2 Bedford Row > London, England > Set Profile
2 Bedford Row Offices
2 Bedford Row
LONDON
WC1R 4BU
England
2 Bedford Row > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Crime Tier 1
2 Bedford Row remains a ‘premier’ set for high-profile defence and prosecution work. Jim Sturman KC represented former police officer Wayne Couzens, who entered a guilty plea to the rape and murder of Sarah Everard, in his appeal against sentence, which involved issues as to if an individual who pleaded guilty could receive a whole-life tariff, among other questions about the most serious murder tariffs. Stan Reiz KC recently acted for a Liverpool man charged with the attempted murder of a man (his original target) and a schoolgirl in a cycle-by shooting – the defendant was convicted of attempted murder of the man, but acquitted of attempted murder of the girl on the basis that the doctrine of transferred malice does not apply to attempted murder. Turning to prosecution work, Jacqueline Carey KC successfully prosecuted former reality television personality Stephen Bear, who received a 21-month prison sentence for sexual offences including selling secretly filmed footage of him having sex with his ex-partner, a former Love Island contestant, on OnlyFans. Mark Milliken-Smith KC, as was, was appointed as a Circuit Judge in December 2023.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerking team provides an impeccable service. John Grimmer is a legend of the clerks’ room and has excellent support from Paul Rodgers and Lee Bartlett in particular.’
‘Paul Rodgers is very approachable and very keen to build relationships.’
‘Lee Bartlett is a go-to clerk. He goes out of his way to accommodate requests, even at the last minute.’
‘Chambers is one of the leading criminal sets in London/UK with a good selections of senior and junior barristers.’
‘2 Bedford Row’s reputation is among the highest at the Bar. A top quality set.’
‘2 Bedford Row is a premier set of chambers with a stellar list of KCs. They have strength in depth and a fantastic reputation.’
‘2 Bedford Row are a tenacious chambers with a range of barristers who are experienced, versatile and forward thinking.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Fraud: crime Tier 1
2 Bedford Row is ‘an outstanding set’ with a broad range of counsel prosecuting and defending for clients in high-level criminal fraud matters. Simon Baker KC represented the alleged primary administrator of caller ID spoofing website iSpoof.cc, which reportedly was used to facilitate over £43m of fraud against British victims carried by impersonating banks and public bodies. Numerous members, including Baker KC and Kevin Toomey, among others, represented various defendants in a case stemming from “Operation Ark”, an eight-year prosecution for allegedly mis-sold heating systems – all defendants were acquitted after the prosecution submitted no evidence after disclosure failings were identified. Mark Milliken-Smith KC, as was, was appointed as a Circuit Judge in December 2023.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘John Grimmer is a top clerk and runs a very effective and efficient clerks’ room. Paul Rodgers and Tom Powell are always on hand to assist and accommodate instructing solicitors.’
‘John Grimmer and Paul Rodgers are well liked by solicitors and continue to be viewed as two of the best, but all the way down to the most junior the clerks pull out all the stops to provide the service solicitors deserve.’
‘Joe Martin is a good clerk and is always friendly and efficient. He will do what he can to assist.’
‘A strong set of chambers from top down to junior juniors.’
‘2 Bedford Row is in every multi-handed fraud case and retains its market share. The strength in depth in terms of silks is obvious, and there is a large core of up and coming juniors too.’
‘2 Bedford Row is an outstanding set and far above the rest in terms of professionalism and the care they pay towards instructing solicitors. They do not have a bad barrister in the whole set.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 2
2 Bedford Row is an ‘outstanding set‘ for white collar and business crime, whose members represent both corporate and individual clients, as well as both private and public prosecutors, in criminal and regulatory investigations. Brian Altman KC was appointed by the Attorney General and the Serious Fraud Office to lead a high-profile investigation into the collapse of the Serious Fraud Office’s SERCO trial in April 2021 – in addition, he and Simon Baker KC continue to represent the Post Office in criminal appeals in the wake of the Horizon scandal. Thomas Daniel prosecuted a Gambian diplomat for withholding information from The Pensions Regulator, the defendant in this case having raised diplomatic immunity arguments and sought to justify his absence from the trial by claiming he was persona non grata in the United Kingdom. Mark Milliken-Smith KC, as was, was appointed as a Circuit Judge in December 2023.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Paul Rodgers is a superb clerk who regularly checks in (regardless of whether there is a need to or not) to ensure that we are happy with the service being provided and to see if he is able to help smooth any bumps.’
‘John Grimmer has been described as “a legend even amongst those still at Bar School”, and Paul Rodgers and Joe Martin are famed for going the extra mile.’
