Red Lion Chambers

redlionchambers.co.uk

Katie Bacon

Katie appears for the prosecution and defence in all criminal matters in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court and Crown Court. She is a CPS Grade 2 panel advocate. Katie has represented defendants at trial in a wide range of cases, including section 20 grievous bodily harm, possession of class A drugs, assault emergency worker and racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress. In addition to her criminal practice, Katie has experience in quasi-criminal matters including cases involving Criminal Behaviour Orders. She also represented the applicant in a successful application under the Police (Property) Act 1987. During her first six, Katie built a strong foundation in prosecution work by assisting her supervisors, Leo Seelig and Paul Evans, in complex cases including attempted murder, rape, conspiracy to cheat the revenue and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. Prior to pupillage, Katie comes to the Bar from a strong academic background. She was awarded the Balliol College Jenkyns (Law) Prize for the highest marked Jurisprudence essay and completed the bar course with Distinction, achieving the (joint) top mark in Examination in Chief. Whilst on the bar course, Katie volunteered with the Prisoners’ Advice Service and Advocate.

Matthew Bainbridge

Matthew specialises in Business Crime & Fraud and has substantial experience of associated Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime, civil and regulatory matters. He is often instructed by prosecution and other public agencies and has successfully defended individuals against a wide range of allegations. Matthew frequently assists and advises on large-scale investigations involving allegations of financial misconduct. He also has substantial experience in the field of general crime and has acted in both criminal and civil regulatory proceedings.

Steven Ball

Steven is a versatile and experienced criminal practitioner who prosecutes and defends in a wide variety of cases both as a leading and led junior. He is known for a calm and engaging manner with clients and witnesses and for his effective advocacy in court. Steven is a Grade 4 on the CPS General Crime Panel; he is also on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel and was recently appointed to the Serious Crime Panel. Steven has a strong practice in cases involving serious sexual offences. He has particular expertise in cases involving modern slavery and human trafficking offences, including s1 slavery cases; trafficking for economic and sexual exploitation and people smuggling. He is an accredited Mediator in civil and workplace conflicts. His expertise in civil litigation includes public liability, workplace accidents, clinical negligence and motor fraud. Over the years he has appeared in many inquests. In recent years Steven has taught advocacy to bar students on an occasional basis at BPP and ULaw. Prior to joining chambers Steven practiced on the Northern Circuit for over 25 years and was a tenant at a leading criminal set in Liverpool where he retains a door tenancy. Steven is based at the Chelmsford annexe and works across East Anglia but also accepts instructions in London and nationally.

Jeremy Benson

Jeremy Benson KC is a pre-eminent silk with over thirty years’ experience both prosecuting and defending in fact-heavy, complex cases of considerable importance. He has been ranked in the legal directories every year since 1990. He is currently ranked as a leading silk in Crime, Fraud, corporate and vat. His practice demonstrates a breadth of experience in varied arenas, which produces a refreshing, knowledgeable and useful perspective to cases. He is recognised for his strategic, practical and tenacious approach. Jeremy has been sitting as a judge since 1994. He is a tutor judge at the Judicial College. He is frequently called upon to teach various advocacy courses worldwide, including the American Bar Association advocacy course in Florida, the Keble College Annual Advocacy Course and the teacher trainer advocacy course at Middle Temple. He teaches Chambers’ pupils.

Jane Bewsey KC

Jane Bewsey KC principally prosecutes in serious and complex corporate Fraud, Proceeds of Crime, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime and tax cases instructed by the CPS and the SFO (current prosecution panel member) appearing as lead advocate in the Crown Court and the appellate courts. She is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of disclosure, public interest immunity and confiscation issues. She also has extensive experience of prosecuting Serious & Organised Crime and Drugs Offences.

Richard Beynon

Richard Beynon has a wide experience of criminal litigation, specialising over a number of years in the prosecution of large and complex cases involving Crime, Serious & Organised Crime and Business Crime & Fraud (including tax and duty evasion along with ancillary confiscation proceedings following conviction). Both as leader and junior, he has prosecuted a number of large multi-handed cases where investigations have been measured in years. He has a keen interest in equally complicated prosecutions for the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. A conscientious advocate with a hard-working approach he has the ability to handle vast amounts of material, used and unused alike. He serves on the CPS Advocate Panel at the highest level and also serves on the Regulatory Panel.

Joe Bird

Joe maintains a busy, solid practice, both alone and as led junior, prosecuting and defending across the full range of criminal offences. Joe’s practice is predominantly in the Crown Court but he also maintains a Magistrates’ and Youth Court practice, delivering effective advocacy in those fast-paced jurisdictions. Joe is a Grade 3 prosecutor and a RASSO panel advocate. He brings focused preparation, robust advocacy, a down to earth approach and sensitive interpersonal skills to all his cases. In April 2015, he moved to independent practice at Red Lion Chambers after a successful two-and-a-half years with the CPS, where he gained experience and skills that continue to serve him today. Based in Red Lion Chambers’ Chelmsford Annexe, Joe regularly appears across East Anglia, but also accepts instructions in London and nationally.

Guy Bowden

Guy Bowden acts as leading or junior counsel in substantial Fraud cases and has done so for the past decade. Guy’s practice encompasses all areas of criminal defence and prosecution work, including Fraud, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime, Sexual Offences, Serious Violence, Serious Organised Crime, conspiracies and public order offences. He also undertakes Inquest & Inquiry work in the Coroners’ Court which often involves issues in relation to Article 2 rights. Guy has excellent analytical skills and is adept at assimilating complex data and issues. He is frequently instructed in cases which require intense preparation and skilled presentation in court.

Marc Brown

Marc is an experienced Crime practitioner who prosecutes and defends as both a leading and led junior across Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Violence, Sexual Offences, and Business Crime & Fraud matters. He has a particular expertise in cases that involve the use and misuse of technology. He undertakes cases involving hacking, the creation of malevolent software; and general computer enabled crime such as manufacture and distribution of indecent material. He also undertakes some quasi-criminal Public & Administrative Law work, and regularly appears on behalf of the Criminal Cases Review Commission in Judicial Review proceedings. Marc was appointed to grade 4 on the CPS General Crime Panel in December 2019. He was appointed to the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel in 2015.

Cameron Brown KC

Cameron specialises in the most serious Fraud, Bribery & Corruption and Company Act cases. Recognised in the Legal 500, he is known for his down to earth approach to clients, detailed case preparation and targeted, fearless cross examination. He is regularly instructed in such cases by private individuals and major corporate clients, to appear in court or on an advisory basis, who appreciate his tactical approach, commitment to clients and commercial judgement. He has considerable knowledge and experience of compliance issues, internal investigations by the leading prosecuting and other regulatory agencies, corporate criminal liability and Deferred Prosecution Agreements. He has appeared in a number of cases involving complex market frauds, international corruption and legal professional privilege issues. He has specialist knowledge of disclosure issues and restraint/ confiscation applications arising in financial crime investigations/ prosecutions. His experience and approach led to a number of notable appointments prior to taking silk, including Standing Counsel to the Insolvency Service and a member of the ‘A’ Panel for the Serious Fraud Office. He has acted for the FCA in a number of their cases. He conducted a number of major cases for those agencies, frequently as leading Junior. Cameron is well placed to advise on the latest developments in white collar crime, having appeared regularly and recently at the Court of Appeal, including in a number of leading authorities relating to money laundering and confiscation. He has previously contributed to LexisNexis in relation to fraud offences and lectured to Police Forces, Government Departments and Law firms on topics ranging from the FCA to Police Disciplinary Powers. Cameron sits part time as a Judge in a number of regulatory disciplines and is thus well placed to assess cases from a judicial standpoint. This includes sitting as an independent judge for the Met, City of London Police and Ministry of Defence Police. He also sits as judge for England Golf and the Lawn Tennis Association, in relation to their disciplinary and safeguarding cases, and is familiar with many of the issues arising in sports litigation. Cameron is able to accept cases through direct access and is GDPR accredited. Cameron is an associate member of St Pauls Chambers, Leeds.

Leila Chaker

Leila Chaker prosecutes and defends in Crime and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary cases. She delivers balanced advice in clear terms and is persuasive in both oral and written advocacy. Leila has substantial experience in Healthcare Regulation and Professional Discipline and has been instructed in a wide range of cases involving allegations of clinical malpractice and professional misconduct. A strong technical lawyer, Leila is experienced in complex cases and investigations. She works well as part of a team, taking a collaborative and friendly approach. She prioritises organisation and communication to ensure effective preparation and to achieve the best available outcomes. Leila is currently instructed by the Dame Linda Dobbs Review.

