Crucible Chambers > LONDON, England > Set Profile
Crucible Chambers Offices

CENTRAL COURT, 25 SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS
LONDON
WC2A 1AL
England
Crucible Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Crime Tier 4
Crucible Chambers is an ‘excellent set of chambers that is going places fast’, with several strong barristers handling a wide range of criminal matters. Martin Goudie KC, praised as ‘one of the best strategists at the Bar’, is experienced in murder and robbery cases. Roderick James specialises in serious drug trafficking and violence cases. Leila Gaskin has a strong reputation as an ‘articulate and very persuasive advocate’ – she has recently acted in murder, attempted murder, and human trafficking trials. Clea Topolski KC took silk in March 2024.Leading Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks at Crucible Chambers are brilliant, especially James Hall. He is organised, passionate and will do his utmost to ensure that instructed counsel can attend the hearings, to ensure continuity in representation. A rare commodity these days!’
‘James Hall and Zach May in particular are amazing. They are always responsive and prioritise any queries.’
‘Zach May is fantastic. He is always available to discuss work and makes a real effort to make sure the machine that is defence work is always running smooth.’
‘The clerks’ room is run brilliantly. Zach and James are always very helpful and go above and beyond!’
‘An excellent set of chambers that is going places fast. Recruitment is carefully considered so that calibre is retained. Returns are not an issue as counsel are very able who are appointed for the return hearing. A set that is very much on the rise and expeditious in its current ascendancy.’
‘Crucible appears to be a very strong set with good counsel across the board.’
‘Crucible Chambers is a very competent set of chambers which will always do their best to provide a first-rate service.’
‘Crucible is great at what they do in crime.’
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
Leading Silks
London Bar > Fraud: crime
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Extradition
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
Leading Juniors
Crucible Chambers > Set Profile
At Crucible, professional excellence, client care and reliability of service remain central to all that we do. We aim to fuse this with a modern, creative and agile approach that sets us apart in the market. Specialising in: financial crime, serious crime, professional discipline and regulatory law.
Crucible was conceived, designed, structured and opened during the second half of 2020 against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic. We have learned from the challenges the pandemic has posed for businesses, both financially and organisationally.
Serious crime: Barristers at Crucible prosecute and defend cases across the whole criminal spectrum. The cases recently undertaken by members of Crucible range from high profile multi-handed murder cases to more sensitive and complex matters often involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses. Members of Crucible routinely appear at the Central Criminal Court, Crown Courts across the country and at the Court of Appeal.
Members of Crucible advise on complex and lengthy investigations pre-charge for prosecuting authorities, individuals and companies; they maintain a high level of commitment and dedication throughout the proceedings and on to appeal. A number of members of Crucible also specialise in extradition work and are known for their legal acumen and expertise in this field.
Financial crime: We are frequently instructed at the outset during investigations, from the initial discovery of a potential liability through to trials and enforcement proceedings. Our barristers have been instructed to defend in some of the highest profile financial crime cases in recent years, including three of the most recent individuals prosecuted alongside Deferred Prosecution Agreements. We are instructed by prosecutorial, regulatory and investigatory bodies in a wide variety of matters including bribery, tax fraud, pension fraud, money laundering and sanctions matters.
We have acted in the very highest profile fraud cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HMRC, FCA, the Pensions Regulator, and the CPS (among others). Our pedigree is illustrated by the cases we have appeared in, from Libor and NHS Price Fixing to Tabenula insider dealer and G4S. Our depth of experience is such that we are often the very first point of contact that clients reach out for.
Professional discipline and regulatory: Members are highly regarded experts within their fields of practice, recommended in The Legal 500 rankings, and include Legal Assessors and Advisors to a number of Fitness to Practice panels. From our silks to our seasoned juniors we act in all stages of proceedings across the healthcare, financial, legal, transport and sporting professional regulators. The team is also able to call upon chambers’ substantial expertise in financial crime.
All of Crucible’s barristers have experience in serious criminal cases, which gives us a solid foundation in advocacy, forensic legal analysis and an ability to act in a wide range of associated proceedings. Several of members of the team have been appointed to the Health and Safety Executive List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates and have experience of Criminal, First Tier Tribunal and High Court appearances on behalf of government regulators.
Crucible’s barristers are frequently instructed to appear on behalf of bereaved families, interested persons and corporate entities at Coroners Inquests, including those engaging Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, requiring juries. We have experience advising and representing individuals on appeals against Disclosure and Barring Service barring decisions, including appearances in the Upper Tribunal
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Head of Chambers | Neil Hawes KC | [email protected] | 0207 031 5310 |
Senior Clerk | James Hall | [email protected] | 0207 031 5310 |
Barrister Profiles
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Ms Libby Anderson | She has recently acted in several cases involving gang violence, firearms, and… | View Profile |
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Mrs Laura Bayley | Laura is recognised for her careful case preparation, considered legal submissions and… | View Profile |
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Mr Thomas Buxton | He is instructed in complex, sensitive cases on behalf of the Royal… | View Profile |
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Mrs Julia Flanagan | A highly experienced, innovative and hard-working advocate, Julia is a leading London… | View Profile |
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Ms Leila Gaskin | Leila Gaskin is a leading barrister in her field. She both prosecutes… | View Profile |
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Mr Martin Goudie KC | Member of Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates since 2005 dealing with… | View Profile |
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Mr Henry Grunwald KC | Henry is a long-established Queen’s Counsel and dedicated advocate with forty-eight solid… | View Profile |
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Mr Neil Hawes KC | Head of Chambers | View Profile |
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Mrs Laura Herbert | Known for her clear and cogent advice she is a persuasive advocate… | View Profile |
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Mr Roderick James | Described by instructing solicitors as “very methodical with evidence and excellent under… | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Lavers | Michael is a committed barrister with a strong sense of social justice.… | View Profile |
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Ms Tasmin Malcolm | Examples of instructions include Murder and Serious Violence (such as s.18 GBH,… | View Profile |
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Ms Briony Molyneux | View Profile | |
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Ms Alexandra Monaghan | She is regularly instructed in cases involving vulnerable defendants, including defendants as… | View Profile |
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Mr Oliver Renton | Oliver is regularly instructed to defend grave and complex matters, often involving… | View Profile |
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Ms Claire Robinson | Claire is an experienced barrister who regularly acts as leading junior and… | View Profile |
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Mr Ben Rowe | Ben Rowe is a founding member of Crucible and specialises in serious,… | View Profile |
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Mrs Clea Topolski KC | Clea has an exclusive defence practice in serious crime and is regularly… | View Profile |