‘The whole clerks room really look after the instructing solicitors.’
‘The clerks are extremely attentive and are able to assist us with any enquiry on a moment’s notice.’
‘2 Bedford Row are an outstanding set and far above the rest in terms of their professionalism and the care they pay towards instructing solicitors. They do not have a bad barrister in the whole set, and I would recommend them on a number of matters without thinking.’
‘2 Bedford Row is deservedly top-ranked and was awarded the ‘crime set of the year’ award in 2022; and it deserved that accolade, as well as the other nominations received.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Health and safety Tier 2
With a particular strong corporate manslaughter and individual gross negligence practice, 2 Bedford Row stays highly active across numerous industries, including leisure, retail, construction and health care, and is also experienced in advising fire and rescue authorities on prosecutions for fire safety breaches. Jim Sturman KC represented Costain and Galliford Try in a prosecution following the death of a construction worker working on the construction of the M1 “smart motorway”. Christine Agnew KC was instructed in the prosecution of two men charged with gross negligence manslaughter after a collision in Southampton water that caused the death of a 15-year-old girl. Alex Stein is prosecuting Amberley Homes Limited following a fall from height fatality at a construction site.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are always proactive and helpful. Paul Rodgers is very good.’
‘Paul Rodgers is excellent. Hardworking, responsive and always going the extra mile in terms of the provision of training etc.’
‘Certainly a strong criminal set and with a number of silks and senior juniors experienced and trustworthy in the health and safety and related “corporate crime” fields.’
‘Fantastic criminal set.’
‘2BR are a good set. Lots of strength in this field.
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 3
With a range of practitioners, 2 Bedford Row features barristers who are highly regarded for expertise in a range of areas. Among the junior end of chambers, Andrew McGee has a solid track record in handling prosecution and defence work before a range of regulatory fora, and Sam Thomas is a key name for healthcare sector regulatory issues. Natalie Bird represented the GDC in a complex hearing involving 80 sub-allegations relating to an illegal tooth-whitening practice that was conducted by a registrant dental nurse. The nurse’s name was subsequently erased from the register after 75 of the sub-allegations, including dishonesty, were found proven. Ian Stern KC retired from full practice in mid-2022. Mark Milliken-Smith KC, as was, was appointed as a Circuit Judge in December 2023.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Paul Rodgers is a credit to the set.‘
‘The clerks are very responsive and friendly.‘
‘A number of excellent advocates who specialise in healthcare cases.‘
‘An extremely good set with strength in depth.‘
‘The clerks are very agile and promptly respond to queries.’
‘The clerks are very good and very responsive.’
‘The clerks action requests with a quick turnaround and offer appropriate counsel when requested counsel is unavailable.’
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries
Leading Silks
London Bar > Sport
Leading Silks
London Bar > Environment
Leading Juniors
2 Bedford Row > Set Profile
Clients benefit from the knowledge, expertise and support of one of the country’s leading criminal and regulatory sets. Committed to all aspects of criminal and regulatory law, Chambers advises and represents clients in a wide variety of proceedings and investigations, from high profile fraud and murder cases to health and safety and professional disciplinary proceedings. Members have appeared in International Criminal Courts in The Hague, the ECHR, Privy Council, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Administrative Court and all courts and tribunals of first instance, as well as public inquiries and inquests. Chambers has a high volume of international work and members attend hearings around the globe. Chambers serves a variety of clients, spanning national governments, international companies, local authorities and other public bodies, regulators, trade unions, corporations and directors and professional and sporting authorities, as well as individuals.
The set: 2 Bedford Row calls upon the combined expertise of 17 KCs and 61 juniors, including former First Senior Treasury Counsel, standing counsel to the Health and Safety Executive, and a number of Recorders. Chambers has provided two Chairs of the Bar Council and two Chairs of the CBA. Supporting them is a clerking team recognised as one of the best in the country.
Types of work undertaken:
Crime: As one of the acknowledged ‘magic circle’ criminal sets, Chambers has an outstanding track record in high profile trials, including corporate crime, terrorism and war crimes. Examples of high profile cases, in which our members prosecuted or defended, include Wayne Couzens (murder of Sarah Everard), the News International Phone Hacking trial, the MPs expenses prosecutions, Bowes and others (killing of PC Andrew Harper), Michael Stone, Colin Stagg, Levi Bellfield (murders of Milly Dowler and two other women), the Stephen Lawrence murder, Kenneth Noye (M25 murder), Russell Bishop (the ‘Babes in the Wood’ murders), Barry George, Vincent Tabak, Sgt Danny Nightingale, Rolf Harris, Kevin Spacey, Ched Evans, and Corporal Lee Clegg.
