25 Bedford Row > London, England > Set Profile
25 Bedford Row Offices

25 Bedford Row
LONDON
WC1R 4HD
England
25 Bedford Row > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Crime Tier 1
25 Bedford Row stands out as a ‘first-class criminal defence-orientated set‘. Members’ workloads include complex cases of serious sexual offences, murder, serious violence and drugs conspiracies. George Carter-Stephenson QC and Michael Neofytou appeared in the high-profile case of R v Raymond Hoadley, where the defendant was convicted of the murder of his estranged wife, a disability rights campaigner. In another matter, Diana Ellis QC and Laurie-Anne Power QC defended a man, who was charged (alongside his cousin) with the murder of a man who the cousins thought was responsible for the theft of the cousin's bicycle.Leading Silks
2020 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘25 Bedford Row is an outstanding set with breathtaking talent.’
‘25 Bedford Row is a top notch criminal set with a breadth of experience and a number of big hitters.’
‘The set is a high-quality stable for defence advocates.’
‘25 Bedford Row is an exclusively criminal defence set. The set has an excellent reputation and is committed to their client base.‘
‘25 Bedford Row are an excellent criminal set with a wide range of sought-after counsel.‘
Clerking
‘The clerking team at 25 Bedford Row is well balanced. They are always available and keen to help with listing problems and allocation of cases. The are keyed in to the London legal scene with excellent contacts with solicitors and other sets of chambers at every level.‘
London Bar > Fraud: crime Tier 1
25 Bedford Row has a 'varied skill set' providing a 'diversity of available counsel' for all defence matters involving complex financial crime, including allegations of fraud, such as Ponzi schemes, pension and election frauds, and stock market scams. George Carter-Stephenson QC is instructed to represent a defendant in an upcoming case concerning the Axion Legal Financing Fund, while Nigel Sangster QC is instructed to defend in a case involving alleged £17m VAT fraud involving precious metals. The 'highly effective' Nathaniel Rudolf QC, whose fraud practices crosses over with a heavy practice on the technical points of criminal finances law, was made silk in March 2021.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘25 Bedford Row are my go-to chambers in London. Their Barristers have a varying skill set which means I am able to instruct them on any type of case. I am yet to meet a barrister from 25 Bedford Row whom I or my client doesn’t like.’
‘25 Bedford Row are perceived as one of the top three criminal chambers. The difficulty often found in securing certain counsel, is a testimony to their popularity and the level of work that they conducted. However 25 Bedford Row are the go to chambers because of the choice and diversity of available counsel.’
‘25 Bedford Row is an outstanding set. The breadth of talent is excellent and continues to excel.‘
‘25 Bedford Row are a brilliant criminal defence set. Their members offer a great wealth of experience and expertise.’
‘25 Bedford Row is one of the best criminal and fraud sets that there is around. The set is strong in all areas of crime and if someone is not available the alternative options are equally good.’
Clerking
‘25 Bedford Row has an excellent clerking team. The service they provide is second to none. They really go out of their way to help the solicitors who instruct them. Alfie Lee, in particular, is incredibly helpful and commercially astute. He is the best young clerk at the criminal bar.‘
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 3
25 Bedford Row acts for both individual and corporate clients in investigations and prosecutions brought by a variety of UK authorities, including the SFO, the FCA and the Environment Agency. Bribery and corruption, fraud and money laundering all form areas of focus for the set. Recent highlights include Duncan Jones acting as junior counsel for the company's former Iraq country manager in the Unaoil case, concerning company's alleged payment of bribes to secure high-value contracts in Iraq.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The set provided a very strong team of counsel. They have proved easy to work with and adaptable during the current pandemic.’
‘Chambers have a great offering and, despite their size, are able to offer a dynamic and personal service.’
‘All members of Chambers whom I have had contact with have been happy to assist for the general benefit of the set. 25 Bedford Row is now a large set. In my experience, they always have someone available who is capable of dealing with the largest case and indeed the smallest.’
‘Very good, straightforward to deal with, accommodating and dynamic.’
Clerking
‘Chambers’ administration is superb with a particularly friendly clerks’ room. From the senior clerk, Guy Williams, down to the most junior member of the clerks’ room, I have found all to be polite, helpful and attentive.’
‘Alfie Lee is an excellent clerk, always approachable and willing to assist.’
