The Bar - Regional Bar • North Eastern Circuit
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Crime (general and fraud)

Wilberforce Chambers

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Hull's Wilberforce Chambers is ‘a strong set of criminal barristers’. Michele Stuart-Lofthouse is ‘a measured and polished presence in court’ and ‘always ahead of the game in terms of her trial strategy’, with an excellent track record in handling cases of murder, serious violence, serious sexual offences, and large-scale drugs conspiracies. Rachel Scott has ‘a flair for jury speeches’, while Charlotte Baines is ‘a courageous and combative cross-examiner’ and ‘a real tour-de-force in her field’. In recent instructions for the set, Baines and Dale Brook appeared in a trial concerning a contract killing in Hull.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Wayne Stevens and Lewis Richardson are a credit to the chambers.'
  • 'Wayne Stevens runs the clerks' office well.'
  • 'Clerks are second to none. Extremely helpful, accommodating and go the extra mile!'
  • 'A first-class service.'
  • 'Strength and depth in talented counsel.'
  • 'Wilberforce Chambers is a well run and clerked set.'
  • 'Wilberforce Chambers is full of likeable, sensible, and talented barristers.'
  • 'Excellent set.'

Silks

Juniors

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.
1
Charlotte Baines
Wilberforce Chambers
 'Charlotte is a class act. She knows the law, applies it to the evidence in the case in hand and produces excellent written work. She is at her best in court, and juries warm to her common sense and down to earth approach. Hers is an iron fist in a velvet glove.'
1
Michele Stuart-Lofthouse
Wilberforce Chambers
2
Julia Baggs
Wilberforce Chambers
 'An extremely able trial lawyer with a very good jury presence.'
3
Rachel Scott
Wilberforce Chambers
 ‘She is a force to be reckoned with: ferocious in court and excellent with clients.’
3
Dale Brook
Wilberforce Chambers
 'Dale is an engaging and effective advocate, with an incredible presence before a jury.'
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.
Michael Forrest
Wilberforce Chambers
 'Michael is a fearless advocate. He is not afraid to challenge perceived wisdom and bring a fresh and effective perspective to complex issues of fact and law.'
Oliver Shipley
Wilberforce Chambers
 'A concise advocate, unflappable and with good judgement.'