Fraud: With an exceptional record for fraud and financial crime (including bribery and corruption), representing both corporate clients and individuals, members of Chambers have advised on or appeared in many of the highest profile cases, such as the Post Office ‘Horizon’ cases, HBOS, Libor, Euribor, Rolls Royce, Barclay’s Bank, BAE, Innospec, iSpoof, Imperial Consolidated, Pharmaceuticals, JJB Sports, Op. Condor, the Jubilee line fraud, Asil Nadir, Torex, Brent Walker, Butte Mining, WSTC, Cheney Pensions, Izodia pic, iSoft, Robinsons, Glaxo, and Unaoil. Members advise on investigations globally and have vast experience in multi-jurisdictional investigations. Members have advised all over the world on sanctions issues and have experience of all current and historic sanctions regimes.
Health and safety: Members of this team offer an unparalleled combination of experience in the field of Health & Safety law and practice together with a formidable reputation for first-class criminal advocacy. Chambers’ health and safety team offers expertise across an ever-expanding range of sectors including the leisure, residential, retail, construction, manufacturing, agricultural, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, transport, recycling, entertainment, tech, oil and gas and nuclear industries. The team has been involved in all the UK’s major health and safety cases of the past few years, acting for both the defence and prosecution, and for interested parties in inquests, and inquiries. Recent cases in which members have appeared include the Hillsborough Football Stadium disaster, the Hatfield and Potters Bar rail disasters, Buncefield, and Grenfell.
Our specialist barristers advise employers, companies, company directors, individuals and public bodies including Local Authorities on all aspects of health and safety enforcement, and at every stage of proceedings.
Professional and disciplinary tribunals: Over the years members have developed an intuitive understanding of how professional bodies think, which allows them to tailor their advocacy for the greatest effect. 2 Bedford Row represents professionals before the GMC, GDC, GOC, NMC and SDT among others, as well as acting for professional bodies themselves.
Financial services regulation: The team has considerable experience in SFO, FCA, and Revenue & Customs investigations, VAT Tribunals, prosecutions and appeals.
Inquests and public inquiries: The regulatory group assists clients (corporates and individuals) before coroners’ inquests and in public inquiries, providing high quality advice and representation. Examples of public inquiries include: Grenfell Tower; the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA); Mark Duggan; The Turks and Caicos Corruption Inquiry; De Menezes; Lakanal fire; Shipman; Post Office Horizon IT; Climbié; Lawrence; Ashwood Hospital; Brook House and the Covid Inquiry. Members are also involved in non-statutory reviews.
Sports law: Members also frequently appear before professional sporting tribunals including The Court of Arbitration for Sport, they appear in all sports in the full range of disciplinary matters including doping, but particularly in football, rugby and cricket, and represent many Premiership clubs, Regulators and individual players both in the UK and abroad.
International work: Members have undertaken work in the US, West Indies, Middle East, Russia, Africa, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Turks and Caicos and most of mainland Europe. Members can work in Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Krio (Sierra Leone), Russian and Serbo-Croat.
For more details, please see the website.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Clerk | John Grimmer | ||
| Deputy Senior Clerk | Paul Rodgers | ||
| Member of Chambers | ALTMAN KC, Brian (1981/2008)) | ||
| Member of Chambers | STURMAN KC, Jim (1982/2002) | ||
| Member of Chambers | GODFREY KC, Howard (1970/1991) | ||
| Member of Chambers | AYLING KC, Tracy (1983/2006) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MILLIKEN-SMITH KC, Mark (1986/2006) | ||
| Member of Chambers | VAUGHAN KC, Kieran (1993/2012) | ||
| Member of Chambers | AGNEW KC, Christine (1992/2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | GREEN KC, Sam (1998/2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SWEET KC, Louise (1994/2016) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BEHARRYLAL KC, Anand (19972018) | ||
| Member of Chambers | GEORGE KC, Dean (2002/2019) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MAGEE KC, Samuel (2003/2020) | ||
| Member of Chambers | COMPTON KC, Allan (1994/2021) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BAKER KC, Simon (1998/2021)) | ||
| Member of Chambers | CAREY KC, Jacquelline (1999 / 2022) | ||
| Member of Chambers | CONWAY, Charles (1969) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HALSEY, Mark (1972) | ||
| Member of Chambers | CAUDLE, John (1976) | ||
| Member of Chambers | GILBERT, Barry (1978) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HAYNES, Michael (1979) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LEVY, Michael (1979) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LIVINGSTON, John (1980) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DONNELLY, John (1983) | ||
| Member of Chambers | KENDAL, Timothy (1985) | ||
| Member of Chambers | RUSH, Craig (1989) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BARRACLOUGH, Nick (1990) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HAMMOND, Sean (1991) | ||
| Member of Chambers | FERGUSON, Stephen (1991) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BUDWORTH, Adam (1992) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HURLOCK, John (1993) | ||
| Member of Chambers | STEIN, Alex (1998) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LODGE, Hugo (1998) | ||
| Member of Chambers | KHAN, Ashraf (1999) | ||
| Member of Chambers | McGEE, Andrew (1999) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LANGLEY, Charles (1999) | ||
| Member of Chambers | KING, Emma (1999) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HUNT, Quentin (2000) | ||
