Department profile
2 Harcourt Buildings

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


2 Harcourt Buildings

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 4

Band 4


What the Team is Known For

2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. Recent examples of work include R v Thomas Huang, involving an attack at Blundell's Public school by a pupil, who claimed he was sleepwalking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are exceptionally professional, forward-thinking and fast. They anticipate in advance what needs to be done and have already thought about it before the solicitor or counsel contacts them.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Senior clerk Keith Poynter and his team are exceptional.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team are immediately responsive and their level of service is extremely high.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are responsive and agile enough to deal with specific needs.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 3Dominic Hockley
    Band 3Dominic Hockley

    Dominic Hockley

    • Dominic is an extremely competent and hard-working advocate, who always wants to achieve the best for his client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Hockley is absolutely superb, incredibly clever, very hard-working and has excellent judgement. He reads the room really well.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He has got the drive you require to win a case. He can get complex situations over to juries and judges.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is trusted to do some very serious work, which is not a surprise given that he works hard, thinks clearly and is one of the best advocates.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Catherine Donnelly
    Band 4Catherine Donnelly

    Catherine Donnelly

    • Catherine Donnelly is an extremely competent and hard-working advocate, who always wants to achieve the best for her client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She does brilliant advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is hard-working, tenacious and dedicated to delivering a good result. She understands the needs of the firm and lay client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is exceptional, very focused and presents the case with real clarity and impact. She showed fabulous judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4James Dawes
    Band 4James Dawes

    James Dawes

    • James is an extremely competent and hard-working KC, who always wants to achieve the best for his client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • James Dawes KC has a very strong prosecution practice. He displayed very strong tactical judgement and compassionate client skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely thorough, very able and very pleasant. He is direct, forceful and comprehensive on his feet.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Christopher Stimpson
    Band 5Christopher Stimpson

    Christopher Stimpson

    • Christopher Stimpson is a very good jury advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He bonds very well with the lay client and is very popular.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Stimpson gets excellent results for a client. He is a really excellent advocate and sensitive to client needs.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Paul Cavin
    Band 5Paul Cavin

    Paul Cavin

    • Paul Cavin KC always wants to achieve the best for his client, and therefore sets out so to do from the outset of any instruction.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Juries and judges love his style, and his cross-examination is devastatingly good. On his feet, taking on a defendant, it is absolutely edge-of-the-seat stuff.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Jenny Burgess
    Band 6Jenny Burgess

    Jenny Burgess

    • Burgess has excellent preparation and advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She has a calm and controlled manner which is extremely effective, and which has juries completely onside right from the start.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her advocacy was clear, concise and she dealt with experts so well.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her advocacy in court was very good and well measured.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is highly versatile and keenly aware as to the challenges firms in our sector face. She is highly trusted counsel.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 2 Harcourt Buildings (6)

London (Bar)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership