Crime

Red Lion Chambers

Red Lion Chambers has long been known as a ‘very strong and highly regarded set of criminal law barristers’. Gillian Jones KC recently defended Marius Draghici, charged with 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiring to facilitate a breach of immigration law after a group of Vietnamese migrants died in the back of a lorry trailer on the way to the UK - the case involving novel legal arguments concerning the potential abuse of court process relating to Draghici’s extradition from Romania, as well as the disclosure of case papers to the defendant's Romanian lawyers. Jones KC and Genevieve Reed also represented a man acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter in a five-defendant trial concerning a robbery of a competitor by a group of drug dealers - a co-defendant was convicted of murder. Hugh French , ‘a robust and effective prosecutor’, has a varied practice that encompasses homicide, child sexual abuse, and large-scale drug conspiracy cases. In January 2024 he was lead junior for the Crown in a trial, in which a married couple received matching sentences of 33 years imprisonment for exporting six tonnes of cocaine to Australia.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Lee Young and David Pilkington pay great attention to detail and provide excellent communication with solicitors.'
'The clerks are always live and proactive in terms of any issues arising. They are able to communicate effectively with courts, including courts out of area. They are readily available to discuss matters. Max Bradley consistently provides a service of the very highest level.'
'Ellie Jones is efficient, helpful and professional.'
'Mark Bennett is peerless.'
'Red Lion Chambers is one of the strongest criminal defence sets in the country. The clerking team is excellent at managing diaries and ensuring matters are covered. The set as a whole is approachable and friendly.'
'A very strong and highly regarded set of criminal law barristers.'
'An excellent set of chambers with a breadth of talent across the call range.'
'Red Lion is an excellent set. In terms of training and depth of counsel they are second to none.'

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.

Gillian Jones KC

‘Gilly's abilities cannot be praised highly enough; she is simply the best barrister around. She is phenomenally hardworking, her attention to detail is exceptional, she is tactically very astute and is a formidable advocate. She has the ability to communicate at every level and her care towards clients is the best.'

Riel Karmy-Jones KC

Her capacity for hard work and her attention to detail is awe-inspiring. Her judgement is impeccable, her tactics astute, and she is particularly good with vulnerable witnesses.’

Jennifer Dempster KC

‘Jenni has an ability to digest and then explain the very complicated in terms a lay person can understand. Then when she is in court she is an advocate with energy and determination like no other.’

David Etherington KC

‘David is a smooth operator. He is an exceptional jury advocate.'

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.

Paul Evans

‘Paul is tactically astute and produces focused legal arguments and well-thought-out submissions. He shows sensitivity in cross-examination of witnesses but is nonetheless robust - a difficult balance to strike at the best of times. He demonstrates the very best attributes of professionalism.'

Hugh French

‘Hugh is dogged and determined. He always comes armed with a strategy to exploit any weaknesses in the opposing case. His closing speeches are particularly impressive; Hugh has the confidence to pick the best points, and run with them, undiluted. He is a rare example of someone who is genuinely as effective on either side of the courtroom and the outcomes he secures are testament to an advocate of the highest ability.’

Joanna Hardy-Susskind

‘Joanna is meticulously organised and takes cases by the scruff of the neck at the earliest possible juncture. She is always ahead of the curve and has a winning courtroom manner which charms judges as effectively as it does juries.'

Aneurin Brewer

'Aneurin is very hardworking, prepares meticulous written legal arguments and is proactive in doing so. He has a very calm, persuasive and assertive style of advocacy that seems to rapidly bring people round to his way of thinking.'

Felicia Davy

‘Felicia is extremely thorough in her approach and in her analysis of large amounts of evidence. She has an excellent manner with clients and is very good at approaching difficult issues with clients with significant learning difficulties. She is fearless and fights for the best possible outcome for clients.'

Genevieve Reed

‘Genevieve brings a commanding and powerful presence and confidence beyond her year of call. Previously a solicitor, she brings a breadth of experience which makes her comfortable with clients and challenging situations. Genevieve works hard and efficiently and is good natured and a pleasure to instruct.'

Edward Renvoize

Leo Seelig

'Leo is an exceptional advocate with sound judgement.'

Michael Skelley

Jack Talbot

‘Jack is very adept at digesting large volumes of information and presenting them to a jury in a manageable, understandable way. He has a very good manner with juries and is skilled at cross-examination. His closing speeches are engaging and persuasive.'

Jane Oldfield

‘Jane is a star whose forensic and legal skills will ensure that she rises to the top of the legal profession. Her knowledge of the law is first class, which she deploys to good effect and very skillfully.’

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