Zoe Chapman

Zoë enjoys a busy practice both defending and prosecuting. She has experience across a wide range of cases, including those involving dishonesty offences, Drugs Offences, Road Traffic Offences, Serious Violence and Sexual Offences, as well as confiscation and forfeiture proceedings. Prior to coming to chambers, Zoë worked for the law reform and human rights charity, JUSTICE (having initially joined as an intern funded by a Kalisher Trust scholarship), and in particular was rapporteur of its Mental Health and Fair Trial working party report, chaired by Sir David Latham. She brings her insight into the law and procedures relating to mental health (including the use of intermediaries, other special measures, and the relevant defences and disposals) to bear when working with vulnerable clients. The JUSTICE Mental Health Working Party was reconvened in April 2019 to consider the draft CPS Guidance on mental health, which the CPS is developing in response to the recommendations made in JUSTICE’s report. Zoë was previously Assistant News Editor at Just Security, an online forum for the analysis of US national security law and policy run out of the Reiss Center on Law and Security at New York University. Prior to that, she gained experience in fraud and financial crime whilst assisting a campaign group of SMEs with the private prosecution of bank employees who had fraudulently mis-sold its members Interest Rate Hedging Products ahead of the 2008 financial crash. Zoë was awarded the Sibel Dedezade Pro Bono Award for her work establishing and running City Law School’s free legal advice clinic, which was recognised nationally in the Times Higher Education. She has also volunteered for the Free Representation Unit, the UCU, and various other organisations. Before pursuing a legal career, Zoë worked in the financial services industry. Zoë has completed the ICCA Vulnerable Witness training.

David Claxton

David Claxton advises and represents professionals, business people and businesses in relation to criminal and regulatory investigations, enforcement and prosecutions. He has been recognised by the main Directories for his skill in matters of Business Crime & Fraud and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary matters. They describe him as having: “strengths [that] lie in his keen intellect, attention to detail and clarity of written and oral expression” (Legal 500 UK, 2017), “strength in complex and obscure legal arguments” (Legal 500 UK, 2017), “extensive knowledge of regulatory case law [that] combines with a sharp focus on the relevant issues (Legal 500 UK, 2018). In the 2022 and 2023 editions of Legal 500, he is ranked as a leading junior in the category Business and Regulatory Crime. David’s expertise covers: \tEconomic and Business Crime, including Fraud, Bribery & Corruption, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime, Sanctions, Tax & Insolvency) \tInternal Investigations \tRegulatory crime (including Health & Safety and Fire Law) \tGeneral Crime \tAsset forfeiture (civil and criminal) \tRegulatory & Professional Discipline \tInquests & Inquiries \tJudicial Review \tExtradition \tLegal Professional Privilege (LPP) David has appeared at all levels of court and tribunal in his main practice areas. David has published and lectured on corporate crime, professional regulation, cross border jurisdiction, abuse of process and expert evidence in leading practitioner texts, trade publications and to professional audiences such as in-house regulatory lawyers and City law firms.

Mathew Dance

Mathew Dance is instructed as both leading and junior counsel for the defence and is very experienced in highly complex and serious criminal cases. He specialises in defending large-scale Fraud, Serious and Organised Crime. He is an advocate of the tactical approach and determined and meticulous preparation required to get the best results. In addition, Mathew maintains a very friendly and approachable manner with both his instructing solicitors and lay clients.

Felicia Davy

Felicia Davy is ranked in the 2019, 2020 and 2021 editions of the Legal 500 as a leading junior for both Crime and Business Crime & Fraud matters. She is recognised as a skilled and versatile advocate whose practice encompasses Fraud and Restraint, Civil Recovery & Confiscation, as well as heavyweight crime including Murder & Manslaughter and serious Sexual Offences (often historic, multi-complainant). She has considerable experience of handling all manner of witnesses and is approved as a trainer in the handling of vulnerable witnesses. She is also used to defending in cases in which cut-throat defences or conflicts arise. Felicia has been appointed to a number of specialist panels and is frequently instructed on behalf of a number of specialist government departments and regulatory bodies. Often instructed pre-charge, Felicia is regularly required to provide advice on charge, disclosure management and general case strategy from an early stage. She is adept at managing and presenting paper heavy cases, often involving complex financial material. Felicia has appeared before the divisional and appellate courts in a number of key appeals in relation to abuse of process, Restraint, Civil Recovery & Confiscation and Bribery & Corruption. She has also appeared before regulatory tribunals representing individuals facing disciplinary offences and before the company's court on behalf of liquidators in cases where suspected fraudulent conduct and/or breaches of the Insolvency Act are alleged. Felicia also advises individual and corporate clients concerning discrete issues such as directors’ disqualification and regulatory compliance. Felicia’s wide range of work has given her experience in a number of areas of law, ranging from the deployment of complex legal argument, abuse of process, the applicability of local and foreign domestic laws, RIPA and autrefois acquit through to bad character, PII, LPP, non-disclosure and human rights. She is also skilled in handling cases involving forensic and expert evidence (including cell site analysis and call data, forensic, footwear tread pattern, DNA, blood distribution and splatter evidence, firearms evidence, CCTV continuity) as well as pathology, neuropathology and psychiatric expert evidence (diminished responsibility). In her Fraud practice Felicia is skilled in handling matters concerning corporate and financial structures, including international and multiple offshore or jurisdictional bank accounts and entities.

Jennifer Dempster

Jenni Dempster KC is a very experienced and extremely able advocate whose practice primarily involves defending in cases involving Murder & Manslaughter, serious Sexual Offences, Road Traffic Offences, Drug Offences and Fraud. She is instructed regularly in high-profile and sensitive cases and has, over the last 30 years, built up a loyal following of solicitors. She is known as a remarkably tenacious, diligent and extremely hard working advocate. She deals regularly with difficult, unusual and complex cases and is currently holding instructions in a number of serious cases due for trial in 2024. Jenni has a special interest in cases involving young defendants and witnesses and in cases involving complex forensic evidence. She is very well respected within the profession and often represents members of the legal profession in various proceedings. She is committed to providing representation under public funding and frequently appears pro bono in the Court of Appeal.

Alexis Dite

Alexis Dite acts in Crime, Business Crime & Fraud and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary cases, with an emphasis on cases dealing with financial crime or the fitness to practice of regulated professionals. He has experience in the conduct of sensitive and complex internal Investigations, including those involving potential Fraud, potential Bribery & Corruption, potential breaches of Financial Services Regulation and Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime regulations, or potential breaches of international Sanctions. In addition to his experience at the Bar, Alexis has worked in the International Trade team of a major law firm (2019-2020) advising companies on relevant aspects of criminal law, including a multinational corporate on potential liability for Bribery & Corruption offences. He spent two years working in the regulatory department of a leading law firm (2017-2019) and he also spent over two years working with an offshore firm specialising in acting for financial regulatory authorities in the conduct of Investigations and for financial institutions on investigations and remediation projects (2014-2017). In this capacity he helped to lead a team in the conduct of a complex, highly sensitive, multi-jurisdictional investigation into one of the world’s leading banks. Before his legal career Alexis obtained a PhD in mathematics and so is particularly adept at dealing with complex numerical information.

Steven Dyble

Steven Dyble’s practice covers all areas of criminal defence work with a particular emphasis on homicide, Sexual Offences, Drug Offences, Fraud and money laundering. He regularly accepts leading briefs and is instructed by many of the leading solicitors undertaking criminal work. He is authorised to undertake direct professional access work.

Michael Epstein

Over the last few years Michael Epstein has focused on heavy Crime defence work, particularly cases involving Fraud, large-scale Drugs Offences and all other forms of Serious & Organised Crime. Michael also specialises in Road Traffic Offences and has successfully represented many high-profile clients from the worlds of sports and entertainment. Michael has conducted many serious criminal cases both prosecuting and defending.

David Etherington KC

David Etherington KC is an established Crime and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary barrister with over 35 years’ experience. He was previously Head of Chambers at Red Lion Chambers and his criminal practice focuses on fraud and serious organised crime, he is acknowledged as a leader well known to solicitors who instruct in these areas. In addition to his criminal practice, David has substantial experience in the regulatory field, having been Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee and the Professional Practice Committee of the Bar Council, as well as a member of both committees for over ten years. Additionally, he has also been a legal adviser to the General Optical Council and General Dental Council and has defended in front of the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority. David has acted as legal adviser to a number of television drama series, such as Kavanagh QC, The Brief, Judge John Deed, Wing and a Prayer and Incognito (film) as well as advising in factual programmes such as Hypotheticals in which he also appeared as a panellist. He was the legal adviser to The Verdict (2006) and The Trial (2017) in which real juries, together with actual barristers and judges, tried two fictional cases to explore the workings of the jury system.

