23ES is widely regarded as ‘an excellent set, with a range of advocates who communicate well in the preparation and trial stages of a case’. Eloise Marshall KC possesses ’great clarity and tenacity’ and acted for the defendant in a murder trial involving allegations of a planned killing of a restaurant employee. ‘An exceptional trial advocate who is top of her game’, Kate Lumsdon KC represented a defendant in a violent revenge attack between drug dealers stemming from an unpaid debt. Alan Gardner KC, ’a well prepared and calm advocate with a quiet approach’, successfully prosecuted in a murder trial involving the fatal stabbing of the victim at a party, resulting in a conviction.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
lan Gardner KC was appointed as King’s Counsel in March 2022. He has a long track record of appearing in complex, sensitive and high profile criminal cases.
Alan has been ranked as a leading criminal practitioner in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 for many years as a junior and now as a silk. He is listed as a leading silk in the current editions of both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. In recent years editions of the legal directories have described him as “a class act”, “thoroughly prepared”, “tactically astute”, “very effective before a jury”, “a star”.
Alan prosecutes and defends. Since taking silk his practice has focused on homicide cases at the Central Criminal Court and around the country. In silk he has also acted in cases involving allegations of sexual offending of the utmost gravity. He has broad experience prosecuting or defending in a wide range of criminal cases, encompassing high profile murder cases; serious sexual offences (whether recent or historic) including multi-complainant and Defendant cases and trials involving allegations of large scale child sexual exploitation; complex fraud; fatal road traffic cases and organized/gang related crime (including financial crime, firearms, kidnap and robbery). He has extensive experience in the Court of Appeal in both conviction and sentence appeals.
Alan is known for his calm and considered approach, hard work, meticulous preparation, availability to discuss issues arising during the lifetime of a case and his sensitivity to the concerns and needs of clients and witnesses.
Alan sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court (London and the South East). He is authorised to try cases involving allegations of sexual offending.
What the Legal Directories say:
“Alan’s presentation of cases is immaculate. He is cool and level headed at all times, scrupulously fair and consistently courteous.”- Legal 500 2024.
“His advocacy is genuine and straightforward and effective and he has a gift for engaging a jury with his down to earth style. He thoroughly deserved to take silk this year”. – Legal 500 2023 – Crime (London)
“Always calm under pressure, works extremely hard and is a lethal cross-examiner. He is always on top of the papers…He is a genuinely decent and caring man.”- Legal 500 2023 – Crime (SE)
“Alan is a class act. He is thoroughly prepared, tactically astute, charming and very effective before a jury.” – Legal 500 2022
“Very calm under pressure” – Legal 500 2017
Career
Called 1997; Middle Temple
King’s Counsel (2022).
Recorder (Crown Court) (2020)
Memberships
Criminal Bar Association, Sussex Bar Mess, Kent Bar Mess.
Education
University of Leeds (BA First Class (Hons) History); Leeds Metropolitan University (CPE (Distinction)).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Wayne King is extremely experienced but also friendly and down to earth. He runs a tight ship.'
- 'Adam Chapman is the first port of call. He is very responsive, reasonable, and helpful.'
- 'The clerks are excellent. Adam Chapman and Wayne King are two of the best clerks in the game.'
- 'Wayne King and his team can assist, especially at the very last minute and go the extra mile to find someone.'
- '23ES has great strength and depth with high-quality advocates across the board.'
- '23ES has an excellent spread of talented barristers across the full range of criminal work.'
- '23ES is an outstanding set.'
- '23ES is an excellent set with quality across the board.'