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

2 Bedford Row
LONDON
WC1R 4BU
England
2 Bedford Row > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Crime Tier 1
2 Bedford Row garners praise for its ‘excellent strength and depth‘ and ‘huge tranche of experienced counsel‘. The set has an excellent reputation for defending and prosecuting in a wide range of complex, high-profile criminal cases. Jim Sturman QC and Shauna Ritchie represented Wayne Couzens, who was convicted of the murder of Sarah Everard following Everard’s disappearance in March 2021. In another matter, Christine Agnew QC, Louise Sweet QC and Christopher Saad were all instructed in a case concerning a hit and run incident in which a man drove a Ford Ka into a group of schoolchildren in Loughton; the defendant, who had a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, pled guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and received a hospital order and a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years.Leading Silks
2020 Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘2 Bedford Row are a set with a huge range of highly experienced criminal and regulatory law Counsel.’
‘An exceptional chambers – capable of dealing with anything we can instruct them on, and a junior bar of extremely intelligent and approachable lawyers.’
‘Excellent set with highly rated juniors and silks. Excellent strength and depth.’
‘2 Bedford Row are renowned for housing some of the best Barristers in London. They are a set to be relied upon and produce exceptional pupils and junior tenants. It is evident as to how busy they are when it is sometimes the case that the Barristers briefed are unavailable for the hearings. Every Solicitor who uses 2BR are aware of those who are exceptional and it is those that we all strive and battle against to instruct.‘
‘Exceptional chambers, with a huge tranche of experienced counsel, capable of dealing with anything we can instruct them on, and a junior bar of extremely intelligent and approachable lawyers.’
Clerking
‘The clerks team are a very professional outfit. They are very responsive. Particular mention should go to Paul Rodgers, who is a pleasure to deal with.’
London Bar > Fraud: crime Tier 1
A 'top criminal law set' with 'tremendous strength in depth', 2 Bedford Row covers the gamut of tax fraud, bribery, corruption, and insider dealing, with particular focus on the intersection of fraud and business crime. Stan Reiz QC represented an alleged ringleader in a high-value investment fraud case involving coloured diamonds, the matter attracting media attention as a co-defendant previously appeared on The Only Way is Essex. In a separate case, Sean Hammond is instructed in a multi-defendant case concerning an alleged pension liberation fraud. Simon Baker QC was appointed to silk in 2021.
Leading Silks
2020 Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A top criminal law set.’
‘I have dealt with several barristers from 2 Bedford Row and have always been impressed with their professionalism, ability, and preparation.’
‘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 rightly retains its pre-eminent position as the best set for members of the Bar practicing in criminal courts.’
‘2 Bedford Row is one of the leading sets in the country. They work tirelessly to offer the best service that you would expect from a leading chambers. They are supported by a tremendous team of very talented counsel.’
Clerking
‘Each clerk has a hands on approach in cases where they will ensure that the best suited counsel will cover our cases and where instructed counsel are unable to cover, they will ensure that that any replacement is fully up to speed with the issues. They keep you informed from a diary management perspective and have a “can do” approach.’
London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 2
2 Bedford Row is a destination preferred by both corporate and individual clients for high-profile investigations into allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption, market abuse and misconduct, and sanctions violations, among others. Multiple set members are highly experienced in SFO investigations; in a recent standout highlight, Jim Sturman QC led a team on defending Ziad Akle, a former Unaoil executive, in relation to the SFO’s headline-grabbing investigation into bribery and corruption. Thomas Daniel was part of the SFO’s team in the Unaoil matter; following significant pandemic-related procedural complications, Akle was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Sturman heads up chambers alongside Brian Altman QC. Simon Baker QC took silk in 2021.Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Testimonials
Set
‘I have dealt with several barristers from 2 Bedford Row and have always been impressed with their professionalism, ability, and preparation. In particular, in circumstances where a hearing has to be covered by Counsel whom is not generally instructed on the case, I have always had full confidence that the Chambers will provide Counsel of the appropriate experience and ability for the case.’
‘The set has some very strong members at all levels.’
‘2 Bedford Row is a very strong criminal and regulatory law set. They have some very good juniors coming up through the ranks as well.’
Clerking
‘Head clerk John Grimmer is a delight to deal with and always goes the extra mile to meet client needs.’
‘The clerks are very professional and know the right fit of counsel for a particular case.’
‘John Grimmer is a legend. Paul Rodgers is a very fine clerk.’
