Department profile
6KBW College Hill

Financial Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


6KBW College Hill

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Financial Crime - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

6KBW College Hill is "absolutely trusted" in the financial crime market, recognised for its "incredible wealth of experience, with clear strategic thinking." Members are regularly instructed to act for both the prosecution and the defence in complex Serious Fraud Office investigations, and count several leading corporations and individual directors among their enviable client base. The set is routinely involved in high-profile matters, and recent work undertaken by its tenants includes defending an individual in the SFO prosecution of Glencore individuals.

Richard Summerscales is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They are proactive, very responsive and very helpful. The team is always commercial when it comes to rates and who is the best fit for clients.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are particularly good at 6KBW. You can always get straight through to the senior clerks and they will make things happen.

    Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsDavid Perry
    Star IndividualsDavid Perry

    David Perry

    David Perry KC is a star player and a highly accomplished silk who is at the apex of the Criminal Bar. He is lauded for his efforts in high-stakes criminal matters such as those concerning overseas bribery and corruption investigations into household-name companies. He also boasts an impressive record of advising major corporates on multi-jurisdictional internal investigations.

    • David is our go-to silk for white-collar crime defence. He is the best.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He has done it all and is tremendously clever. He is very available and approachable.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Duncan Penny
    Band 1Duncan Penny

    Duncan Penny

    Duncan Penny KC handles high-profile prosecutions involving overseas corruption and company law breaches, among others. His practice also includes acting for the defence in market manipulation matters and appearing in fraud private prosecutions.

    • He is extremely articulate and has one of the best grasps of the law in his field.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is in the premier tier of barristers. He is an encyclopaedia of the law and a very forceful advocate.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is clever and clear. He is good with clients.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Esther Schutzer-Weissmann
    Band 1Esther Schutzer-Weissmann

    Esther Schutzer-Weissmann

    Esther Schutzer-Weissman regularly acts for the prosecution, handling cases relating to allegations of investment fraud, misstatement of financial accounts and money laundering. She is deeply experienced in large Serious Fraud Office investigations and her practice has a notable international aspect.

    • Esther is extremely dedicated and communicates very well with the client. She is very thorough.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Leila Gaafar
    Band 2Leila Gaafar

    Leila Gaafar

    Leila Gaafar trained and qualified as a solicitor before transitioning to the Bar, providing her with a diverse skillset beyond her years of call. As a barrister she has a varied criminal practice with particular experience defending complex fraud and bribery allegations, in addition to advising and representing corporates.

    • Leila is a stand out individual in the next generation of the financial crime market. She has impeccable judgement and has a very impressive work ethic.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Leila is extremely hard-working and has a very, very promising future ahead of her.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Leila is very bright and very quick. She is incredibly hard-working.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Miranda Hill
    Band 2Miranda Hill

    Miranda Hill

    Miranda Hill KC is increasingly sought out to advise corporations implicated in financial crime, and has acted for some household names from the media, manufacturing and financial services sectors. She has acted on both the prosecution and defence sides in high-profile corporate corruption investigations. Hill has particular expertise in bribery cases.

    • Miranda is a great advocate and is able to win the trust and confidence of her clients.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Miranda is brilliant. She is very client-friendly.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Miranda is user-friendly, clever, available and charming. She is very collaborative and has a good sense of the courtroom.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Peter Ratliff
    Band 2Peter Ratliff

    Peter Ratliff

    Peter Ratliff is equally adept whether acting for the prosecution or the defence in criminal investigations by HMRC and the Serious Fraud Office and is noted for his adroit handling of cases concerning all areas of financial crime including fraud, bribery and corruption. Many of his instructions originate overseas and involve international activity.

    • Peter is really fantastic.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is outstanding. He is a silk in juniors' clothing. He is a great legal mind, has a great courtroom manner and really puts the hours in.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a real star in the making.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Rebecca Chalkley
    Band 2Rebecca Chalkley

    Rebecca Chalkley

    Rebecca Chalkley KC is a respected barrister with noted ability prosecuting substantial fraud, bribery and corruption cases. She is experienced in handling private prosecutions and is recognised for her particular expertise in disclosure matters in financial crime cases.

    • Rebecca is super ambitious and a very rousing advocate.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rebecca is a pleasure to work with. She combines deep expertise with a friendly manner and a phenomenal work ethic.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Rebecca is an excellent all-rounder. She is able to handle complex and sophisticated matters, particularly in relation to complicated financial crime involving a huge number of financial documents.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Gareth Patterson
    Band 4Gareth Patterson

    Gareth Patterson

    Gareth Patterson KC is a versatile performer accustomed to acting for the Serious Fraud Office in criminal investigations and prosecutions, including fraud and corruption matters. He is also recognised for representing defendants accused of fraud and rate manipulation. Patterson is lauded for his ability to handle large financial crime cases.

    • He is a very talented barrister who really knows what he is doing.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Sasha Wass
    Band 4Sasha Wass

    Sasha Wass

    Sasha Wass KC is an excellent choice of counsel for serious fraud cases. She acts for both defence and prosecution in complex proceedings against individuals and high-profile corporations.

  • New SilksSimon Ray
    New SilksSimon Ray

    Simon Ray

    Simon Ray KC has experience both prosecuting and defending major financial crime cases. He has won instructions from the Serious Fraud Office, as well as from corporations, officers and directors facing investigation in relation to matters including tax fraud, bribery and corruption.

    • Simon is not to be under-estimated. He has fantastic judgement.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Simon is thorough, organised and a nice advocate.

      Financial Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 6KBW College Hill (15)

London (Bar)

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