3PB‘s criminal team possesses ‘great strength in depth‘ and its members are ‘respected and trusted across the Western Circuit’. Richard Onslow is a ‘formidable advocate’ handling a wide variety of cases, including those involving serious violence, sexual abuse, drugs conspiracies, and human trafficking. Nicholas Cotter is a ‘thoughtful advocate’ with ‘a ruthless legal mind’, while Jodie Mittell specialises in multi-handed cases, including joint enterprise murders and class A drug conspiracies, as well as sexual offences cases. ‘First rate counsel’ Thomas Evans ‘demonstrates an agility of mind and perspicacity possessed by very few indeed’. He primarily handles serious organised crime and sexual offences cases and was recently instructed as junior counsel for the Crown in a case in which a man was alleged to have killed his drug dealer. Gemma White, whose ‘particular strength lies in the cross-examination of young or vulnerable witnesses’, is now a part-time Deputy District Judge. Adam Feest KC, as was, was appointed a Circuit Judge in September 2022.
Crime (general and fraud) in
Regional Bar
3PB
Testimonials
‘Chris Mitchell is a fantastic clerk and a breath of fresh air when it comes to clerking. He knows how to handle complex situations in the most efficient manner, and always comes back to you when he promises. He is an extremely reliable individual and it seems that his qualities have permeated to those that work alongside him in the clerks room.’
‘The clerks at 3PB are excellent. They have excellent market knowledge and are always able to find the right lawyer for the right case. Lee Giles and Stuart Pringle are hugely experienced and excellent to work with. Regulatory practice director Chris Mitchell is very responsive and able to make things happen even against the odds.’
‘3PB is an excellent chambers with great strength in depth. Their barristers are respected and trusted across Western Circuit.’
‘An excellent and well-respected set, one of the foremost sets on the Western Circuit.’
‘The range and depth of counsel in this set is ideal, allowing an almost bespoke tailoring of counsel and client fit.’
‘The clerks in this chambers are all of high quality and are always very helpful.’
Work highlights
Guildhall Chambers
Guildhall Chambers ‘has an unrivalled team of excellent criminal barristers‘. Richard Smith KC, ‘a formidable trial advocate‘, is well-known for handling murder cases and recently prosecuted a man who was convicted of murdering his ex-partner in the 1990s by setting her on fire; she died of her injuries more than two decades later, after the defendant had already served fifteen years of a life sentence for GBH. With a ‘beautiful advocacy style‘ Andrew Langdon KC regularly defends and prosecutes in homicide and gang-related cases, among others. Christopher Quinlan KC, ‘with impeccable judgement and a formidable grasp of the law‘ and Anna Vigars KC, whose ‘courtroom work is carried out with great skill and precision‘, also both have broad experience in serious crimes cases, as well as in cases with several complicating factors, both evidential and medical. Ray Tully KC ‘understands every nuance of a case‘ and recently acted for the defence in the case of a man who killed a stranger with a claw-hammer at a bus stop in Plymouth. Chloe Griggs, ‘a star in the making‘, was recently involved in a murder trial involving a defence of diminished responsibility founded on evidence of long-term coercive control and domestic abuse.
Testimonials
‘Lucy Northeast is easy to deal with and is a very experienced senior clerk and practice manager.’
‘The clerking team is exceptional. Grant Bidwell is charismatic, helpful and reasoned even in the face of adversity. Lucy Northeast epitomises everything the very best clerk should be. She is always able to find a solution to problems, engaging, always on hand to assist, and able to identify perfect counsel with every instruction. They are both a pleasure to work with and a credit to the profession.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has an unrivalled team of excellent criminal barristers. The clerking and ancillary services provided are second to none. As a set, Guildhall Chambers is unrivalled on the Western Circuit and now has a national reputation for excellence. The silks are widely respected but there is strength at every level of seniority.’
‘The pre-eminent criminal set in the Western Circuit with quality barristers from silk to the most junior.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the premier set for high quality criminal barristers on the Western Circuit.’
‘An absolutely first class chambers, clerked by a superb team of clerks.’