London Bar > Health and safety Tier 2
An ‘impressive set with strength in depth’, the barristers at 2 Bedford Row act for both the prosecution and defence in high-profile cases involving corporate manslaughter and individual gross negligence manslaughter across such sectors as retail, construction, leisure, manufacturing, entertainment, and energy. Christine Agnew QC and Shauna Ritchie, prosecuted in R v Ace Waste Haulage Ltd and Evers, obtaining a conviction in the matter of corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences arising from an employee fatality at a waste processing plant. Alex Stein, leading Eleanor Sanderson, successfully limited the liability of the defendant company in Watford Borough Council v F & R Cawley Limited, which surrounded a fatality involving a truck with two road worthiness failings.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘One of the top Health and Safety prosecution sets in London.’
‘2 Bedford Row is a heavyweight criminal regulatory set with real strength in depth across a wide array of regulatory disciplines.’
‘2 Bedford Row is an extremely strong set in relation to criminal, H&S and regulatory work.’
‘Excellent set.’
‘A very impressive set with strength in depth.’
Clerking
‘The clerks’ room at 2 Bedford Row is a combination of good knowledge and a strong work ethic. The clerks are well led by John Grimmer and Paul Rodgers and are always on hand to assist and accommodate instructing solicitors.’
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 3
2 Bedford Row is praised as 'a well-oiled machine, from the clerks to its barristers'. Members of chambers are instructed in a broad range of cases, including ones involving medical professionals such as dentists and optometrists. Sam Thomas represented the GDC in proceedings concerning a Harley Street dentist - who had attracted media attention after treating a number of television personalities - who is alleged to have had sex with a patient at the Savoy Hotel hours after treating her.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A set that offers highly skilled and experienced practitioners.’
‘A highly regarded team that is approachable and straight talking.’
‘The set is a well-oiled machine, from the clerks to its barristers; they just work brilliantly together, and it shows in the standard of its barristers, the results and its continued client pool of regulars.‘
Clerking
‘Paul Rodgers is fantastic, approachable, responsive and knows his job inside out. An absolute pleasure.’
‘I cannot commend the clerks enough – they are very much the foundation of why the set is as highly regarded as it is. The client service that they provide is nothing short than exemplary; they treat you as if you are their only client and nothing is too much. Lee Bartlett, Paul Rodgers and Tom Powell are the shining ambassadors of what makes a class clerking act; friendly, approachable and take the time to know the instructing lawyers – just a few of the reasons why this set is used again and again. They are a credit to the set.’
London Bar > Sport
Leading Silks
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries
Leading Silks
London Bar > Police law (forces and constables)
2 Bedford Row > Set Profile
Clients benefit from the knowledge, expertise and support of one of the country’s leading criminal and regulatory sets. Committed to all aspects of criminal and regulatory law, Chambers 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 International Criminal Courts in The Hague, the ECHR, Privy Council, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Administrative Court and all courts and tribunals of first instance, as well as public inquiries and inquests. Chambers has a high volume of international work and members attend hearings around the globe. Chambers serves a variety of clients, spanning national governments, international companies, local authorities and other public bodies, regulators, trade unions, corporations and directors and professional and sporting authorities, and individuals.
The set: 2 Bedford Row calls upon the combined expertise of 17 QCs and 61 juniors, including former First Senior Treasury Counsel, standing counsel to the Health and Safety Executive, and a number of Recorders. Chambers has provided two Chairs of the Bar Council and two Chairs of the CBA. Supporting them is a clerking team recognised as one of the best in the country.
Types of work undertaken:
Crime: As one of the acknowledged ‘magic circle’ criminal sets, Chambers has an outstanding track record in high profile trials, including corporate crime, terrorism and war crimes. Examples include the News International Phone Hacking trial; the Hillsborough Football Stadium disaster; the Hatfield and Potters Bar rail disasters; the Buncefield prosecution; Michael Stone; Colin Stagg; Levi Bellfield (murders of Milly Dowler and two other women); Stephen Lawrence; Kenneth Noye (M25 murder); Russell Bishop (the ‘Babes in the Wood’ murders); Bowes and others (killing of PC Andrew Harper); Wayne Couzens (murder of Sarah Everard); Barry George; Vincent Tabak, Sgt Danny Nightingale; Rolf Harris; Ched Evans and Corporal Lee Clegg.
