Department profile
Park Square Barristers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : North Eastern (Bar)


Park Square Barristers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - North Eastern (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Park Square Barristers houses a vast breadth of experience and counsel who go above and beyond. The set is praised for depth of bench as "they can provide the right combination of counsel for any case. They can offer a wide range of excellent advocates." It is considered a go-to in the region for large-scale drug conspiracies, homicides and cases involving serious violence. The team is also noted for its expertise in serious offences, with recent instructions including, R v Alan Claxton, a former police officer who was charged with manslaughter.

Richard Sadler is the senior managing clerk, assisted by Andrew Thornton as senior criminal clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerking team at Park Square Barristers are brilliant. They are helpful, friendly and professional.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Park Square clerks answer queries immediately and problem-solve expertly.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Park Square Barristers has a good clerking team who always get straight back to you and do everything they can to help.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsRichard Wright
    Star IndividualsRichard Wright

    Richard Wright

    Richard Wright KC is a masterful silk and head of chambers. He has experience acting both for the prosecution and the defence in serious criminal cases. His broad practice also includes specialism in fraud and homicide. He has particular expertise in cases which involve complex medical evidence.

    • Richard is a brilliant leader.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is outstanding.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Richard Wright KC has great pull.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Catherine Silverton
    Band 1Catherine Silverton

    Catherine Silverton

    Catherine Silverton is a criminal defence specialist who is regularly instructed in serious crime cases such as murder, manslaughter, organised crime and sex offences. She has substantial experience of cross-examining children and medical experts.

    • Catherine Silverton is very good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Abdul Iqbal
    Band 2Abdul Iqbal

    Abdul Iqbal

    Abdul Iqbal KC is a well-regarded criminal defence barrister. He is noted for his expert handling of complex murder, arms trafficking, money laundering and serious organised crime cases.

    • Abdul Iqbal KC is a class act. He is very well thought of by judges on the northern circuit. He is well prepared, doesn't take bad points and is very bright.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Abdul is brilliant. He is direct, tenacious and his advocacy is straightforward, punchy and persuasive. He has really good analytical skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Abdul is smooth, organised and has the ability to work as a team. He is solid and very bright and hard-working.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely pleasant. He is very thorough in his preparation.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Craig Hassall
    Band 2Craig Hassall

    Craig Hassall

    Craig Hassall KC has vast experience in criminal work, covering violent and organised crime, sexual offences, and road traffic offences. Although he does accept defence instructions, Hassall predominantly acts for the prosecution, including in cases where the defendant is a minor.

    • Craig has a mastery of his cases and powerful cross-examination skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Kama Melly
    Band 2Kama Melly

    Kama Melly

    Kama Melly KC is a well-regarded silk who is frequently instructed for the defence and prosecution of serious and complex criminal matters. She specialises in cases involving child defendants and sexual offences.

  • Band 2Mark D McKone
    Band 2Mark D McKone

    Mark D McKone

    Mark McKone KC receives praise for his skilled advocacy on behalf of both the prosecution and the defence. He handles a diverse range of significant matters, specialising in serious sexual assaults and rape. He is a Grade 4 prosecutor who appears on rape and serious organised crime panels.

    • Mark is smooth and elegant. He has fantastic charm which he uses to great effect with judges and juries alike.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • One of his strengths is his advance case prep. He is prepared, a good courtroom performer, realistic with juries and judges, and trusted by all.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Robert Stevenson
    Band 2Robert Stevenson

    Robert Stevenson

    Robert Stevenson is noted for his ability to prosecute and defend serious criminal cases. He is a Grade 4 prosecutor with experience handling homicides, drug-related offences and serious organised crimes.

    • Robert is a brilliant and fierce cross-examiner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Andrew Semple
    Band 3Andrew Semple

    Andrew Semple

    Andrew Semple is a highly experienced junior who regularly acts for both the prosecution and the defence in criminal cases. His caseload includes sexual abuse, murders and drug-related offences.

    • Andrew is a superb negotiator and is excellent with clients. He is friendly and knowledgeable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Julian Jones
    Band 3Julian Jones

    Julian Jones

    Julian Jones prosecutes and defends complex criminal cases involving fraud, sexual assault and homicide. He possesses particular expertise in disclosure.

    • Julian fights relentlessly for the best possible outcome. He has attention to detail, excellent legal knowledge and client care.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is highly impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Matthew Harding
    Band 3Matthew Harding

    Matthew Harding

    Matthew Harding is a respected barrister who has experience handling the full gamut of criminal matters, including cases concerning firearms, people trafficking and dangerous driving. He also undertakes cases involving serious sexual offences.

  • Band 3Michael Collins
    Band 3Michael Collins

    Michael Collins

    Michael Collins is a junior whose criminal practice covers defending and prosecuting a broad range of matters. He is particularly noted for his expert handling of drug trafficking, motor crime and sexual abuse cases. He also has expertise defending homicide offences.

  • Band 3Patrick Palmer
    Band 3Patrick Palmer

    Patrick Palmer

    Patrick Palmer is an experienced junior who covers a wide range of criminal matters. He offers notable expertise in areas such as serious sex offences, homicide and motor crimes. He also has significant experience in drug conspiracy cases.

    • Patrick Palmer is the full package.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Abrahams
    Band 3Paul Abrahams

    Paul Abrahams

    Paul Abrahams heads the set's office in Middlesbrough and has over 20 years experience of dealing with some of the most complex and serious criminal cases in the North east of England, particularly in the Teesside and Durham Crown Courts. He handles both prosecution and defence work.

    • He has a proper heavyweight criminal practice and is great at striking up a rapport with juries.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • An excellent leading junior, who has great legal knowledge. He has excellent client skills and is just a fine all-round advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksGillian Batts
    New SilksGillian Batts

    Gillian Batts

    Newly appointed silk Gillian Batts KC receives regular instructions in homicide, serious violence, sexual offences and firearms cases. She has handled headline grabbing matters such as R v Boyd, a high profile cold case concerning the murder of 7-year-old Nikki Allen in 1992.

    • A strong practitioner with a common sense advocacy style. She is someone who's going places.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • A great operator with a fine style of advocacy, who really gets stuck into a case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Park Square Barristers (14)

North Eastern (Bar)

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