Set Profile > 2 Bedford Row > London, England
2 Bedford Row Offices
2 Bedford Row
LONDON
WC1R 4BU
England
2 Bedford Row > The Legal 500 Rankings
Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 1
In the words of one client, 2 Bedford Row is a 'first choice for white-collar crime'. The set houses a team with an established track record acting in prominent cases involving multi-jurisdictional bribery and corruption, and are also instructed in Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigations. In the junior ranks, Thomas Daniel is acting for the SFO in the long-running investigation concerning Serco’s electronic monitoring contract with the Ministry of Justice; in December 2019, two former directors of Serco were charged with fraud by false representation and false accounting.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Crime Tier 1
Viewed as 'a first-class set of criminal chambers', 2 Bedford Row has 'strength in depth at all levels' and houses 'highly skilled and dedicated barristers'. Chambers is well known for prosecuting and defending in complex, high-profile criminal cases. Kieran Vaughan QC defended Yosef Ahmed, an 18-year-old man who was charged, alongside 22-year-old Kamal Hussain, with the murder of Zahir Visiter; the defendants attempted to evade arrest by hiding inside London Central Mosque in Regent's Park. Ahmed was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter, while Hussain was acquitted of murder but received a conviction for manslaughter. In another high-profile case, Louise Sweet QC and Alastair Smith defended a 16-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man, respectively, who were acquitted of the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney. 2020 was a busy year for the set: Stan Reiz QC and Samuel Magee QC both took silk; Nick James joined the set from Furnival Chambers; William Clegg QC retired from practice.
Leading Silks
Louise Sweet QC - 2 Bedford Row ‘Extremely hard-working and conscientious. Has an absolutely indomitable approach to the case which is seemingly undeterred by the difficulties presented and yields very good results.’
2019 Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Jacqueline Carey - 2 Bedford Row ‘Jacqueline is exceptional. She is hard working. Her written work is clear and concise and her advocacy excellent. She develops good client relations and is good to work with. Very hardworking and instils trust and confidence in clients.’
Fraud: crime Tier 1
2 Bedford Row is an 'excellent' set that houses a team noted for its 'experienced strength in depth'. New silk appointment Stan Reiz QC (as a junior) was instructed in Operation Surging, a money laundering case involving over 20 defendants; at the junior end, Simon Baker is defending Dominic Chappell against allegations of tax fraud, arising from Chappell's takeover of BHS from Sir Philip Green. In a boost to the set, 2020 saw Nick James join from Furnival Chambers.Leading Silks
Christine Agnew QC - 2 Bedford Row ‘She never shies away from a fight.’
2019 Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Sport
Leading Silks
Health and safety Tier 2
2 Bedford Row is 'strong in the field of health and safety' thanks to its 'strength in depth' of counsel. In one example instruction, Richard Matthews QC successfully defended steel company Celsa against charges of corporate manslaughter following an explosion at a steelworks in Wales, in which two factory workers were killed. The company was convicted of breaching health and safety regulations by failing to make a risk assessment – a lesser offence to the charge of manslaughter – and ordered to pay a £1.8m fine.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Environment
Leading Silks
Inquests and inquiries
Leading Silks
Police law (defendant)
Leading Silks
Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 3
2 Bedford Row is 'a solid set with a good reputation'. In recent instructions of note, Ian Stern QC represented a GP, who was accused of, among other matters, conducting the termination of a pregnancy at a facility not licensed for abortions – there was found to be no case to answer. Timothy Kendal is active in solicitors work, and a number of members of chambers are active in optical matters, primarily on the defence side.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Set overviews: England and Wales
2 Bedford Row specialises in criminal, fraud, health and safety, regulatory, and sports law. In recent news, Stan Reiz QC and Samuel Magee QC took silk in March 2020. Strengthening the set at the junior end, Sasha Bailey and Ashley Hendron have joined from 187 Fleet Street Chambers and Carmelite Chambers respectively. Also of note, Chris Saad has been appointed as a chair of the Safeguarding and Protection Committee by the Lawn Tennis Association.
