecutor Martin Callery and Ian Metcalfe.

18 St John Street Chambers’ Peter Birkett QC is a very experienced criminal barrister. Raymond Wigglesworth QC handles commercial fraud and VAT evasion work.

Exchange Chambers’s recognised criminal silks, David Turner QC and Gordon Cole QC were joined by the experienced Stephen Meadowcroft QC from Peel Court Chambers. Their skills are complemented by Tania Griffiths QC’s very strong practice. Simon Berkson, Mark Ainsworth and Damian Nolan are all highly rated at the junior level.

Atlantic Chambers’ Andrew Edis QC, ‘a true heavyweight and a genuine star‘, has recently been appointed Senior Treasury Counsel. Stuart Driver QC is praised for his effectiveness in jury trials. Steven Ball is a very strong junior. Peter Sigee, a former solicitor, has ‘an excellent manner‘ and is recommended for POCA instructions.

7 Harrington Street Chambers’ David Steer QC is a first choice for serious crime; he recently defended in the 2009 trial of a 15 year old charged with a screwdriver killing. Andrew Menary QC recently appeared in an eleven-defendant, multiple murder trial. Richard Pratt QC and Neil Flewitt QC led, respectively, for the defence and prosecution in the high profile Rhys Jones murder trial. From the juniors, Peter Davies, Andrew Ford, Martin Reid all typify the depth of experience and ability available in chambers.

India Buildings Chambers’ Ray Herman defended in a high-profile Liverpool employee fraud early in 2009. John Gibson is a very experienced business crime defender and Deborah Gould is recommended for serious criminal defence, particularly involving mental health or drug-related issues. Philip Astbury is highly experienced in fraud and complex criminal casework.

Oriel Chambers’ Jon Close is commended for being well prepared and effective in court.

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