Set Profile > Foundry Chambers > London, England

Foundry Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

Foundry Chambers > Firm Profile

The set

 

Foundry Chambers is one of the UK’s leading criminal sets headed by John McGuinness QC.  It was founded in 1970 in Inner Temple by Sir Arthur Irvine QC PC, former Solicitor General and moved in 1994 to 9-12 Bell Yard, the address from which it took its name.

 

Chambers operated successfully at 9-12 Bell Yard until June 2017 when the set moved to new premises in Quality Court taking the opportunity to re-launch with a new identity.  The premises are situated in the middle of Chancery Lane at the centre of London’s legal district and provide Chambers with modern facilities and an ideal working environment.

 

The set comprises 46 tenants, including 9 Queen’s Counsel.  Many former members of Chambers have been appointed to the Circuit Bench with a number of current members appointed as Recorders of the Crown Court and as Chair of the Police Appeals Tribunal.  Members of Chambers are also trained as Facilitators in the provision of “Advocacy and the Vulnerable” training on the South Eastern Circuit.

 

Chambers is committed to providing an exceptional recruitment and training programme and environment for its pupils, with in-house advocacy training provided on a weekly basis.

 

Types of work undertaken: Foundry Chambers is an acknowledged leader in its fields of expertise.  The set provides expert advice and representation for individual and corporate clients in the field of crime and potential criminal liability.  The set is frequently called upon to advise and represent prosecution agencies, local authorities and regulators.  Civil expertise includes conduct of regulatory matters involving allegations of financial wrongdoing, professional misconduct and tax litigation.  Chambers’ membership includes established practitioners in the fields of extradition, public law and immigration.  The range of work and specialist teams of barristers make Chambers a single port of call for clients looking for solutions to matters crossing different legal disciplines.

 

Members act in many of the most challenging and high profile cases within its areas of practice.  Ranked for many years as a leading set, chambers has been praised as “a superior criminal set” and “a powerhouse for serious crime”.

 

For individuals and businesses accused of criminal offences, Chambers offers advice and representation from the early stages of an investigation.  Members of Chambers assist businesses in developing anti-corruption policies and in conducting internal investigations, along with advising businesses who are under investigation.  Chambers has members on the SFO list at all levels.

 

Chambers has long standing experience in advising and representing individuals facing action from their professional bodies and on behalf of professional regulators bringing actions against their registrants.  Members of Chambers are able to assist police officers, lawyers, accountants, health care and financial professionals and other professionals facing disciplinary action.

 

Chambers has expertise in revenue law, particularly where there is a fraud element, and represents the tax payer and HMRC.

 

Members are regularly instructed in asset forfeiture proceedings, including condemnation and proceeds of crime matters.

 

In recent years, Foundry Chambers has acted in some of the largest and most complex extradition cases both for the requesting state or Judicial Authority or the requested person.  Chambers also offers expertise in the area of immigration for individuals and businesses.

 

Foundry Chambers offers expertise at all levels and prides itself on delivering unparalleled service to clients.  Our approachable and efficient clerks’ room works closely with members of chambers to provide the best service for client needs.