New Park Court Chambers carries an excellent reputation for criminal work, with members instructed for the defence and prosecution in high-profile cases of serious violence, terrorism, murder, sexual offences and large-scale drugs conspiracies, among others. In recent work for the set, Alistair MacDonald KC led James Gelsthorpe in the successful prosecution of a man for the murder of Najeebullah Nekzad, who was found strangled in his car on the moors above Huddersfield in 2019. In a separate matter, MacDonald appeared for the prosecution in a case involving the death of a 16-month-old baby after sustaining catastrophic injuries; the mother’s partner was convicted of murder, while the mother was convicted of causing or allowing the baby’s death. Turning to the juniors, Tom Storey, unled, prosecuted a woman who was convicted of sending malicious communications to her MP and perverting the course of justice.
Crime (general and fraud) in
Regional BarNew Park Court Chambers
Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Park Square Barristers Ltd. is ‘a very strong criminal set‘. The team has considerable experience defending and prosecuting in a range of high-profile cases, including serious sexual offences, large-scale fraud, multi-handed drugs conspiracies, murder and serious violence. In recent instructions of note, Craig Hassall KC appeared for the defendants in R v Yasutake, Yasutake & Yasutake, where the three defendants were charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body without lawful excuse after a family member’s body was discovered in their house in a state of advanced decomposition. The court ruled that the charge would lie on file but the case was dropped on the grounds that the defendants suffered from a rare psychiatric disorder and had they been convicted, the sentence would have been an absolute discharge or a supervision order. Turning to the juniors, Taryn Turner garners praise for her ‘very persuasive tenor before a judge and jury‘.
Testimonials
Set
‘An outstanding set.’
‘A very strong set.’
‘Very well-run and highly professional.’
‘Park Square Barristers is a set from which you can expect exceptional quality and talent from both the barristers and clerks.’
Clerking
‘All the criminal clerks are fantastic. Andrew Thornton is a great asset. He will always go out of his way to help.’
‘The clerks complement the excellent counsel.’
‘The clerks are always willing to go the extra mile to help where ever possible.’
Dere Street Barristers
Dere Street Barristers is ‘a strong criminal set‘, with an excellent reputation for prosecuting and defending in a broad range of serious criminal work. John Elvidge KC successfully prosecuted an anaesthetist for using potentially lethal clinical drugs to sedate his partner in order to perform exorcism rituals upon her. The ‘extremely hard working and knowledgeable‘ Anthony Davis leads the team, and is highly regarded for his expertise in handling large-scale drugs conspiracies. Anne Richardson is ‘an exceptionally able advocate whose preparation is meticulous‘. Strengthening the team at the senior end, David Lamb KC was elevated to silk in March 2022.
Testimonials
Set
‘A strong chambers with plenty of strength in depth.’
‘An excellent set.’
Clerking
‘Craig Mead heads a very experienced and friendly criminal clerking team who can be relied upon to provide a first class service. Nick Peto and Andrea Eccleston do everything they can to get barristers to their cases.’
Park Row House, 19-20 Park Row
St Paul’s Chambers ‘provides strength in depth regarding criminal law‘ and houses a team comprising ‘counsel of the highest calibre‘. In recent cases of note, John Harrison KC prosecuted a woman who was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following the death of her disabled daughter from neglect in 2019. The ‘diligent and no-nonsense‘ Denise Breen-Lawton has extensive expertise in high-value fraud, murder and serious sexual offences cases. Helen Chapman and James Bourne-Arton are both sought after for their experience in handling complex fraud and financial crime cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘An excellent and professional set with considerable depth of talent.’
‘A well-respected set.’
‘A great set.’
‘Good depth of barristers.’
‘Top counsel.’
Clerking
‘Jayne Drake is extremely approachable, knowledgeable and will help with any case. Kelly Staniforth is very efficient.’
‘Kelly Staniforth is exceptional.’
‘The clerks are exceptional. Friendly, efficient and pragmatic.’
‘Phenomenal clerking led by the excellent Jayne Drake.’
‘The clerks are always helpful and clearly support counsel well.’
