QEB Hollis Whiteman is known as ‘a leading set with expert counsel in all areas of criminal work’. Eleanor Laws KC is renowned as a ‘a class of her own’, offering her expertise in major sexual offences trials, including those involving historical offences and prestigious clients, as seen in her recent work in Daly v His Majesty’s Advocate, a challenge to Scottish laws regarding sexual history evidence under the European Convention on Human Rights. David Jeremy KC, described as ’extremely intelligent, utterly fearless and highly effective’, advises in various high-profile homicides, including the murder of a cyclist who was deliberately run over by a man driving a Range Rover. Nadesh Karu is experienced at the appellate level, representing two individuals who were convicted of statutory public nuisance after invading the track during the first lap of the 2022 British Grand Prix and, in another defence instruction, Philip Stott and Tom Phillips represented a man who was tried for sending ISIS propaganda, including beheading videos, over Telegram; the case involved expert evidence over the defendant’s autism.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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.
Ali Bajwa KC
‘Ali is the best there is at the criminal Bar. He makes advocacy look like an art.’
David Jeremy KC
‘A fearsome and fearless advocate, who reads the mood of the court, and uses the wisdom of his decades of experience to his best advantage.'
Zoe Johnson KC
‘Zoe is superb advocate; she is highly cerebral yet she can speak to anyone at any level. Juries love her.'
Philip Evans KC
‘A very measured and persuasive advocate who is hugely respected by his peers.'
Alexandra Felix KC
‘She is brilliant with clients. Her advocacy and powers of persuasion are impressive to watch.’
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Tom Kark KC
Sean Larkin KC
‘He is excellent at client care. Sean's advocacy skills leave jurors waiting to her his every word.'
2024 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.
Jocelyn Ledward KC
‘A true star at the criminal bar - excelling equally in serious crime and complex fraud. Her encyclopaedic legal knowledge and decades of experience of prosecuting the most serious cases makes her one of the most formidable defenders. Accurate, unflinching and measured.’
Jonathan Polnay KC
‘Jonathan is very well-prepared with strong tactical sense and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. These qualities made him a formidable junior and will make him a great silk.’
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.
Nadesh Karu
‘A witty, effortless, intuitive advocate, who thinks on his feet and is hugely engaging.’
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Philip McGhee
‘Philip is a really excellent all-rounder. He can be a tough streetfighter and will stand up to any difficult judge.’
Philip Stott
‘Philip demonstrates a great command of complex facts. He shows superb judgement in complex, serious cases.'
Susannah Stevens
‘Susannah is a highly respected and sought after barrister. She really stands up for her clients and can lock horns and win in spats with judges and prosecutors.’
Senghin Kong
Adam King
‘He has a great manner with clients and a rare ability to explain complex matters in a clear and simple way. Alongside his verbal dexterity and eloquence sits a wonderful writing style.’
Fallon Alexis
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Tom Broomfield
‘Tom thinks clearly, deeply and creatively about his cases. He is truly a first rate and excellent counsel.'
Kerry Broome
‘Kerry is a junior doing silks work. There’s no case or situation she can’t deal with. She really can make judges change their mind.’
Polly Dyer
‘Polly is a keen and effective lawyer who has the ability to achieve excellent results in a broad range of cases.’
Karen Robinson
‘Karen is a formidable junior. She is relentlessly hard-working, with a mastery of the evidence that is second to none.’
Fiona Robertson
Fiona is one of the true stars at the junior criminal Bar. Her advocacy is outstanding.’
Roger Smart
‘Roger is a specialist in calling expert evidence and challenging his experts to produce their best evidence. His understanding of the intricacies of cell site evidence is unparalleled.’
Rachna Gokani
‘Rachna is able to synthesise complex evidence and pull out the key issues to address. Her advocacy is carried out with great skill.’
Tom Doble
Kyan Pucks
‘Very intelligent, strategic and with an eye for detail. Her advocacy is measured and persuasive. A top junior.'
Paul Wakerley
‘Paul is hard working with great client care but it’s his tactical approach to a case and his judgment which really sets him apart.’
Jennifer Newcomb
'Jennifer is an exceptional barrister whose strengths lie in her superb written work, incisive legal analysis, and meticulous attention to detail. Her command of the law is outstanding, and she brings both intellectual depth and practical judgment to the case.'
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.
Tom Phillips
'Tom is an excellent junior with a very strong intellectual approach and great judgement in court regarding strategy and presentation. He has appeared in very high-profile and serious allegations at a level beyond his call and is highly regarded within the sector.'