Chambers Review

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Crime - London (Bar)

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

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Lisa Wilding
1
Band 1

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.

She was exceptional in her advocacy and is forensic in her cross-examination.

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

1
Thomas Godfrey
1
Band 1

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.

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

2
Cairns Nelson
2
Band 2

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.

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

2
Eloise Marshall
2
Band 2

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.

Francis FitzGibbon
2
Francis FitzGibbon
2
Band 2

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.

2
John Price
2
Band 2

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.

3
Charles Royle
3
Band 3

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

He is a good advocate and fearless.

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.

3
Kate Lumsdon
3
Band 3

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.

3
Mark Fenhalls
3
Band 3

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.

3
Paul Bogan
3
Band 3

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

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

Paul is a fraud specialist. He has a good reputation.

Paul Bogan KC is very experienced, well recognised and very impressive.

4
Hugh Forgan
4
Band 4

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

Jennifer Knight
4
Jennifer Knight
4
Band 4

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

She is quick and she is bright.

She is elegant and understated, with a fantastic work ethic.

4
Rina-Marie Hill
4
Band 4

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

Rina-Marie Hill provides fierce and persuasive advocacy.

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.

Rossano Scamardella
4
Rossano Scamardella
4
Band 4

He has obvious gravitas in court.

4
Tim Clark
4
Band 4

He has complete command of the courtroom.

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

Elisabeth Acker
5
Elisabeth Acker
5
Band 5

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

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

Emilie Morrison
5
Emilie Morrison
5
Band 5

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

Morrison is a very impressive junior counsel, and has a great practice.

5
Richard Bentwood
5
Band 5

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

6
Abigail Husbands
6
Band 6

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

Abbie has exceptional grasp of the issues and has strong persuasive advocacy.

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.

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

Abigail Husbands is a very excellent advocate. She works hard and is great opposition.

6
Helena Duong
6
Band 6

She is very impressive.

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

6
Nathan Rasiah KC
6
Band 6

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

6
Zafar Ali
6
Band 6

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

Flora Page
Flora Page
New Silks

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.

She is outstanding and the perfect lead counsel.

Ranked Barristers at
23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Crime

1
Lisa Wilding KC
1
Band 1
2
Cairns Nelson KC
2
Band 2
2
Eloise Marshall KC
2
Band 2
Francis FitzGibbon KC
2
Francis FitzGibbon KC
2
Band 2
2
John Price KC
2
Band 2
3
Kate Lumsdon KC
3
Band 3
3
Mark Fenhalls KC
3
Band 3
3
Paul Bogan KC
3
Band 3
Jennifer Knight KC
4
Jennifer Knight KC
4
Band 4
Rossano Scamardella KC
4
Rossano Scamardella KC
4
Band 4
4
Tim Clark KC
4
Band 4
6
Nathan Rasiah KC
6
Band 6
6
Zafar Ali KC
6
Band 6
Flora Page KC
Flora Page KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Crime

1
Thomas Godfrey
1
Band 1
3
Charles Royle
3
Band 3
4
Hugh Forgan
4
Band 4
4
Rina-Marie Hill
4
Band 4
Elisabeth Acker
5
Elisabeth Acker
5
Band 5
Emilie Morrison
5
Emilie Morrison
5
Band 5
20 of 23 results