Testimonials
Clerks:
All the clerks are very helpful and have never failed to assist me when I have had to instruct counsel at the last minute.
All the clerks are very professional. John Grimmer in particular understands what solicitors require and always ensures those requirements are met.
Clerks are very professional with an excellent team spirit and as a client I feel valued and always looked after in terms of communication and updates.
Due to our longstanding relationship with Chambers we have built an excellent working relationship with the Clerks.
I deal directly with John Grimmer. A real gentleman who shepherds his barristers expertly. He is incredibly easy to deal with, pragmatic, flexible and always provides excellent advice.
Paul is efficient in dealing with queries and issues that have come up. He is also willing to go beyond his “clerk centered” duties to assist us.
The clerks are really helpful and efficient. Paul Rodgers is one of the best in London.
Set:
2 Bedford Row are now real heavy weights in all areas of regulatory crime. The set houses a number of barristers who are not only good technical lawyers but are also brilliant advocates.
2 Bedford Row is a good all round set delivering a high calibre service in Crime, Fraud and Regulatory matters.
2 Bedford Row is one of the best chambers out there. They are a dream to work with from a practitioners point of view. Very able and very dedicated in providing a first class service.
2 Bedford Row is one of the leading Crime sets and have always provided a very effective service to solicitors and their clients.
2 Bedford Row is one of the leading sets in the country for criminal regulatory work (including health and safety). Their Counsel are excellent, and Chambers has real strength in depth.
One of the best, if not the best, sets in the country in the fields of crime, business investigations and corporate governance, inquiry and inquest work, regulatory work and health and safety work.
The best criminal/fraud set in London/South East. Tremendous strength in depth where only the highest standards are accepted and where a very strong work ethic is engendered from start of pupillage.
2 Bedford Row > Set Profile
Clients of 2 Bedford Row benefit from the knowledge, expertise and support of one of the country’s leading criminal and regulatory sets. Committed to all aspects of criminal law, the set advises and represents clients in a wide variety of proceedings and investigations, from high-profile fraud and murder cases, to health and safety and professional disciplinary proceedings. Members have appeared in the ICTY in The Hague, the ECtHR, Privy Council, House of Lords (Supreme Court), Court of Appeal, Administrative Court and all courts and tribunals of first instance, as well as public inquiries, sports disciplinary tribunals and the Court of Arbitration for Sports. An increasing volume of the setâs work is international and members attend hearings around the globe.
The set: 2 Bedford Row serves a variety of clients, spanning national governments, international companies, local authorities and other public bodies, regulators, trade unions, and professional and sporting authorities, as well as individuals. It can call upon the combined expertise of 16 Queens Counsel and 59 juniors, including a Deputy High Court Judge, chambers has been home to two chairmen of the Bar Council and two chairmen of the Criminal Bar Association, senior treasury counsel, standing counsel to the Health and Safety Executive, and a number of recorders. Supporting them is a clerking team recognised by the leading publications as one of the best in the country.
Types of work undertaken:Crime: as one of the acknowledged Magic Circle criminal sets, 2 Bedford Row has an outstanding track record in high-profile trials, including corporate crimes and war crimes. Examples include News International phone hacking case for numerous individuals; Sgt Danny Nightingale; Levi Bellfield (Milly Dowler murder); Corporal Lee Clegg; the Hillsborough Football Stadium disaster; the Hatfield, Potters Bar and Tebay rail disasters; Copeland (Brixton nail bomber); Michael Stone; Colin Stagg; Tony Martin; Stephen Lawrence; Kenneth Noye (M25 murder); Barry George; and Vincent Taback (Joanna Yeates murder).
Fraud: criminal fraud is an important part of the set workload. Its members have appeared in complex, high-profile cases, including Asil Nadir, BAE, R v George & Ors, Operation Condor, Jubilee Line, Pharmaceuticals, Torex, Brent Walker, Cheney Pensions, Independent Insurance, Izodia plc, Levitt, Mabey & Johnson, and Robinsons (Solicitors).
