2 Bedford Row has an established reputation as a leading criminal set with a deep bench ranging from experienced silks to up-and-coming juniors. Christine Agnew KC specialises in homicide and sexual offences matters and is widely praised for her ‘unmatched eye for detail’. She led the prosecution of actor Kevin Spacey, who was charged with historic sexual offences against four men during a period spanning from 2001 to 2013. Christopher Martin has considerable experience defending in courts-martial across the UK and Germany, recently representing a corporal acquitted on rape charges. Alex Stein’s varied practice includes murder, kidnapping, drugs, and death by dangerous driving cases, on both the defence and prosecution side. Kieran Vaughan KC represented Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson, who entered a guilty plea to being in control of a dangerous dog after his Italian mastiff bit the former England youth international's masseur.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Paul Rodgers and Lee Bartlett are the twin pillars of 2BR, working under the clerking legend that is John Grimmer. Overall, an excellent clerking team.'
- 'John Grimmer is a top clerk and runs a very effective and efficient clerks' room, which is a combination of good knowledge and a strong work ethic. Paul Rodgers and Tom Powell are always on hand to assist and accommodate instructing solicitors.'
- 'Joe Martin is a great clerk. Nothing is ever too much. He goes the extra mile for solicitors and is very friendly. In general, the clerks' room is very strong. They are very accommodating and efficient. They tend to urgent matters quickly and will do what it takes to accommodate requests.'
- 'Nobody has done it for longer than John Grimmer and nobody has better judgement or more contacts. First Junior Paul Rodgers is top class and would be a worthy successor. Joe Martin is forthright, efficient and well liked.'
- '2 Bedford Row is an excellent set with skilled pool of barristers of all years of call.'
- '2BR is a large set which specialises in criminal law, with a variety of different counsel to cover different types of cases.'
- '2BR is a Premier League criminal set of chambers with strength at all levels both prosecuting and defending.'
- '2 Bedford Row is a leading set in Crime, providing a first-class service in all areas of criminal law.'
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.
Jim Sturman KC
Christine Agnew KC
Tracy Ayling KC
Kieran Vaughan KC
Dean George KC
Stan Reiz KC
Louise Sweet KC
Anand Beharrylal KC
Jacqueline Carey KC
Samuel Magee 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.
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.