New Park Court Chambers is 'an excellent and well-established set' with 'high calibre counsel at all levels'. Members handle the gamut of defence and prosecution mandates covering high-profile cases of murder, drugs conspiracies, serious violence and sexual offences. At the silk end, Paul Greaney QC is a 'leader of the pack; incredibly bright, an excellent strategist and very personable'. Nicholas de la Poer QC is 'a class act', 'extremely technical in his thinking but is able to offer practical solutions', and 'an asset to any team'. In recent instructions of note, Nicholas Lumley QC led Geraldine Kelly in the successful prosecution of two men for a stabbing at Leeds West Indian Carnival in 2019. Tom Storey is instructed in cases involving organised criminal activities as well as serious sexual offences and complex fraud.
Crime (general and fraud) in Regional Bar
New Park Court Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘With an impressive array of silks and a strong and reliable backbone of junior practitioners, this remains the ‘go-to’ set for crime and regulatory work in the North East‘.
‘An excellent set of highly skilled advocates, with a wide range of juniors and silks‘.
Clerking
‘Helpful and efficient‘.
‘The clerks at New Park Court are very reliable and hard working. Everything that is asked of them is done timely and effectively. They will go over and above to try and help‘.
‘Teresa Pugh is always helpful‘.
Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Park Square Barristers Ltd. in Leeds is for some 'an excellent, broad criminal set' with 'a broad range of talent available' - 'there is tremendous depth to the ranks'. Richard Wright QC 'is uniquely able in all he does', and recently prosecuted Pawel Relowicz, who was convicted of the rape and murder of Libby Squire in a case which attracted media attention. In a separate matter, Wright led Gillian Batts in prosecuting a man who was convicted of a murder committed in 2007; the defendant had confessed to the murder, which at the time had been thought to be an accidental drowning. Strengthening the team at the senior end, Mark McKone QC and Craig Hassall QC were both elevated to silk in March 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘The chambers is second to none in its criminal law counsel. From the very top with the highest rated QCs to exceptional junior talent at pupil level, the chambers has a passion for quality and is always able to provide a qualified and talented barrister‘.
‘A very impressive set of chambers. They have a very talented pool of barristers‘.
‘Strength in depth, with multiple star performers at all levels of seniority‘.
Clerking
‘The criminal clerking team are a fantastic bunch of professionals for whom nothing is too much trouble. The team is led by Andrew Thornton, a thorough, pleasant and decent gentleman, who bends over backwards to accommodate clients whilst at the same time professionally and empathetically managing his barristers‘.
‘Andrew Thornton in particular embodies both approachability and utter professionalism and efficiency‘.
‘Very efficient‘.
‘Helpful and good service‘.
‘Andrew Thornton and the other criminal clerks are down to earth and readily available‘.
Dere Street Barristers
Led by Anthony Davis, the team at Dere Street Barristers is active across the gamut of serious criminal cases, and reports an increase in instructions pertaining to serious sexual offences. In recent instructions of note, the 'extremely experienced and well-respected' Peter Makepeace QC led Daniel Cordey in the prosecution of two teenagers convicted of murdering a factory supervisor using a twenty-inch blade described in the press as a "samurai sword". Anne Richardson is sought after for her expertise in handling cases involving allegations of historic sexual abuse.
Testimonials
Set
‘The criminal team is in very high demand and offers a diverse range of talents, from busy silks to a thriving junior end‘.
Clerking
‘Craig Mead is a very effective and accessible clerk‘.
‘The clerking is service orientated, friendly and client focused‘.
‘The large criminal clerking team is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and helpful‘.
‘The clerks are outstanding, in particular Joanne Brown and Nick Peto‘.
St Paul's Chambers
St Paul's Chambers is 'a dynamic set' which is 'particularly renowned for undertaking all aspects of serious crime and heavyweight fraud'. Sam Green QC is 'a first-class silk', 'a real fighter who does not shy away from a challenge' and 'has a presence in court unlike any other'. Jonathan Sandiford QC has extensive expertise in complex fraud, murder, terrorism and large-scale drugs conspiracy cases. Denise Breen-Lawton is well known for prosecuting and defending across a wide spectrum of serious criminal cases, including terrorism, fraud, murder and sexual offences against children. In September 2020 the junior end was bolstered following the arrival of Jane Brady from Cornwall Street Chambers.
