Mountford Chambers

Chambers of Christopher Henley KC.

The set: Mountford Chambers is a specialist criminal, regulatory and public law set that is founded on principles of integrity, equality, and representation for all.

Mountford Chambers' KCs, barristers and clerks are united by a shared vision of delivering a client service that is focused on absolute excellence, assuring clients of forensic, strategic, and vigorous representation that gets to the heart of the case and the minds of judges and juries.

Areas of expertise
Crime: Mountford Chambers’ criminal practice spans the full range of general crime, representing clients in serious and complex matters at every stage of the process.

Members are regularly instructed in homicide, serious assault, gang-related violence, sexual offences, and multi-defendant drug trials. Recent publicly reported work includes defending individuals in multi-week trials for murder and attempted murder, gang violence with extensive forensic and digital evidence, and cases involving complex evidential and procedural issues.

Mountford is experienced in navigating challenging investigations, advising on strategy and disclosure, and providing robust advocacy at trial and on appeal. Members combine tactical acumen with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring a strong defence in complex criminal proceedings

Business crime and fraud: Mountford Chambers has deep expertise across the spectrum of business and financial crime. Members are regularly instructed in multi-million-pound fraud and money laundering cases, often spanning multiple jurisdictions and involving forensic accounting and vast disclosure exercises.

Recent instructions have included defending directors and senior executives in large-scale VAT and MTIC frauds, multi-defendant mortgage frauds exceeding £40 million, and capital gains tax frauds of similar scale.

The set also has a strong track record in fraudulent trading trials brought by Trading Standards, account freezing and confiscation proceedings under POCA, and cases involving complex financial instruments and investment schemes. Barristers at Mountford Chambers appear at every level, from advising corporates in SFO and HMRC investigations to securing acquittals at trial for individuals accused of serious financial misconduct.

Professional regulation:  Mountford Chambers acts for a wide range of regulated professionals, including doctors, dentists, nurses, lawyers, police officers, accountants, and professional sportspeople, in proceedings before disciplinary tribunals and professional regulators. Members are regularly instructed before the Bar Standards Board, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Police Disciplinary Tribunal, General Dental Council, General Medical Council, NMC, and accountancy and actuarial panels. With extensive experience in financial and fraud matters, members also appear before the FSA, VAT, and HMRC tribunals.

Inquests and Inquiries: Mountford Chambers provides expert representation in inquests and public inquiries, acting for a diverse range of clients, including bereaved families, public bodies, and professionals. Members are regularly instructed in high-profile cases, such as the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. They offer strategic advice and advocacy at all stages, from early investigations to public hearings and appeals, ensuring that evidence is clearly presented and clients' interests are effectively represented.

Asset forfeiture and civil recovery: Members of Mountford Chambers have market-leading expertise in all aspects of restraint, confiscation, and forfeiture proceedings. Our barristers routinely advise and appear on behalf of both the claimant and defendant in civil and criminal asset recovery cases.

Mountford Chambers’ team of established and experienced barristers deliver high-quality advice and advocacy across a broad range of asset forfeiture and civil recovery matters.

Criminal regulatory: Mountford Chambers provides expert representation in complex criminal regulatory cases, acting for both prosecution and defence across England, Wales, and internationally. Members are regularly instructed in matters involving the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Care Quality Commission, Office for Rail and Road, and other regulatory bodies. They offer strategic advice at all stages, from early investigations to contested hearings and appeals, with a focus on mitigating financial, legal, and reputational risks. Members are also experienced in crisis management and media handling, ensuring clients receive comprehensive support in complex regulatory proceedings.

International law: Mountford Chambers is home to a team of accomplished and experienced international law practitioners who have expertise in representing individuals and organisations in international criminal courts and tribunals. Their work often involves extradition, genocide, crimes against humanity, terrorism and war crimes.

Mountford Chambers' barrister’s expertise in international law means they are frequently asked to support foreign governments and committees with the development of criminal laws and policies. Work is often legally complex, high-profile and involve multiple interested parties that requires exceptional negotiation and communication skills, as well as tactical approach.