Department profile
Lamb Building

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : South Eastern (Bar)

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Lamb Building

Rankings

About

Provided by Lamb Building

Lamb Building is a long-established common law set located in the Temple, in the heart of London, with an annexe in the centre of Brighton.

Chambers comprises individuals who specialise in one or more of our key areas of practice, namely:

CRIMINAL LAW: Our Criminal Team defends and prosecutes cases at all levels of seriousness and in all levels of court, both nationally and internationally.

INQUESTS & PUBLIC INQUIRIES.

REGULATORY AND DISCIPLINARY LAW: Health and Safety; professional conduct regulation; general regulatory law; professional disciplinary tribunals; claims against medical, therapeutic and other professionals.

SPORTS LAW: Allegations of misconduct by sportsmen and women, sports bodies; procedural issues (e.g. challenges to selection); conflicts within sporting bodies; equine law.

MILITARY LAW GROUP

Members of Lamb Building have a long history of representing service personnel from all three services at every level of the Criminal and Service Justice Systems.

Our barristers include ex-military personnel, and members are routinely instructed in the most serious matters before the Court Martial in the UK and abroad.

Recently, the team have been instructed to represent tri-service personnel requiring assistance from incidents arising in Iraq, Keyna, Germany, Eastern Europe, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands, Belize, California and Canada.

Members of the team are also able to assist tri-service personnel appearing at all levels of Major Administrative Action.

Industries (4)

  • Criminal Law
  • Military Law
  • Public Law
  • Regulatory Law

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - South Eastern (Bar)

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Lamb Building houses a well-respected criminal team who are frequently instructed as the defence and the prosecution in serious criminal cases. It is seen as "an excellent and diligent team that goes the extra mile to help." The set's tenants handle cases involving allegations of GBH, homicide, rape and modern slavery. An instructing solicitor comments: "Cases are dealt with expertly and in a very timely fashion." Recent instructions for the set involved R v Tracey Charlesworth concerning sexual activity with a minor.

Gary Goodger is the senior clerk.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Lamb Building has clerks that seemingly work 24 hours. The team is approachable, competent and knowledgeable.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Lamb Building has incredibly friendly and helpful criminal clerks.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Gary Goodger, senior clerk, especially goes the extra mile.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

  • Special mention must be made of Max Goodger, assistant criminal clerk, who steers the Brighton ship exceedingly well.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Amy Packham
    Amy Packham

    Amy Packham

    Amy Packham is a respected junior with notable expertise in a wide range of criminal cases. She regularly handles matters relating to sexual offences, including those involving historic allegations.

    • Amy Packham is an extremely experienced member of the Bar. She is approachable and professional and clients warm to her.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Amy provides a level head and outstanding advice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Amy is a highly personable and capable advocate. Excellent in conference, approachable and a great communicator with litigators and lay clients alike. A sharp mind and superb advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Amy is a quality leading junior.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Andrew Selby
    Andrew Selby

    Andrew Selby

    Andrew Selby KC is a respected silk with a strong defence practice. He is experienced in cases requiring a wide range of experts, boosted by his expertise handling matters in mental health tribunals. He accepts instructions across serious crime, including in homicide and sexual offences.

    • Andrew has proved himself repeatedly to be a skilled advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Andrew is a total class act. Clients love him, solicitors love him. He’s a pleasure to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Andrew Selby is a very safe pair of hands to tackle any case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • James Hay
    James Hay

    James Hay

    James Hay is comfortable both led and unled in a wide variety of matters. His matters also attract media attention, often involving homicides and serious sexual offences. He has particular experience handling crime in a military context, having represented clients before the courts martial.

    • James has a personality that is gentlemanly and understated, putting clients at ease, and has a knowledge of the law that means those who instruct him are equally put at ease.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • James is an excellent barrister - very approachable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • James easily commands the confidence of lay and professional clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • James Hay's positivity in the bleakest of situations is infectious, as well as reassuring. He has a sparkle that is magnificent to witness.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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  • Rachel Beckett
    Rachel Beckett

    Rachel Beckett

    Rachel Beckett is a highly experienced criminal practitioner with in-depth knowledge of a broad range of matters including cases of serious sexual offences and assault. She has the ability to act in both the prosecution and defence of cases and she is able to bring to bear previous experience from her in-house role at CPS to proceedings.

    • Rachel is an experienced and skilled advocate. She is capable of dealing with and presenting complex cases to a jury.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Rachel is a fair, prepared and experienced advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Rachel Beckett appears effortless in style but works tirelessly, making sure that everything she does is crafted with masterful attention to detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

    • Rachel Beckett is able to turn her hand to effectively represent all levels of client before the court with a clear understanding of what is required of her.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at Lamb Building (4)

South Eastern (Bar)

Members

Provided by Lamb Building

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