Testimonials
Set
‘A good all round set in crime, especially known for fraud‘.
‘A strong set with talented members‘.
‘The set has excellence at a wide range of levels of seniority‘.
Clerking
‘Jayne Drake is an outstanding clerk. Nothing is too much trouble – going the extra mile is standard operating practice‘.
‘The dynamic senior clerk Jayne Drake is forward-looking and ambitious for her set‘.
Trinity Chambers
Trinity Chambers is 'an outstanding set which is extremely competent in all areas of crime'. The 'strong' team has considerable experience prosecuting and defending in high-profile cases of murder, serious sexual offences and multi-handed drugs conspiracies, to name a few. Toby Hedworth QC defended a man who was acquitted after being accused of helping his brother to commit a murder using a machete. Head of the criminal team Caroline Goodwin QC is 'a consummate jury advocate, who is a fighter and a winner'. Christopher Knox is regularly instructed in cases involving serious sexual offences and major armed robberies. In another case highlight, Glenn Gatland appeared before the Court of Appeal in R v Johnson and others, a case involving issues of law of conspiracy.
Testimonials
Set
‘A forward-thinking set‘.
‘The chambers quite clearly house a number of very able and strong local practitioners‘.
‘Very professional and well run. A variety of good and dedicated barristers‘.
Clerking
‘The clerks, in particular the lead criminal clerk Liam Gorman, are excellent – incredibly helpful and friendly, and always respond quickly to queries. Have never had a problem with the service they provide and they make everything very easy‘.
‘The criminal team is run to perfection by Liam Gorman‘.
‘Liam Gorman is a fantastic, friendly clerk, always willing to help‘.
‘The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbon, who is extremely helpful and efficient‘.
Broadway House Chambers
Broadway House Chambers' criminal practice houses a 'good, deep roster of experienced and capable counsel; prosecuting and defending serious sexual offences is a particular strength at all levels of call'. Stephen Wood QC, who heads up the team, 'has a very good court room manner - authoritative and courteous in equal measure'. Peter Hampton, unled, prosecuted Pavlo Lapshyn, who was convicted of a racially motivated murder in 2013, for making explosive substances in his cell at HMP Wakefield. Defence specialist Rodney Ferm has established expertise in handling cases of serious fraud and homicide, and Samreen Akhtar prosecutes and defends in terrorism, drugs, firearms and serious violence cases.
Testimonials
Set
‘A strong and well established set‘.
‘The set has breadth and depth of experience amongst its practitioners‘.
Exchange Chambers
At Exchange Chambers in Leeds, the ‘robust advocate‘ Christopher Tehrani QC ‘is noted for his fearless, dogged, but courteous approach in the courtroom, and his ability to react swiftly to dynamic situations as they arise‘. Andrew Haslam QC is sought after for his expertise in prosecuting and defending in high-value financial crime and fraud cases, including investment and VAT fraud. Cybercrime is a particular strength of Nicholas Johnson QC‘s practice, while Andrew Petterson is instructed in cases involving historic sexual offences, serious violence and large-scale drugs conspiracies.
Testimonials
Set
‘An excellent set – first-rate service‘.
Clerking
‘Ian Spencer is top-drawer‘.
KBW
KBW carries a strong reputation for criminal work, with members instructed for the prosecution and defence in serious sexual offences, multi-handed murder, fraud and serious violence cases, to name a few areas. David Brooke QC ('a world-class advocate') successfully prosecuted a man for the murder of a disabled woman, who was declared missing in August 2019. Christine Egerton 'has exceptional depth of knowledge and exceptional advocacy. She is always at hand to provide advice and assistance, and is willing to go above and beyond for clients without question'.
Testimonials
Set
‘KBW Chambers has a wide range of barristers with excellent knowledge across a wide range of areas‘.
Clerking
‘The clerks provide an exceptional service‘.