Paul Evans

Paul is an accomplished and highly regarded barrister, who prosecutes and defends in cases of Serious & Organised Crime. He covers the whole criminal spectrum including Murder & Manslaughter, Sexual Offences, Drugs Offences, Serious Violence and Human Trafficking. Paul is frequently sought out for highly sensitive and complex matters and is forensically astute in dealing with extremely difficult legal issues.

Alistair Fell

Alistair has substantial experience as a criminal practitioner, specialising in defence advocacy and covering Sexual Offences, Drugs Offences, Business Crime & Fraud, Serious Violence and other areas of Serious & Organised Crime. Alistair has represented a wide variety of clients and has a calm reassuring disposition that puts clients at ease. With substantial experience in conducting jury trials, Alistair is confident, persuasive, and focused when appearing in court. He has appeared frequently before the Court of Appeal where he has successfully appealed against both conviction and sentence. Alistair also has experience working on Inquiries including the Undercover Policing Inquiry (examining the conduct of undercover policing within England and Wales from 1968) and the Dame Linda Dobbs Review (examining whether Lloyds Banking Group investigated and appropriately reported the HBOS Reading fraud). Alistair also works, pro bono, for the Communities Empowerment Network which provides advocacy support for children who have been excluded from school. He is also part of the Red Lion Chambers mentoring scheme which provides support and guidance to students pursuing a legal career. Alistair also supports the Aim High project spearheaded by Lambeth Borough Council which involves giving presentations about his career journey to school children from under-represented groups.

Jonathan Fisher KC

Jonathan Fisher KC is a leading barrister, specialising in financial crime and corporate crime cases. Ranked by the independent legal directories in Band 1 for Money Laundering, Asset Forfeiture, Financial Crime and Corporate Financial Crime, Jonathan is also featured for his work in Fraud (Civil and Criminal), Financial Services Regulation, Corporate Tax Evasion and Sanctions cases. Jonathan’s recommendations for advisory and advocacy work are extensive and exemplary. He was recently described in The Times as “one of the UK’s most experienced white-collar crime specialists.” Jonathan is experienced in handling civil law cases in the High Court, criminal prosecutions in the Crown Court and Magistrates Court, and tax and regulatory disputes in the tribunals. He has appeared many times in applications for judicial review in the Administrative Court. Recently, Jonathan successfully led a team of five barristers in a significant money laundering case (National Crime Agency v World Uyghur Congress) which has been recognised as the “development of the year”. Before becoming a KC, Jonathan was Standing Counsel (Criminal) to the Commissioners of Revenue at the Central Criminal Court and London Crown Courts. Jonathan has a strong advisory practice in all types of financial crime and corporate crime cases. These cases can be highly sensitive and may involve large corporates as well as high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, oligarchs and persons classified as politically exposed. Cross-border issues are frequently encountered. Jonathan is a Master of the Bench of the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, a registered practitioner in the Dubai International Financial Court, editor emeritus of the Lloyds Law Reports: Financial Crime series, a columnist for New Law Journal, and a contributor to other journals such as Counsel. His views are frequently sought by the media. In 2024 Jonathan was appointed to lead the UK Government’s Independent Review into Disclosure of Unused Material in Criminal Cases and Fraud Offences. This is a part-time role which he undertakes from Chambers. Alongside his practice, Jonathan is a Senior Fellow at LSE teaching Financial Crime on the LLM programme and undertaking research. Jonathan holds a PhD awarded by LSE following his research into the obligation to report suspicious activity in money laundering cases and its engagement with corporate rights. Jonathan has been awarded an Honorary LLD by UWE Bristol in recognition of his contribution to financial crime and financial regulation. LSE Law School has described Jonathan as a barrister with a “distinguished career in both academia and practice”. Jonathan is available to receive instructions in advisory and advocacy cases as well as inquiries and reviews, giving expert evidence and bespoke professional training. A full c.v. is available on request. Please contact Jonathan through his clerks.

Tom Forster KC

Tom specialises in advising corporate clients, individuals, NGOs and public bodies in the ﬁelds of Business Crime & Fraud, Public & Administrative Law, Serious & Organised Crime, Homicide, and Regulatory & Professional Discipline. He has a multi-jurisdictional practice, regularly appearing in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the Court of Appeal, the Crown Court, the High Court and a range of statutory Tribunals. He defends contentious allegations alongside advising in related pre-contentious or non-contentious matters. He is recognised for his legal dexterity, tactical acumen, versatility and commercial pragmatisim, making him a sought after advocate and adviser in high-profile cases. He has a particular interest in acting for NGOs seeking to expose and challenge gross human rights abuses. A recent example is his work leading the counsel team for the World Uyghur Congress in the groundbreaking challenge to the NCA’s decision not to open a money laundering investigation into the trade of cotton in the UK from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China: World Uyghur Congress v NCA [2024] EWCA Civ 715 He also acts as a Special Advocate in some of the most high profile cases of recent years in the field of national security. In 2025 he was appointed as Advocate to the Court and the Special Advocate in the landmark super injunction proceedings: Ministry of Defence v Global Media and Entertainment and others [2025] EWHC 1806 (KB). He is also highly experienced in defending homicide cases, particularly before the Central Criminal Court. He is the editor of the homicide chapter in Archbold: Criminal Pleading Evidence & Practice [Sweet and Maxwell)

Emma Gargitter

Emma Gargitter practises in Crime, Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary and Public & Administrative Law. She combines an eye for detail with hard work, seeking always to provide informed but practical advice to her clients, and has a particular interest in cases which straddle the criminal and public and administrative law spheres. Emma began practising in 2005, and for the first five years concentrated almost exclusively on crime work. Those years allowed her to develop into a versatile advocate, with broad experience of prosecuting and defending before the criminal courts at all levels. Since 2010 Emma has applied and expanded that experience in the fields of Public & Administrative Law and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary. In particular Emma’s recent work has focussed on Judicial Review, medical regulation and related Inquests & Inquiries work. She also continues to accept instructions to act and advise in relation to a variety of criminal cases, with particular emphasis on the prosecution of terrorism offences. She is a member of the CPS specialist Counter Terrorism Panel (Level 3) and the General Crime, Serious Crime and Fraud panels (Level 2). In 2014 Emma was appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (C Panel), allowing her to accept work from all government departments. Emma also has particular expertise in the field of legal professional privilege. She has advised corporate clients in relation to their obligations to disclose material in the context of criminal proceedings and acts as independent counsel advising law enforcement bodies in relation to the handling of privileged material seized during investigations.

Serena Gates

Serena is an accomplished and highly skilled advocate with a thriving practice which includes Homicide, Serious Organised Crime, Terrorism, Fraud and Sexual Offences. Serena has particular experience dealing with sensitive cases, including closed criminal proceedings. Many of the cases in which she has been instructed have also involved complex issues of disclosure in both terrorism and high-value fraud cases. Serena has also advised on war crimes prosecutions and investigations, both in a domestic and international context and has a wealth of international experience which provides her with a depth of knowledge on which to draw when advising on matters relating to foreign jurisdictions. Serena was awarded the Halsbury Rule of Law Award in relation to her international work in 2019. She has also been instructed in regulatory cases, primarily involving the intersection of regulatory and criminal offences such as dishonesty and sexual offences. Serena is an approved Grade 4 CPS prosecutor across all of the specialist panels including terrorism, organised crime, rape and sexual offences. She also has particular experience dealing with vulnerable witnesses including those with autism and psychiatric and psychological conditions resulting from extensive trauma.

Hannah Gladwell

Hannah appears as both a junior alone and led junior across the spectrum of criminal offences. She is accustomed to handling cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses. She is on the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3. Hannah regularly is instructed in cases involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses, including those with mental illnesses and learning disabilities. She has completed accredited Vulnerable Witness Training. She has also completed additional Youth Justice training from the Youth Justice Legal Centre. She has a sympathetic approach when providing clients with advice and reassurance at each stage of the process. Based in Red Lion Chambers’ Chelmsford Annexe, Hannah regularly appears across East Anglia, but also accepts instructions in London and nationally.