London Bar > International crime and extradition Tier 3
25 Bedford Row's members are active in international criminal law matters in the Hague as well as before ad-hoc institutions. David Hooper QC‘s ‘sheer extent of experiences relating to international humanitarian law places him within a small cadre of practitioners who really know their stuff at this level‘. He is currently representing Hashim Thaçi, the former Prime Minister and President of Kosovo, who is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, a specialist Kosovar court with foreign judges sitting in the Hague to hear cases regarding the end of the Kosovo war in the late 1990s. Diana Ellis QC is highly sought after on cases in the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The set as a whole is recognised as one, if not the, leading defence set in the UK. Those within the set working in the field of international criminal law and human rights law are recognised as the some of the leaders in their fields.’
Clerking
‘Good administrative support is essential and 25 Bedford Row has it in plenty.’
‘The clerks’ room is efficient and offers an excellent service to the barristers within chambers and to the clients from outside. The team as a whole is strong and the ethos of hard work and efficiency is exemplified by the Senior Clerk, Guy Williams.’
‘There is an extremely competent team of clerks from senior to the more junior level. There is an awareness of the importance of efficiency, diligence and courtesy.’
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police)
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Environment
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
Leading Juniors
25 Bedford Row > Set Profile
Previously awarded Client Services Set of the Year by Chambers UK, 25 Bedford Row is an innovative set which specialises in every aspect of modern defence advocacy, acting in the very highest profile cases. Chambers is consistently assessed as a centre of excellence.
The Set: 25 Bedford Row is widely recognised as the leading defence chambers in its core practice areas, due to its client-focused, high-quality service. Its reputation for excellence is best demonstrated by its involvement in almost every recent major criminal trial, whether in fraud, organised crime or murder. Chambers are renowned heavy-weight defenders in all aspects of financial and white-collar crime. Members frequently defend large-scale prosecutions brought by the FCA, SFO and NCA. Advice is provided at every stage including pre-charge, post-charge and investigation. Chambers’ criminal expertise includes quasi civil-crime such as POCA proceedings, high-value restraint proceedings, data protection law, the legality of search warrants, costs law, civil actions and civil liberties (including actions against the police) and all aspects of regulatory law (including professional disciplinary and environmental law). The excellence extends to the high quality of its Clerks’ room and staff team who have a justified reputation for their knowledge, efficiency and integrity.
Areas of Expertise:
Criminal: Experts in defending serious crime, including homicide, organised crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, terrorism and extreme sexual violence. Several Members of Chambers act for UK nationals facing criminal prosecutions in other jurisdictions. Chambers’ private client specialists are renowned for their success in ‘reputational management’ and their ability to mitigate the impact of criminal charges on clients’ careers and personal lives.
Fraud and Financial Litigation: Specialists in defending individuals and corporations against allegations of business crime and fraud, including cross-jurisdictional proceedings. Representation is provided at every stage in both the criminal and civil aspects of this discipline from the preliminary stages, including restraint, right through to appeal, confiscation and civil recovery/injunction. Chambers offers specific advice on regulatory compliance, risk management and corporate governance/training.
Professional Disciplinary and Regulatory: Members regularly defend individuals appearing before professional bodies, disciplinary tribunals and regulatory authorities. Our clients include healthcare professionals, solicitors, police officers, accountants, sports players and sports organisations. Chambers practice in all aspects of contentious regulatory work acting for employees, directors and companies.
Environmental Law and Health & Safety: Experienced in health and safety investigations and prosecutions, acting in respect of allegations of corporate manslaughter and other prosecutions where serious injury has been caused. Experts advise and appear in relation to the full spectrum of environmental law, including waste management offences.
Inquests & Public Inquiries: Members of our team cover all aspects of coronial law with members advising and representing bereaved families, individuals, statutory bodies and corporate entities in cases covering a vast range of complex legal and factual issues. Our barristers have represented interested persons in lengthy and high-profile inquests attracting intense media scrutiny. Expertise in challenging the decision of the Coroner in the High Court and via judicial review proceedings arising from inquests in the Administrative Court. Involved in significant public inquiries, including those involving alleged failings by both corporate and statutory bodies.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights: As a ‘defence only’ set, protecting civil liberties is a fundamental cornerstone of Chambers’ ethos. Members have extensive experience acting for persons facing human rights infringements including actions against the police and public authorities, extradition law, international law, mental health, prisoners’ rights, inquests, public inquiries and public and administrative law. Chambers is routinely instructed in significant public inquiries, judicial review and appellate cases and challenges to public body decisions.
