Department profile
2BR

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


2BR

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

2BR has long had a standing in the top rank of criminal sets. It is regularly involved in high-profile cases across the full spectrum of criminal law and has practitioners, instructed for both the prosecution and defence, who have particular expertise in dealing with complex defences including insanity. One client notes: "the counsel they have in this set are extremely experienced and the results they achieve always exceed expectations." Recent cases for the set include the prosecution of Luke D'Wit.

Paul Rodgers is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • 2BR clerks are always going the extra mile. They are extremely accommodating, and nothing is ever too much. They are very responsive and do everything they can to ensure solicitors are looked after.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking service they provide is unparalleled. They could not be more helpful as a team; they are a joy to deal with.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The 2BR clerks are brilliant. Joe Martin is the man that fixes it all. There is never a problem they can't fix or smooth over, and there is never any pressure.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks' responses are always extremely prompt, polite and professional.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • 2BR's clerking team is highly effective, maintaining strong links with the courts.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsJim Sturman
    Star IndividualsJim Sturman

    Jim Sturman

    Jim Sturman KC specialises in defending both high-profile and lay individuals facing serious allegations such as sexual assault, stalking and conspiracy to produce classified drugs. Sturman has further experience of dealing with offences pertaining to the dark web and EncroChat.

    • Jim Sturman KC is a go-to because he has all the usual attributes. He is very good in court and is at the top of his game.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jim is a very safe pair of hands and is well respected.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jim is a heavyweight crime barrister. As soon as he comes into the courtroom, his presence is felt immediately.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Christine Agnew
    Band 1Christine Agnew

    Christine Agnew

    Christine Agnew KC is a highly regarded silk with a vast criminal practice. She regularly defends the gravest criminal matters such as child abuse, murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences.

    • She is a Rolls-Royce silk. She is highly respected and peerless in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Christine is a class act will before any jury. She is exceptional with client care and her ability to get to persuade the jury is exceptional.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Agnew is fabulous and so good with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Kieran Vaughan
    Band 1Kieran Vaughan

    Kieran Vaughan

    Kieran Vaughan KC is a prominent defence barrister with expertise in major criminal matters including drug smuggling, firearms, murder and attempted murder cases. He also maintains an established practice acting in Northern Ireland.

    • Kieran is a phenomenal advocate and has an amazing presence in court. His client care and the respect he shows the judges is underrated.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a delight to work with and so great in trials.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tracy Ayling
    Band 1Tracy Ayling

    Tracy Ayling

    Tracy Ayling KC is a focused criminal practitioner who both prosecutes and defends. In silk she has handled some of the highest profile serious sex and murder cases in the UK. She is well known for her specialist skill in the cross-examination of very young and vulnerable witnesses.

    • Tracy Ayling is incredibly skilled in the courtroom.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is an absolute powerhouse. Her advocacy is persuasive, charming and witty.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a very competent advocate with excellent written and oral advocacy skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Brian Altman
    Band 2Brian Altman

    Brian Altman

    Joint head of chambers Brian Altman KC is known for his remarkable expertise in the most significant criminal cases. His general crime practice comprises high-profile murder cases and terrorism work, as well as fraud matters. He also has particular expertise in dealing with police officer and misconduct cases.

    • He is really good. Altman is very detail-oriented and focused. He is very forceful and encouraging in court, and is a very good advocate to have on your side.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Altman has great gravitas and opponents really respect him. He gets the results for good reason; he is a great lawyer and brilliant to watch on his feet.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Caroline Carberry
    Band 2Caroline Carberry

    Caroline Carberry

    Caroline Carberry KC is an adept prosecutor, undertaking briefs covering homicide, sexual offences and other serious crime. She has experience of handling historic sex offences, and is also skilled as defence counsel.

    • Carberry is calm and a very confident advocate. She is good and very in demand.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Charles Sherrard
    Band 2Charles Sherrard

    Charles Sherrard

    Charles Sherrard KC is an impressive silk who boasts extensive experience of taking instructions in high-profile criminal proceedings. His particular expertise lies in complex homicide and sex cases.

    • A highly experienced advocate who takes a careful and detailed approach to his cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Craig Rush
    Band 2Craig Rush

    Craig Rush

    Craig Rush is an acclaimed criminal junior with a strong history of defending complex cases. He is particularly adept at handling privately funded criminal matters such as those involving homicide or firearms. He is also highlighted for his expertise in domestic violence, blackmail and international gang-related cases.

    • Craig is a formidable advocate before the jury and is a go-to leading junior for serious cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is great and stands out.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Dean George
    Band 2Dean George

    Dean George

    Dean George KC undertakes a variety of serious crime work and is often instructed to defend in homicides and cases related to organised crime groups. He has further strength in cyber-crime matters and is particularly noted for the strength of his advocacy.

    • He is exceptional, great in court and great with clients. His written work is second to none. Dean George KC goes through absolutely everything in detail, and is extremely concise.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is one of the very best advocates. His work ethic is unbelievable, his knowledge of the law is great and he is utterly fearless in his advocacy. His cross-examination is a joy to watch.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Louise Sweet
    Band 2Louise Sweet

    Louise Sweet

    Louise Sweet KC has a strong defence practice and is particularly well known for representing vulnerable clients in a range of complex and sensitive cases. She has experience in proceedings involving child sex abuse and multi-handed gang-related murders, among other areas.