James Holland

James Holland specialises in defending allegations of White Collar Crime, including all aspects of Business Crime & Fraud. James has experience in conducting Investigations and Inquests & Inquiry work, having been engaged as counsel to the Dame Linda Dobbs Review in relation to which he sits on the Regulatory Sub-Panel. James has also defended allegations of Serious & Organised Crime, in particular those cases involving modern slavery, Human Trafficking, Serious Violence offences and Murder & Manslaughter. James is able to master complex and voluminous materials quickly and efficiently and adopts a client-focused approach to all cases. He is a tenacious advocate and skilled legal draughtsman, diligent, and approachable but fierce and uncompromising in the defence of his clients’ interests in court.

Barnaby Jameson KC

Barnaby Jameson KC is a barrister with globally recognised expertise in terrorism and terrorist funding. He has appeared in many of the most serious terrorist trials this century from 21/7(conspiracy to bomb the London Underground) to more recent cases involving neo-Nazi terror groups concerned in political assassination. He has unique experience of both Islamic terrorism and neo-Nazi terrorism (‘White Jihad’). In addition to his court practice, Barnaby lectures the United Nations, foreign governments and the UK Parole Board on terrorism law.

Gillian Jones KC

Gillian Jones KC has a high-profile practice advising on Business Crime & Fraud, Murder & Manslaughter, Serious & Organised Crime and serious Sexual Offences. Gillian is described as a brilliant practitioner who is fabulous and absolutely faultless – solicitors appreciate her quality of advocacy before juries and her adaptability. She is an extremely bright and extremely hard-working …assiduous, quick-thinking, formidable silk …who is able to navigate the most complex cases and get to the heart of the matter almost instantly. She is a go-to person for those seeking pragmatic, sensible and reliable advice. Gillian has developed a high-profile practice with a specialisation in Financial & Business Crime, acting on behalf of individuals, corporate clients, and the prosecution – many of her cases are well-known with a global reach. Gillian also advises companies on compliance issues, internal investigations, and strategically following commencement of investigations by the SFO, FCA and other regulatory bodies. Her practice is such that she has acquired specialist knowledge of restraint and confiscation, the obtaining of material from foreign jurisdictions, and an understanding and analysis of complex bank movements and offshore transactions. Gillian is also noted for her significant expertise in Private Prosecutions. Gillian is noted for being a tactically astute and persuasive advocate who has a reputation for meticulous preparation, excellent client care skills and commitment to her clients. She is described as having an incisive legal mind which enables her to cut rapidly to the crux of the issues in the most complex cases. She is able to take the client through difficult decisions, attracting plaudits for both her advocacy and her upbeat attitude – she stands her ground and holds her own… Her advice is pragmatic and vigorous, making her highly sought after. Gillian also regularly defends in cases involving Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Organised Crime, misconduct in public office (including deaths in custody, Fraud, and sexual misconduct), death by dangerous driving and serious Sexual Offences having developed specialist expertise in trials involving vulnerable witnesses. Gillian was appointed joint Head of Chambers in 2018. Appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2012, Serious Sexual Offences ticket 2016, and appointed to sit at the Central Criminal Court 2018. Gillian has been named in The Hot 100 list 2021, produced by The Lawyer Magazine. She was the winner of Crime Silk of the Year at Legal 500’s UK awards 2020, won Highly Commended in the Women-in-Law category at the British Legal Awards 2019, and was cited as a Leading Silk across Financial Crime, Business and Regulatory Crime (including global investigations), Private Prosecutions, as well as General Crime by Chambers UK, Legal 500 and Who’s Who Legal. Gillian has also been shortlisted by Legal 500 for the 2024 Financial Crime Silk of the Year.

Riel M Karmy-Jones KC

Riel Karmy-Jones KC' principal area of practice, and both prosecutes and defends. As a leading silk she is best known for her work in the murky world of organised crime. She has a high-profile practice which includes Murder & Manslaughter, Serious Organised Crime, Sexual Offences, and Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, particularly cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants. Riel also has regulatory experience and has in recent years been instructed in high-profile cases where regulatory law intersects with criminal offences, principally in sexual and historic allegations (SRA, NMC, UKA). Between 2017-2019 she was Senior Counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse leading the investigation into the Roman Catholic Church, and specifically dealing with the hearings and reports on the English Benedictine Congregation. Riel was shortlisted for Crime Silk of the Year in Legal 500’s UK awards 2019, and listed in the Hot 100, by the Lawyer Magazine in 2020. She is a contributing editor to a number of legal texts, including Archbold – Criminal Pleading, Evidence and Practice; Rook and Ward Sexual Offences: Law and Practise; Young, Corker and Summers on Abuse of Process In Criminal Proceedings; and Human Rights in Criminal Law.

Laura Kenyon

Laura has developed a thriving Crime practice and appears regularly on the South Eastern Circuit. Laura is a robust advocate, whose meticulous approach to preparation allows her to present cases concisely and persuasively. Laura is known for having a consistently high level of oral and written advocacy. She is able to assimilate large quantities of information quickly, allowing her to present it in a jury-friendly manner, and to prepare persuasive and detailed legal arguments. She has a logical approach to factually complex cases, which is of particular value in Serious & Organised Crime cases, such as Drug Offences and Human Trafficking, involving the assimilation of large quantities of telephonic material. She has particular expertise in dealing with cases involving gang evidence or complex/ sensitive issues of disclosure. Meanwhile, her approachable and reassuring manner, have allowed her to develop other areas of her practice, including work involving Sexual Offences. She has undertaken and organised specific courses to hone her ability to deal with vulnerable parties, especially in relation to sexual offences.

Priya Khanna

Priya Khanna is a highly regarded and experienced advocate, specialising in Regulatory & Professional Discipline, Inquests & Inquiries and Investigations. She conducts work in public inquiries, independent reviews and large scale investigations in both the private and corporate sectors. She is a seasoned jury trial advocate, with extensive experience in complex Fraud cases and general Crime.

Klentiana Mahmutaj

Klentiana Mahmutaj is a barrister of 15 years’ call. She acts as counsel in Business Crime & Fraud, Civil Liberties & Human Rights and International arbitration, with a focus on investment arbitration. Klentiana regularly handles politically sensitive material, acting for governments and other stakeholders. She has substantial public inquiry experience, having represented the Metropolitan Police Service for the last few years in the Undercover Policing Inquiry. In March 2020, Klentiana became a United Nations mandate holder. She was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as Independent Expert on the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development. In July 2021, Klentiana co-founded the Balkan Arbitration Conference. The first event truly inclusive of the whole region, it brings together world leaders in the field of arbitration as well as local practitioners, supporting the rule of law in the Balkans.

Andrew Marshall

Andrew Marshall is a committed and highly experienced barrister sought both for his advice and advocacy. Andrew was made a Recorder in 2003 and Standing Counsel to the Attorney General (Crime) in 2005. Drawing on many years’ experience prosecuting at the highest level, and across many different areas, Andrew’s instructions (often through recommendation across prosecuting agencies), in the last decade or so have been in the largest and most difficult or sensitive of cases. This has resulted in a varied Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary practice, ranging from the largest investigations/prosecutions undertaken by DEFRA (Op Victor), MHRA (Op Singapore), BERR (Op Barber) and the Environment Agency (Op Durable) through to large MTIC frauds (RCPO/CPS) and insider trading (for FCA) as well as equally important cases, such as prosecutions of international arms-trafficking, drug trafficking and money-laundering. He was entrusted to prosecute barristers for alleged VAT fraud and is instructed on some of the more important Environment Agency and Health & Safety cases. This practice has taken Andrew not only to the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal but also the Administrative Court, the Mercantile Court, Court of Appeal (Civil Division), Chancery Division, First Level Tribunal (Planning Inspectorate for the EA) (Health Education & Social Care for the CQC), Coroners’ Court and even to speak at the Serious Crime Convention, United Nations in Vienna, at the request of the World Health Organisation. Andrew is a founding director of Edmonds Marshall McMahon solicitors, where he has a complementary practice in private prosecutions but remains an active member of Chambers.

Nicola May

Nicola is an experienced senior junior who both prosecutes and defends in the full spectrum of Crime cases encompassing Murder & Manslaughter, Sexual Offences (including historical sexual abuse), neglect, and large scale Drugs Offences conspiracies. She is regularly instructed in cases involving vulnerable witnesses or defendants where she is recognised for her excellent witness and client management skills.

Barra McGrory KC SC KC

Barra McGrory is a barrister of unrivalled experience in the areas of Crime law and Public Inquiry work. His early experience as a defence solicitor specialising in Terrorism work in Northern Ireland and his six years as Director of Public Prosecutions of Northern Ireland give him a unique insight into every aspect of the criminal justice process. He has an ability to master complex briefs and to quickly identify the essence of a case. He has developed advocacy skills at every level and was the first and so far, only solicitor to be awarded King's Counsel. Having transferred his practice to the Bar in 2009, he has gone from strength to strength, appearing in the Supreme Courts of both Ireland and UK.