Work highlights
Pump Court Chambers
Pump Court Chambers ‘has an excellent reputation for crime work on the Western Circuit‘, with silks through to newly qualified juniors instructed in a wide range of cases. Sarah Jones KC is ‘tenacious and fearless‘ and divides her practice evenly between defence and prosecution work, focusing on murder, manslaughter, and child destruction. Rebecca Fairbairn is ‘very effective in cross-examination‘ and specialises in sexual offences and organised crime cases. Mark Ruffell is well-known for prosecuting multi-handed drugs and fraud offences for CPS Wessex, while Tom Wilkins has considerable experience representing service personnel in the Court Martial as well as in the Crown Court. In October 2023 James Newton-Price KC was appointed a Circuit Judge.
Testimonials
‘Ben, James and Tony are very helpful clerks.’
‘The clerking team is great – Tony George, Ben Harfield and James May will do their utmost to ensure that booked counsel can attend the hearing and that conferences are booked on a convenient date and at a convenient time for clients.’
‘Pump Court has an excellent reputation for crime work on the Western Circuit.’
‘An excellent set that recruits exceptional talent at the junior end. Over recent years they have consistently added to their criminal team.’
‘Pump Court is a formidable set that has real strength in its Criminal Team. From its silks to its new juniors, each and every member of is a safe pair of hands. As a set, Pump Court really delivers.’
Albion Chambers
Albion Chambers is ‘one of the pre-eminent crime sets on the Western Circuit’ with ‘an excellent mix of different levels of call’. Rupert Russell, a ‘smooth and witty advocate’, has considerable experience handling sexual offences cases as well as multi-handed organised crime cases. Edward Hetherington has a varied practice and recently defended a case concerning a former CPS employee accused of abusing her position to obtain sensitive information about prominent criminals and organised crime groups. Emma Martin , ‘a first-class advocate’, has recently appeared unled in serious violence and sexual offences cases.
Testimonials
‘Joanna Cload is very efficient and organised and works hard with instructing solicitors and the local courts to ensure hearings are effective and covered often at very short notice. She is responsive and will go the extra mile to help.’
‘Ken Duthie and Joanna Cload are brilliant. They quickly respond on availability, fees, admin and suitable dates. A really good team.’
‘Albion Chambers has a number of highly experienced barristers covering all aspects of criminal work. They are professional, dedicated and committed.’
‘Albion Chambers is an established provincial powerhouse, with a solid clerking team and a reputation for excellence.’
‘This chambers has a broad depth of counsel with varying experience and expertise.’
‘The clerks are always extremely helpful and accommodating. They are quick to respond to queries and if a problem arises, they are promptly on hand to find a solution.’
Work highlights
Devon Chambers
Based in Plymouth, Devon Chambers is a ‘fantastic set‘ well-known for providing quality representation in all areas of criminal law. Leader of the Western Circuit Joanna Martin KC is a ‘heavyweight silk’ with a strong reputation both for her defence and prosecution work. Recently she has acted for the defence in a murder case in which sentencing was complicated by the fact the individual convicted had already been convicted in absentia of other murders by the Serbian courts, and another murder case involved a defence of diminished responsibility founded on evidence of long-term coercive control and domestic abuse. Head of chambers Jason Beal is regularly instructed in cases involving allegations of serious sexual offences, serious violence, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and financial offending. Piers Norsworthy, a ‘natural trial advocate‘, is known for his defence work, especially in acutely sensitive cases or in cases concerning defendants with mental health issues, as well as for his road traffic offences expertise.
Testimonials
‘Schannine Dobson has the respect of solicitors, listing officers and the bar alike. She has that good balance of pro-active and re-active clerking.’
‘Rachael Duchnowski keeps the clerks room friendly.’
‘Devon Chambers is excellent. Schannine Dobson needs particular mention for excellent communication skills and for being constantly helpful.’
