5KBW is a high-quality criminal set, regularly instructed in significant matters across both prosecution and defence. The set has recently strengthened at silk level, with Louise Oakley and William Davis KC both taking silk in 2026. Sarah Forshaw KC acted in a case involving multiple counts of historic sexual assault, reflecting the set’s continued instruction in serious and sensitive matters. Mark Heywood KC prosecuted former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill, who was convicted of having accepted bribes from a Ukrainian pro-Kremlin political figure linked to Victor Medvedchuk, who is subjected to sanctions under the UK’s Russia regime. Charlotte Newell KC prosecuted a woman who was convicted of the murder of another woman in front of their children at a child’s birthday party.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

Great set, good range of barristers - top to bottom and hard-working clerks who will bend over backwards to help you.
A set at the top of its game, with strength in depth following shrewd recruitment. Very helpful clerks, particularly Lee Hughes Gage.
5KBW has some very good barristers. Their pupils and juniors are bright and capable beyond their call. More senior counsel like David Osborne and Nick Robinson are brilliant to work with and achieve outstanding results with juries.
The clerks' room is reliable and capable. It is always a pleasure to deal with them, and they are good at matching the right counsel to cases.
Matt Harper is very helpful and sensible - easy to work with.
They are a first-class criminal set.

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.

Sarah Forshaw KC

Sarah is the full package. Her expertise in high-profile, career-ending sex cases is outstanding. If you can get her, the value she will add to the team is indescribable. She is a natural-born winner, and her closing speeches are always delivered impeccably.

Mark Heywood KC

He is an excellent jury advocate with a sharp strategic mind and an ability to present complex material in a clear and compelling way.

Jonathan Higgs KC

Highly respected with particular strength on the prosecution side.

Anthony Orchard KC

Anthony is measured, reflective, and insightful. His advocacy utilizes all those qualities, and as a result, is very persuasive.

Charlotte Newell KC

She is decisive, persuasive, and her tactical decisions are astute. She lays the groundwork very well from written advice through to legal argument and knows how to build a strong foundation for her case from the start. Her client care is excellent, and she is a powerful advocate who speaks with conviction, making her a force you’re glad to have leading your team in the courtroom.

Paul Taylor KC

For appeals work, there is no one better. If there is a point to be taken, he will find it.

Natasha Wong KC

Firstly, an extremely nice and pleasant person to work with. She is also hard-working and a safe pair of hands to instruct in serious, sensitive cases. Excellent client care.

2026 Silks

Louise Oakley KC

William Davis KC

William is one of the most articulate, reasonable, capable, and confident advocates I know. He is a superb prosecutor with an eye for detail and a consummate command of the law. He is also a pleasure to work with and consequently obtains the trust of judges and jurors very easily.

2025 Silks

James Brown KC

He has a careful and persuasive style - judges and jurors alike listen to him and know that what he has to say is worth taking on board. He is able to present complex evidence in a helpful way, cutting through it to get to the point.

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.

Jennifer Dannhauser

Jennifer Dannhauser is so meticulous in her work; she leaves no stone unturned in preparing the client's defence. Her attention to detail is inspiring, and she is such a useful person to instruct in these sorts of cases. Her client care skills are also excellent, and she is able to put clients at ease very quickly upon meeting them. She is very empathetic with clients. She gets brilliant results.

Ben Holt

David Osborne

David Osborne is the barrister I would want to represent me if I were ever facing a criminal trial. He takes control of his cases from day one, which makes the instructing solicitor's job so much easier. Clients are instantly put at ease by David's general manner and obvious experience and expertise. Judges know that David knows what he's talking about. Juries seem to hang on his every word. His next step is surely Silk - and he'll be one of the best ones very quickly.

Frederick Hookway

Catherine Pattison

Catherine is incredibly hardworking, with a superb eye for detail. Her advocacy is measured, thoughtful, and fair. She is undoubtedly a silk in the making.

5KBW

England - London Bar

Crime