Health and safety: 2 Bedford Row has particular expertise in health and safety enforcement work, including corporate and involuntary manslaughter, particularly in the construction and transport industries, Richard Matthews QC co-authors the leading textbook on the subject. Highlights include the Buncefield Oil Refinery fire, Chargot Ltd, R v Friskies Petcare (UK), R v Colthrop Board Mills, HSE v Nishimatsu Construction Company, HSE v ConocoPhilips; Balfour Beatty and the Hillsborough Inquests.
Professional and disciplinary tribunals: over the years the set members have developed an intuitive understanding of how professional bodies think, which allows them to tailor their advocacy for the greatest effect. They represent professionals before the GMC, GOC, GDC and SDT, among others, as well as acting for professional bodies themselves.
Financial services regulation: the team has considerable experience in FCA, SFO, DBE and HM Revenue & Customs investigations, prosecutions and appeals. Clients benefit in particular from the renowned advocacy skills that the team brings to proceedings.
Inquests and public inquiries: the regulatory group assists clients before coronersâ inquests and public inquiries, providing high-quality advice and representation. Examples include the de Menezes, Stephen Lawrence, Victoria Climbie, Shipman, Ashwood Special Hospital and Duggan inquiries.
Sports law: members also frequently appear before professional sporting tribunals, notably in premiership football but also in athletics, rugby and cricket, and represent many individual athletes and players.
International work: the set members have undertaken work in the US, West Indies, Middle East, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands and most of mainland Europe. They can work in Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Krio (Sierra Leone), Russian and Serbo-Croat.
For more details please see the website.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
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Senior clerk | John Grimmer | ||
First junior clerk | Paul Rodgers | ||
Members of Chambers | CLEGG QC, William (1972) | ||
Members of Chambers | STURMAN QC, Jim (1982) | ||
Members of Chambers | GODFREY QC, Howard (1970) | ||
Members of Chambers | GRIFFITHS QC, Peter (1970) | ||
Members of Chambers | WOLKIND QC, Michael (1976) | ||
Members of Chambers | KOVALEVSKY QC, Richard (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | AYLING QC, Tracy (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | STERN QC, Ian (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | MILLIKEN-SMITH QC, Mark (1986) | ||
Members of Chambers | ALTMAN QC, Brian (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | WHITTAM QC, Richard (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | MATTHEWS QC, Richard (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | ARMSTRONG QC, Dean (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | VULLO QC, Stephen (1996) | ||
Member of Chambers | VAUGHAN QC, Kieran (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | VULLO QC, Stephen (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | AGNEW QC, Christine (1992) | ||
Member of Chambers | GREEN QC, Sam (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | SWEET QC, Louise (1994) | ||
Member of Chambers | BEHARRYLAL QC, Anand (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | CONWAY, Charles (1969) | ||
Members of Chambers | INGRAM, Nigel (1972) | ||
Members of Chambers | HALSEY, Mark (1972) | ||
Members of Chambers | CAUDLE, John (1976) | ||
Members of Chambers | ABELL, Anthony (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | GILBERT, Barry (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | DODD, Margaret (1979)* | ||
Members of Chambers | HAYNES, Michael (1979) | ||
Members of Chambers | LEVY, Michael (1979) | ||
Members of Chambers | LIVINGSTON, John (1980) | ||
Members of Chambers | DONNELLY, John (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | KING, Gelaga (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | KENDAL, Timothy (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | McMEEKIN, Ian (1987)* | ||
Members of Chambers | RUSH, Craig (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | BARRACLOUGH, Nick (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | HAMMOND, Sean (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | FERGUSON, Stephen (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHARBIT, Valerie (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | BUDWORTH, Adam (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | EPSTEIN, Michael (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | HURLOCK, John (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | FERRY-SWAINSON, Richard (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | COMPTON, Allan (1994) | ||
Member of Chambers | STEIN, Alex (1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | DINEEN, Maria (1997) | ||
Member of Chambers | BEHARRYLAL, Anand (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | HODIVALA, Jamas (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | BAKER, Simon (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | KHAN, Ashraf (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | McGEE, Andrew (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | CAREY, Jacqueline (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | LANGLEY, Charles (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | KING, Emma (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | GARSON, Robert (1999)* | ||