Fraud: With an exceptional record for fraud and financial crime, its members have advised on or appeared in many of the highest profile cases, such as the Post Office ‘Horizon’ cases; JJB Sports; Asil Nadir; Imperial Consolidated; Pharmaceuticals, BAE, Innospec, Op. Condor, Jubilee line, Torex, Brent Walker, Butte Mining; WSTC; Cheney Pensions; Izodia pic; iSoft; Robinsons,; HBOS; Libor; Euribor; Rolls Royce; Barclay’s Bank; Glaxo; and Unaoil. Members advise on investigations globally.
Health and safety: Members of this team offer an unparalleled combination of experience in the field of Health & Safety law and practice together with a formidable reputation for first-class criminal advocacy. Chambers’ health and safety team offers expertise across an ever-expanding range of sectors including the leisure, residential, retail, construction, manufacturing, agricultural, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, aviation, transport, recycling, entertainment, tech, and nuclear industries. The team has been involved in all the UK’s major health and safety cases of the past few years, acting for both the defence and prosecution, and for interested parties in inquests, and inquiries. Our specialist barristers advise employers, companies, company directors, individuals and public bodies including Local Authorities on all aspects of health and safety enforcement, and at every stage of proceedings.
Professional and disciplinary tribunals: Over the years members have developed an intuitive understanding of how professional bodies think, which allows them to tailor their advocacy for the greatest effect. 2 Bedford Row represents professionals before the GMC, GDC, GOC, NMC and SDT among others, as well as acting for professional bodies themselves.
Financial services regulation: The team has considerable experience in SFO, FCA, and Revenue & Customs investigations, VAT Tribunals, prosecutions and appeals.
Inquests and public inquiries: The regulatory group assists clients (corporates and individuals) before coroners’ inquests and in public inquiries, providing high quality advice and representation. Examples of public inquiries include Duggan and Grenfell Tower; The Turks and Caicos Corruption Inquiry; De Menezes; Lakanal fire; Shipman; Climbié; Lawrence; the Ashwood Hospital Inquiry; the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA); and the Brook House Inquiry. Members are also involved in non-statutory reviews.
Sports law: Members also frequently appear before professional sporting tribunals including The Court of Arbitration for Sport, they appear in all sports in the full range of disciplinary matters including doping, but particularly in football, rugby and cricket, and represent many Premiership clubs and individual players both in the UK and abroad.
International work: Members have undertaken work in the US, West Indies, Middle East, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Turks and Caicos and most of mainland Europe. Members can work in Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Krio (Sierra Leone), Russian and Serbo-Croat. For more details, please see the website.
For more details please see the website.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Senior clerk | John Grimmer | ||
First junior clerk | Paul Rodgers | ||
Member of Chambers | ALTMAN QC, Brian (1981/2008)) | ||
Member of Chambers | STURMAN QC, Jim (1982/2002) | ||
Member of Chambers | CLEGG QC, William (1972/1991) | ||
Member of Chambers | GODFREY QC, Howard (1970/1991) | ||
Member of Chambers | GRIFFITHS QC, Peter (1970/1995) | ||
Member of Chambers | STERN QC, Ian (1983/2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | AYLING QC, Tracy (1983/2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | MILLIKEN-SMITH QC, Mark (1986/2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | VAUGHAN QC, Kieran (1993/2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | AGNEW QC, Christine (1992/2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | GREEN QC, Sam (1998/2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | SWEET QC, Louise (1994/2016) | ||
Member of Chambers | BEHARRYLAL QC, Anand (19972018) | ||
Member of Chambers | GEORGE QC, Dean (2002/2019) | ||
Member of Chambers | MAGEE QC, Samuel (2003/2020) | ||
Member of Chambers | COMPTON QC, Allan (1994/2021) | ||
Member of Chambers | BAKER QC, Simon (1998/2021)) | ||
Member of Chambers | CONWAY, Charles (1969) | ||
Member of Chambers | INGRAM, Nigel (1972) | ||
Member of Chambers | HALSEY, Mark (1972) | ||
Member of Chambers | CAUDLE, John (1976) | ||
Member of Chambers | ABELL, Anthony (1977) | ||
Member of Chambers | GILBERT, Barry (1978) | ||
Member of Chambers | HAYNES, Michael (1979) | ||
Member of Chambers | LEVY, Michael (1979) | ||
Member of Chambers | LIVINGSTON, John (1980) | ||
Member of Chambers | DONNELLY, John (1983) | ||
Member of Chambers | KING, Gelaga (1985) | ||
Member of Chambers | KENDAL, Timothy (1985) | ||
Member of Chambers | RUSH, Craig (1989) | ||
Member of Chambers | BARRACLOUGH, Nick (1990) | ||
