6KBW College Hill is widely praised as ‘one of the pre-eminent sets at the criminal Bar, especially when it comes to prosecution’. Annabel Darlow KC is a leading prosecutor with particular expertise when it comes to handling terrorism cases – she prosecuted a Unabomber-inspired student in Liverpool convicted of preparing terrorist acts and disseminating terrorist material after his activities were uncovered by security services as part of an investigation into the purchase of chemicals online – he was sentenced to thirteen years imprisonment. Duncan Penny KC led Peter Ratliff in the prosecution of a 22-year-old man charged with planning an attack on a Christian preacher in Hyde Park shortly after the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II – he was convicted and sentenced to a minimum term of 14 years. Alison Morgan KC has considerable experience in high-profile cases – in October 2023 she prosecuted a man who had been arrested whilst trespassing within the grounds of Windsor Castle on Christmas Day armed with a loaded crossbow, who said that he was “here to kill the Queen” – he was charged with multiple offences, including under the 1842 Treason Act, and imprisoned for nine years, subject to a hybrid order under the Mental Health Act.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Lizzie Labrum is one of the best clerks in the game. She is so proactive and is like a little busy bee making sure matters are covered, liaising with courts in the background and always going above and beyond to accommodate instructing solicitors. She is an absolute asset to 6KBW College Hill.'
- 'Mark Essex and Andrew Barnes form an exceptional clerking duo at the set. They demonstrate a strong commercial acumen, responsiveness, and are a delight to work with.'
- 'Mark Essex is a delight to work with and Andrew Barnes is arguably the most talented clerk in this field.'
- 'Andrew Barnes, Mark Essex, Richard Summerscales and Lizzie Labrum are a formidable team.'
- 'The best set of criminal chambers in the county with excellent barristers across the board.'
- '6KBW College Hill continues to be the best crime set in the country.'
- '6KBW is one of the pre-eminent sets at the criminal Bar especially when it comes to prosecution.'
- '6KBW College Hill is one one of the very best criminal sets. The silks are extremely respected and the juniors are outstanding. They are hugely respected by solicitors, other barristers and judiciary.'
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.
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.