Work highlights
KBG Chambers
KBG Chambers is widely regarded as a ‘strong set in the South West‘ for criminal work. Nicholas Lewin is a ‘brilliant barrister‘ with considerable experience in Crown Court cases - he has a track record of defendants with mental health issues and intermediary needs and, notably, is a retired naval officer with Court Martial experience. Katie Churcher’s practice is evenly split between defence and prosecution work - she is regularly instructed in cases involving serious violence, allegations of historic sexual abuse, and major drug offences and recently acted for the defence in a complex case concerning the rape of a teenage girl by a man previously sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Michael Brown‘s experience includes cases involving rape, firearms offences, drug conspiracies, armed robbery, blackmail, and false imprisonment, while ‘formidable trial advocate‘ Ali Rafati is a ‘standout‘ on the Western Circuit for his experience in serious sexual or violent offending, as well as complex drugs and fraud cases.
Testimonials
‘Colin Palmer is the best clerk in the business and goes above and beyond.’
‘A good service from the clerks room. Rebecca Shepherd and Colin Palmer are standout clerks in this chambers.’
‘KBG is a great set, not one bad barrister amongst them.’
‘KBG Chambers is a strong set in the South West. They have a broad depth of suitable, experienced and talented counsel to instruct in any criminal case.’
‘Excellent strength in depth.’
‘A strong clerks room which functions well.’
Work highlights
Queen Square Chambers
Queen Square Chambers’ ‘rapidly growing’ criminal team is involved in a wide variety of cases across the Western Circuit. Head of Chambers Charles Row KC, a ‘go-to silk in the South West’, is sought after for his handling of especially complex and sensitive cases, particularly murder cases. Of late he has been instructed in multiple juvenile murder cases. Robin Shellard is ‘an excellent jury advocate’ with considerable prosecution experience, including in relation to multi-handed drug supply and fraud conspiracies. David Maunder is a ‘very accomplished trial advocate‘ whose practice includes cases involving homicide and serious violence, serious sex cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses, and large-scale fraud and drug conspiracies. James Tucker and Ellen McAnaw are both regularly instructed to act in serious sexual offences cases.
Testimonials
‘Colleen Inker and her team provide a first class service, communicating in a timely and effective way. They are perfectly able to discuss choice of counsel in any given situation.’
‘Colleen Inker runs the show, and she can be counted on to sort things out when she needs to.’
‘Queen Square Chambers has long been a well-respected set of criminal chambers.’
‘They are rapidly growing the number barristers in chambers and Colleen Inker has slowly built a set of clerks who are beginning to challenge the old establishment in Bristol.’
‘Excellent. They have a team that is still growing but the service provided is not compromised.’
Work highlights
3PB
Testimonials
‘Chris Mitchell is a fantastic clerk and a breath of fresh air when it comes to clerking. He knows how to handle complex situations in the most efficient manner, and always comes back to you when he promises. He is an extremely reliable individual and it seems that his qualities have permeated to those that work alongside him in the clerks room.’
‘The clerks at 3PB are excellent. They have excellent market knowledge and are always able to find the right lawyer for the right case. Lee Giles and Stuart Pringle are hugely experienced and excellent to work with. Regulatory practice director Chris Mitchell is very responsive and able to make things happen even against the odds.’
‘3PB is an excellent chambers with great strength in depth. Their barristers are respected and trusted across Western Circuit.’
‘An excellent and well-respected set, one of the foremost sets on the Western Circuit.’
‘The range and depth of counsel in this set is ideal, allowing an almost bespoke tailoring of counsel and client fit.’
‘The clerks in this chambers are all of high quality and are always very helpful.’