Member of Chambers | HAMMOND, Sean (1991) | ||
Member of Chambers | FERGUSON, Stephen (1991) | ||
Member of Chambers | BUDWORTH, Adam (1992) | ||
Member of Chambers | HURLOCK, John (1993) | ||
Member of Chambers | STEIN, Alex (1998) | ||
Member of Chambers | KHAN, Ashraf (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | McGEE, Andrew (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | CAREY, Jacqueline (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | LANGLEY, Charles (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | KING, Emma (1999) | ||
Member of Chambers | HUNT, Quentin (2000) | ||
Member of Chambers | RITCHIE, Shauna (2000) | ||
Member of Chambers | LLEWELLYN-WATERS, Hanna (2000) | ||
Member of Chambers | JAMES, Nick (2001) | ||
Member of Chambers | SMITH, Alistair | ||
Members of Chambers | POWER, Archangelo (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | BAILEY, Sasha (2002) | ||
Member of Chambers | SHEPHERD. James (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | TOOMEY, Kevin (2004) | ||
Member of Chambers | HENDRON, Ashley (2008) | ||
Member of Chambers | SANDERSON, Eleanor (2005) | ||
Member of Chambers | BONEHILL, Nick (2006) | ||
Member of Chambers | STOTON, Austin (2007) | ||
Member of Chambers | MARTIN, Christopher (2008) | ||
Member of Chambers | MILNER, Jonas (2008) | ||
Member of Chambers | DANIEL, Thomas (2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | PATIENCE, David (2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | SAAD, Christopher (2009) | ||
Member of Chambers | McGARVEY, Tomas (2010) | ||
Member of Chambers | THOMAS, Sam (2011) | ||
Member of Chambers | BREWER, Charlotte (2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | WARD, Jessica (2012) | ||
Member of Chambers | JONES, Helen (2013) | ||
Member of Chambers | MAWER, Claire (2014) | ||
Member of Chambers | SWEETLAND, Lucy (2014) | ||
Member of Chambers | SHEHADEH, Victoria (2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | BIRD, Natalie (2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | ROSSER, Rhys (2015) | ||
Member of Chambers | BAILIE, Conall (2016) | ||
Member of Chambers | KUTNER, Emma (2017) | ||
Member of Chambers | MUNDAY, Callum (2017) | ||
Member of Chambers | LAIDLAW, Harry (2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | LUCAS, Eleanor (2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | DEASY, Madeleine (2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | DYAS, Molly (2018) | ||
Member of Chambers | BATSTONE, Fred (2019) | ||
Member of Chambers | WALLIS, Simeon (2019) | ||
Member of Chambers | DAVIDSON, Alex (2020) | ||
Associate Tenant | MATTHEWS, Richard (1989/2010) | ||
Associate Tenant | McMEEKIN, Ian (1987) | ||
Associate Tenant | WILLIAMS, Michael (2008) | ||
Associate Tenant | BRICOGNE, Alice (2011) |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Anthony Abell | Barrister specialising in crime; undertakes prosecutions and defences; frequently instructed to lead… | View Profile |
![]() | Christine Agnew | Christine prosecutes and defends the most serious and complex criminal cases. Her… | View Profile |
![]() | Brian Altman | Brian advises prominent national and multinational corporations at board level in such fields… | View Profile |
![]() | Tracy Ayling | Specialist Criminal Practitioner – Defence and Prosecution. Defends in serious sex cases,… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Baker | Queen’s Counsel specialising in business and regulatory fraud, market abuse, money laundering… | View Profile |
![]() | Nick Barraclough | Nick Barraclough is known as criminal defence advocate who has a knack… | View Profile |
![]() | Anand Beharrylal | Queen’s Counsel, Barrister (England and Wales) and Attorney at Law (Trinidad and… | View Profile |
![]() | Charlotte Brewer | Barrister, specialising in criminal law. Frequently instructed to defend and prosecute in… | View Profile |
![]() | Adam Budworth | Criminal barrister. Specialises in all areas of criminal law but particularly consumer… | View Profile |
![]() | Jacqueline Carey QC | Barrister; prosecutes and defends in London and the South East and has… | View Profile |
![]() | John A Caudle | Barrister specialising in both prosecution and defence of serious crime; for further… | View Profile |
![]() | William Clegg | Barrister specialising in white-collar fraud, corporate manslaughter/gross negligence manslaughter, health and safety,… | View Profile |
![]() | Allan Compton | Regularly leads in serious crime, particularly violence and drugs. Also undertakes police… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Conway | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, money laundering, heavy drugs cases and… | View Profile |
![]() | Thomas Daniel | Barrister specialising in criminal law, particularly financial crime and the proceeds of… | View Profile |
![]() | John Donnelly | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
![]() | Stephen Michael Ferguson | Target criminals, murder, money laundering offences, large scale drug importations, asset forfeiture… | View Profile |
