5KBW fields ‘barristers of the highest quality who deal with high profile cases on a regular basis’. James Brown KC took silk in 2025 - he prosecuted a case involving the importation of 70kg of cocaine and 632kg of ketamine. Mark Heywood KC prosecuted Daniel Khalife, a then-serving British soldier who spied for Iran, while on remand, escaped from HMP Wandsworth. Jonathan Higgs KC prosecuted a man for murdering his wife then storing her remains in the attic. Catherine Farrelly KC prosecuted Zhenhao Zou, a PhD student who was sentenced to life imprisonment for drugging and raping ten women (only two of whom were traced), filming his attacks in both the UK and mainland China; Zou is thought by police to have had as many as fifty further victims.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Strength and depth trhoughout. Noted for its calibre of tenant. Always striving to retain excellence.'
- '5 King's Bench Walk is a distinguished set with a strong reputation in criminal law. The chambers offer a depth of expertise across various areas, including homicide, serious sexual offenses, and organized crime. The set is known for its collaborative environment and commitment to excellence, making it a reliable choice for complex criminal matters.'
- 'Barristers of the highest quality who deal with high profile cases on a regular basis.'
- 'They have a reputation for top prosecution work.'
- 'Barristers of the highest quality who deal with high profile cases on a regular basis.'
- 'Strong from top to bottom. Excellent selection of counsel. You know whether you are instructing a Silk or a junior tenant they will be first rate.'
- 'Quality set who is home to some of the leading barristers in the industry.'
- '5KBW are criminal heavyweights. They have brilliant advocates of the highest calibre.'