New Park Court Chambers ‘is widely admired as a set with a good array of talent, including at the highest level‘. In a prominent work highlight, Jason Pitter KC led Tom Storey KC for the prosecution in a case involving the death of 15-year-old Sebastian Kalinowski following extensive physical abuse at the hands of his mother and her partner; both were convicted of murder. In a separate matter, Alistair MacDonald KC led Eleanor Fry for the prosecution of a man who was convicted of the murder of his wife on their wedding night and disposing of her body in a suitcase. Simon Kealey KC, who heads up the practice, is well-versed in handling a broad range of serious criminal work, including serious sexual offences, fraud, murder and terrorism.
Crime (general and fraud) in
Regional Bar
New Park Court Chambers
Testimonials
‘A strong set.’
‘Helpful set.’
‘Great set, which always has counsel available at the required level.’
‘Excellent clerks room – supportive and helpful.’
‘Very personable clerking team.’
Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Viewed as ‘a go-to set for criminal matters‘, Park Square Barristers‘ team of ‘very talented barristers‘ continues to handle cases across the gamut of high-profile criminal cases, spanning high-profile murders, large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences and serious violence. In recent instructions of note, Richard Wright KC prosecuted a man for the murder of his teenage son; the son had suffered life-changing injuries after the father had suffocated him as a toddler, over two decades before the son’s death in 2019 - the case focused on whether the son’s death was caused by the actions of the defendant, who was convicted of the original assault and subsequently convicted of murder. At the junior end, Taryn Turner ‘communicates well with clients and is committed to achieving the best results possible‘. In 2022 Kate Batty was appointed to the circuit bench, while Andrew Petterson joined from Exchange Chambers.
Testimonials
‘Andrew Thornton is exceptional.’
‘Richard Sadler and Andrew Thornton are legends! They have a large and keen team of criminal clerks working with them – always charming and eager to please.’
‘Very well respected set on the North Eastern circuit.’
‘A strong set in crime.’
‘Very highly rated chambers.’
‘PSQB is exceptional and has incredible strength in depth.’
‘Good chambers with good talent.’
‘Great clerks and always helpful.’
St Pauls Chambers
The team at St Pauls Chambers is active across the range of serious criminal cases. Sam Green KC garners praise as ‘a very good and clear thinker with excellent strategic judgement‘; he is joint head of chambers with the ‘outstanding advocate‘ Denise Breen-Lawton KC, whose ‘preparation is astonishing and she knows her cases backwards‘. Angus MacDonald‘s ‘attention to detail means he is an excellent prosecutor‘; ‘his work ethic is second to none and his in depth knowledge of the underlying material in each case shines through‘. Strengthening the team at the senior end, Nick Worsley KC was elevated to silk in the 2023 round.
Testimonials
‘Jayne Drake is a very efficient clerk who is very helpful and resourceful at resolving listing issues. She is a clear communicator.’
‘An extremely efficient set.’
‘St Pauls Chambers is a well respected and long established chambers.’
Dere Street Barristers
Led by the ‘outstanding‘ Anthony Davis , the team at Dere Street Barristers has considerable experience defending and prosecuting across a wide spectrum of serious criminal cases, including large-scale drugs conspiracies, murder, and serious sexual offences. Peter Makepeace KC is highly regarded for his expertise in handling multi-defendant murder cases and complex fraud work. John Elvidge KC is ‘always thoroughly prepared‘, and David Lamb KC is regularly instructed in cases involving international drug trafficking. Anne Richardson is ‘a superb team leader for the prosecution of the most serious sexual offences‘ and ‘much respected by judges‘.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great at communication and often go above and beyond for your cases.’
‘Dere Street Barristers is a first rate organisation, offering outstanding service to clients both lay and professional.’
‘A first class service.’
Exchange Chambers
At Exchange Chambers‘ Leeds office, the team of ‘formidable advocates‘ continues to act in high-profile cases of murder, serious violence, large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences and high-value fraud. Nicholas Johnson KC is ‘an excellent speech-maker‘, and successfully prosecuted a man who was convicted of the sexual assault and murder of a vulnerable woman. Turning to the junior end of chambers, Eddison Flint defended a man charged with criminal damage to the York Minster after he scaled the building with the intention of taking his own life; he received a suspended sentence. The junior end of the team was bolstered by the arrival of Ayesha Smart.
Testimonials
‘Exchange is a very strong chambers.’
‘An excellent set.’
‘A strong selection of junior counsel.’
‘A reliable set.’
‘The service provided was exceptional. All the clerks I have dealt with have been friendly and very accommodating.’
‘The clerks are a wonderful group of people who work very hard.’
Trinity Chambers
Trinity Chambers is home to ‘a strong criminal team‘. In recent instructions for the set, practice head Caroline Goodwin KC led Laura Jane Miller in representing a defendant who was acquitted of murder in a case involving the body of an 18-year-old male found with multiple stab wounds in a shallow grave in a disused industrial estate. Elsewhere in chambers, Ellen Wright successfully represented a defendant who was charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered following a hotel fire; the defendant was acquitted. The ‘diligent‘ Toby Hedworth KC is well-known for his expertise in handling murder, terrorism and manslaughter cases. Complex financial criminal cases are a key pillar of strength in Christopher Knox‘s practice.
Testimonials
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
‘A friendly and professional set.‘
‘Trinity Chambers is always able to provide qualified advocates.’
Broadway House Chambers
Broadway House Chambers ‘houses a solid, quality team of barristers who are regularly instructed in the most serious and complex cases‘. In a recent highlight, Stephen Wood KC acted for the CPS in a case where multiple members of an organised crime group were convicted of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and firearms offences. Syam Soni is ‘an exceptional advocate who commands the courtroom‘, and Lydia Pearce garners praise as ‘a strong advocate‘. Peter Hampton was appointed a circuit judge in September 2023.