![]() | Dean Robert George | Crime; human rights (in the context of criminal cases); courts martial; quasi-criminal… | View Profile |
![]() | Barry Gilbert | Barrister specialising in crime, including firearms, fraud, drug trafficking and confiscation; extensive… | View Profile |
![]() | Howard Godfrey | Specialises in fraud and financial services, including tax, VAT, insolvency, asset recovery… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Griffiths | Fraud: Peter is a corporate fraud specialist and is regularly instructed to… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Halsey | Barrister specialising in crime. Grade four prosecutor. Specialist fraud panel level four.… | View Profile |
![]() | Sean Hammond | Experienced leading Junior specialising in fraud and serious organised crime. He also… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Haynes | Barrister specialising in crime; for more information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
![]() | Quentin Hunt | Quentin Hunt has a wealth of experience in defending and prosecuting in… | View Profile |
![]() | John Hurlock | Barrister specialising in fraud, drugs, money laundering, confiscation, health and safety, financial… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicholas James | View Profile | |
![]() | Timothy Kendal | Senior barrister specialising in fraud , market abuse, regulatory/disciplinary tribunals and asset… | View Profile |
![]() | Ashraf Khan | A specialist in serious crime, complex fraud, professional discipline, compliance, civil recovery… | View Profile |
![]() | Emma King | Specialises in asset forfeiture, fraud and financial regulatory work and is currently… | View Profile |
![]() | Gelaga King | Leading junior specialising in serious crime and regulatory law. Regularly instructed as… | View Profile |
![]() | Charles Langley | Instructed in all types of serious criminal cases, including murder, sexual offences,… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Levy | Senior barrister specialising in serious crime and complex fraud. Michael has an… | View Profile |
![]() | John Livingston | Barrister specialising in prosecution and defence of all forms of crime, including… | View Profile |
![]() | Hanna Llewellyn-Waters | Hanna Llewellyn-Waters prosecutes and defends allegation of serious crime. She is regularly… | View Profile |
![]() | Samuel Magee | Sam is a specialist criminal regulatory and sports disciplinary counsel. Practicing in… | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher Martin | Christopher has a very busy private and legal aid Crown Court practice… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Matthews | Barrister specialising in crime, health and safety enforcement, environmental (crime), copyright (crime),… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew McGee | Barrister specialising in crime (including Regulatory and HSE); for more information visit… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Milliken-Smith | Recognised by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading silk… | View Profile |
![]() | Jonas Milner | Jonas joined Chambers as a tenant in 2010 following the successful completion… | View Profile |
![]() | David Patience | Barrister specialising in serious crime, fraud, professional discipline, inquests and judicial review.… | View Profile |
![]() | Archangelo Power | Archangelo’s practice encompasses all areas of serious criminal law. The spectrum ranges… | View Profile |
![]() | Stan Reiz | Stan Reiz QC specialises in defending cases of substantial fraud, international money… | View Profile |
![]() | Shauna Ritchie | Specialises in all areas of crime (prosecution and defence) and health and… | View Profile |
![]() | Craig Rush | Barrister specialising in criminal regulatory work, firearms and general crime; cases of… | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher Saad | Ranked in the Legal 500 as a Leading Individual for Fraud. “Very bright… | View Profile |
![]() | Eleanor Sanderson | Criminal barrister specialising in financial crime (serious fraud and money laundering offences;… | View Profile |
![]() | Alastair Smith | View Profile | |
![]() | Alex Stein | Health and Safety and Regulatory Law | View Profile |
![]() | Ian Stern | Barrister; specialises in professional discipline and regulation, inquests, fraud. For further information… | View Profile |
![]() | Austin Stoton | Barrister specialising in health and safety enforcement and business and financial crime.… | View Profile |
![]() | Jim Sturman | Barrister specialising in: fraud, international crime, criminal, health and safety, and sports… | View Profile |
![]() | Louise Sweet | Fields: Crime and Regulatory. Louise is trusted in complex, emotive and high… | View Profile |
![]() | Kevin Toomey | Specialist in all areas of crime. For further information visit www.2bedfordrow.co.uk. | View Profile |
![]() | Kieran Vaughan | 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.