| Member of Chambers | RITCHIE, Shauna (2000) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LLEWELLYN-WATERS, Hanna (2000) | ||
| Member of Chambers | JAMES, Nick (2001) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SMITH, Alistair | ||
| Members of Chambers | POWER, Archangelo (2001) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SHEPHERD. James (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TOOMEY, Kevin (2004) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HENDRON, Ashley (2008) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BONEHILL, Nick (2006) | ||
| Member of Chambers | STOTON, Austin (2007) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MARTIN, Christopher (2008) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MILNER, Jonas (2008) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DANIEL, Thomas (2009) | ||
| Member of Chambers | PATIENCE, David (2009) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SAAD, Christopher (2009) | ||
| Member of Chambers | McGARVEY, Tomas (2010) | ||
| Member of Chambers | THOMAS, Sam (2011) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BREWER, Charlotte (2012) | ||
| Member of Chambers | WARD, Jessica (2012) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MAWER, Claire (2014) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SWEETLAND, Lucy (2014) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SHEHADEH, Victoria (2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SUTCLIFFE, Cathryn (2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BIRD, Natalie (2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | ROSSER, Rhys (2015) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BAILIE, Conall (2016) | ||
| Member of Chambers | KUTNER, Emma (2017) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MUNDAY, Callum (2017) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LAIDLAW, Harry (2018) | ||
| Member of Chambers | LUCAS, Eleanor (2018) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DEASY, Madeleine (2018) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DYAS, Molly (2018) | ||
| Member of Chambers | BATSTONE, Fred (2019) | ||
| Member of Chambers | HIGGS, Katherine (2019) | ||
| Member of Chambers | WALLIS, Simeon (2019) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DAVIDSON, Alex (2020) | ||
| Member of Chambers | COYNE, Jack (2021) | ||
| Member of Chambers | MUSA, Huda (2021) | ||
| Member of Chambers | SABBAGH, Omar (2021) | ||
| Associate Tenant | CLEGG KC, William (1972 /1991)( | ||
| Associate Tenant | STERN KC, Ian | ||
| Associate Tenant | MATTHEWS KC, Richard (1989/2010) | ||
| Associate Tenant | KING, Gelaga (1985) | ||
| Associate Tenant | McMEEKIN, Ian (1987) | ||
| Associate Tenant | WILLIAMS, Michael (2008) | ||
| Associate Tenant | BRICOGNE, Alice (2011) |
Barrister Profiles
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Anthony Abell | Barrister specialising in crime; undertakes prosecutions and defences; frequently instructed to lead… | View Profile |
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Christine Agnew | Christine prosecutes and defends the most serious and complex criminal cases. Her… | View Profile |
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Brian Altman | Brian advises prominent national and multinational corporations at board level in such fields… | View Profile |
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Tracy Ayling | Specialist Criminal Practitioner – Defence and Prosecution. Defends in serious sex cases,… | View Profile |
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Mr Simon Baker | Queen’s Counsel specialising in business and regulatory fraud, market abuse, money laundering… | View Profile |
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Nick Barraclough | Nick Barraclough is known as criminal defence advocate who has a knack… | View Profile |
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Mr Anand Beharrylal | Queen’s Counsel, Barrister (England and Wales) and Attorney at Law (Trinidad and… | View Profile |
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Charlotte Brewer | Barrister, specialising in criminal law. Frequently instructed to defend and prosecute in… | View Profile |
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Adam Budworth | Criminal barrister. Specialises in all areas of criminal law but particularly consumer… | View Profile |
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Jacqueline Carey KC | Barrister; prosecutes and defends in London and the South East and has… | View Profile |
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John A Caudle | Barrister specialising in both prosecution and defence of serious crime; for further… | View Profile |
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William Clegg | Barrister specialising in white-collar fraud, corporate manslaughter/gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety,… | View Profile |
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Allan Compton | Regularly leads in serious crime, particularly violence and drugs. Also undertakes police… | View Profile |
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Charles Conway | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, money laundering, heavy drugs cases and… | View Profile |
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Thomas Daniel | Barrister specialising in criminal law, particularly financial crime and the proceeds of… | View Profile |
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John Donnelly | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
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Stephen Michael Ferguson | Target criminals, murder, money laundering offences, large scale drug importations, asset forfeiture… | View Profile |
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Dean Robert George | Crime; human rights (in the context of criminal cases); courts martial; quasi-criminal… | View Profile |
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Barry Gilbert | Barrister specialising in crime, including firearms, fraud, drug trafficking and confiscation; extensive… | View Profile |
