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Crime (general And Fraud)

1
30 Park Place Chambers
Apex Chambers
Linenhall Chambers
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9 Park Place

Leading Silks

Paul Lewis KC – Farrar’s Building
Caroline Rees KC – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Caroline is an outstanding advocate, exceptionally strong in cross examination and meticulously prepared. She has a real presence in court and commands the respect of the judge and opponents. She has a measured and composed approach which inspires confidence with every word she says.’
Jonathan Elystan Rees KC – Apex Chambers ‘Jonathan has an incredible mind and is masterful on disclosure and law. His advocacy is first-rate, and delivered in a way which makes difficult conceptual issues easy for both juries and judges.’

Leading Juniors

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Julia Cox – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘A first-class junior. She is always prepared and knows every facet of the case. In court she is measured, to the point and can back her points up. Judges respect her.’
Heath Edwards – 9 Park Place
Nigel Fryer – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘He is a forceful cross examiner who puts the work in to really get to the heart of the evidence to achieve the best results for his clients. A very user-friendly junior.’
Andrew Jones – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Andrew has a prodigious capacity to absorb detail and to retell it in a way juries find readily comprehensible. He makes mincemeat of unprepared or underestimating silks on the other side. A junior who deserves as many of the glittering prizes as he wants.’
Simon Mills – Linenhall Chambers
Anna Pope – Linenhall Chambers ‘An outstanding advocate and a first class lawyer. She is ferociously bright and exceptionally diligent in her preparation. Juries love her down-to-earth presentation.’
Christopher Rees – Apex Chambers ‘An extremely talented individual.’
Lee Reynolds – Apex Chambers ‘Lee is a well-grounded, clever advocate, who is one of the leading legal experts in consumer fraud prosecutions. He is highly regarded for his personable and professional demeanour. He has a sharp and brilliant mind, which allows him to quickly identify the relevant issues in a case.’
John Ryan – Apex Chambers ‘A hardworking, conscientious counsel who gives clear and concise advice. A strong court advocate.’
Owen Williams – 9 Park Place
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Jade Tufail – Linenhall Chambers ‘Jade has a calmness which engenders confidence with clients and juries. She has an effective and persuasive style of advocacy, and is always thoroughly prepared for all eventualities.’
Matthew Cobbe – 9 Park Place ‘A good performer in crime cases.’
Peter Donnison – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Peter is industrious, conscientious, and able. He gives coherent and clear advice, which is always sound. He is able to communicate extremely well with clients and is always available for instructing solicitors. He thinks carefully and strategically about cases. His advice to clients is straightforward and practical.’
Owen Edwards – Linenhall Chambers ‘His advocacy is forceful and persuasive. Hard working, eloquent and loved by juries. A bright star.’
Nicholas Gedge – Apex Chambers ‘He is an excellent communicator and very persuasive in his arguments. A very personable barrister with both clients and solicitors.’
Claire Pickthall – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Claire is an outstanding lawyer. She is always thoroughly prepared and is adaptable.’
Helen Randall – Iscoed Chambers
Simon Rogers – Linenhall Chambers ‘Simon is a brilliant jury advocate and a true tactician. He is a superb communicator who can make clients feel comfortable and confident.’
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Ryan Rothwell – Linenhall Chambers ‘Ryan is methodical, very pragmatic and charming. He is always a sound performer, and has a pleasing and confident manner in court.’
Ember-Jade Wong – Linenhall Chambers ‘Ember-Jade is extremely well prepared and knowledgeable. She is a fearless and tenacious advocate, and an excellent communicator.’
Lucy Crowther – Apex Chambers
Matthew Dunford – Linenhall Chambers
Christian Jowett – 30 Park Place Chambers
Marian Lewis – Apex Chambers
Ruth Smith – Apex Chambers ‘Ruth excels in her preparation and advice. She regularly achieves fantastic results.’
Ffion Tomos – Linenhall Chambers

Crime (general and fraud) in Regional Bar

30 Park Place Chambers

30 Park Place Chambers is a ‘well established set offering strength in depth in all aspects of criminal law‘. Recent areas of instruction for the team include large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious and historic sexual offences and multi-defendant homicide cases. Caroline Rees KC is a ‘talented advocate‘, and recently prosecuted a man who received a six-year sentence for the gross negligence manslaughter of his partner following consensual sexual activity involving bondage. Nigel Fryer ‘s recent practice involves historic sexual abuse allegations, while Andrew Jones has a strong practice in large-scale drug trafficking matters.

Testimonials

Set

‘A very professional and capable set with strength in depth.’

‘An excellent chambers with a modern but classic approach.’

‘Always very helpful.’

‘Chambers has a very strong criminal team across all levels.’

‘Very courteous and professional staff.’

Clerking

‘Clerks are always extremely helpful.’

‘The clerks are always personable and professional.’

Apex Chambers

‘Strong criminal law set‘ Apex Chambers is home to a team which is regularly instructed for the defence and prosecution across a gamut of serious cases. Jonathan Elystan Rees KC, whose recent workload includes multi-handed murder cases, garners praise for his ‘exceptional legal mind‘; ‘his ability to control a courtroom on complex and detailed matters of law is almost unparalleled‘. Head of chambers Christopher Rees  stands out as ‘a peerless trial advocate‘. Nicholas Gedge continues to handle cases of serious violence and drugs conspiracies, and Lee Reynolds  specialises in complex fraud matters.

Testimonials

Set

‘Apex Chambers is a friendly and professional set. Quality throughout from the most senior to the most junior of counsel.’

‘A very strong set across the board.’

‘The set has a comprehensive offering of barristers.’

‘There are many good advocates in chambers.’

Clerking

‘The clerks are very friendly and easily accessible, guided by the experienced head clerk Craig Mansfield.’

‘Craig Mansfield is very helpful and will go out of his way to make sure we are happy with choice of counsel and their availability.’

‘Very friendly and personable.’

‘Craig Mansfield is always organised, and facilitates good communication.’

Linenhall Chambers

Chester-based Linenhall Chambers is regarded as ‘a strong criminal set‘ by clients, and has an established presence in the North Wales area. The team is jointly led by Owen Edwards, who is regularly instructed in historic sexual offences cases, and Simon Mills, who has a strong practice in large-scale drugs conspiracies and serious sexual offences. Mills’ recent workload includes prosecuting in cases involving the use of the EncroChat messaging service. Anna Pope has ‘a superb intellect‘, and specialises in serious sexual offences cases, often involving vulnerable witnesses. In August 2022 Matthew Corbett-Jones was appointed to the circuit bench.

Testimonials

Set

‘Chambers is very highly regarded and efficient, with a number of very experienced counsel.’

‘A very good criminal set, with strength in depth and quality.’

‘A highly efficient set of chambers.’

Clerking

‘Very helpful and polite.’

‘Chambers offers a friendly and conscientious service.’

‘The clerks are very approachable, friendly and helpful. Gareth Stickels in particular is superb.’

9 Park Place

The crime team at 9 Park Place has expertise in prosecuting and defending across a wide range of serious work, with a recent increase in cases involving serious sexual offences and homicide. Heath Edwards is a key name for handling complex multi-handed drug trafficking and money laundering work. Matthew Cobbe has a solid track record in prosecuting allegations of rape, and Owen Williams ‘ recent work involves prosecuting and defending in homicide cases.