The Legal 500 > Red Lion Chambers > London, ENGLAND

London Bar

Set overviews: England and Wales

Red Lion Chambers is highly regarded for its expertise in criminal law; the barristers have solid experience in handling high-profile homicide, fraud, serious sexual offences and drug trafficking. In a testament to chambers’ strength in this area, David Walbank QC took silk in 2018. Mark Bennett is practice director; deputy director Nick Parkinson, assistant practice director Lee Young and practice manager Chris Jones are also key contacts. Former head of chambers Max Hill QC has been appointed the new director of public prosecutions. Offices in: London, Chelmsford

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London Bar

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

Red Lion Chambers

Red Lion Chambers handles a range of work concerning investigations from various bodies into bribery, corruption and other corporate crime matters. A number of members have strong prosecution practices. Jonathan Fisher QC, for example, is representing the SFO in proceedings to obtain documents from ENRC as part of its investigation into the alleged payment of bribes by the multinational to secure mining access in DR Congo.

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) – Leading silks

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘He is a mine of information on his subject matter; one of the absolute leaders in this area.’

Ranked: tier 1

Antony Shaw QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘His defence work includes representation of natural resources companies.’

Ranked: tier 2

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) – 2017 silks

Gillian Jones QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘She has an incisive legal mind which enables her to cut rapidly to the crux of the issues in the most complex cases.’

Ranked: tier 1

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) – 2018 silks

Tom Forster QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Clients respect his no-nonsense attitude and keen intellect, and his advice is second-to-none.’

Ranked: tier 1

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) – Leading juniors

Allison Clare - Red Lion Chambers ‘Clever, commercial and pragmatic – she understands clients’ commercial needs while staying legally robust.’

Ranked: tier 3

Trevor Archer - Red Lion Chambers ‘Always on top of the work in complex frauds, which makes him a very reliable junior.’

Ranked: tier 3

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Crime (general crime)

Crime (general crime) – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

Red Lion Chambers

Red Lion Chambers enjoyed a successful round of silk appointments in 2018, with Jennifer Dempster QC and Adam Wiseman QC appointed. Among the existing silks, Riel Karmy-Jones QC prosecuted 11 Irish Travellers convicted of modern slavery offences in the first of several linked trials under the Operation Pottery umbrella; the 11 convicted received sentences aggregating 79 years. Max Hill QC has been appointed the new director of public prosecutions.

Crime (general crime) – Leading silks

Rosina Cottage QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her expertise on sexual offences is second to none.’

Ranked: tier 1

David Etherington QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘His jury speeches are second to none.’

Ranked: tier 2

Riel Karmy-Jones QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘She combines skill with sensitivity and is particularly good with vulnerable witnesses.’

Ranked: tier 2

Sally-Ann Hales QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘One of the best cross-examiners: brilliant, engaging and when appropriate humorous.’

Ranked: tier 2

Crime (general crime) – 2017 silks

Gillian Jones QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her advice is pragmatic and rigorous, making her highly sought after.’

Ranked: tier 1

Kate Bex QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘She appears for the CPS and also defends in murder and sexual offence cases.’

Ranked: tier 1

Crime (general crime) – 2018 silks

Adam Wiseman QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘He brings first-rate judgement and strategic planning to bear.’

Ranked: tier 1

Jennifer Dempster QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘A total star: she is a great person to work with and has great tactical nous.’

Ranked: tier 1

Tom Forster QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘A superb barrister: always responsive, creative and ready to go the extra mile.’

Ranked: tier 1

Crime (general crime) – 2019 silks

Michelle Nelson QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘She could do anything she wanted – bright, a non-stop worker and with great judgement.’

Ranked: tier 1

Crime (general crime) – Leading juniors

David Malone - Red Lion Chambers ‘Approachable but impressive, he commands the attention of any room.’

Ranked: tier 3

Felicia Davy - Red Lion Chambers ‘Efficient, approachable and good at what she does.’

Ranked: tier 3

Ian McLoughlin - Red Lion Chambers ‘His advocacy is assured with enormous charm and he has authority with judges.’

Ranked: tier 3

Joanna Hardy - Red Lion Chambers ‘One glance at her notebook reveals the work she puts into each cross-examination.’

Ranked: tier 3

Jane Oldfield - Red Lion Chambers ‘She shows initiative, firmness of purpose and ability beyond her call.’

Ranked: tier 3

Michael Skelley - Red Lion Chambers ‘Seriously good: a conscientious, diligent, measured and persuasive advocate.’

Ranked: tier 3

Paul Evans - Red Lion Chambers ‘He has the knack of controlling and organising multi-handed cases.’

Ranked: tier 3

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Financial services

Financial services – Leading silks

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Responsive and brave in his advice on high stakes, potentially criminal advisory matters.’

Ranked: tier 2

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Fraud: civil

Fraud: civil – Leading silks

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘A popular choice for the overlap between civil and criminal fraud.’