Ian McLoughlin KC

Ian McLoughlin has been described in Legal 500 as having “compelling mix of authority and humility” and as a “redoubtable opponent” who is an “an extremely charming advocate who juries love.” Directories note that Ian is “persuasive advocate with a calm and measured approach which appeals to juries and judges.” Legal 500 states that Ian is as “a very safe pair of hands” who is “able to pick up… serious trials at short notice with ease.” Ian is a specialist Crime practitioner who both prosecutes and defends in a broad range matters, including high profile Murder, Manslaughter and Sexual Offences cases. He has particular expertise in cases involving modern slavery and Human Trafficking offences, including s1 slavery cases and trafficking for economic and sexual exploitation. These cases frequently have an international dimension and Ian is well versed in dealing with multi-jurisdictional issues. Ian has great experience in the most serious drug offences, often involving substantial importations by international organised crime groups. Ian is frequently asked to advise on pre-charge representations and applications to dismiss, and has had cases stopped at an early stage. Ian also advises over a wide range of Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary and Business Crime & Fraud matters.

Sailesh Mehta

Sailesh Mehta prosecutes and defends in some of the most complex and high-profile cases in the Crown Courts and Appellate Court. He sits as a Recorder (part-time Crown Court Judge). He has been described in legal directories as a heavyweight and charismatic advocate who commands the respect of Judges and opponents. He is known for providing strategic and robust advice which is often decisive in a case. Although Sailesh specialises in Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary, his recent high-profile cases include: Terrorism (British soldier charged with disseminating State secrets to enemies) Murder & Manslaughter (county lines drugs feud) Human Trafficking (part of a drugs conspiracy) Stalking (involving a well-known political figure) Malicious Communications (a senior navy officer who allegedly made a bomb hoax call to a nuclear submarine site). Sailesh represents private clients, including companies and directors on a range of matters including serious Fraud and Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary cases.

Laura Jane Miller

Laura is instructed to defend in the most serious criminal offences, including allegations of Murder, Terrorism, Firearms and Explosives, serious violence, human trafficking, large scale drug conspiracies and fraud. Laura has extensive trial advocacy experience in cases involving vulnerable and child witnesses, complex medical, ballistics, gun shot residue and financial expert evidence, intricate legal arguments and novel points of law. Furthermore, Laura is regularly instructed to represent vulnerable defendants, and is proficient in conducting complex legal argument during ground rules hearings and where appropriate, in relation to the imposition of hospital orders under Section 37, Section 37/41 and Section 45A of the Mental Health Act 1983. Laura also receives instructions in relation to court martials, licensing and disciplinary proceedings. Prior to being called to the Bar, Laura qualified as a solicitor advocate defending cases against the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, HMRC, RSPCA and the Environment Agency.

Ken Millett

Kenneth Millett has for many years been an experienced leading junior in all aspects of the field of general Crime, both as a defence and prosecution advocate. He has particular expertise in the prosecution of multi handed sensitive, complex cases many of which are lengthy and high-profile and which specifically relate to Serious & Organised Crime. His work has taken him across the full spectrum of criminal offences with considerable expertise in the presentation of gang-related Serious & Organised Crime cases, Murder & Manslaughter, International and domestic Drugs Offences – particularly the presentation of ‘county line’ cases – armed robbery, Serious Violence, Human Trafficking and modern slavery. He has lectured on the presentation and admissibility of ‘gang evidence’ and the use of local police officers as ‘gang experts’. As a long-standing CPS Grade 4 prosecutor, he has also prosecuted the most serious types of serious Sexual Offences, both historic and current and those which also involved people trafficking. He has experience of all levels of courts from the Magistrates’ through to the appeal courts and has extensive experience in appellate work. (recent notable case R v Stewart 2016). He served on the BAFS executive committee and has a keen interest in all aspects of forensic science. Ken is qualified as a rugby referee, rugby coach and ECB cricket coach.

Rachel Naylor

Rachel practises in all areas of Crime, Business Crime & Fraud and Public & Administrative Law. She combines an eye for detail and meticulous preparation with clear, tactically prudent advice. Rachel defends and prosecutes in the full range of Crime work with a focus on business crime and fraud, particularly in the context of large, multi-handed cases. In recent years, Rachel has built on that experience in the field of Public & Administrative Law, focusing on Inquiries and Judicial Review.

Michelle Nelson

Michelle Nelson defends and prosecutes across the criminal spectrum. She has a strong background in prosecuting and has prosecuted in some of the most serious, difficult and high-profile Crime cases. As Treasury Counsel she has been involved in the prosecution of a large number of high-profile murder and manslaughter cases. She has also prosecuted fraud and large-scale money laundering on behalf of the SFO, RCPO and DBIURR. Her defence work includes general crime, fraud and murder. Her work includes dealing with restraint and confiscation and she has worked at the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the RCPO advising on and pursuing restraint and forfeiture. She has advised on and represented the Attorney General in the Court of Appeal on unduly lenient sentence appeals. Other work includes advising appellants in Privy Council appeals. Michelle appeared as prosecution junior, led by Max Hill QC, in Channel 4’s The Trial (2017) in which real juries, together with actual barristers and judges, tried a fictional murder case in order to explore the workings of the jury system. She has also appeared as a panellist on Radio 4’s Unreliable Evidence on Sentencing (2017) alongside Treacy LJ, the Attorney-General and the Legal Director of the Howard League.

Jane Oldfield

Jane is currently ranked as a leading junior for her expertise in Crime and Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary matters. She has built a strong all-round criminal practice. As well as accepting instructions from a number of highly respected defence firms, Jane is a CPS Panel Advocate (Grade 4) and has also prosecuted on behalf of various public and private bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive, RSPCA, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and local authorities. Her practice embraces the entire range of criminal conduct. She is an extremely experienced jury advocate, and has appeared before the appellate courts on numerous occasions. She is a persuasive advocate and an adept technical lawyer with the organisational and communication skills necessary for varied and complicated cases. As a prosecutor, Jane is fair but robust, and works well as part of a team. As a defender she is tenacious and committed, and takes very seriously the trust reposed in her by her clients. Her commitment to detailed case analysis, combined with her intellect and friendly manner, have enabled her to build a successful and diverse practice as a criminal and regulatory barrister. She is expert at witness handling, both in examination-in-chief and cross-examination, and has a style which adapts easily to the various different forums in which she appears.

Professor David Ormerod KC (Hon) KC

Described in Counsel (April 2017) towards the end of his tenure as Criminal Law Commissioner for England and Wales as universally respected and having an encyclopaedic knowledge of criminal law, intellectual rigour and practitioner focus. David’s observations and analysis are frequently cited with approval in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division and the Supreme Court. David Ormerod was called to the Bar in 2002 (Middle Temple). He became a member of Red Lion Chambers in 2003. He was instructed in various SFO and HMRC Prosecution Office fraud cases (both for the defence and the prosecution) including a junior defence brief in the Court of Appeal in the Pharmaceuticals case concerning cartels and conspiracy to defraud. He became a Door Tenant when he was appointed a Law Commissioner in 2010, a post he held for almost 10 years and was appointed Queen’s Counsel (Honoris Causa) in 2013. He re-joined Chambers in 2022. David is a Professor of Criminal Justice, Director of the Criminal Law Centre and joint Director of the Judicial Institute at UCL as well as a long standing lecturer on criminal law at the Judicial College. He was responsible in 2010 with Lord Justice Pitchford for redrafting the Specimen Directions to be used by Crown Court judges in directing juries and continues to be one of the editors of the Judicial College’s Crown Court Compendium. David has been the editor of Smith and Hogan’s Criminal Law since 2002, editor in chief of Blackstone’s Criminal Practice since 2008, and was general editor of the Criminal Law Review from 2012-2023. He is the co-author of Ormerod and Montgomery on Fraud, co- author of Smith’s Law of Theft, a contributor and Consultant Editor to Halsbury’s Laws of England Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure and Evidence and a prolific contributor to journals and a lecturer in the UK and abroad. He chaired a sub-committee of the Leveson Review of Efficiency in Criminal Justice (2015) and appeared before Parliamentary Committees on Law Reform (2017); Legislative Standards (2017); House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on Forensic Science (2018); Special Public Bill Committee on Sentencing (2019). His work at the Law Commission included reports on Expert Evidence in Criminal Proceedings (2011); Contempt of Court (2012-2013); Hate crimes (2014); Kidnapping and related offences (2014); Offences against the Person (2015); Firearms Law (2015); Unfitness to Plead (2016); the Sentencing Code (2018) and Anti-Money Laundering: the SARS regime (2019). He served as a Deputy High Court Judge from 2018-24. In 2024 he was appointed as expert advisor to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts led by Sir Brian Leveson.

