Department profile
Garden Court Chambers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Garden Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Garden Court Chambers is recognised by sources for its "impressive collection of stellar criminal defence barristers, many of whom are the outstanding practitioners in their area." Its barristers routinely defend individuals in all types of criminal cases including those concerning homicide, terrorism, sexual offences and violent crime, and they make regular appearances in the appellate courts. Recently, members were instructed in R v Rhys Herbert, concerning a rapper convicted of supplying cannabis.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Garden Court clerks are great at communicating. You can always get through to speak to someone on the phone and they always follow up.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Senior clerk Colin Cook is always a gentleman and the definition of Garden Court.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Senior practice manager Tommy Bentley is very responsive, always available and very pragmatic.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Garden Court has a good clerking team. They are very responsive.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Each clerk is hands-on and will handle any task that comes their way.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleHenry Blaxland
    Senior StatespeopleHenry Blaxland

    Henry Blaxland

    Henry Blaxland KC is a tremendous defence specialist who attracts plaudits for his dedication and attention to detail. A master of both serious crime and fraud cases, he comes particularly highly recommended for his expertise in terrorism matters and for his ability as an appellate advocate.

    • Henry Blaxland KC is an intelligent advocate. Clients trust him, they see his spirit and fight. He is a real gentleman of the Bar.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Henry is and has always been a class act in every department. The judges and jury pay attention to him. He commands and deserves respect.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Henry Blaxland KC has such broad knowledge and is very good. He is very authoritative.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsJames Scobie
    Star IndividualsJames Scobie

    James Scobie

    James Scobie KC is a highly well-regarded barrister whose practice encompasses murder and manslaughter cases, as well as those relating to sexual offences. He also has vast experience of handling gang-related matters and cases involving prison murders, knife crime and deadly weapons. Many of the matters he undertakes attract significant media interest.

    • James Scobie KC is an outstanding jury advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His work ethic is second to none. Clients know their interests are best represented if they have James on their side. He is one of the most persuasive, thorough advocates of his time.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • His reputation among the lay clients is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He makes very good speeches and is all over his brief. He is very good in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • James Scobie KC is one of the best criminal defence silks there is when it comes to hardcore crime and defending in murders.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Catherine Oborne
    Band 1Catherine Oborne

    Catherine Oborne

    Catherine Oborne has a very strong defence practice, and takes on a broad array of complex briefs. She has experience of handling terrorism cases as well as those relating to homicide and sexual offences.

    • She is very able and committed.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine Oborne is an amazing advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She was incredibly tactically astute.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her capacity for hard work is unmatched and she is very bright.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Rajiv Menon
    Band 1Rajiv Menon

    Rajiv Menon

    Joint Head of Chambers Rajiv Menon KC is often instructed in multi-handed murders attracting significant press interest. He defends across a broad range of serious crime matters and regularly handles appellate work.

    • Rajiv Menon KC is lovely and delightful.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is really a strategic player. He is very easy to work with, gets to the point and is really good on difficult cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Menon is a safe pair of hands, very easy to work with and sensible.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Alex Rose
    Band 2Alex Rose

    Alex Rose

    Alex Rose is a well-respected junior who is often instructed in serious general crime matters. He is sought out for instruction by solicitors due to his expertise in complex homicide and terrorism cases.

    • He is great all round.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Alex Rose is just brilliant. Incredibly intelligent and highly knowledgeable, he always considers and analyses cases in such detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Giles Cockings
    Band 2Giles Cockings

    Giles Cockings

    Giles Cockings KC has extensive experience at the criminal Bar, both in prosecution and defence. He has notable expertise handling complex cases including multi-handed gangland murders and large modern slavery briefs.

    • Good with judges, juries and witnesses and a man who can see all the perspectives of a matter. He is especially good on cases involving difficult issues.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Keir Monteith
    Band 2Keir Monteith

    Keir Monteith

    Keir Monteith KC is an admired and versatile barrister who represents clients in an array of complex and high-profile cases. These especially relate to areas such as murder and industrial-scale drugs.

    • Keir Monteith KC has always been charming. His level of commitment is impressive. He is fearless in his approach.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is an exceptional advocate on all fronts, from case work, client service and appeal case success to sophisticated communication and attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Stephen Kamlish
    Band 2Stephen Kamlish

    Stephen Kamlish

    Stephen Kamlish KC is a hard-working practitioner who has regularly been instructed in some of the most high-profile and serious crime cases this century. He is a specialist in handling murder and terrorism cases.