Members of Chambers | HUNT, Quentin (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | RITCHIE, Shauna (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | LLEWELLYN-WATERS, Hanna (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | OAKLEY, Louise (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | POWER, Archangelo (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | GEORGE, Dean (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | HARRISON, James (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | MAGEE, Samuel (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | TOOMEY, Kevin (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | SINGH, Sandesh (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | SANDERSON, Eleanor (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | BONEHILL, Nick (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | STOTON, Austin (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | MARTIN, Christopher (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | MILNER, Jonas (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | PEHAR, Vedrana (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Michael (2008)* | ||
Members of Chambers | DANIEL, Thomas (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | PATIENCE, David (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | SAAD, Christopher (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | EWINGS, David (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | THOMAS, Sam (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | BREWER, Charlotte (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | WARD, Jessica (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | JONES, Helen (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | SWEETLAND, Lucy (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | * Associate tenant | ||
Nick Barraclough (1990) |
Barrister Profiles
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Anthony Abell | Barrister specialising in crime; undertakes prosecutions and defences; frequently instructed to lead… | View Profile |
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Christine Agnew QC | Christine prosecutes and defends the most serious and complex criminal cases. Her… | View Profile |
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Brian Altman QC | Brian advises prominent national and multinational corporations at board level in such fields… | View Profile |
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Tracy Ayling QC | Specialist Criminal Practitioner – Defence and Prosecution. Defends in serious sex cases,… | View Profile |
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Mr Simon Baker | Barrister specialising in business and regulatory fraud, money laundering and serious crime.… | View Profile |
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Nick Barraclough | Nick Barraclough is known as criminal defence advocate who has a knack… | View Profile |
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Mr Anand Beharrylal QC | Queen’s Counsel, Barrister (England and Wales) and Attorney at Law (Trinidad and… | View Profile |
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Charlotte Brewer | Barrister, specialising in criminal law. Frequently instructed to defend and prosecute in… | View Profile |
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Adam Budworth | Criminal barrister. Specialises in all areas of criminal law but particularly consumer… | View Profile |
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Jacqueline Carey | Barrister; prosecutes and defends in London and the South East and has… | View Profile |
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John A Caudle | Barrister specialising in both prosecution and defence of serious crime; for further… | View Profile |
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William Clegg QC | Barrister specialising in white-collar fraud, corporate manslaughter/gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety,… | View Profile |
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Allan Compton | Regularly leads in serious crime, particularly violence and drugs. Also undertakes police… | View Profile |
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Charles Conway | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, money laundering, heavy drugs cases and… | View Profile |
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Thomas Daniel | Barrister specialising in criminal law, particularly financial crime and the proceeds of… | View Profile |
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John Donnelly | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
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Stephen Michael Ferguson | Target criminals, murder, money laundering offences, large scale drug importations, asset forfeiture… | View Profile |
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Dean Robert George | Crime; human rights (in the context of criminal cases); courts martial; quasi-criminal… | View Profile |
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Barry Gilbert | Barrister specialising in crime, including firearms, fraud, drug trafficking and confiscation; extensive… | View Profile |
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Howard Godfrey QC | Specialises in fraud and financial services, including tax, VAT, insolvency, asset recovery… | View Profile |
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Peter Griffiths QC | Fraud: Peter is a corporate fraud specialist and is regularly instructed to… | View Profile |
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Mark Halsey | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
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Sean Hammond | Experienced leading Junior specialising in fraud and serious organised crime. He also… | View Profile |
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Michael Haynes | Barrister specialising in crime; for more information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
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Jamas Hodivala | Leading junior. Criminal defence; appellate work; specialises in heavy fraud, money laundering,… | View Profile |
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Quentin Hunt | Quentin Hunt has a wealth of experience in defending and prosecuting in… | View Profile |
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John Hurlock | Barrister specialising in fraud, drugs, money laundering, confiscation, health and safety, financial… | View Profile |