Ranked: tier 3

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Fraud: crime

Fraud: crime – Leading sets - ranked: tier 2

Red Lion Chambers

Red Lion Chambers both defends and prosecutes fraud cases, including acting for private prosecutors. David Etherington QC and Tom Forster QC (prior to his taking silk in 2018) represented the Eton-educated son of a former judge who was convicted in Operation Amazon; David Walbank QC represented another defendant as a leading junior prior to his appointment.

Fraud: crime – Leading silks

David Etherington QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘An exceptional advocate and very diligent, with great client care skills too.’

Ranked: tier 2

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘The person you would want fighting your corner if you were in a tight spot.’

Ranked: tier 2

Jane Bewsey QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her biggest asset is an ability to relate to juries and think clearly under pressure.’

Ranked: tier 3

Jeremy Benson QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘His work includes alcohol and VAT fraud cases.’

Ranked: tier 3

Fraud: crime – 2017 silks

Gillian Jones QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her work includes CPS and private prosecutions.’

Ranked: tier 1

Fraud: crime – 2018 silks

David Walbank QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Intelligent, articulate and fearless – little surprise he was appointed silk.’

Ranked: tier 1

Jennifer Dempster QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Incredible with clients and wonderful in court.’

Ranked: tier 1

Tom Forster QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘He is extremely hardworking, unflappable, approachable, and will always go the extra mile.’

Ranked: tier 1

Fraud: crime – 2019 silks

Chris Paxton QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Instructed to prosecute by the CPS.’

Ranked: tier 1

Michael Goodwin QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘His calm and measured advocacy style carries authority.’

Ranked: tier 1

Fraud: crime – Leading juniors

Allison Clare - Red Lion Chambers ‘She is thorough in her approach to work and analysis, and produces unambiguous advice.’

Ranked: tier 4

Cameron Brown - Red Lion Chambers ‘He prosecutes for the CPS and SFO.’

Ranked: tier 4

Rebecca Chalkley - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her work includes difficult private prosecution cases.’

Ranked: tier 4

Tim Godfrey - Red Lion Chambers ‘An excellent fraud prosecutor with an ability to marshal complex evidence.’

Ranked: tier 4

Tom Payne - Red Lion Chambers ‘A very sound advocate who is calm under pressure, fair minded and approachable.’

Ranked: tier 4

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Health and safety

Health and safety – Leading juniors

Andrew Marshall - Red Lion Chambers ‘His preparation and case presentation is meticulous.’

Ranked: tier 4

Sailesh Mehta - Red Lion Chambers ‘He is someone you can rely on to know the case inside out and back to front.’

Ranked: tier 4

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International crime and extradition

International crime and extradition - Leading juniors

David Young - Red Lion Chambers ‘He appears in groundbreaking special tribunal cases.’

Ranked: tier 2

Nina Tavakoli - Red Lion Chambers ‘An incredibly bright and committed lawyer who understands the nuance of her subject matter.’

Ranked: tier 2

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Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture – Leading silks

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘He is an independent thinker, which is critical in this highly charged area.’

Ranked: tier 1

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture – 2017 silks

Gillian Jones QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Her quick wit and approachability make her a valuable addition to cases.’

Ranked: tier 1

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Professional discipline and regulatory law

Professional discipline and regulatory law – 2017 silks

Kate Bex QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘She handles work for both the MDU and the GMC.’

Ranked: tier 1

Professional discipline and regulatory law – Leading juniors

David Claxton - Red Lion Chambers ‘His extensive knowledge of regulatory case law combines with a sharp focus on the relevant issues.’

Ranked: tier 4

Jane Oldfield - Red Lion Chambers ‘She can be relied upon to crystallise complex arguments clearly and concicely.’

Ranked: tier 4

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Set overviews: England and Wales

Red Lion Chambers is highly regarded for its expertise in criminal law; the barristers have solid experience in handling high-profile homicide, fraud, serious sexual offences and drug trafficking. In a testament to chambers’ strength in this area, David Walbank QC took silk in 2018. Mark Bennett is practice director; deputy director Nick Parkinson, assistant practice director Lee Young and practice manager Chris Jones are also key contacts. Former head of chambers Max Hill QC has been appointed the new director of public prosecutions. Offices in: London, Chelmsford

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Sport

Max Baines - Red Lion Chambers ‘A clear, down-to-earth adviser and a very impressive advocate – creates powerful narratives by tying together multiple strands of evidence in a logical, compelling way.’

Ranked: tier 4

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Tax: corporate and VAT

Tax: VAT – Leading silks

Jeremy Benson QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘He is a very confident and experienced advocate.’

Ranked: tier 4

Tax: corporate – Leading silks

Jonathan Fisher QC - Red Lion Chambers ‘Supremely knowledgeable and speaks with great authority.’

Ranked: tier 3

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Further information on Red Lion Chambers (Red Lion Chambers)

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London Bar

Offices in London

Regional Bar

Offices in Chelmsford

Set Rankings

London Bar

Set overviews: England and Wales

London Bar

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)

Crime (general crime)

Financial services

Fraud: civil

Fraud: crime

Health and safety

International crime and extradition

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture

Professional discipline and regulatory law

Set overviews: England and Wales

Sport

Tax: corporate and VAT

Further information on Red Lion Chambers (Red Lion Chambers)

London Bar

Regional Bar

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