Department profile
23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) handles the full regimen of criminal matters including murder, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and road traffic work. Sources state that the "knowledge and skill set of their barristers in areas of the law, advocacy and presentation are remarkable." Alongside its capabilities in London, the set has an office in Manchester and many of its members are capable of conducting cross-border and foreign work in jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands, where they handle a good diet of financial crime work. Its members are experienced in both prosecution and defence work, with recent instructions including acting as leading counsel for the Crown in the conviction of Ian Hamilton, who was convicted of 60 counts of rape and sexual assault.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Chambers director Wayne King and his clerks will go the extra mile, even at the very last minute. 23ES has an exceptional team of clerks.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Adam Chapman is very knowledgeable of the diaries and the barristers and how they will interact with clients. He is always accommodating with urgent issues, and will arrange for urgent advice.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • No request is too much for the 23ES clerks. They are very helpful, especially Daniel Randall.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks provide a very high standard of service. They are always polite and knowledgeable of the barristers within their set.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • 23ES has fantastic clerking. They are very honest and a good team. Wayne is fantastic.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Lisa Wilding
    Band 1Lisa Wilding

    Lisa Wilding

    Lisa Wilding KC specialises in the prosecution and defence of murder and serious sexual offences, among other cases. She is particularly noted for her handling of complex evidence and the sensitive way in which she deals with vulnerable witnesses and defendants.

    • Lisa Wilding KC has got an exceptional way with judges, who trust her quite rightly. She is a formidable operator.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She was exceptional in her advocacy and is forensic in her cross-examination.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Wilding's advocacy was first-rate and she provides exceptionally great cross-examination.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Thomas Godfrey
    Band 1Thomas Godfrey

    Thomas Godfrey

    Thomas Godfrey is a skilled junior with a strong defence practice, that takes in a number of serious cases including homicides. He has particular experience of organised crime and financial crime matters.

    • He is very good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Thomas Godfrey is very good on the law, brilliant with the jury, calm and insightful.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Cairns Nelson
    Band 2Cairns Nelson

    Cairns Nelson

    Cairns Nelson KC is well versed in the defence and prosecution of complex homicide cases. He is noted by sources for possessing real presence in court.

    • He is absolutely great, extremely affable and very easy to deal with. He is a very good barrister and fantastic jury performer, and a good all-round package.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Cairns Nelson KC went above and beyond to get the right result for the client. He knew the case intimately.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Eloise Marshall
    Band 2Eloise Marshall

    Eloise Marshall

    Eloise Marshall KC has a broad criminal practice, and both prosecutes and defends a variety of serious offences. She is particularly experienced at handling sexual cases, as well as those involving homicides and other violent offences. Alongside her domestic practice, she has also acted in foreign fraud prosecutions.

    • Eloise Marshall KC was superb in all aspects of the case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Francis FitzGibbon
    Band 2Francis FitzGibbon

    Francis FitzGibbon

    Francis FitzGibbon KC is a persuasive silk with a practice that is focused on heavy crime and fraud. His recent matters include cases relating to murder, joint enterprise and historic sex offences. He also has experience handling terrorism work and human trafficking cases. FitzGibbon has significant appellate experience and also undertakes international work.

    • Francis is great. He's a fine advocate with great client-handling skills, who is very pleasant to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2John Price
    Band 2John Price

    John Price

    John Price KC both prosecutes and defends serious criminal cases, including those involving murder, abduction, sexual offences, firearms, fraud and drugs. He is experienced in appearing before the Court of Appeal and in handling Special Court cases.