Testimonials
‘A reliable and consistent set.’
‘A strong set.’
‘The barristers are extremely knowledgeable.’
New Park Court Chambers
Testimonials
‘A strong set.’
‘Helpful set.’
‘Great set, which always has counsel available at the required level.’
‘Excellent clerks room – supportive and helpful.’
‘Very personable clerking team.’
Park Square Barristers Ltd.
Viewed as ‘a go-to set for criminal matters‘, Park Square Barristers‘ team of ‘very talented barristers‘ continues to handle cases across the gamut of high-profile criminal cases, spanning high-profile murders, large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences and serious violence. In recent instructions of note, Richard Wright KC prosecuted a man for the murder of his teenage son; the son had suffered life-changing injuries after the father had suffocated him as a toddler, over two decades before the son’s death in 2019 - the case focused on whether the son’s death was caused by the actions of the defendant, who was convicted of the original assault and subsequently convicted of murder. At the junior end, Taryn Turner ‘communicates well with clients and is committed to achieving the best results possible‘. In 2022 Kate Batty was appointed to the circuit bench, while Andrew Petterson joined from Exchange Chambers.
Testimonials
‘Andrew Thornton is exceptional.’
‘Richard Sadler and Andrew Thornton are legends! They have a large and keen team of criminal clerks working with them – always charming and eager to please.’
‘Very well respected set on the North Eastern circuit.’
‘A strong set in crime.’
‘Very highly rated chambers.’
‘PSQB is exceptional and has incredible strength in depth.’
‘Good chambers with good talent.’
‘Great clerks and always helpful.’
St Pauls Chambers
The team at St Pauls Chambers is active across the range of serious criminal cases. Sam Green KC garners praise as ‘a very good and clear thinker with excellent strategic judgement‘; he is joint head of chambers with the ‘outstanding advocate‘ Denise Breen-Lawton KC, whose ‘preparation is astonishing and she knows her cases backwards‘. Angus MacDonald‘s ‘attention to detail means he is an excellent prosecutor‘; ‘his work ethic is second to none and his in depth knowledge of the underlying material in each case shines through‘. Strengthening the team at the senior end, Nick Worsley KC was elevated to silk in the 2023 round.
Testimonials
‘Jayne Drake is a very efficient clerk who is very helpful and resourceful at resolving listing issues. She is a clear communicator.’
‘An extremely efficient set.’
‘St Pauls Chambers is a well respected and long established chambers.’
Dere Street Barristers
Led by the ‘outstanding‘ Anthony Davis , the team at Dere Street Barristers has considerable experience defending and prosecuting across a wide spectrum of serious criminal cases, including large-scale drugs conspiracies, murder, and serious sexual offences. Peter Makepeace KC is highly regarded for his expertise in handling multi-defendant murder cases and complex fraud work. John Elvidge KC is ‘always thoroughly prepared‘, and David Lamb KC is regularly instructed in cases involving international drug trafficking. Anne Richardson is ‘a superb team leader for the prosecution of the most serious sexual offences‘ and ‘much respected by judges‘.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great at communication and often go above and beyond for your cases.’
‘Dere Street Barristers is a first rate organisation, offering outstanding service to clients both lay and professional.’
‘A first class service.’
Exchange Chambers
At Exchange Chambers‘ Leeds office, the team of ‘formidable advocates‘ continues to act in high-profile cases of murder, serious violence, large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences and high-value fraud. Nicholas Johnson KC is ‘an excellent speech-maker‘, and successfully prosecuted a man who was convicted of the sexual assault and murder of a vulnerable woman. Turning to the junior end of chambers, Eddison Flint defended a man charged with criminal damage to the York Minster after he scaled the building with the intention of taking his own life; he received a suspended sentence. The junior end of the team was bolstered by the arrival of Ayesha Smart.
Testimonials
‘Exchange is a very strong chambers.’
‘An excellent set.’
‘A strong selection of junior counsel.’
‘A reliable set.’
‘The service provided was exceptional. All the clerks I have dealt with have been friendly and very accommodating.’
‘The clerks are a wonderful group of people who work very hard.’
Trinity Chambers
Trinity Chambers is home to ‘a strong criminal team‘. In recent instructions for the set, practice head Caroline Goodwin KC led Laura Jane Miller in representing a defendant who was acquitted of murder in a case involving the body of an 18-year-old male found with multiple stab wounds in a shallow grave in a disused industrial estate. Elsewhere in chambers, Ellen Wright successfully represented a defendant who was charged with arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered following a hotel fire; the defendant was acquitted. The ‘diligent‘ Toby Hedworth KC is well-known for his expertise in handling murder, terrorism and manslaughter cases. Complex financial criminal cases are a key pillar of strength in Christopher Knox‘s practice.
Testimonials
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
‘A friendly and professional set.‘
‘Trinity Chambers is always able to provide qualified advocates.’
Broadway House Chambers
Broadway House Chambers ‘houses a solid, quality team of barristers who are regularly instructed in the most serious and complex cases‘. In a recent highlight, Stephen Wood KC acted for the CPS in a case where multiple members of an organised crime group were convicted of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and firearms offences. Syam Soni is ‘an exceptional advocate who commands the courtroom‘, and Lydia Pearce garners praise as ‘a strong advocate‘. Peter Hampton was appointed a circuit judge in September 2023.
Testimonials
‘A reliable and consistent set.’
‘A strong set.’
‘The barristers are extremely knowledgeable.’