Crime

Furnival Chambers

Furnival Chambers is widely thought of as ‘a strong set from top to bottom with a body of barristers well equipped to deal with the whole spectrum of criminal cases’. Caroline Haughey KC is well known as ’the foremost expert in human trafficking in the UK’. Her practice also extends to high-profile murder cases, particularly those involving children and vulnerable adults. ‘Careful and thoughtful advocate’ Caroline Carberry KC regularly appears at the Old Bailey to both prosecute and defend in the most serious and complex cases. She recently led the prosecution of Swedish national Marius Gustavson (self-styled as the "eunuch maker") and nine others, charged with performing extreme body modification procedures, including castration and freezing off of limbs, and selling video footage of the procedures as well as the excised human tissue. Gustavson was convicted of various offences, including conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Profile: furnivalchambers.co.uk

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Steve Ball is an incredible asset to chambers.'
'Fred Cross is a brilliant and hard-working clerk who thinks ahead in anticipating the needs of clients and barristers.'
'Senior Clerk Stephen Ball is the finest example of his profession. He leads his clerk's room with precision and he single-handedly is steering Furnival to be one of the most effective and present chambers in both London and the Outer Circuits.'
'Furnival has strength in depth and is a first-class chambers. They have some real stars.'
'Furnival Chambers has long been regarded as being particularly good at crime.'
'Furnival has a great set of barristers to choose from who are highly experienced.'
'Furnival is a strong set from top to bottom with a body of barristers well equipped to deal with the whole spectrum of criminal cases.'

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.

Caroline Carberry KC

Caroline is a charming and very effective advocate, both as a prosecutor and defence counsel. She is dogged and clear sighted in her assessment of the issues in cases with an ability to see the real issues and put them forward and present them in an attractive and persuasive way.’

Caroline Haughey KC

‘Caroline is simply formidable. She is exceptionally bright, hardworking and very down to earth. She has a fantastic ability to digest vast quantities of information and to break it down into easy-to-understand concepts for a jury. She gets her points across in a structured and beautiful way allowing even difficult concepts to be easily understood. Moreover, Caroline is the foremost expert in human trafficking in the UK.'

Philippa McAtasney KC

'Philippa has gravitas in buckets. She is an excellent lawyer and advocate. She takes no prisoners but she is approachable, friendly and has a super sense of humour. She has a big reputation which is thoroughly deserved.'

Giles Cockings KC

Giles is a brilliant advocate and a superb tactician. He is highly recommended.'

Stephen Moses KC

'Stephen is magnificent on his feet and the manner in which he deals with legal argument is especially impressive. He is simply brilliant; confident and measured in every aspect. He stands his ground and will persist in his attempts to persuade, to great effect.'

Oliver Blunt KC

Oliver is a person that deals in the detail of the evidence and forms a strategy based on it. He has great forensic skill when handling witness statements and in cross-examination of witnesses. He also builds great rapport with clients and they trust his judgement. He is a go-to counsel for serious matters.’

Sally O’Neill KC

Sally is the queen of the bar. Her legal arguments are flawless and when she speaks both judge and jury listen. She is so well respected and a pure class act. Sally always always treats clients with dignity and respect even in the most shocking and sensitive of cases.'

Charlie Sherrard KC

'Charlie is brilliant and clever. He has the command of the courtroom and is a quick thinker on his feet, able to digest a lot of heavy evidence very quickly. His advocacy style is easy for the jury to follow and direct.'

Julia Smart KC

‘Julia is a very methodical and detail-specific barrister. She is quite quick to get to the heart of what is needed and is collaborative in her approach to cases where she is open to discussion about tactics. Julia is very good in written submissions and has a very strong handle of legal precedents and nuances in the law.'

Rhiannon Crimmins KC

Rhiannon’s cross-examination of eye witnesses is meticulously prepared and skilfully deployed.’

2023 Silks

Nicola Shannon KC

'Nicola has a great ability to assimilate a lot of information and present it to the jury in a way that is easily understood and digested. This is true even of complex and technical information that is usually very dry and difficult to present with any enthusiasm or in a way that generates interest. She is able to overcome those problems and keep the jury concentrating and engaged. She responds very well to legal queries from - sometimes difficult - judges demonstrating an impressive grasp of legal concepts - not all of them easy.'

2024 Silks

Joel Smith KC

‘Joel is a mine of energy and commitment. He is on top of his material and a devastating cross-examiner. He deserved to take silk and will be one to watch in the Tom Little tradition. Joel is likely to find himself appearing in very major cases before senior courts.'

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.

Ben Gordon

‘Ben is a pleasure to work with. He fights ferociously hard for his client, and his advocacy is skilful and well judged.'

Adam Morgan

‘Adam is first rate. He is always thoroughly prepared, gets the measure of clients accurately and is able to firmly manage expectations. He makes points firmly to the judge without alienating himself from the judge nor giving ground on a good point.'

Shannon Revel

‘Not many practitioners, in reality, excel at both forensic analysis of enormous volumes of material as well as in the thick of things, fighting their client's case in front of a jury. Shannon is one of the exceptions. She is first class, one to watch, and a pleasure to work with. Her speeches are without a shadow of a doubt some of the best you will hear in a long time.'

Lucy Tapper

‘Lucy is a tremendous barrister who is wonderful to work with. She has an incredible ability to connect with clients and break down and explain complex issues with ease. She is meticulous, classy and fearless. Her advocacy is measured and deeply persuasive.'

Marie de Redman

Marie is a compassionate and resolute barrister with an excellent work ethic. Marie engages brilliantly with clients; especially vulnerable ones, and juries are mesmerised by her clear and concise arguments.’

Jon Swain

‘Jon's advocacy is matched only by his down-to-earth demeanour. He has a knack for connecting with clients and solicitors alike; he is a trusted ally, dedicated to his cases and respected by all he comes across. Jon's positive attitude and courtroom manner make him an exceptional advocate.'

Estelle Thornber

‘Estelle has a fantastic grasp of the details in cases. Although relatively junior, she quickly gains the respect of the court and all around her. Juries love her. Her cross-examination is skilful and effective, but also succinct. She is one to watch.’

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.

Soraya Bauwens

‘Soraya is phenomenal. She is a hard worker and cares deeply about each client. Her advocacy is always pitched right.’

Kane Sharpe

‘Kane is an outstanding advocate. He understands how to work with solicitors and clients and often sees things other barristers do not. He has a very strong yet smooth and persuasive advocacy style which make him instantly likeable to a jury.’

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