Doughty Street Chambers has an excellent reputation as ‘one of the best criminal sets in the UK’ with ‘quality across the board.’ Kate O’Raghallaigh stands out for her varied practice and experience in recent high-profile cases – she defended infamous Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary at the Old Bailey in relation to allegations concerning his support of and involvement in a proscribed terrorist organisation, namely Al-Muhajiroun, and is currently representing one of the five Bulgarian nationals charged under the Official Secrets Act 1911 with conspiring to commit espionage in the UK on behalf of Russia – a case involving issues of the contemporary application of the Act and the range of admissible evidence under it. Rabah Kherbane is regularly involved in major cases at the Old Bailey – James Wood KC recently led him in the defence of one of the individuals charged with the abduction, torture and murder of Turkish radio DJ Koray Alpergin, who was kidnapped in Tottenham alongside his girlfriend in an empty bar over an alleged debt.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Matthew Butchard and Chloe Cousins are incredibly professional, available and helpful.'
- 'The clerking team led by Matthew Butchard is efficient, pro-active and always ready to help. The work with their profession clients to ensure the needs of their lay client are met.'
- 'Head criminal clerk Matt Butchard is very experienced. He is a 'proper clerk'; a real gem.'
- 'A premier criminal defence set with quality across the board. A really intelligent, top-quality group.'
- 'They are in the top three criminal sets, with strength at all levels of seniority.'
- 'Doughty Street is the the best criminal set in the UK. Their barristers do some of the best quality work and their recruitment standards are extremely high, which ensures quality.'
- 'Doughty Street are a formidable set, with a range of counsel offering someone for any case a firm may have.'
- 'Doughty Street is one of the best criminal sets. They have a great selection of good KCs and juniors. They are very professional and provide an excellent clerking service. They also offer great in chambers events and legal updates. Equally good for legally aided and private work.'
Lawyers
Leading silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