Naomi Parsons

Naomi Parsons acts in Crime, Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary and Public & Administrative Law cases. In recent years, her criminal practice has focused on financial crime and Terrorism. Her public law practice encompasses Judicial Review and Inquests & Inquiries. Naomi has taken instructions in both Russian and Spanish. Her language skills mean she is well suited to cases with an international dimension.

Christopher Paxton KC

Chris is cited in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK directories. He is a highly regarded criminal advocate who both defends and prosecutes. He provides leadership when leading large teams, brings strategic oversight to complex issues and is a highly persuasive advocate. His client care is excellent, and he has an approachable manner, instilling his clients with confidence in even the most challenging situations. His work covers a broad range of disciplines. He has extensive experience in Murder & Manslaughter, Fraud, Serious & Organised crime, serious Sexual Offences, road transport and regulatory work, and has appeared in a wide range of courts and tribunals. Many of his cases have involved very young and vulnerable witnesses, and he has represented many young and vulnerable clients. He has experience of prosecuting cases for the CPS (including the Complex Case Unit), DVSA, GMC and local authorities. Chris defends both private individuals and companies and has particular expertise in the road transport and regulatory field; he works throughout the England and Wales both in courts, tribunals and in an advisory capacity. He has also advised in a broad range of cases including IPCC submissions as well as utilising his forensic skills to assist in civil litigation.

Tom Payne KC

Tom Payne specialises in Business Crime & Fraud (particularly cases of financial crime involving complex issues of taxation, accountancy and money laundering) and complex general Crime. He is routinely instructed in cases of unusual complexity or sensitivity (e.g. EncroChat, Hillsborough), and his career has included a number of legal firsts: the first paperless criminal trials in England and Wales using EPE and iPad jury bundles in a series of highly complex tax frauds; the first prosecutions for the cartel offence; the first prosecution arising from the Victims Right of Review scheme; and the first prosecution for offences under s2(16) CJA 1988. He is regularly instructed in major cases by the CPS, FRC, and SFO.

Genevieve Reed

Genevieve Reed is a tenacious barrister with excellent advocacy skills. She has a well-respected practice advising and acting in cases involving Fraud and Serious & Organised Crime. Genevieve appears in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal, as a led and leading junior and junior alone, on a range of serious and complex Crime matters, including Homicide, large scale Fraud cases, large scale Drugs Offences, Human Trafficking, serious Sexual Offences, Serious Violence & Serious Organised Crime, particularly cases involving alleged gang association. She also has particular expertise in representing individuals charged with allegations arising in the workplace, including dishonesty offences, sexual offences, perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office, on behalf of teachers, prison officers, police officers and those working in the financial industry. Genevieve understands the need for first rate client care having gained valuable experience working at leading criminal law firms Hickman and Rose and Irwin Mitchell prior to coming to the Bar.

Stephen Requena

Stephen has a wealth of expertise in defending and prosecuting Business & Fraud Crime, Sexual Offences, Organised Crime, Serious Violence, and Road Traffic Offences resulting in death and serious injury. He has acted as leading junior for both prosecution and defence. A natural jury advocate, Stephen has a practical, hands-on approach and establishes excellent working relationships with his instructing solicitors and lay clients. Stephen is also highly experienced in Inquiry work. He was instructed by the Treasury Solicitor in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and since 2019 has been engaged in specialist work for the Dame Linda Dobbs Review into matters relating to the HBOS Reading Fraud.

Marcus Rickard

Marcus Rickard has an ever-growing practice and reputation, advising on a wide range of Business Crime & Fraud, Serious Crime, Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary, Public & Administrative Law and Inquests & Inquiries. Marcus is a persuasive advocate with a pragmatic style and user-friendly approach. He has been instructed in cases right across the criminal and quasi-criminal spectrum. He has a particular interest in handling Appeals, abuse of process and is a specialist in Data Protection & Technology, in particular GDPR and privacy work as well as the related compliance, commercial issues, data investigations and data fraud work in the software, technology, fintech, data & AI markets. Marcus also has extensive and growing knowledge regarding voluntary disclosure, confidentiality and legal professional privilege. His most recent instructions include a high-profile case at the Old Bailey to defend a vulnerable 18-year-old charged with double murder and a gross negligence case in the Court of Appeal. Marcus is also privately instructed on a number of high-profile Appeals, both recent and historic. He is also an expert on the implication of the data protection legislation in the criminal justice system. Marcus has experience in the civil courts having appeared in both the Chancery Division of the High Court and First-tier Tribunal (Tax). From 1999 to 2000 Marcus worked for a leading firm of regulatory law solicitors working alongside KPMG’s Tax Investigations team. His background is in white collar crime, legal privilege, and civil / criminal investigations into corporate bodies and high-net worth individuals charged with tax, regulatory and Fraud offences.

Sam Roake

Sam Roake is typically instructed in large and complex investigations and inquiries into corporations and individuals. In addition to his inquiry work, he has extensive Business Crime & Fraud experience, often in extremely large and complex cases involving multi-jurisdictional issues, and challenges to disclosure and legal professional privilege. Sam is also well-versed in the design & implementation of data analysis strategies across large data sets in an investigation's context. Extremely user-friendly, Sam enjoys working collaboratively as part of investigative teams.

Daniel Robinson

Daniel has built a successful practice encompassing International Criminal Law, public inquiries and heavyweight Crime. He is a sought after led junior for both prosecution and defence, has a wealth of experience in complex Fraud and Bribery & Corruption investigations, and has significant experience in public inquiries. Most recently Daniel was instructed in the Dobbs Review into Lloyds Bank. Daniel is a Grade 3 advocate for the CPS, including specialist panels for serious crime and fraud, and a Panel B advocate for the SFO on both the general prosecution list and the POCA list. Daniel has spent time working with City of London Police, advising on confiscation and intellectual property offences and providing training. Before coming to the Bar, Daniel worked for NGOs in Rwanda and Jamaica. His work encompassed genocide and war crimes, crimes against humanity and human rights. Daniel has worked with defendants on Death Row in Jamaica and advised as to their prospects of appeal to the Privy Council, and has delivered human rights training to police recruits in Jamaica. Daniel is on the counsel list for the Special Tribunal in Kosovo.

Bethan Rogers

Bethan Rogers maintains a busy Crime practice and has built a significant reputation in both defence and prosecution work. She is a CPS Grade 3 prosecutor and is regularly instructed in cases of large-scale drug dealing. She is also instructed to advise on pre-charges issues in cases of particular evidential complexity. She has developed a considerable practice defending in cases involving serious Sexual Offences and cases which require a sensitive approach. Bethan is a tenacious advocate with notable experience in the examination of vulnerable witnesses. Furthermore, Bethan is regularly instructed to represent those in positions of authority, such as teachers or prison officers. In addition to this, Bethan is experienced in regulatory matters and Extradition law. She is also very familiar with post-conviction confiscation proceedings including appellate work and applications to vary existing orders, cash seizure and forfeiture and confiscation enforcement. Bethan has been instructed as disclosure counsel on large scale Fraud and Bribery & Corruption cases with the SFO and murder cases with the NCA. As a result of that work, she was instructed as junior counsel in a SFO prosecution. Bethan also prosecutes on behalf of the Insolvency Service and the Health & Safety Executive.

Stephen Rose KC

Stephen is a specialist criminal practitioner who both prosecutes and defends in serious crime. He lives in Essex and appears regularly in courts in East Anglia. He is often instructed to appear as leading counsel.

Jamie Sharma

Jamie Sharma is a specialist Business Crime & Fraud barrister with a particular skill and expertise in handling Investigations, Tax & Insolvency, Private Prosecutions and associated Public & Administrative Law matters. He has been instructed, regularly, by UK government agencies for over a decade. These include instructions from the Attorney General’s Office, SFO, FCA, and HMRC. His cases frequently involve an international dimension and matters of utmost sensitivity and public interest. Jamie is presently retained by the SFO on its A Panel of counsel.