    • Stephen Kamlish is a very effective advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen Kamlish KC is a formidable barrister. He is clever and easily dominates a courtroom.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Daniel Jameson
    Band 3Daniel Jameson

    Daniel Jameson

    • He is an excellent advocate and measured with good judgement. Silks trust him and judges listen to him.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jameson owns the courtroom. He has real legal chops and makes strong arguments.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel Jameson has a very seriously impressive homicide practice. He has a very authoritative style in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Daniel Jameson excels.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3David Emanuel
    Band 3David Emanuel

    David Emanuel

    • Emanuel is an inspiration for any lawyer and a true gift for any client. He is a highly skilled, uniquely talented and accomplished lawyer and advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Emanuel is good on appellate work. I would recommend hm highly.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is very hard-working and diligent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • To watch David Emanuel in court was to see a brilliant advocate at the top of his game displaying complete mastery of the case and the court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emma Fenn
    Band 3Emma Fenn

    Emma Fenn

    • She is brilliant, hard-working and shrewd in her advice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Emma Fenn is measured, yet utterly dedicated to getting the best results for her clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Fenn is able to adapt her approach with both clients and tribunals as required in a particularly sophisticated manner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She always thinks creatively to get the right outcome, and combines this skill with her excellent client care skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Icah Peart
    Band 3Icah Peart

    Icah Peart

    • Icah Peart is a class act.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Icah is a wonderful advocate. Juries love him.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Anya Lewis
    Band 4Anya Lewis

    Anya Lewis

    • Anya is a fantastic KC who deals with the most challenging clients and cases with a calm, knowledgeable but empathetic approach.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is very well regarded by all in the profession.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Lewis always reads everything and is absolutely on top of the detail at an exceptionally early stage, meaning she is able to command the complete trust of her solicitors and lay clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Hossein Zahir
    Band 4Hossein Zahir

    Hossein Zahir

    • Zahir is an exceptionally bright, tactically astute and diligent counsel.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Hossein Zahir KC is a very talented advocate. He is utterly committed to his client's cause and he is very easy to deal with on a personal level. He is very persuasive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Michael Ivers KC
    Band 4Michael Ivers KC

    Michael Ivers KC

    • Ivers is an incredible advocate. His cross-examination was so effective.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tom Wainwright
    Band 4Tom Wainwright

    Tom Wainwright

    • Tom is very practical and cuts through all the unnecessary stuff. He is very straight-talking and easy to deal with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Carol Hawley
    Band 5Carol Hawley

    Carol Hawley

    • She is an excellent trial advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Carol Hawley is a very pleasant advocate to work with. She is very hard-working and diligent. She takes all the proper points on behalf of her clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Hawley is an outstanding and committed advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Helen Butcher
    Band 5Helen Butcher

    Helen Butcher

    • Helen Butcher is very able and experienced.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Owen Greenhall
    Band 5Owen Greenhall

    Owen Greenhall

    • Greenhall is a very good jury advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is one of the top-most barristers on complicated legal issues.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is excellent with protest cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Owen Greenhall's strength is the law, but he is still a persuasive advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Owen's knowledge of protest law is utterly excellent. He is a leading choice for counsel in protest cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Catherine Rose
    Band 6Catherine Rose

    Catherine Rose

    • Catherine has an impressive ability to manage cases, with apparent ease, while at all times maintaining an excellent relationship with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is very impressive. She is carving out a good practice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Catherine Rose has an incredible talent in adapting to the needs of a client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Christian Wasunna
    Band 6Christian Wasunna

    Christian Wasunna

    • Christian Wasunna is a class act. His clients must feel a great comfort being represented by him.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a go-to advocate for serious work.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Wasunna is talented and hard-working. He cares about his clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Mark Gatley
    Band 6Mark Gatley

    Mark Gatley

    • Mark Gatley KC is very classy and has really sharp instinct for what works. He makes it look very smooth.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Gatley is an excellent silk.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Michael Goold
    Band 6Michael Goold

    Michael Goold

    • Michael Goold is a very impressive junior.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is an incredible defence advocate, particularly in his cross-examination.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He has a fantastic brain on him. He is very bright and very astute.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Michael’s case preparation and written advocacy, in particular, are exceptional and make him stand out.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Nerida Harford-Bell
    Band 6Nerida Harford-Bell

    Nerida Harford-Bell

    • Nerida Harford-Bell is absolutely brilliant at jury speeches and is great in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Russell Fraser
    Band 6Russell Fraser

    Russell Fraser

    • Russell Fraser is adored by judges for the way he communicates and takes points in a positive fashion. He can charm both judges and juries.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Fraser is a respected advocate who excels in client relationships and collaborates effectively with solicitors.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is an exceptional trial advocate who really fights his clients' corner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Russell Fraser is a strong performer.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is brilliant. He is very measured, but very effective and efficient and people listen to him.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Garden Court Chambers (25)

London (Bar)

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