International Work: Chambers works at the forefront of international criminal law. Members act and advise in all aspects of international criminal law (including human rights breaches), and regularly act for individuals, governmental organisations and NGOs in a wide range of jurisdictions. Its work includes defending war crimes (often in international war tribunals) and other human rights abuses, defending the extradition of high-profile individuals, defending offences against states, including espionage and terrorism, and defending overseas freezing and forfeiture orders.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Director of Clerking | Guy Williams | ||
Deputy Director of Clerking | Emma Makepeace | ||
Senior Practice Clerk | Alfie Lee | ||
Practice Clerk | Charlie Gardner | ||
Junior Practice Clerk | Gemma McGee | ||
Fees Clerk | David Kirton | ||
Administration Manager | Varuna Askoolum | ||
Member of Chambers | CARTER-STEPHENSON QC, George (1975) (QC 1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | DEIN QC, Jeremy (1982) (QC 2003) | ||
Member of Chambers | MENDELLE QC, Paul (1981) (QC 2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | SANGSTER QC, Nigel (1976) (QC 1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | GRIFFITHS QC, Courtenay (1980) (QC 1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | ELLIS QC, Diana (1978) (QC 2001) | ||
Member of Chambers | DOYLE QC, Peter (1975) (QC 2002) | ||
Member of Chambers | KELEHER QC, Paul (1980) (QC 2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | HOOPER QC, David (1971) (QC 2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | FORTSON QC, Rudi (1976) (QC 2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | COOPER QC, John (1983) (QC 2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | PRICE QC, Tom (1985) (QC 2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | HYNES QC, Paul (1987) (QC 2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | SIDHU QC, Jo (1993) (QC 2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | SMITH QC, Tyrone (1994) (QC 2014) | ||
Member of Chambers | EISSA QC, Adrian (1988) (QC 2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | PENTOL QC, Simon (1982) (QC 2019) | ||
Member of Chambers | HOWARD QC, Nicola (1995) (QC 2019) | ||
Member of Chambers | SIMPSON QC, Melanie (1998) (QC 2020) | ||
Member of Chambers | RUDOLF, Nathaniel (1996) (QC 2021) | ||
Member of Chambers | MITCHELL, Jonathan (1974) | ||
Member of Chambers | BEYTS, Chester (1978) | ||
Member of Chambers | WELLS, Colin (1987) | ||
Member of Chambers | VALLEY, Helen (1990) | ||
Member of Chambers | PIERCY, Arlette (1990) | ||
Member of Chambers | AKUWUDIKE, Emma (1992) | ||
Member of Chambers | POTTER, Harry (1993) | ||
Member of Chambers | ALEESON, Warwick (1994) | ||
Member of Chambers | BYRNES, Aisling (1994) | ||
Member of Chambers | OSMAN, Osman (1995) | ||
Member of Chambers | GUILOFF, Carolina (1996) | ||
Member of Chambers | RIGGS, Samantha (1996) | ||
Member of Chambers | MURRAY, Daniel (1996) | ||
Member of Chambers | GARDINER, Sebastian (1997) | ||
Member of Chambers | KEATING, Dermot (1997) | ||
Member of Chambers | STEVENS, Mark (1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | GRAINGER, Alistair (1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | THOMAS, Dominic (1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | O'REILLY, Beth (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | NEOFYTOU, Michael (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | SMITTEN, Ben (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | POWER, Laurie-Anne (2000) | ||
Member of Chambers | NWOSU, Sheryl (2000) | ||
Member of Chambers | GOMULKA, Michael (2002) | ||
Member of Chambers | DASHANI, Sonal (2002) | ||
Member of Chambers | STEVENSON, Monica (2004) | ||
Member of Chambers | LAZARUS, Paul (2017) Higher Rights (2005) | ||
Member of Chambers | RADSTONE, Matthew (2005) | ||
Member of Chambers | GRAY, James (2005) | ||
Member of Chambers | RANDALL, Rebecca (2005) | ||
Member of Chambers | BLOM-COOPER, Sam (2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | WILSON, Lisa (2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | JAMIESON, Alex (2007) | ||
Member of Chambers | MALHOTRA, Priya (2007) | ||
Member of Chambers | WOOD, David (2007) | ||
Member of Chambers | SHAW, Robert (2008) | ||
Member of Chambers | DI FRANCESCO, Alex (2008) | ||
Member of Chambers | STUART-SMITH, Emma (2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | KUMAR, Sushil (2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | JOHNSON, Abimbola (2011) | ||
Member of Chambers | JONES, Duncan (2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | LYNCH, Leon (2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | DICKSON, Henry (2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | COLLIER, Laura (2013) | ||
Member of Chambers | FLAVIN, Tom (2013) | ||
Member of Chambers | LLOYD-OWEN, Natasha (2013) | ||
Member of Chambers | ROWAN, Kerrie-Ann (2015), New York Bar (2013) | ||
Member of Chambers | LEWIS, Joy (2014) | ||
Member of Chambers | MURPHY, Nick (2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | SMITH, Tobias (2016) | ||