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Timothy Kendal | Senior barrister specialising in fraud , market abuse, regulatory/disciplinary tribunals and asset… | View Profile |
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Ashraf Khan | A specialist in serious crime, complex fraud, professional discipline, compliance, civil recovery… | View Profile |
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Gelaga King | Leading junior specialising in serious crime and regulatory law. Regularly instructed as… | View Profile |
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Emma King | Specialises in asset forfeiture, fraud and financial regulatory work and is currently… | View Profile |
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Charles Langley | Instructed in all types of serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual offences,… | View Profile |
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Michael Levy | Senior barrister specialising in serious crime and complex fraud. Michael has an… | View Profile |
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John Livingston | Barrister specialising in prosecution and defence of all forms of crime, including… | View Profile |
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Hanna Llewellyn-Waters | Hanna Llewellyn-Waters prosecutes and defends allegation of serious crime. She is regularly… | View Profile |
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Samuel Magee | Sam is a specialist criminal regulatory and sports disciplinary counsel. Practicing in… | View Profile |
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Mr Christopher Martin | Christopher has a very busy private and legal aid Crown Court practice… | View Profile |
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Richard Matthews QC | Barrister specialising in crime, health and safety enforcement, environmental (crime), copyright (crime),… | View Profile |
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Andrew McGee | Barrister specialising in crime (including Regulatory and HSE); for more information visit… | View Profile |
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Mark Milliken-Smith QC | Recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading silk… | View Profile |
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Jonas Milner | Jonas joined Chambers as a tenant in 2010 following the successful completion… | View Profile |
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Louise Oakley | Louise is a junior barrister who has experience in all forms of… | View Profile |
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David Patience | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, professional discipline, inquests and judicial review.… | View Profile |
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Vedrana Pehar | Specialises in general crime, extradition, regulatory and professional discipline, fraud and other… | View Profile |
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Archangelo Power | Archangelo’s practice encompasses all areas of serious criminal law. The spectrum ranges… | View Profile |
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Mr Stan Reiz | Barrister specialising in defending cases involving substantial financial crime, including complex fraud,… | View Profile |
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Shauna Ritchie | Specialises in all areas of crime (prosecution and defence) and health and… | View Profile |
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Craig Rush | Barrister specialising in criminal regulatory work, firearms and general crime; cases of… | View Profile |
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Mr Christopher Saad | Ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Fraud. “Very bright… | View Profile |
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Eleanor Sanderson | Criminal barrister specialising in financial crime (serious fraud and money laundering offences;… | View Profile |
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Sandesh Singh | Barrister specialising in general crime, fraud and professional discipline and regulation. For… | View Profile |
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Ian Stern QC | Barrister; specialises in professional discipline and regulation, inquests, fraud. For further information… | View Profile |
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Dr Austin Stoton | Barrister specialising in health and safety enforcement and business and financial crime.… | View Profile |
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Jim Sturman QC | Barrister specialising in: fraud, international crime, criminal, health and safety, and sports… | View Profile |
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Ms Louise Sweet QC | Fields: Crime and Regulatory. Louise is trusted in complex, emotive and high… | View Profile |
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Kevin Toomey | Specialist in all areas of crime. For further information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
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Stephen Vullo QC | Stephen Vullo QC has been instructed in many of the most high… | View Profile |
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Richard Whittam QC | Regularly instructed to appear as leading counsel in the most serious and… | View Profile |
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Michael Wolkind QC | Michael Wolkind QC has acted in more than 240 murders and in… | View Profile |
Diversity/Community
2 Bedford Row is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting diversity. This is evidenced by the diverse ethnic and social backgrounds of members, staff and clients (lay and professional). All job applicants, employees, members, other barristers and clients (lay and professional) receive equal treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or age.
XTop Tier Set Rankings
- London Bar Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)
- London Bar Crime
- London Bar Fraud: crime
- London Bar Sport