Department profile
Foundry Chambers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Foundry Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Foundry Chambers is noted for its "highly skilled advocates, who consistently deliver persuasive and strategic representation in court." The set has an illustrious track record handling criminal matters of great importance alongside a strong reputation for its appellate work. It both prosecutes and defends, and is instructed by top defence solicitors and prosecuting bodies such as the SFO, NCA and CPS Special and Complex Crime Units. A number of the cases it undertakes attract media attention and involve atypical elements, such as R v Steven Sansom.

Angela May is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Its clerking staff are efficient and friendly. The clerking service is flawless. They are always willing to assist and are very communicative.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team is approachable, professional and proactive. They are highly responsive to solicitor needs and work efficiently to coordinate matters.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks go above and beyond with their assistance and counsel are always a cut above the rest.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are great. They are really helpful and quick to respond. Nothing is too much trouble, and they make everything run smoothly.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsAlexandra Healy
    Star IndividualsAlexandra Healy

    Alexandra Healy

    Head of Chambers Alexandra Healy KC both prosecutes and defends the most complex criminal and fraud cases. She regularly handles challenging murder, sexual offences and child abuse cases. Healy has further extensive experience handling serious drugs and arson cases.

    • She is an excellent, go-to silk. She is friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Healy is incredibly impressive across the board.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Healy is a brilliant prosecutor and is one of the best professionals.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a highly rated silk.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Alexandra Healy KC is excellent. She is one of the leading silks and an absolute star. She has incredible ability to retain and recall information. She has a lovely manner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Richard Jory
    Band 2Richard Jory

    Richard Jory

    Richard Jory KC is well regarded for both his prosecution and defence work across serious crime. He has led the defence on a number of matters relating to high-profile homicides and sexual offences. Jory further takes instructions in financial crime cases.

    • Richard Jory KC is efficient, reliable, conscientious and contactable. Clients find him approachable and extremely good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His knowledge is phenomenal and he has an excellent manner with clients and always goes above and beyond with case preparation.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3John McGuinness
    Band 3John McGuinness

    John McGuinness

    • John McGuinness KC is excellent and hard to beat as a prosecutor. He possesses very good judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He has a mega brain and leaves no stone unturned.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Mukul Chawla
    Band 3Mukul Chawla

    Mukul Chawla

    • Mukul Chawla KC is the gentlest, most self-assured of advocates and a lethal cross-examiner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is the barrister's barrister. He has a great level of expertise.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3William Hughes
    Band 3William Hughes

    William Hughes

    • Hughes' strength lies in the courtroom. He has strong gravitas and clarity.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is very experienced and good with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Hughes is an excellent advocate. He is calm, measured and possesses good judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is great with juries and a sound advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Benjamin Waidhofer
    Band 4Benjamin Waidhofer

    Benjamin Waidhofer

    • He is an outstanding advocate but in high demand.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His clarity of thought, sharp legal mind and ability to simplify complex legal and factual issues make him an essential asset in any challenging case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Waidhofer is hard-working, excellent with clients, down to earth but very skilled.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ben Waidhofer is the best junior at the Bar for his ability, legal knowledge and advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His clients really love him. His is a real grafter and brilliant in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Siobhan Grey
    Band 4Siobhan Grey

    Siobhan Grey

    • Siobhan Grey KC is second to none with regard to the development of client relationships, especially in very challenging cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Szilvia Booker
    Band 4Szilvia Booker

    Szilvia Booker

    • She is wonderful.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Szilvia Booker takes the jury with her due to her colourful speeches.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Henrietta Paget
    Band 5Henrietta Paget

    Henrietta Paget

    • Henrietta Paget KC has a super intellect and knowledge of law. She always gets it done.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is an excellent barrister, who is eloquent and extremely thorough.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is extraordinarily clever. She has an impressive capacity to think around the subject and to see pitfalls. She is a very good advocate. She is extraordinarily diligent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Zarah Dickinson
    Band 5Zarah Dickinson

    Zarah Dickinson

    • Zarah is a great pleasure to work with. She always has the answer to something before you have asked the question. Judges like her very much, as do solicitors.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a massively hard-working, good lawyer who combines charm and professionalism in equal measure.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • An utterly outstanding junior.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • The jury clearly liked her in court. She was extremely conscientious in a massive case and handled extensive ongoing issues well. She's very personable but with an edge of steel.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Jessica Tate
    Band 6Jessica Tate

    Jessica Tate

    • Jessica Tate is a phenomenal advocate and brilliant tactician. She is always available for advice and will go above and beyond with client conferences.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Natalie McNamee
    Band 6Natalie McNamee

    Natalie McNamee

    • She is a go-to junior for complex cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She offers outstanding knowledge and preparation.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Rose Slowe
    Band 6Rose Slowe

    Rose Slowe

    • Rose Slowe is a real rising star.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingJames Gwatkin
    Up and ComingJames Gwatkin

    James Gwatkin

    • He is very organised and skilful. He can charm the most unlikely of judges.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is so dedicated, with a great practice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • James Gwatkin has exceptional legal knowledge, demonstrating a deep understanding of complex legal principles and procedures. He communicates with clients with clarity and empathy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Gwatkin is really good, very committed and hugely competent. He is a good all-round lawyer.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is brilliant and one to watch.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksNicholas Dunham
    New SilksNicholas Dunham

    Nicholas Dunham

    • Nicholas Dunham KC is an advocate with real courage and conviction.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Indefatigable, dogged and someone who is prepared to the nth degree.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Foundry Chambers (15)

London (Bar)

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