Janine Sheff

Janine has excellent communication skills and detailed knowledge built up over 30 years at the Bar, which she applies when prosecuting and defending in cases of Sexual Offences, rape, Serious Violence and all Serious & Organised Crime matters. She is particularly adept at dealing with cases involving vulnerable adults, children and witnesses or defendants with special needs and is on the CPS rape list and is a Grade 4 prosecutor. She has lectured lawyers, doctors and other professionals on trial preparation and presentation and has also helped train intermediaries. She has prosecuted and defended in cases of serious abuse such as the prosecution of a care home manager and her staff for abusive behaviour towards learning disabled adults in their care. She conducts all cases of Serious & Organised Crime and has been instructed by the Government Legal Service in the Cayman Islands in a tribunal hearing involving misconduct in office of a High Court Judge. She was counsel for a number of the bereaved families in the 7/7 Bombing Inquest conducted by Lady Justice Hallett in 2011. She also has an extensive family practice and is regularly instructed in care and adoption cases in the High Court which have an unusual complexity or sensitivity. Her practice often involves cases where there are concurrent proceedings in the family and criminal jurisdictions as she is able to deal with difficult issues involving confidentiality and disclosure. She has dealt with several care cases representing clients accused of murdering their co-parent and is able to advise both the family and criminal team of solicitors as a result of her knowledge of both sets of proceedings. She is registered with the Bar Council as a Public Access Advocate and in appropriate cases she is able to accept instructions directly. She is also specifically qualified in prison law following a 12-month course and is a qualified Family Mediator with the FMA.

Michael Skelley

Michael Skelley has established a reputation as an accomplished jury advocate defending a broad spectrum of Crime work. Michael brings commitment and careful analysis to all of his cases, seeking to develop the right tactical approach. His aim is always to bring a case to life for the jury, identifying the features which are most likely to lead to an acquittal. He believes in establishing a rapport with his client, and a bond of professional trust with his instructing solicitors. He also tries to bring sensitivity and support to the families of his clients. He offers a track record of hard work, meticulous preparation, perceptive analysis and high quality, thoughtful advocacy. Over recent years Michael has increasingly been asked to represent clients on a private basis. Michael is ranked in the Legal 500 (2019) Seriously good: a conscientious, diligent, measured and persuasive advocate.

Syam Soni

Syam is a dedicated criminal defence specialist with a national practice and reputation for consistently delivering excellence. He has represented those accused of some of the most serious offences, as well as leading business professionals, CEOs and even nobility. Principal areas of expertise include: – Defence Crime: conspiracy to murder, multi-handed violence/disorder, serious sexual offences, weapons, multi-handed drugs conspiracies etc. – Business Crime: multi-handed, multi-million Pound fraud, bribery, contested POCA proceedings etc. – Inquests and Civil Litigation: experience in inquests, regulatory offences, commercial/contractual litigation with a focus on the overlap between civil and criminal fraud Syam had a successful career in the banking industry prior to the Bar and brings experience of corporate/business awareness and practice to his instructions. He also volunteered on Death Row in Houston, Texas. Syam is multilingual – fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi – and authorised to accept instructions from members of the public.

Simon Spence KC

Simon Spence KC undertakes an even mix of prosecuting and defending Crime work across East Anglia and London. Before taking silk, he worked regularly as a leading junior and often led in high-profile cases. In 2008 he was the prosecution junior in the successful prosecution of Steve Wright, the man accused of murdering five Ipswich women.

Richard Sutton KC

Owing to his vast experience and consequential deep understanding of the criminal law and its developments, Richard Sutton KC boasts an extremely strong multi-faceted Crime and Business Crime & Fraud practice defending and prosecuting. His practice includes multi-handed cases of business crime and fraud (including Revenue, VAT and Excise Duty, money laundering and confiscation), Drugs Offences, Murder & Manslaughter, serious Sexual Offences and Serious Violence. He also possesses years’ of experience dealing with evidential and procedural issues encountered in Serious & Organised Crime. The non-exhaustive list includes public interest immunity, legal professional privilege, foreign evidence, Extradition issues, letters of request, covert police operations, s.72 SOCPA 2005 evidence, evidence through UK and international television links, vulnerable witnesses, forensic expert evidence (accountancy, medical, scientific), cell-site evidence and entrapment. His experience also extends to regulatory work, specifically in Bar and solicitor disciplinary action and as an adjunct to fiscal and corporate crime. With a wide ranging Crime and Business Crime & Fraud practice, complemented by Richard’s extensive knowledge, he provides a comprehensive service to his clients. He is extremely personable with strong advocacy skills.

Jack Talbot

Jack is a collaborative advocate who both defends and prosecutes at a senior level in all matters of Business Crime & Fraud, Murder & Manslaughter, Serious & Organised Crime and Sexual Offences. With over twenty years’ experience, he now frequently acts as a Leading Junior in complex cases, often with a cross-jurisdictional or appellate dimension. Legal 500 ranks him as a leading junior in both Fraud: Crime and Crime, observing that he is ‘ﬁrst class in client presentation’ (2021). In the criminal sphere, the 2025 edition notes that Jack is very adept at digesting large volumes of information and presenting them to a jury in a manageable, understandable way. He has a very good manner with juries and is skilled at cross-examination. His closing speeches are engaging and persuasive. The directory further observes in fraud cases that Jack has an easy manner with a jury and presents dense evidence comprehensibly and with a deceptively light touch. He is extremely hard-working, and handles emotive and difﬁcult cases with professionalism and ease. He has appeared before the Court of Appeal on many occasions, the High Court, GMC, Parole Board, the First Tier Tribunal, Court Martial and has undertaken Coroner’s inquest work. In 2015-2016 Jack undertook a year’s secondment with HSBC to deepen his understanding of the internal workings of a ﬁnancial giant, working as part of a team of senior criminal and civil barristers in an FCA-mandated review into the mis-selling of interest-rate hedging products. In 2006-2007 Jack was seconded to the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Ofﬁce as a Restraint/Conﬁscation lawyer in multi-handed, multi-million-pound trafﬁcking/ importation/ fraud cases.

Nina Tavakoli

Nina has a diverse practice that spans International Criminal Law and Inquiries both in the UK and internationally. She is ranked as a leading international criminal lawyer in UK legal directories Chambers UK and Legal 500, and is co-chair of Chambers’ International practice group. Nina has extensive experience of genocide and war crimes prosecutions. She is currently Co-Counsel for Hashim Thaçi, former Kosovan President, who is on trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. She has previously acted in ground-breaking cases before the International Criminal Court (Rohingya jurisdiction), the Special Court for Sierra Leone (President Charles Taylor), and numerous cases before the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Nina is highly experienced in International Investigations, with particular expertise working with male survivors of sexual violence and torture. She advises on best practice in war crimes investigations and on securing accountability for these crimes at the national and international levels. Nina qualified as a solicitor in 2003. She transferred to the Bar in 2014, and for the first four years at the Bar concentrated almost exclusively on criminal trial work prosecuting and defending before the criminal courts at all levels. Nina sits on Chambers’ Equality and Diversity Committee and is a mentor for the Kalisher Trust, a charity established to encourage and support students to pursue a career in the law and to promote a more diverse profession and judiciary.

Andrew Ian Thompson

Andrew Thompson appears most often in cases where serious Sexual Offences are alleged, in particular those involving vulnerable or child witnesses, and defendants who have mental health or learning disabilities. His recent caseload includes alleged sexual offences in schools and care homes, by medical practitioners, and within youth groups and charitable organisations. Andrew has extensive experience in cases involving allegations of Murder & Manslaughter, serious assaults and of non-accidental injuries to children or vulnerable adults. Other areas of practice include Drugs Offences, public disorder, Business Crime & Fraud and Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime. Andrew is an accomplished communicator with an excellent jury manner, highly effective cross-examination and tactical skills and has a keen eye for detail.

Lori Tucker

Lorraine Tucker is a Crime specialist based in our East Anglia location. She covers all aspects of Crime with an emphasis on Serious Violence, Drugs Offences and Sexual Offences, being instructed both by the prosecution and defence. She has also been instructed by the Norfolk Constabulary as independent counsel to review seized material subject to LPP. Lori joined Red Lion Chambers in 2010, bringing with her 24 years’ experience as a CPS prosecutor. She spent her last years in the CPS Special Casework/HCA Unit for Norfolk where she was responsible for some of the most serious investigations and prosecutions involving offences of Serious Violence, Fraud, Sexual Offences, Drugs Offences – particularly those involving the use of covert investigation by the police. Lori also provided training to the CPS, witness support and police, including the Major Incident Team, Drug and Serious Crime Squad and Child Protection Unit in respect of covert policing, sexual offences and disclosure.

