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England - London Bar

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Crime

6KBW College Hill

More information

6KBW College Hill remains a leading set for matters premier prosecutions at all court levels, being retained in cases from Youth Courts to the Supreme Courts. Duncan Penny KC ‘is extremely knowledgeable, calm, assured and a highly skilled advocate’, advising in serious mandates pertaining to terrorism and the National Security Act 2023, including prosecuting five men who were involved in a Russian-ordered arson attack on a warehouse of goods in Leyton destined to supply Ukraine. In addition, the set includes Duncan Atkinson KC, whose portfolio of prosecutions include sophisticated manslaughter incidents, such as the case of a man described in the press as a “slapping therapist” who was convicted of causing the death of an elderly woman from lack of adequate care during a Paida Lajin workshop. Annabel Darlow KC and Alistair Richardson prosecuted a Liverpudlian student who was convicted of preparing an anarchist terrorist bombing campaign. Paul Jarvis KC was appointed to silk in March 2025.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'A top tier set with strength from top to bottom, particularly good on terrorism cases.'
'6KBW are a set of extremely accomplished and intellectual barristers. At all levels there are counsel who will delve into the detail and are not afraid to take esoteric or novel points.'
'6KBW is a first rate crime set with strength in depth.'
'6KBW are superb and our first choice of chambers for criminal matters.'
'6 KBW is one of those bench mark chambers who produce quality time and time again.'
'6 Kings Bench Walk are a competent set of Barristers chambers with a broad range of skilled Barristers at both the senior and junior end of the Bar. We have no hesitation in instructing them in both Magistrates and Crown Court matters.'

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.

Duncan Atkinson KC

Duncan Penny KC

‘He is the epitome of an iron fist in a silk glove. A wonderful combination of intelligence, experience and toughness.’

David Perry KC

‘Sasha has excellent client care skills especially when dealing with the most vulnerable defendants.'

Annabel Darlow KC

‘Annabel is supremely able. She is surely destined for even greater things.’

Simon Denison KC

‘Simon is calm, persuasive and professional. His oratory is magnetic.'

Alison Morgan KC

‘Alison is a true star of the profession.’

Tony Badenoch KC

‘An effective advocate who shows that reasonableness can be used to devastating effect.'

Jacob Hallam KC

‘A very persuasive advocate. Juries rest on his every word.'

‘Calm, thoughtful, measured, intelligent, fair.'

Gareth Patterson KC

‘Excellent preparation, skilful advocate. One of the most excellent and formidable prosecutors in England and Wales today.'

‘John is by far one of the best if not the best criminal silks in the country. He is simply in a league of his own.’

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.

‘Paul is an exceptional barrister. He is highly intelligent and has a genuine academic interest in the law. His legal arguments are therefore invariably well-researched and profound. As an advocate he is calm and measured. His submissions are so much more effective for this. He has the total respect of judges and fellow professionals.’

‘Simon is a great tactician and very approachable with clients. Very measured in court.’

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.

‘A great tactician and very approachable with clients. Very measured in court.’

‘A Silk in waiting. Peter is superb. He is extremely clever and a hugely respected advocate.'

Alistair Richardson

‘Alistair is a very engaging advocate and lawyer. He is hard working and always on top of the detail.'

‘Ben is extremely hard working, tactically astute and conceals his industry behind an easy charm in court.'

‘Adam is wise strategist. He is both an excellent black-letter lawyer and a barrister who is able to take a step back from a case and think about the best way through it.’

Esther Schutzer-Weissmann

'She is extremely balanced and fair. She is a fabulous jury advocate.'

‘Vincent is a young advocate developing a reputation for his hard work and flair as an advocate.’

‘Very good client manner, attention to detail and excellent advocacy.’

‘Lyndon is a formidable junior. He is a very fine lawyer, and an engaging advocate. He is a first class junior.’

Thomas Williams

‘He has a first-class mind and his written advocacy (in the form of his paperwork) is excellent.’