Mary Prior KC
‘Mary is an exceptional advocate. She is formidable, hard-working and very down-to-earth. She is tactically very astute and is especially good with vulnerable witnesses.’
The 36 Group is ‘a strong chambers with quality, reliable barristers at every level, for both prosecution and defence’. Mary Prior KC successfully defended a young man with severe schizophrenia who was acquitted of the murder of his mother, whom he fatally stabbed in the street, believing she was an alien intent on destroying the world. ’An assiduous and conscientious barrister’, Christopher Donnellan KC prosecuted a 51-year-old man convicted of murdering his mother in a complex case involving issues of fitness to plead, conflicting psychiatric evidence, legal arguments over the reliability of a 999 call made by the defendant. Sarah Knight, noted as ‘a highly capable advocate’, prosecuted a cross-border organised crime group from a travelling community involved in a conspiracy to steal and burgle over £500,000 from ATMs across England and Scotland.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Jack Curtis stands out for his calm efficiency and willingness to get the best result possible. Daisy Parsons and Lewis Collier are long-term diary planners, seamlessly resolving diary management issues with pinpoint accuracy. Michelle Simpson is a great example of what a top-class act looks like.'
- 'The clerks are exceptionally efficient and informative. Jack Curtis, Elliot Styles, Daisy Parsons and Lewis Collier do everything they can to assist and, with crystal balls in hand, predict difficult situations, take control and fix it.'
- 'The clerks are always helpful and honest. Elliot Styles goes out of his way to help with difficult situations.'
- 'Michelle Simpson is excellent. She leads a strong, knowledgeable team you know you can trust. Jack Curtis stands out for his extensive next-day diary management skills, and you know your case is in safe hands when managed by Daisy Parsons and Lewis Collier.'
- 'The 36 Group has a strong reputation in the legal field.'
- 'The 36 Group is a powerhouse in crime.'
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.
Christopher Donnellan KC
‘Christopher is always on top of his papers, having read everything and identified the key issues. He is a great tactician, always able to anticipate his opponent's next move. He is an excellent lawyer and a class act.’
John Lloyd-Jones KC
‘John's advocacy is exemplary. He is meticulous in his preparation. In court, he focuses on the central issues in the case and is in absolute control of every aspect of the evidence.’
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.
Sarah Knight
‘Sarah is a brilliant advocate who prepares her cases with skill and talent. Her quiet, forensic style of advocacy is compelling and persuasive.’
Claire Fraser
‘Claire is a measured and thoughtful advocate who takes the most complex cases and presents them in a simple and straightforward way. She has a forensic style of advocacy. Her case preparation is exceptional, and she knows her cases inside out.’
Nadeem Holland
‘Nadeem is an exceptional barrister. His technical judgement is superb and concise and persuasive advocacy.’
Nadia Silver
Andrew Fitch-Holland
‘Andrew has a great manner with juries and is down to earth. He is fair and an effective judgement.’
Lisa Hardy
‘Lisa is a highly passionate advocate. She researches the evidence thoroughly and never fails to find flaws. She is a persuasive jury advocate who never ceases to fight for her clients and justice.’
Katya Saudek
'Katya is a passionate and intense advocate who persuades juries of her arguments. She leaves no stone unturned in her fight for justice for her clients. She is fiercely independent, works exceptionally hard and gains the trust of her clients.'
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 Parker
‘Tom is a diligent and tenacious advocate with a grounded and engaging style. His intelligence and attention to detail, particularly in complex matters.’
Sebastian Walker
‘Sebastian is a frighteningly bright legal mind and a fierce and thoughtful advocate. He has an exceptional ability to cut through complex cases and see the points that speak to a jury, whether prosecuting or defending.’