Trinity Chambers
Led by Caroline Goodwin KC, the team at Trinity Chambers is active across the spectrum of serious criminal cases. High-profile murder cases have been prominent in Toby Hedworth KC‘s recent workload, and Tony Cornberg is regularly instructed in cases involving serious sexual offences and allegations of historic sexual abuse. Christopher Knox is well known for his expertise in prosecuting and defending in financial crime, serious sexual offences and terrorism cases. Recent instructions for the set include Glenn Gatland successfully defending a schoolteacher against allegations of sexual assault upon two teenage pupils.
Testimonials
Set
‘Trinity Chambers is a good and well-organised set.’
Clerking
‘Clerks are attentive and quick to get back to you. Liam Gorman can sort any problem out quickly.’
Broadway House Chambers
Broadway House Chambers stands out as ‘an experienced criminal set with good advocates‘. Stephen Wood KC garners praise as ‘a hugely effective prosecutor‘. In a recent highlight, Wood acted for the CPS in a case involving the online purchase of an Airbow weapon, which was found to be classified as a firearm as defined under the Firearms Act 1968. At the junior end of chambers, Peter Hampton is ‘a truly impressive advocate‘ and has been kept busy prosecuting and defending in terrorism, drugs and sexual offences cases. Lydia Pearce is ‘a rising star‘, with experience in acting in sexual offences and assault cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘A strong set, with good strength in depth.’
‘A strong criminal set.’
‘Broadway House Chambers has a strong criminal team.’
‘A solid set.’
Clerking
‘The clerks’ room is efficient and thorough.’
‘The clerks are great, always helpful and very polite and friendly.’
‘Very helpful and very accommodating.’
Exchange Chambers
Exchange Chambers in Leeds has ‘expertise in all areas of criminal law‘. In recent instructions of note, the ‘incredibly hardworking‘ Christopher Tehrani KC prosecuted a man who was convicted simultaneously of the murder of Susan Waring, who disappeared in January 2019, and of 19 offences of historic violence against other females over a 24-year period. In a separate matter, Nicholas Johnson KC acted for the defence in a case involving the death of a 3-month-old baby; the defendant was acquitted of murder but was convicted of and received a 9-year sentence for manslaughter. At the junior end, Victoria Smith-Swain has established strength in handling defence work, and Andrew Petterson ‘s recent caseload involves high-value fraud and serious sexual offences.
Testimonials
Set
‘Good depth of junior counsel.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are personable and are able to quickly provide you with resolutions to any listing issues or if you require counsel urgently.’
New Park Court Chambers
Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Park Square Barristers Ltd. is ‘a very strong criminal set‘. The team has considerable experience defending and prosecuting in a range of high-profile cases, including serious sexual offences, large-scale fraud, multi-handed drugs conspiracies, murder and serious violence. In recent instructions of note, Craig Hassall KC appeared for the defendants in R v Yasutake, Yasutake & Yasutake, where the three defendants were charged with preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body without lawful excuse after a family member’s body was discovered in their house in a state of advanced decomposition. The court ruled that the charge would lie on file but the case was dropped on the grounds that the defendants suffered from a rare psychiatric disorder and had they been convicted, the sentence would have been an absolute discharge or a supervision order. Turning to the juniors, Taryn Turner garners praise for her ‘very persuasive tenor before a judge and jury‘.
Testimonials
Set
‘An outstanding set.’
‘A very strong set.’
‘Very well-run and highly professional.’
‘Park Square Barristers is a set from which you can expect exceptional quality and talent from both the barristers and clerks.’
Clerking
‘All the criminal clerks are fantastic. Andrew Thornton is a great asset. He will always go out of his way to help.’
‘The clerks complement the excellent counsel.’
‘The clerks are always willing to go the extra mile to help where ever possible.’
Dere Street Barristers
Dere Street Barristers is ‘a strong criminal set‘, with an excellent reputation for prosecuting and defending in a broad range of serious criminal work. John Elvidge KC successfully prosecuted an anaesthetist for using potentially lethal clinical drugs to sedate his partner in order to perform exorcism rituals upon her. The ‘extremely hard working and knowledgeable‘ Anthony Davis leads the team, and is highly regarded for his expertise in handling large-scale drugs conspiracies. Anne Richardson is ‘an exceptionally able advocate whose preparation is meticulous‘. Strengthening the team at the senior end, David Lamb KC was elevated to silk in March 2022.