Work highlights
Guildhall Chambers
Guildhall Chambers ‘has an unrivalled team of excellent criminal barristers‘. Richard Smith KC, ‘a formidable trial advocate‘, is well-known for handling murder cases and recently prosecuted a man who was convicted of murdering his ex-partner in the 1990s by setting her on fire; she died of her injuries more than two decades later, after the defendant had already served fifteen years of a life sentence for GBH. With a ‘beautiful advocacy style‘ Andrew Langdon KC regularly defends and prosecutes in homicide and gang-related cases, among others. Christopher Quinlan KC, ‘with impeccable judgement and a formidable grasp of the law‘ and Anna Vigars KC, whose ‘courtroom work is carried out with great skill and precision‘, also both have broad experience in serious crimes cases, as well as in cases with several complicating factors, both evidential and medical. Ray Tully KC ‘understands every nuance of a case‘ and recently acted for the defence in the case of a man who killed a stranger with a claw-hammer at a bus stop in Plymouth. Chloe Griggs, ‘a star in the making‘, was recently involved in a murder trial involving a defence of diminished responsibility founded on evidence of long-term coercive control and domestic abuse.
Testimonials
‘Lucy Northeast is easy to deal with and is a very experienced senior clerk and practice manager.’
‘The clerking team is exceptional. Grant Bidwell is charismatic, helpful and reasoned even in the face of adversity. Lucy Northeast epitomises everything the very best clerk should be. She is always able to find a solution to problems, engaging, always on hand to assist, and able to identify perfect counsel with every instruction. They are both a pleasure to work with and a credit to the profession.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has an unrivalled team of excellent criminal barristers. The clerking and ancillary services provided are second to none. As a set, Guildhall Chambers is unrivalled on the Western Circuit and now has a national reputation for excellence. The silks are widely respected but there is strength at every level of seniority.’
‘The pre-eminent criminal set in the Western Circuit with quality barristers from silk to the most junior.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the premier set for high quality criminal barristers on the Western Circuit.’
‘An absolutely first class chambers, clerked by a superb team of clerks.’
Work highlights
Pump Court Chambers
Pump Court Chambers ‘has an excellent reputation for crime work on the Western Circuit‘, with silks through to newly qualified juniors instructed in a wide range of cases. Sarah Jones KC is ‘tenacious and fearless‘ and divides her practice evenly between defence and prosecution work, focusing on murder, manslaughter, and child destruction. Rebecca Fairbairn is ‘very effective in cross-examination‘ and specialises in sexual offences and organised crime cases. Mark Ruffell is well-known for prosecuting multi-handed drugs and fraud offences for CPS Wessex, while Tom Wilkins has considerable experience representing service personnel in the Court Martial as well as in the Crown Court. In October 2023 James Newton-Price KC was appointed a Circuit Judge.
Testimonials
‘Ben, James and Tony are very helpful clerks.’
‘The clerking team is great – Tony George, Ben Harfield and James May will do their utmost to ensure that booked counsel can attend the hearing and that conferences are booked on a convenient date and at a convenient time for clients.’
‘Pump Court has an excellent reputation for crime work on the Western Circuit.’
‘An excellent set that recruits exceptional talent at the junior end. Over recent years they have consistently added to their criminal team.’
‘Pump Court is a formidable set that has real strength in its Criminal Team. From its silks to its new juniors, each and every member of is a safe pair of hands. As a set, Pump Court really delivers.’
Albion Chambers
Albion Chambers is ‘one of the pre-eminent crime sets on the Western Circuit’ with ‘an excellent mix of different levels of call’. Rupert Russell, a ‘smooth and witty advocate’, has considerable experience handling sexual offences cases as well as multi-handed organised crime cases. Edward Hetherington has a varied practice and recently defended a case concerning a former CPS employee accused of abusing her position to obtain sensitive information about prominent criminals and organised crime groups. Emma Martin , ‘a first-class advocate’, has recently appeared unled in serious violence and sexual offences cases.
Testimonials
‘Joanna Cload is very efficient and organised and works hard with instructing solicitors and the local courts to ensure hearings are effective and covered often at very short notice. She is responsive and will go the extra mile to help.’
‘Ken Duthie and Joanna Cload are brilliant. They quickly respond on availability, fees, admin and suitable dates. A really good team.’
‘Albion Chambers has a number of highly experienced barristers covering all aspects of criminal work. They are professional, dedicated and committed.’
‘Albion Chambers is an established provincial powerhouse, with a solid clerking team and a reputation for excellence.’
‘This chambers has a broad depth of counsel with varying experience and expertise.’
