Department profile
Mountford Chambers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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Mountford Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Crime - London (Bar)

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Mountford Chambers is well versed in general crime cases, offering a "truly exceptional range of counsel" to handle the full complement of briefs, including murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences cases. Barristers at the set have experience on both the defence and prosecution sides, and are thoroughly au fait with appellate work. Members of the set have been involved in R v Ian Hamilton, who was charged with 60 counts of historic rape, sexual assault and serious violence on multiple victims.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • It is an excellent clerking team that never lets you down.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Mountford Chambers clerks are exceptional, attentive, understanding and hard-working. Jordan Wescott deserves recognition for his incredible service.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Ben Heaviside is an impressive senior clerk.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking team is second to none for communication and its ability to recommend suitable counsel regardless of the complexities of the case.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • The clerking team provides excellent service and support to our team. They are on-hand at all times of the day and night to help us deal with the unexpected demands of the work.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Alan Kent
    Alan Kent

    Alan Kent

    Alan Kent KC prosecutes and defends individuals facing trial for the most serious crimes. He can frequently be found at the Old Bailey handling complex homicide proceedings.

    • Alan Kent KC is a class act and a nice advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Alan Kent KC is very good with juries.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is operating a very high level. He is incredibly effective prosecuting and as effective defending.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Charles Bott
    Charles Bott

    Charles Bott

    Charles Bott KC is a distinguished silk with a practice across serious and financial crime. Alongside a strong fraud practice, he has experience handling terrorist cases and homicides.

    • Charles Bott KC is an all-round strong lawyer, with a great mind.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Christopher Henley
    Christopher Henley

    Christopher Henley

    Head of Chambers Chris Henley KC frequently defends individuals on trial for the most serious criminal offences. He has particular expertise in handling complex, multi-handed murder cases.

    • Chris Henley KC is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Henley is very impressive. He is calm and unflappable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Colin Aylott
    Colin Aylott

    Colin Aylott

    Colin Aylott KC is well regarded for his representation of a range of clients in a wide variety of criminal cases. His practice covers the full range of serious criminal cases including all aspects of complex financial crime.

    • Colin knows how to read a room.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Colin Aylott KC is a very good jury advocate and has charisma.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is stellar. He is all about the client. Colin is entirely focused on clients' best interests.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is very good at identifying what the points are and hammering them home.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • His written work is on point and he drafts really well. He is first-rate. He is seamless, brilliant with clients, and has a light touch.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Edward Henry
    Edward Henry

    Edward Henry

    Edward Henry KC is a defence specialist who has had involvement in a raft of serious, high-profile cases. Well known for his dogged pursuit of his client's interests, he is an expert at promoting procedural arguments.

    • His advocacy has been outstanding. He has done his clients a great service.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Edward Henry is a very good criminal silk. He is a very effective and committed silk.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • He is a giant of the silks' Bar. He is a wonderful advocate and cross-examiner, charming with clients, with an extremely versatile practice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Edward Henry KC is the finest barrister you could have the pleasure to instruct.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Daniel Frier
    Daniel Frier

    Daniel Frier

    • Strong pre-trial and brilliant as an advocate in court, he's a dream to instruct.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Houzla Rawat
    Houzla Rawat

    Houzla Rawat

    • Houzla Rawat is excellent and has an incredible work ethic. In court, she holds the jury well and tells the story in an effective way. She's also a totally lovely person to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • William England
    William England

    William England

    • William England calms clients well and is good at everything. He is good on detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • William England is a good judge of a case. He is impressive as an advocate and handle difficult clients very well.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Alphege Bell
    Alphege Bell

    Alphege Bell

    • Alphege Bell is first-class.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • His wide-ranging intellect means he can see all angles in a case. He also has a great manner with his clients and delivers for them.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Alphege Bell is a very strong leading junior. He is the go-to barrister for serious crime.

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  • Alexandra Scott
    Alexandra Scott

    Alexandra Scott

    • Alexandra Scott is friendly, diligent, hard-working and fights her clients' corner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Scott is very good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Benjamin Hargreaves
    Benjamin Hargreaves

    Benjamin Hargreaves

    • Ben Hargreaves always delivers great results. He offers sensible advice and is great with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Clients find him very engaging and he is an excellent jury advocate. He gets results.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Benjamin Hargreaves is a very polished and assured advocate, with an easy manner and very sound judgement. He is particularly good in cases of a sensitive nature.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Matthew Buckland
    Matthew Buckland

    Matthew Buckland

    • Sought out for his legal nous and work ethic. His client skills with both lay and professional clients also make him stand out.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Abigail Penny
    Abigail Penny

    Abigail Penny

    • She is so underestimated. She is fiercely hard-working and has the ability to uncover any sort of misconduct.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • She does serious cases and seems very good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Abigail Penny is incredibly good, hugely hard-working and gets excellent results. She leaves no stones unturned.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • She is a forceful and direct advocate and a specialist for sex cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Mountford Chambers (13)

London (Bar)

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