    • John Price KC is everyone's go-to. He is brilliant.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Charles Royle
    Band 3Charles Royle

    Charles Royle

    • Charles Royle is a straight-talking, fair prosecutor. He is very competent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a good advocate and fearless.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Charles Royle is my go-to barrister for serious crime matters. He is exceptional with clients and can break down complex issues in a way that they can all understand.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Kate Lumsdon
    Band 3Kate Lumsdon

    Kate Lumsdon

    • A very good barrister, who is most courteous to judges, juries and clients alike. She knows what she wants to achieve and sets about things in a determined fashion.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Mark Fenhalls
    Band 3Mark Fenhalls

    Mark Fenhalls

    • Mark Fenhalls KC is one of the most focused and charming practitioners at the Bar. To see him in court is to witness a masterclass of advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Bogan
    Band 3Paul Bogan

    Paul Bogan

    • Bogan is extremely clever and charming. He mastered a huge amount of evidence.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very good, wily operator, who is not afraid to take points for clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Paul is a fraud specialist. He has a good reputation.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Bogan KC is very experienced, well recognised and very impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Hugh Forgan
    Band 4Hugh Forgan

    Hugh Forgan

    • He is really good on the law and his written work is very clear and eloquent. His oral advocacy is just as good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Jennifer Knight
    Band 4Jennifer Knight

    Jennifer Knight

    • Jennifer is particularly good with acting for those with mental health issues.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is quick and she is bright.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is elegant and understated, with a fantastic work ethic.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Rina-Marie Hill
    Band 4Rina-Marie Hill

    Rina-Marie Hill

    • Rina is insightful, knowledgeable and great with the client. Her advocacy was well prepared, clean and concise.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rina-Marie Hill provides fierce and persuasive advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She attracts the attention of a jury or tribunal with her personable but rigorous approach. She skilfully cross-examines vulnerable witnesses and brings dedication, empathy and perseverance.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Rossano Scamardella
    Band 4Rossano Scamardella

    Rossano Scamardella

    • He has obvious gravitas in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tim Clark
    Band 4Tim Clark

    Tim Clark

    • He has complete command of the courtroom.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Tim Clark is regularly instructed on serious homicide cases. He is a safe pair of hands.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Elisabeth Acker
    Band 5Elisabeth Acker

    Elisabeth Acker

    • She cuts to the heart of the matter and makes what she needs very clear.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Lizzy Acker is an excellent and very engaging advocate. Her vivacious presentation endears her to the jury, so that they listen.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Emilie Morrison
    Band 5Emilie Morrison

    Emilie Morrison

    • Her client care is impeccable and she really goes the extra mile for her clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Morrison is a very impressive junior counsel, and has a great practice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Richard Bentwood
    Band 5Richard Bentwood

    Richard Bentwood

    • His expertise was exceptional. He's a man with a great work ethic, whose judgement can be fully trusted.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Abigail Husbands
    Band 6Abigail Husbands

    Abigail Husbands

    • Her level of client care was first class, providing extremely helpful, reassuring advice and good presentation of mitigation before the court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Abbie has exceptional grasp of the issues and has strong persuasive advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is an absolute star. She is excellent in all respects. She has dealt with tricky legal arguments in a very complex and sensitive matter.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is an ironman in the best way. She is solid and legally brilliant. She is always on time, well researched, and spot-on.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Abigail Husbands is a very excellent advocate. She works hard and is great opposition.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Helena Duong
    Band 6Helena Duong

    Helena Duong

    • She is very impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Duong is exceptional. She is very hard-working and has the composure of a silk.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Nathan Rasiah
    Band 6Nathan Rasiah

    Nathan Rasiah

    • Nathan worked incredibly hard. He is relentless in pushing his clients' point.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Zafar Ali
    Band 6Zafar Ali

    Zafar Ali

    • An expert tactician, always meticulously prepared, who demonstrates superb witness control. His incisive cross-examinations are executed with clinical attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksFlora Page
    New SilksFlora Page

    Flora Page

    • Flora Page is great with financial crime in particular. She is the ideal silk for a paper-heavy case with a lot going on outside the court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is outstanding and the perfect lead counsel.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) (23)

London (Bar)

23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) has rankings in the following guides

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