Member of Chambers | DURRANDS, William (2016) | ||
Member of Chambers | GABER, Chantel (2017) | ||
Member of Chambers | WASZKEWITZ, Lady-Gene (2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | MEZOUGHI, Leila-Zoe (2019) | ||
Fixed Term Tenant | RIVETT, Justin (1988) | ||
Fixed Term Tenant | WILLS, George (2013) | ||
Fixed Term Tenant | SHARMA, Vaneeta (2016) | ||
Fixed Term Tenant | EDWARDS, Hannah (2016) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Emma Akuwudike | She has earned an excellent reputation amongst her professional and lay clients,… | View Profile |
![]() | Warwick Aleeson | Warwick Aleeson is a highly experienced trial advocate with over 25 years’… | View Profile |
![]() | Chester Beyts | Chester Beyts is widely experienced in all aspects of criminal defence, including… | View Profile |
![]() | Sam Blom-Cooper | Sam is experienced in all areas of criminal defence including serious violence,… | View Profile |
![]() | Aisling Byrnes | Aisling Byrnes has 25 years’ experience of defending in criminal cases of… | View Profile |
![]() | George Carter-Stephenson | George is a highly sought after specialist defence Silk with a varied and… | View Profile |
![]() | Laura Collier | Laura is a mature, professional and forceful advocate, experienced far beyond her… | View Profile |
![]() | John Cooper | John Cooper QC is a specialist in serious criminal law, fraud and… | View Profile |
![]() | Sonal Dashani | Sonal is regularly instructed in a wide range of criminal defence work.… | View Profile |
![]() | Jeremy Dein | Jeremy Dein QC is one of the most experienced and highly regarded… | View Profile |
![]() | Alex Di Francesco | Alex is a leading criminal junior who has defended those accused of… | View Profile |
![]() | Henry Dickson | Henry practises in all areas of criminal defence and has extensive advocacy… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Doyle | An immensely experienced criminal defence practitioner instructed across a range of offences… | View Profile |
![]() | Will Durrands | Will is experienced in all areas of criminal law, extradition, regulatory (particularly… | View Profile |
![]() | Hannah Edwards | Hannah has been praised for her thorough preparation, attention to detail and… | View Profile |
![]() | Diana Ellis | Diana Ellis QC is a hugely experienced and committed criminal defence barrister… | View Profile |
![]() | Tom Flavin | Tom’s practice involves work across all areas of criminal defence, in particular… | View Profile |
![]() | Rudi Fortson | Rudi Fortson QC is noted for his work in relation to serious… | View Profile |
![]() | Chantel Gaber | Chantel is a criminal defence specialist and a passionate, committed advocate, with… | View Profile |
![]() | Sebastian Gardiner | Sebastian practises as both leading junior and junior counsel in all aspects… | View Profile |
![]() | Lady Gene-Waszkewitz | In April 2021, Lady-Gené became a Member of Chambers following the successful… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Gomulka | Michael is a specialist advocate in fraud, financial crime and regulatory law. … | View Profile |
![]() | Alistair Granger | Alistair defends at the highest levels to include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter,… | View Profile |
![]() | James Gray | James Gray is a dedicated criminal advocate known for his commitment to… | View Profile |
![]() | Courtenay Griffiths | Courtenay Griffiths QC has been involved in some of the most high-profile… | View Profile |
![]() | Carolina Guiloff | Carolina is a criminal defence specialist, instructed both alone and as junior… | View Profile |
![]() | David Hooper | David Hooper QC’s domestic practice has largely concerned serious criminal matters and extradition… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicola Howard | Nicky is often instructed on behalf of corporates and individuals to provide specialist… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Hynes | Criminal, financial and regulatory defence and advice. Has a broad practice often… | View Profile |
![]() | Alex Jamieson | Recognised as a leading junior Barrister in three separate areas of specialism:… | View Profile |
![]() | Abimbola Johnson | Winner of the 2018 Diversity Legal Awards Rising Star (Chambers) category and… | View Profile |
![]() | Duncan Jones | Duncan Jones specialises in criminal and white-collar defence advice, advocacy and investigations.… | View Profile |
![]() | Dermot Keating | Dermot is instructed as leading or junior counsel specialising in serious, complex… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Keleher | Paul Keleher QC is regularly instructed in cases of murder and is… | View Profile |
![]() | Sushil Kumar | Sushil is instructed in serious and complex cases. He specialises in fraud,… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Lazarus | Paul is a well known and experienced jury trial advocate who practices… | View Profile |
![]() | Joy Lewis | Joy practices in all areas of criminal defence, with an emphasis on… | View Profile |
![]() | Natasha Lloyd-Owen | Natasha practices in all areas of criminal defence and associated areas of… | View Profile |
![]() | Leon Lynch | Leon is a versatile and a dedicated criminal defence advocate whose client… | View Profile |