    • Louise is exceptional. Her empathy and intellect are invaluable to clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Louise gets fantastic results in hard cases. She has a particular niche in sex cases. She is very good in preparation and in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her preparation is second to none and she is not scared to take risks. She has a down-to-earth manner and is brilliant with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Alastair Smith
    Band 3Alastair Smith

    Alastair Smith

    • Smith is a very competent advocate with excellent written advocacy skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Alastair has a firm but approachable manner, which makes him incredibly valuable to have on the defence team.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a brilliant negotiator. He is a real people person and knows exactly which buttons to press.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a faultless tactician and advocate, and is always willing to think outside of the box and to come up with novel arguments.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Charlotte Newell
    Band 3Charlotte Newell

    Charlotte Newell

    • She is very good at the helm of large prosecution cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Newell is very proactive. She has a lovely manner with clients and is great in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a fair and formidable opponent, with a nice, pleasant style of advocacy. She is really impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Charlotte is very thorough, very firm and is very disarming in her cross-examining. She is very effective.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Anand Beharrylal
    Band 4Anand Beharrylal

    Anand Beharrylal

    • He is an excellent professional, charming and very good with juries.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He can explain complexities to difficult clients quickly and concisely and then impress the nuances of a case on a jury with equal ease.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a fearless and dedicated advocate. He thoroughly prepares each case and has a very good way with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a highly regarded and very competent counsel. He provides excellent client care and is a tactician.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Anand is an excellent silk, he is excellent to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Ashraf Khan
    Band 4Ashraf Khan

    Ashraf Khan

    • Able, knowledgeable and someone who takes a realistic, no-nonsense approach.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Lisa Bald
    Band 4Lisa Bald

    Lisa Bald

    • She is a seasoned advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Lisa Bald is very diligent, committed and a good courtroom advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Rhys Rosser
    Band 4Rhys Rosser

    Rhys Rosser

    • Rhys is incredibly intelligent. His knowledge of the law is probably second to none and his written work is brilliant.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rhys is a compelling advocate with an ability to present a difficult case in an attractive manner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rhys is an excellent advocate who always resolves issues in a calm and proactive manner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rhys Rosser is an excellent barrister who is a pleasure to work alongside. He is hard-working and dedicated.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Samuel Magee
    Band 4Samuel Magee

    Samuel Magee

    • Samuel has a commanding, powerful presence in court. He has charm, huge professionalism and is extremely good with client care.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is exceptionally skilled in presenting the most complex of cases in both jury and non-jury courts. His written advice and submissions are excellent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is very strong in every regard.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Timothy Hunter
    Band 4Timothy Hunter

    Timothy Hunter

    • An experienced junior, who is unruffled at all times. He adopts a very commonsense, practical approach to his cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Christopher Martin
    Band 5Christopher Martin

    Christopher Martin

    • He is hard-working and highly respected. He has been instructed in the most serious of cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Chris is an excellent advocate with a polished and impressive style.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is down to earth with the defendants but has the most amazing courtroom presence. He will go above and beyond on all of his cases and gives 100%.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Chris deals with complex matters in a sensitive way and always has a great attention to detail and is very knowledgeable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Chris has the ability to converse with clients. He is an exceptional advocate with a keen attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Stan Reiz
    Band 5Stan Reiz

    Stan Reiz

    • He was phenomenal. He is really great with legal arguments and great with juries. He is super smart.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Stan is the best up-and-coming silk. He handles high-profile cases and is exceptional in his advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Andrew McGee
    Band 6Andrew McGee

    Andrew McGee

    • He is an outstanding advocate with exceptional attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Ashley Hendron
    Band 6Ashley Hendron

    Ashley Hendron

    • Ashley has great attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ashley is a confident and impressive advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His preparation is just unbelievable. He leaves no stone unturned, is very confident, offers robust advice and is excellent with client care. He is an incredible jury advocate and very calm in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a highly skilled advocate and prepares every case brilliantly.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Hendron is versatile, good with clients and judges and is a people person. He offers attention to detail and is very organised and on top of his cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Catherine Farrelly
    Band 6Catherine Farrelly

    Catherine Farrelly

    • She has a complete grasp of the entire case. Catherine is a forensic cross-examiner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Farrelly is exemplary, calm and very good with vulnerable witnesses.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is very well prepared. She knows what her target is and can get it done well.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is excellent and very strong.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Jacqueline Carey
    Band 6Jacqueline Carey

    Jacqueline Carey

    • Jacqui is a difference maker. She is hard-working, extremely knowledgeable and someone who gets the big decisions right every time.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She has an attention to detail like no other.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Nick Barraclough
    Band 6Nick Barraclough

    Nick Barraclough

    • Judges love him, he is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksCharles Langley
    New SilksCharles Langley

    Charles Langley

    • He is superb.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is an exceptional barrister. He is engaging. Every client thinks he is great and they like him and he makes things very clear for them. Everyone has their focus on him when he's in the room.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksLouise Oakley
    New SilksLouise Oakley

    Louise Oakley

    Louise Oakley regularly prosecutes serious criminal cases at the Old Bailey as Senior Treasury Counsel. She has a wealth of experience handling the full spectrum of criminal offences, including murder and sex crimes.

    • Louise Oakley has a great reputation at the criminal Bar and is known for dealing with heavyweight and complex cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her strategy was just second to none. She is hugely impressive too.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Oakley does an amazing level of preparation and is really good in court. She is in a league of her own.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 2BR (27)

London (Bar)

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