Edmund Vickers KC

Edmund Vickers KC is instructed in the most serious criminal cases at Crown Court, High Court and Appellate level. He has recently returned from two years as lead prosecution counsel in a multi-million-pound corruption and money laundering case in the Republic of Seychelles. Ed is described in the top Legal Directories as: “A first-class legal mind allied to a very charming and persuasive style.” [Chambers UK] “Edmund’s preparation in every case is meticulous.” [Legal 500] “A lawyer with a brilliant brain.” [Chambers UK] “Edmund’s knowledge of the law is par excellence and coupled with his good judgement achieves excellent results for his clients.” [Legal 500] “An excellent silk who remains utterly calm at all times” [Chambers UK] Ed both defends and prosecutes in cases of Murder & Manslaughter, Fraud and Corruption and Serious & Organised Crime cases. His skills in cross-examination, dealing with experts and analysing forensic accounting detail, has led to a growing Business Crime & Fraud practice (Bribery and Corruption, Complex Fraud, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime as well as cases before the tax tribunal). In 2022-24 Ed was instructed by the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles to lead the investigation and prosecution of a multi-million-pound corruption and money laundering case, involving senior figures in government over many years. The case involved cooperation with law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Singapore. The case will be tried by the Chief Justice in 2025. Ed led the prosecution team of lawyers and investigators for two years, securing a global assets restraint order against the main defendant together with civil confiscation of assets, and led successful litigation in the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and Court of Appeal. Ed advised on numerous complex issues including mutual legal assistance requests, cross-jurisdictional investigations, legal privilege and digital forensics, as well as issues relating to Constitutional Law, Company Law, Trusts and the beneficial ownership of companies. Ed also presented a paper on multi-jurisdictional cooperation at the International Anti-Corruption Day seminar held in Seychelles in 2022. Back in the UK, Ed has been asked to advise companies and individuals involved in business, tax and complex fraud investigations, and will advise at an early stage so that strategic decisions can be made involving matters such as voluntary disclosure, Legal Professional Privilege and confidentiality. Ed has appeared in many high-profile cases particularly at the Old Bailey (murder and organised crime) and Southwark Crown Court (fraud), and has enjoyed success in cases as diverse as defending protesters storming the House of Commons, prosecuting police officers in the Tuition Fees Riot in Parliament Sq, and successfully defending in the UK’s first FGM trial. Ed is instructed by a wide range of solicitors firms and prosecuting authorities and has over 30 years’ experience of advocacy and providing legal advice, both defending and prosecuting, in the UK and internationally. Ed is a lead advocacy trainer at the Middle Temple and is a member of the scholarship panel at the Inn. He is a trustee and former treasurer of the Kalisher Trust, a charity that encourages and supports students from non-traditional backgrounds to go on to higher education and pursue a career in the law, promoting greater diversity throughout the criminal justice system. He is currently lead trustee of the Kalisher Trust mentoring programme, pairing students with senior members of the Bar and judiciary. In 2023, Ed was elected a Master of the Bench (a member of the governing body) of the Middle Temple Inn of Court in London. In 2021, Ed chaired the Criminal Bar Association C-21 Working Group, examining issues facing criminal practitioners in the Crown Court. The report was published in January 2022 and called for the establishment of the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice without further delay. [Report]

David Walbank

Having historically had conduct of many of the most complex cases for all the major fraud prosecution agencies (including as former Standing Counsel to the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office and Standing Counsel to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills), David’s work is now almost exclusively for front-rank fraud defence firms. He is the founder and frontman of the updating website [crimecast.law] on which he presents video case reviews of recent judgments. The site currently hosts more than 200 free-to-view videos. He is also the crime correspondent for the New Law Journal, commenting on recent case law in his ‘Crime Brief’ column.

Hal Watson

Instructed as sole or led junior to prosecute and defend complex criminal and quasi-criminal cases, specialising in fraud and other financial misconduct in both criminal and civil jurisdictions. Including highly complex asset freezing, forfeiture, and confiscation proceedings. Hal is a CPS Grade 4 prosecutor on both the Crown Prosecution Service Specialist Fraud panel and Proceeds of Crime panel and is routinely instructed at a pre-charge stage to advise in multi-handed cases of real public importance, more often than not including a multi-jurisdictional element. This includes investigations by the Serious Fraud Office, CPS Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate and CPS Proceeds of Crime division, the Financial Conduct Authority, and Insolvency Service. The focus of Hal’s practice is (prosecuting and defending) significant fraud and tax fraud offences where quantum is significantly in excess of £100M, allied money laundering, and subsequent confiscation proceedings. He is currently instructed in a number of international fraud/corruption investigations involving multinational corporates and cross-border bribery allegations, including section 7 Bribery Act 2010 (the corporate failure to prevent). Hal has advised on internal investigations relating to financial misconduct by major financial institutions, deferred prosecution agreements, and breaches of domestic money laundering regulations. Hal’s experience encompasses cases alleging conspiracy to cheat, conspiracy to defraud (including unlawful means), all other serious fraud type offences, money laundering (often with an international element), false accounting and Company Act offences, and large-scale benefit offences. Hal has particular expertise in complex VAT fraud, criminal tax avoidance and MTIC fraud, related money laundering, and in the recovery of the proceeds of crime under both pre, and post Proceeds of Crime Act legislation. He is regularly instructed in confiscation hearings where benefit figures are in excess of £10m, allied enforcement proceedings, and on applications pursuant to section 22 and 23 PoCA 2002. Hal has relevant experience at first instance and in the appellate courts in relation to asset freezing and forfeiture under both criminal and civil regimes. Hal has direct experience of AF powers arising from the Criminal Finances Act 2017 including where criminal proceedings were either not pursued or were inappropriate, and has advised on the interplay between and decisions to pursue civil as against criminal forfeiture processes. Hal has a detailed knowledge (in particular as nominated disclosure counsel) of specialist areas including PII, Regulation of Investigatory Powers, the operation of the SAR regime, the obtaining and use of evidence from foreign jurisdictions and other disclosure and evidence gathering issues – including in the context of restraint and asset forfeiture/confiscation. He routinely works in conjunction with (internal and external) forensic accountants and financial investigators both pre and post charge, and has significant experience in and regularly advises on the restraint and recovery of assets in the context of police and HMRC investigations relating to asset tracing, tax misconduct and restraint.

Hannah Williams

Hannah is instructed in all areas of criminal law and is confident to deal with complex legal and factual issues giving her insight that is far beyond her year of call. She has extensive experience in a broad range of serious criminal offences including attempted murders, cases including firearms and shootings, blackmail, kidnap, rape and allegations of fraud. In addition to her defence practice, Hannah is currently a Level 3 Prosecutor on the CPS Advocate Panel List and prosecutes a range of offences at that level. Hannah has a growing practise of cases involving violence, drugs and organised crime and has a particular interest and expertise in representing young people and vulnerable defendants facing serious offences. She is empathetic, able to build a quick rapport with lay clients and provide clear advice. Hannah receives instructions in confiscation proceedings as well as civil matters such as applications for Criminal Behaviour Orders and Sexual Harm Orders which she has successful opposed at fully contested hearings. Hannah has wide regulatory experience alongside her busy criminal practise. Hannah has been instructed by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to present cases and has also been instructed to defend nurses in cases before the NMC. Before coming to the Bar, Hannah worked at Kingsley Napley LLP as a Regulatory Legal Assistant. Hannah previously lived in Accra (Ghana) completing a placement for an NGO supporting the economic participation of women and promoting gender equality. She was a team leader for Trussell Trust Foodbanks and is currently a Co-opted Governor at a local primary school.

Hannah Wilson

Hannah is a persuasive advocate who enjoys a busy practice as both a junior alone and a led junior in all areas of criminal law. She has a strong eye for detail and approaches complex cases with confidence. She has experience in a broad range of serious criminal offences including attempted murders, cases including firearms and shootings, drugs offences, kidnap, sexual offences and fraud. In addition to her defence practice, Hannah is currently a Level 3 Prosecutor on the CPS Advocate Panel List and prosecutes a range of offences at that level. Hannah’s meticulous and diligent approach to case preparation inspires confidence in both her professional and lay clients. She is skilled at providing clear, sensible advice in a manner that engenders trust, and she works hard to ensure the best possible outcome for her client. Before being called to the Bar, Hannah was an attorney for Women’s Link Worldwide, an international human rights organisation which seeks to advance the rights of women and girls. She was also previously employed as a paralegal and police station representative with a respected criminal defence firm.