Testimonials
Set
‘A strong chambers with plenty of strength in depth.’
‘An excellent set.’
Clerking
‘Craig Mead heads a very experienced and friendly criminal clerking team who can be relied upon to provide a first class service. Nick Peto and Andrea Eccleston do everything they can to get barristers to their cases.’
Park Row House, 19-20 Park Row
St Paul’s Chambers ‘provides strength in depth regarding criminal law‘ and houses a team comprising ‘counsel of the highest calibre‘. In recent cases of note, John Harrison KC prosecuted a woman who was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following the death of her disabled daughter from neglect in 2019. The ‘diligent and no-nonsense‘ Denise Breen-Lawton has extensive expertise in high-value fraud, murder and serious sexual offences cases. Helen Chapman and James Bourne-Arton are both sought after for their experience in handling complex fraud and financial crime cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘An excellent and professional set with considerable depth of talent.’
‘A well-respected set.’
‘A great set.’
‘Good depth of barristers.’
‘Top counsel.’
Clerking
‘Jayne Drake is extremely approachable, knowledgeable and will help with any case. Kelly Staniforth is very efficient.’
‘Kelly Staniforth is exceptional.’
‘The clerks are exceptional. Friendly, efficient and pragmatic.’
‘Phenomenal clerking led by the excellent Jayne Drake.’
‘The clerks are always helpful and clearly support counsel well.’
Trinity Chambers
Led by Caroline Goodwin KC, the team at Trinity Chambers is active across the spectrum of serious criminal cases. High-profile murder cases have been prominent in Toby Hedworth KC‘s recent workload, and Tony Cornberg is regularly instructed in cases involving serious sexual offences and allegations of historic sexual abuse. Christopher Knox is well known for his expertise in prosecuting and defending in financial crime, serious sexual offences and terrorism cases. Recent instructions for the set include Glenn Gatland successfully defending a schoolteacher against allegations of sexual assault upon two teenage pupils.
Testimonials
Set
‘Trinity Chambers is a good and well-organised set.’
Clerking
‘Clerks are attentive and quick to get back to you. Liam Gorman can sort any problem out quickly.’
Broadway House Chambers
Broadway House Chambers stands out as ‘an experienced criminal set with good advocates‘. Stephen Wood KC garners praise as ‘a hugely effective prosecutor‘. In a recent highlight, Wood acted for the CPS in a case involving the online purchase of an Airbow weapon, which was found to be classified as a firearm as defined under the Firearms Act 1968. At the junior end of chambers, Peter Hampton is ‘a truly impressive advocate‘ and has been kept busy prosecuting and defending in terrorism, drugs and sexual offences cases. Lydia Pearce is ‘a rising star‘, with experience in acting in sexual offences and assault cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘A strong set, with good strength in depth.’
‘A strong criminal set.’
‘Broadway House Chambers has a strong criminal team.’
‘A solid set.’
Clerking
‘The clerks’ room is efficient and thorough.’
‘The clerks are great, always helpful and very polite and friendly.’
‘Very helpful and very accommodating.’
Exchange Chambers
Exchange Chambers in Leeds has ‘expertise in all areas of criminal law‘. In recent instructions of note, the ‘incredibly hardworking‘ Christopher Tehrani KC prosecuted a man who was convicted simultaneously of the murder of Susan Waring, who disappeared in January 2019, and of 19 offences of historic violence against other females over a 24-year period. In a separate matter, Nicholas Johnson KC acted for the defence in a case involving the death of a 3-month-old baby; the defendant was acquitted of murder but was convicted of and received a 9-year sentence for manslaughter. At the junior end, Victoria Smith-Swain has established strength in handling defence work, and Andrew Petterson ‘s recent caseload involves high-value fraud and serious sexual offences.
Testimonials
Set
‘Good depth of junior counsel.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are personable and are able to quickly provide you with resolutions to any listing issues or if you require counsel urgently.’