23ES is reputed as a ‘a well established and highly regarded set whose reputation is reflected in the excellent service ice they provide’. Kate Lumsdon KC , who is distinguished as a ’exceptionally talented and hardworking’, advises on various sexual offences, GBH, and organised crime related matters, and represented a man acquitted of the murder, but convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice regarding the kidnapping, torture and murder of a Turkish DJ. Eloise Marshall KC‘s rapport of successful cases includes serious sexual offences - she prosecuted a female prison officer, stationed at HMP Wandsworth, who was filmed engaging in sexual activity with an inmate. Paul Bogan KC represented the only one of nineteen defendants to be acquitted in a 23-month drug importation trial at Manchester Crown Court, while Tom Godfrey represented a woman who received a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to procure a poison with intent to procure a miscarriage - an earlier trial collapsed due to inaccurate media reporting.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are an all round good set with brilliant barristers at their disposal. '
- 'A well established and highly regarded set whose reputation is reflected in the excellent service ice they provide.'
- '23 ES are one of the best and leading criminal sets whose excellent reputation is reflected in the excellent service ice they provide.'
- '23 ES has consistently shown that it ranks among the best chambers, not least because the work it undertakes is complex and often high profile.'
- 'Very good set overall.'
- '23ES are a huge set with an incredible array of KC's. They are undoubtedly one of the leading sets for criminal defence 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.
Francis FitzGibbon KC
‘Francis is compassionate and understanding with clients. He is a very effective advocate.’
Kate Lumsdon KC
‘Kate is an exceptionally talented and hardworking silk. She is a very fair prosecutor and talented advocate.’
Jennifer Knight KC
A solid advocate with determination and steel. Great judgement. Well respected amongst her peers and members of the judiciary.'
Paul Bogan KC
Cairns Nelson KC
‘He is fearless and a first class advocate’
Rossano Scamardella KC
Mark Fenhalls KC
‘Outstanding communicator and problem solver. Exemplary at uniting parties, and garnering cooperation and cohesion in the best interests of all parties.’
Charles Miskin KC
James Mulholland KC
Alan Gardner KC
‘Alan is a calm, clear, concise advocate. He has a nice courtroom manner and juries love his style.'
John Price KC
Nathan Rasiah KC
Lisa Wilding KC
‘Lisa has formidable presence in court. She knows the law, makes first class legal submissions, and has exceptional judgement.’
2025 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.
Flora Page KC
Lesley Bates KC
‘Lesley is the kind of barrister you always want on your side. She knows every detail of every case before most have opened the brief.’
James Bloomer KC
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.
Elisabeth Acker
Tom Godfrey
‘ A warm, clever and thoughtful advocate with enormous skill. Definite silk material.'
David Dainty
An excellent jury barrister who captures their attention throughout. He is assertive and direct.'
Patrick Duffy
Jeremy Rosenberg
‘Jeremy is calm and level headed. He is clearly knowledgeable and has an abundance of common sense.'
Richard Bentwood
'Richard is a big name in the game. He brings legal gravitas to any case he's instructed on and wields his legal arguments to devastating effect.'
Sarah Morris
William Eaglestone
‘Calm, hardworking and persuasive.’
Alexander Upton
‘Alex is hard-working, experienced and efficient.’