Tana Adkin KC
Ms. Adkin is particularly thorough and proactive when representing clients. Ms. Adkin has exceptional knowledge of the law and undertakes all aspects of serious crime.
15NBS is a strong criminal set, with a steady team handling serious work across the full range of heavyweight crime. Brian St. Louis KC is acting in an Old Bailey murder trial arising from an alleged South American gang-related machete attack, involving issues of participation and identification within a multi-handed prosecution. Martin Rutherford KC led a four-month Central Criminal Court trial of a 16-year-old defendant in a serious gang-related shooting, raising questions of exploitation, modern slavery and escalating organised violence. Tana Adkin KC secured acquittals in a retrial following a fatal joint enterprise stabbing, which turned heavily on contested CCTV evidence and earlier jury irregularities, ultimately resulting in full acquittals after High Court intervention. Robert Ward acted in an attempted murder case arising from a moped chase and machete attack, where he successfully challenged gang expert evidence, leading to the attempted murder count being dropped and the case significantly narrowed at trial.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Great support from the clerk's office, well run and organized.
- The chambers are well organized and focus on their clients' needs. Their communication with instructing solicitors' firms is effective and efficient.
- 15 NBS is an excellent group of very friendly people. They are led effectively by Brian St. Louis.
- The chambers are very efficient and keep us informed at all times.
- Clare is part of a very skilled team with an impressive range.
- 15NBS continues to go from strength to strength. They are regularly recruiting externally across the board. It is the set to watch over the next few years.
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.
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.
Clodaghmuire Callinan
Justin McClintock
Mr. McClintock effectively assesses the strength of a case and recommends tactical steps to resolve issues. He prepares his case rigorously and takes the initiative to tackle any issues early. He is very capable of expressing complex ideas in simple, compelling ways that people easily understand. Mr. McClintock knows his case deeply and quotes key evidence or law quickly. He is very confident in the courtroom and keeps his composure when a judge challenges his main point. His advocacy is persuasive, and he organizes his submissions into well-ordered points.
Robert Ward
He is an extremely effective and level-headed advocate who knows when to fight his corner and when to take a more considered approach.
Rupert Hallowes
Rupert is simply the best barrister I have used in my 30+ years of experience. He provides realistic, clear, and robust advice to clients and fights hard for a good outcome in each and every case. He builds an immediate rapport with clients from all backgrounds, managing expectations with empathy and absolute professionalism. He is always highly responsive and collaborative. His court advocacy is excellent. He commands attention and fellow advocates defer to his knowledge and wisdom.
Sarah Read
Ruth Zentler-Munro
Ruth is an outstanding advocate with exceptional gravitas and a commanding courtroom presence. She has the rare ability to immediately inspire confidence in both lay clients and professional clients alike. Her advocacy is measured, persuasive, and highly effective, combining meticulous preparation with excellent judgment.
Rory Field
A great legal mind. Vast international legal experience having served as DPP of Belize and Bermuda. Has an excellent reputation for maintaining the highest standards of the Bar both nationally and internationally.
Patrick Maggs
Patrick is a peerless advocate of the absolute highest caliber and my first choice for heavyweight crime. Eloquent and intuitive, he understands exactly what's required to keep the judge and jury engaged and persuaded. Always impeccably prepared and unshakably composed, Patrick has strategic foresight and the confidence to handle any situation. A truly gifted advocate, Patrick exemplifies the very finest traditions of the Bar.
Kyri Argyropoulos
Kyri is a force of nature. He is always on top of his brief, delving into every corner of the evidence. In court, he has a presence. The sort of presence that bends the universe to his will.
Stephen Akinsanya
Stephen is warm and approachable, with an easy and fluid manner in court. He prepares carefully in advance and engages with the issues in a case from the earliest moments.
Ed Butler
Mr. Ed Butler is very hardworking, highly intelligent, and has an excellent grasp of criminal law and evidence examination.
Clare Dowse
Clare is a confident and clear advocate. She expresses herself in a logical way. Her meticulous preparation is at the heart of what she does. She has a beautiful way with words and a calm manner.
Beth Crocker
Beth is a strong and impressive advocate who holds her own in court. She is impressive in submissions, persuasive to juries and judges, and clients trust her judgment.
Sophie Shotton
John Waller
John is an excellent all-rounder. His advocacy is both charming and realistic.
Tim Starkey
Tim is a sympathetic cross-examiner and knows how to handle sensitive situations with care. He has a good manner with the jury, which makes them know they are in safe hands.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
Anoushka Twining
Miss Twining handled a very difficult case with skill, tact, and clear ability.