![]() | Priya Malhotra | Priya is an exceptional advocate best known for her attention to detail,… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Mendelle | Called to Bar after successful career in the City, Paul Mendelle QC has… | View Profile |
![]() | Leila-Zoe Mezoughi | Leila’s practice involves work across all areas of criminal defence. She has… | View Profile |
![]() | Jonathan Mitchell | Jonathan is a leading Junior in heavy criminal defence trials. He also advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Nick Murphy | Nick is a highly-regarded junior practising in all areas of criminal defence. He… | View Profile |
![]() | Daniel Murray | Daniel practises in all areas of fraud and serious crime. He has… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Neofytou | Michael is a leading specialist criminal defence advocate and adviser with over… | View Profile |
![]() | Sheryl Nwosu | Sheryl is routinely instructed in a broad spectrum of complex and serious… | View Profile |
![]() | Beth O'Reilly | Beth is an established advocate with over 20 years’ experience of defending… | View Profile |
![]() | Osman Osman | Osman is a highly sought after leading junior. He has developed an… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Pentol | Simon Pentol QC has been continually instructed as a leader for the… | View Profile |
![]() | Arlette Piercy | Arlette’s practice consists of criminal defence work, trial and appellate, with particular… | View Profile |
![]() | Harry Potter | Leading Junior and junior for the defence in all areas of crime,… | View Profile |
![]() | Laurie-Anne Power QC | Laurie-Anne is an experienced leading junior and junior. She has acted on… | View Profile |
![]() | Tom Price | Tom Price QC defends in all areas of serious crime. He has… | View Profile |
![]() | Matthew Radstone | Matthew specialises in the areas of serious crime, complex fraud and regulatory… | View Profile |
![]() | Rebecca Randall | Rebecca has vast expertise in all areas of criminal defence including murder,… | View Profile |
![]() | Samantha Riggs | Sam is an established leading junior advising and defending corporate and individual… | View Profile |
![]() | Justin Rivett | Justin has specialised in criminal defence for over 25 years. He has… | View Profile |
![]() | Kerrie Ann Rowan | Kerrie practises in all areas of criminal defence including murder, violence, robbery,… | View Profile |
![]() | Nathaniel Rudolf | Nathaniel is renowned for his expertise in defending serious fraud and high… | View Profile |
![]() | Nigel Sangster | One of the most senior Silks at the Criminal Bar, Nigel Sangster QC… | View Profile |
![]() | Vaneeta Sharma | Vaneeta has built a strong criminal practice and regularly appears in Crown,… | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Shaw | Robert is a specialist criminal and regulatory barrister with extensive advocacy experience.… | View Profile |
![]() | Jo Sidhu | Jo Sidhu QC is widely regarded as a ‘superlative’ leading Counsel in… | View Profile |
![]() | Melanie Simpson | Melanie Simpson QC is a highly regarded criminal defence barrister who is… | View Profile |
![]() | Tyrone Smith | Tyrone is a highly sought-after specialist defence Silk who consistently defends in… | View Profile |
![]() | Tobias Smith | Tobias is a defence specialist covering all aspects of criminal law in… | View Profile |
![]() | Ben Smitten | Ben has 20 years’ experience at the highest level of criminal proceedings… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Stevens | Mark is a highly regarded criminal defence specialist. Mark is approachable, dependable… | View Profile |
![]() | Monica Stevenson | Monica is an experienced barrister instructed in a wide range of serious… | View Profile |
![]() | Emma Stuart Smith | Emma’s practice encompasses all areas of criminal defence work, focusing particularly upon… | View Profile |
![]() | Dominic Thomas | Dominic is a specialist in criminal defence, including fraud and regulatory work.… | View Profile |
![]() | Helen Valley | Helen has over 25 years’ experience defending serious and complex crime matters,… | View Profile |
![]() | Colin Wells | Colin is a renowned speicialist in abuse of process matters and costs… | View Profile |
![]() | George Wills | George’s practice focuses on criminal defence and defending regulatory prosecutions. In respect… | View Profile |
![]() | Lisa Wilson | Lisa is a specialist defence practitioner, instructed in cases covering all aspects… | View Profile |
![]() | David Wood | David specialises in criminal and regulatory law and is recognised as a… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Clerks : 8 Administration : 2Languages
Farsi French German Spanish Portuguese Italian Hindi PunjabiDIVERSITY
25 Bedford Row is committed to respecting and understanding the cultural needs of its diverse client base, and is committed to achieving and promoting equality and diversity in the provision of services, recruitment and access to the Bar in general. Chambers provides its services for the general community and not for any discrete client group which might be interpreted as discriminatory.
