Fraud and white-collar crime

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Narita Bahra KC
1

Narita Bahra KC

33 Chancery Lane
A Rolls Royce of a barrister, who can navigate the most complex areas, including but not limited to murders, sexual offenses, complex fraud, and money laundering, VHCC, and proceedings with multi-jurisdictional elements. A tireless worker.
Michael Goodwin KC
1

Michael Goodwin KC

Red Lion Chambers
Michael is a top-notch KC who combines first-rate advocacy with total command of the detail. He is across every aspect of the case—factually and legally—and you feel confident that nothing will be missed, whether it is a point in the evidence, a nuance in the authorities, or the tactical implications of a line of cross-examination. He goes the extra mile for clients: he is hands-on, accessible, and invested in achieving the best outcome, while remaining calm, pragmatic, and commercially sensible in his advice. In court, Michael is outstanding—authoritative without being overbearing, excellent on his feet, and highly effective at distilling complex issues into a clear narrative that judges (and, where relevant, juries) can readily follow. He has a rare ability to connect with juries and bring them with him, combining clarity, good judgment, and a measured, persuasive style. Overall, he is a go-to silk for high-stakes fraud matters where the detail and the performance in court genuinely move the dial.
John Kelsey-Fry KC
1

John Kelsey-Fry KC

Cloth Fair Chambers
John Kelsey-Fry remains at the top of his game and the top of the profession. His advocacy is smooth, targeted, incisive, and carefully calibrated for maximum effect. His case preparation is exceptional, with unmatched attention to detail and a complete commitment to his case, so that his mind is always working on it and always turning over the possible interpretations of the evidence and the available arguments. Exceptionally persuasive and an enormous talent.
Alex Bailin KC
2

Alex Bailin KC

Matrix Chambers
Allison Clare KC
2

Allison Clare KC

QEB Hollis Whiteman
Without a doubt, Ms. Clare KC is at the top of her game and one of the leading silks in this area. She strikes the perfect balance of legal technicality and commercial pragmatism and is a dream to work with. Ms. Clare KC is always happy to help, no matter how busy she is.
Adrian Darbishire KC
2

Adrian Darbishire KC

QEB Hollis Whiteman
Neil Hawes KC
2

Neil Hawes KC

Crucible Chambers
He is exceptionally bright, unfailingly friendly, and approachable. He combines a first-class intellect with a genuine willingness to assist whenever he can. Clients love him, and judges hold him in the highest regard, valuing not only his strategic insight and advocacy but also his ability to communicate complex issues clearly, calmly, and effectively. His written work is second to none, in which he consistently demonstrates the highest standards of analysis, forensic precision, and judgment. Neil remains someone who is always willing to pick up the phone, discuss difficult issues, and provide practical support.
Mark Heywood KC
2

Mark Heywood KC

5KBW
Benjamin Newton KC
2

Benjamin Newton KC

Doughty Street Chambers
Ben is simply the best. I cannot talk more highly of him. He is brilliant at everything he does, and I would instruct him on every case I have if I could. He is adaptable to all clients - youths, elderly, professionals, and those with learning disabilities. He has a brilliant mind and the best tactics and strategy. He is always incredibly well prepared, insightful, with superb tactics and strategy. Judges and juries love him. He engages people well and works effectively with co-counsel. Through his impeccable preparation, he can persuade opponents to admit or exclude evidence without them daring to challenge him before the judge. His diligence and brilliance pay off with excellent results.
Natasha Wong KC
2

Natasha Wong KC

5KBW
NWKC is an astute lawyer, tactically aware, who gets fabulous results. Brilliant.
Julian Christoper KC
3

Julian Christoper KC

5 Paper Buildings
Abbas Lakha KC
3

Abbas Lakha KC

9BR Chambers
Abbas provides great leadership in matters spanning criminal and civil fraud and related areas. He excels in providing strategic vision in complex and difficult circumstances. He is utterly unflappable, suave, and fights like the dickens for his clients. He is also extremely client-friendly, engendering complete trust, and he has great commercial and tactical awareness. Abbas keeps an eye at all times on the needs of his clients and is very creative in devising the plan to achieve their objectives. A joy to work with.
Miranda Moore KC
3

Miranda Moore KC

5 Paper Buildings
Gary Bell KC
3

Gary Bell KC

Libertas Chambers
Simon Csoka KC
3

Simon Csoka KC

Libertas Chambers
Renowned for winning the most hopeless of cases through the deployment of the most ingenious legal arguments.
Adam Kane KC
3

Adam Kane KC

Libertas Chambers
Great strategist and masterful in the more complex and heavy cases. An able cross-examiner whom the jury really warms to.
Tom Price KC
3

Tom Price KC

Millennium Chambers
Rebecca Chalkley KC
4

Rebecca Chalkley KC

6KBW College Hill
Rebecca is simply superb. Very bright and pragmatic with a brilliant client manner. She is a standout barrister.
Charlie Sherrard KC
4

Charlie Sherrard KC

2BR
James Thacker KC
4

James Thacker KC

Deka Chambers
James Thacker KC's courtroom presence and style are perfectly suited to white-collar crime. Presentation is said to be key, and there can be few barristers at the Bar better prepared than James. Every aspect of a case is analyzed before being deployed in court in a beautifully presented manner with easy charm, making even the most complex of cases simple and understandable. James is a fabulous advocate blessed with a cutting wit and a mind that goes right through a case to highlight the core issue in devastating simplicity.

2025 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Oliver Cook KC
1

Oliver Cook KC

Libertas Chambers
Gerard Hillman KC
1

Gerard Hillman KC

Libertas Chambers
He is an amazing strategist and tactician.

2026 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Luke Ponte KC
1

Luke Ponte KC

Three Raymond Buildings
3RB has a very strong clerking team across the board. Standout clerks include Christina Charalambous, Tom Hemmens, and Emma Makepeace. Christina and Tom both primarily clerk the mid-level juniors in Chambers. They are charming and personable and provide an excellent service to solicitors, with prompt responses to queries about counsel availability, fee estimates, and requests for invoices. I know firsthand that our clerks are also diligent in ensuring that fee notes and work logs are prepared in a timely fashion. Emma also deserves a special mention, in particular for her mentorship of fellow clerks (for which she won the Clerking Mentor of the Year Award in 2026) and her active approach to networking.