St Philips Chambers

Crime & Regulatory

Jonathan Barker specialises in criminal law and regulatory crime. In recognition of his outstanding work, he was shortlisted for Crime and Extradition Junior of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024 and for Barrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Awards 2026. He is Deputy Head of the Criminal Group at St. Philips Chambers.

Jonathan’s practice centres on three principal areas:

Serious Crime – with particular expertise in homicide, fatal driving offences, serious organised crime, and sexual offences.

Financial Crime – including fraud, money laundering, and illegal money lending.

Regulatory Law – encompassing substantial cases involving environmental offences, trading standards, and sports law. He is a member of the Attorney General’s List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates.

Highly sought after by leading defence solicitors and major prosecuting authorities, Jonathan is known for his meticulous preparation, strategic judgement, and unwavering commitment to client representation. He is regularly instructed in complex, document-heavy cases arising from large-scale investigations. Praised for his “technical mind” and his ability to “assimilate complex information quickly,” he provides clear, strategic advice at every stage of proceedings, including pre-charge engagement.

Jonathan read Law at University College London and is a Queen Mother Scholar of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. He is a pupil supervisor and advocacy trainer on the Midland Circuit. He sits on the CPS Advocate Panel for General Crime, Serious Organised Crime, and Fraud at Level 4 (the highest tier), and is also a member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Panel. He is on level A on the Specialist Regulatory Advocates list.

Called 2006; Middle Temple.

Midland Circuit; Criminal Bar Association.

University College London (LLB).