Drystone Chambers is ‘a very good set with a variety of strong barristers’ that handles the full spectrum of criminal law matters, including homicide, armed robbery, gang crime, and sexual offences. Karim Khalil KC specialises in gross negligence manslaughter cases and recently secured acquittal of a pilot after a RIB collided with a buoy in the Solent, killing a passenger. Allison Summers KC is known for ’her meticulous case preparation and attention to detail’ and is currently acting for a defendant in a joint enterprise murder case after a stabbing in Sudbury. William Carter defended a senior solicitor who defrauded his firm's client account of £2m after falling victim to an advance fee fraud. Lynne Shirley is praised for ‘her fine detail in preparing cases and drafting statements’, while Claire Matthews has extensive experience of acting for both defence and prosecution in criminal cases - she prosecuted alone in a case of a defendant who pleaded guilty the day before trial to human trafficking, brothel-keeping and money laundering offences.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Steve McCarthy is the best clerk.'
- 'Steve McCarthy is extremely helpful and approachable, as is David Cox. The clerks' room is excellent on the whole. They are always willing to help and assist clients.'
- 'Ryan Bartlett is excellent and always willing to help.'
- 'Drystone Chambers is a go-to set. They provide a first-class service.'
- 'Drystone Chambers is the go-to when it comes to instructing counsel.'
- 'Drystone Chambers is an excellent set of chambers producing advocates of a consistently high standard.'
- 'Drystone Chambers is a very well-regarded set which does serious and organised criminal work.'
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.
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.
William Carter
‘William is an outstanding advocate and always well-prepared. His submissions are thoughtful, to the point, and gets the law right. He has excellent judgement in trials.’
Lynne Shirley
‘Lynne has a clinical eye for detail and a very disarming manner with clients. She is fearsome and meticulous in cross-examination.’
Azza Brown
'Azza is extremely capable advocate. She works well under pressure. She has a good manner with the client, always provides strong and reassuring leadership, and always works constructively with her opponent counsel.'
Claire Howell
Jo Morris
‘Jo is a fearless advocate. She is pro-active and determined, always willing to go the extra yard for what is best for the client.’
Kenniesha Stephens
‘Kenniesha has super judgement and a forensic mind.’
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.