‘The clerks are always extremely helpful and accommodating. They are quick to respond to queries and if a problem arises, they are promptly on hand to find a solution.’
Work highlights
Devon Chambers
Based in Plymouth, Devon Chambers is a ‘fantastic set‘ well-known for providing quality representation in all areas of criminal law. Leader of the Western Circuit Joanna Martin KC is a ‘heavyweight silk’ with a strong reputation both for her defence and prosecution work. Recently she has acted for the defence in a murder case in which sentencing was complicated by the fact the individual convicted had already been convicted in absentia of other murders by the Serbian courts, and another murder case involved a defence of diminished responsibility founded on evidence of long-term coercive control and domestic abuse. Head of chambers Jason Beal is regularly instructed in cases involving allegations of serious sexual offences, serious violence, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and financial offending. Piers Norsworthy, a ‘natural trial advocate‘, is known for his defence work, especially in acutely sensitive cases or in cases concerning defendants with mental health issues, as well as for his road traffic offences expertise.
Testimonials
‘Schannine Dobson has the respect of solicitors, listing officers and the bar alike. She has that good balance of pro-active and re-active clerking.’
‘Rachael Duchnowski keeps the clerks room friendly.’
‘Devon Chambers is excellent. Schannine Dobson needs particular mention for excellent communication skills and for being constantly helpful.’
Work highlights
KBG Chambers
KBG Chambers is widely regarded as a ‘strong set in the South West‘ for criminal work. Nicholas Lewin is a ‘brilliant barrister‘ with considerable experience in Crown Court cases - he has a track record of defendants with mental health issues and intermediary needs and, notably, is a retired naval officer with Court Martial experience. Katie Churcher’s practice is evenly split between defence and prosecution work - she is regularly instructed in cases involving serious violence, allegations of historic sexual abuse, and major drug offences and recently acted for the defence in a complex case concerning the rape of a teenage girl by a man previously sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Michael Brown‘s experience includes cases involving rape, firearms offences, drug conspiracies, armed robbery, blackmail, and false imprisonment, while ‘formidable trial advocate‘ Ali Rafati is a ‘standout‘ on the Western Circuit for his experience in serious sexual or violent offending, as well as complex drugs and fraud cases.
Testimonials
‘Colin Palmer is the best clerk in the business and goes above and beyond.’
‘A good service from the clerks room. Rebecca Shepherd and Colin Palmer are standout clerks in this chambers.’
‘KBG is a great set, not one bad barrister amongst them.’
‘KBG Chambers is a strong set in the South West. They have a broad depth of suitable, experienced and talented counsel to instruct in any criminal case.’
‘Excellent strength in depth.’
‘A strong clerks room which functions well.’
Work highlights
Queen Square Chambers
Queen Square Chambers’ ‘rapidly growing’ criminal team is involved in a wide variety of cases across the Western Circuit. Head of Chambers Charles Row KC, a ‘go-to silk in the South West’, is sought after for his handling of especially complex and sensitive cases, particularly murder cases. Of late he has been instructed in multiple juvenile murder cases. Robin Shellard is ‘an excellent jury advocate’ with considerable prosecution experience, including in relation to multi-handed drug supply and fraud conspiracies. David Maunder is a ‘very accomplished trial advocate‘ whose practice includes cases involving homicide and serious violence, serious sex cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses, and large-scale fraud and drug conspiracies. James Tucker and Ellen McAnaw are both regularly instructed to act in serious sexual offences cases.
Testimonials
‘Colleen Inker and her team provide a first class service, communicating in a timely and effective way. They are perfectly able to discuss choice of counsel in any given situation.’
‘Colleen Inker runs the show, and she can be counted on to sort things out when she needs to.’
‘Queen Square Chambers has long been a well-respected set of criminal chambers.’
‘They are rapidly growing the number barristers in chambers and Colleen Inker has slowly built a set of clerks who are beginning to challenge the old establishment in Bristol.’
‘Excellent. They have a team that is still growing but the service provided is not compromised.’