Within Chambers, we have established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The aim of this Committee is to promote equality and diversity within Chambers and reduce discrimination and unconscious bias. Over the past year, the Committee has overhauled all equality, diversity and inclusion policies to help ensure the achievement of this aim.
25 Bedford Row was shortlisted as an Outstanding Set for Diversity and Inclusion at the UK Bar Awards 2020. Several of our Barristers mentor young people who aspire to have a career at the Bar, and have been individually recognised for their contribution to equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar.
Jo Sidhu QC was highly commended for his outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion at the UK Bar Awards 2020.
Laurie-Anne Power has been the Chair of Women in Criminal Law’s Race Equality Committee since its formation in 2020. The aim of this sub-Committee is to unite women of colour, of all backgrounds and races working within criminal law in order to work together in dismantling clear and obvious structural racism and bias which has held women back from progressing. Laurie-Anne was awarded BSN Lawyer of the Year (Chambers) at the UK Diversity Legal Awards 2019.
Abimbola Johnson, shortlisted as a Future Leader: Diversity & Inclusion at the UK Bar Awards 2020, has recently been appointed the Chair of the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board of the police’s race strategy developed by Chief Constables in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have been unable to host as many mini-pupillages as we would normally. As an alternative, we have held Insight Days which provide an opportunity for those aspiring to become a Barrister to listen to several of our Members (of various years of call) speak about life at the Criminal Bar, what a typical day is like and tips on the pupillage application process. Participants were able to ask our Members questions about these topics. The feedback for our Insight Days has been positive, e.g. “I particularly enjoyed hearing from those who had begun pupillage recently and were able to offer genuine advice around applications and the persistence, which is so important at the beginning of a legal career.”
25 Bedford Row are a proud member of the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS) as established by the Inner Temple. We were a participant in this year’s Bar Placement Scheme. Both schemes are designed to improve access to the Bar profession for students from under-represented backgrounds.
We are Disability Confident Committed and an accredited London Living Wage employer.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: David Bloom
COMPANY/FIRM: Sonn Macmillian Walker
TESTIMONIAL: A top-tier criminal defence set, made up of ferociously sharp QCs, accomplished juniors, and reliable friendly clerks. The strength and depth of the team specialising in white collar, POCA and asset recovery work means high quality representation is consistently provided. A set that it is a pleasure to work with.
CLIENT: Stephanie Roe
COMPANY/FIRM: Roe Lawyers
TESTIMONIAL: 25 Bedford Row is the “go to” London chambers for defence work, as a relatively large set made up of excellent barristers at the top of the profession they have a wealth and depth of experience in financial crime.
CLIENT: John Carson
COMPANY/FIRM: Carson Kaye Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: Unrivalled criminal defence set of chambers, the highest standards throughout including the clerking services. The set comprises of counsel with vast talent who give there all to every case.
CLIENT: Collette Kelly
COMPANY/FIRM: INCE
TESTIMONIAL: 25 Bedford Row is an outstanding set with an absolutely stellar cast of barristers dealing with all aspects of complex financial crime and POCA work.
CLIENT: Sahar Handford
COMPANY/FIRM: JMW Solicitors LLP
TESTIMONIAL: 25 Bedford Row Chambers are an exceptional set. From top to bottom their service and quality is unmatched and the Clerks are second to none. Counsel excel in all areas of crime and regulatory. They have a particular understanding of the needs of professional institutions and individuals. Counsel are commercially astute, committed and attentive, having regard to the dual regulatory and criminal aspects of cases brought against professional defendants.
- Crime
- Fraud: crime