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Howard Godfrey | Specialises in fraud and financial services, including tax, VAT, insolvency, asset recovery… | View Profile |
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Peter Griffiths | Fraud: Peter is a corporate fraud specialist and is regularly instructed to… | View Profile |
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Mark Halsey | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
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Sean Hammond | Experienced leading Junior specialising in fraud and serious organised crime. He also… | View Profile |
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Michael Haynes | Barrister specialising in crime; for more information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
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Mr Ashley Hendron | View Profile | |
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Quentin Hunt | Quentin Hunt has a wealth of experience in defending and prosecuting in… | View Profile |
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John Hurlock | Barrister specialising in fraud, drugs, money laundering, confiscation, health and safety, financial… | View Profile |
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Nicholas James | View Profile | |
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Timothy Kendal | Senior barrister specialising in fraud , market abuse, regulatory/disciplinary tribunals and asset… | View Profile |
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Ashraf Khan | A specialist in serious crime, complex fraud, professional discipline, compliance, civil recovery… | View Profile |
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Gelaga King | Leading junior specialising in serious crime and regulatory law. Regularly instructed as… | View Profile |
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Emma King | Specialises in asset forfeiture, fraud and financial regulatory work and is currently… | View Profile |
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Charles Langley | Instructed in all types of serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual offences,… | View Profile |
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Michael Levy | Senior barrister specialising in serious crime and complex fraud. Michael has an… | View Profile |
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John Livingston | Barrister specialising in prosecution and defence of all forms of crime, including… | View Profile |
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Hanna Llewellyn-Waters | Hanna Llewellyn-Waters prosecutes and defends allegation of serious crime. She is regularly… | View Profile |
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Samuel Magee | Sam is a specialist criminal regulatory and sports disciplinary counsel. Practicing in… | View Profile |
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Christopher Martin | Christopher has a very busy private and legal aid Crown Court practice… | View Profile |
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Richard Matthews | Barrister specialising in crime, health and safety enforcement, environmental (crime), copyright (crime),… | View Profile |
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Andrew McGee | Barrister specialising in crime (including Regulatory and HSE); for more information visit… | View Profile |
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Mark Milliken-Smith | Recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading silk… | View Profile |
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Jonas Milner | Jonas joined Chambers as a tenant in 2010 following the successful completion… | View Profile |
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David Patience | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, professional discipline, inquests and judicial review.… | View Profile |
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Archangelo Power | Archangelo’s practice encompasses all areas of serious criminal law. The spectrum ranges… | View Profile |
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Stan Reiz | Stan Reiz KC specialises in defending cases of substantial fraud, international money… | View Profile |
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Craig Rush | Barrister specialising in criminal regulatory work, firearms and general crime; cases of… | View Profile |
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Christopher Saad | Ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Fraud. “Very bright… | View Profile |
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Alastair Smith | View Profile | |
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Alex Stein | Health and Safety and Regulatory Law | View Profile |
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Ian Stern | Barrister; specialises in professional discipline and regulation, inquests, fraud. For further information… | View Profile |
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Dr Austin Stoton | Barrister specialising in health and safety enforcement and business and financial crime.… | View Profile |
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Jim Sturman | Barrister specialising in: fraud, international crime, criminal, health and safety, and sports… | View Profile |
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Ms Louise Sweet | Fields: Crime and Regulatory. Louise is trusted in complex, emotive and high… | View Profile |
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Kevin Toomey | Specialist in all areas of crime. For further information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
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Kieran Vaughan | View Profile |
Diversity/Community
2 Bedford Row is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity. This is evidenced by the diverse ethnic and social backgrounds of members, staff and clients (lay and professional). All job applicants, employees, members, other barristers and clients (lay and professional) receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.