Department profile
QEB Hollis Whiteman

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


QEB Hollis Whiteman

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

QEB Hollis Whiteman is noted for its "great strength in depth, from the relatively junior end of the bar to the most senior King's Counsel." It handles the full gamut of matters including those pertaining to financial crime. Its members are regularly engaged in the most serious cases, including youth-related matters, and routinely handle instructions that attract great media attention. It is noted for having particular experience dealing with vulnerable defendants and issues under the Mental Health Act. Criminal clients of every stamp are catered for, although the set is noted for being particularly adept at dealing with cases for and against professionals. Recent cases have included R v Michael Davis and one other, concerning Davis and his partner being charged with the murder of their baby.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Chris Emmings is possibly the nicest and hardest working senior clerk in the business. His interpersonal skills are excellent and he ensures that solicitors receive a wonderful service.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • They have one of the best clerking teams going, who are always proactive, helpful and savvy.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • It is an excellent clerking team who understand the needs of the professional and lay clients. They are constantly assessing barristers' diaries and ensuring that clients are well looked after.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Junior clerk Faye Stimpson and senior clerk Chris Emmings are always looking after my interests and those of the client. They really work with you.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team are superb, easy to communicate with and reliable.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsAli Naseem Bajwa
    Star IndividualsAli Naseem Bajwa

    Ali Naseem Bajwa

    Ali Naseem Bajwa KC has extensive experience handling high-profile and serious criminal matters, including murder, rape and terrorism cases. He also has particular expertise in criminal cases incorporating human rights issues.

    • Ali Bajwa is an excellent advocate, and is calm and collected inside and outside of court. He knows cases better than anyone and provides an excellent advocacy training programme.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ali has an incredibly smart legal brain and is brilliant with clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ali Naseem Bajwa KC is one of the foremost murder silks in his generation. Ali is a very gifted lawyer and an advocate of the highest integrity.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is an amazing jury advocate with clear and powerful drafting skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsCrispin Aylett
    Star IndividualsCrispin Aylett

    Crispin Aylett

    Crispin Aylett KC is a star individual who is enormously respected for his abilities as a prosecutor. He regularly handles complex and high-profile murder cases, along with other matters such as terrorism and firearms offences. Aylett is renowned for his ability to take on the most serious criminal matters, including those relating to sexual allegations and joint-enterprise murder. He has experience dealing with cases involving vulnerable defendants, such as those suffering from a mental health condition.

    • Crispin is one of the best speech writers at the Bar.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Aylett is a top prosecutor.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Crispin Aylett is a first-choice advocate for the most serious cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsEleanor Laws
    Star IndividualsEleanor Laws

    Eleanor Laws

    Eleanor Laws KC is an outstanding silk who specialises in serious crime and has particular expertise in murder and sexual offences. Her experience includes acting as both prosecution and defence counsel in cases concerning historic sexual abuse and sex trafficking. Laws' criminal work is well complemented by her civil litigation practice.

    • Laws is great, super smart and client-friendly, and she is also really good in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her cross-examination is incredible and her level of sophistication is second to none.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Eleanor Laws is a leading silk in offences of a sexual nature. Her court presence is superb.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She shows 100% commitment and is a great tactician. Laws is formidable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Eleanor is the absolute leader of her field. She truly is the go-to barrister for this work.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1David Jeremy
    Band 1David Jeremy

    David Jeremy

    David Jeremy KC is a respected advocate with a strong reputation for homicides in particular. He has experience both prosecuting and defending high-profile murder cases, as well as matters concerning fraud. Jeremy is well regarded for his commanding courtroom presence and superior cross-examination skills.

    • Jeremy has shown great ability in a number of serious cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • David Jeremy is the best criminal silk. He is utterly fearless and has tremendous command of the law. He has a commanding presence.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1David Spens
    Band 1David Spens

    David Spens

    David Spens KC has vast experience of both serious general crime and financial crime. He is a defence specialist who has represented those accused of murder and sex crimes. Spens frequently defends in high-profile and complex cases including those involving diminished responsibility.

    • He is a go-to for complex financial cases. He is one of the best.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • David Spens KC is really experienced, has a very light touch and is great with juries and appeals.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • David Spens is incredibly knowledgeable and has significant expertise in dealing with complicated matters. He is always prepared and is a very strong advocate in the courtroom.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is one of the most concise and precise advocates. He is very to the point and is extremely effective for it.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Edward Brown
    Band 1Edward Brown

    Edward Brown

    Edward Brown KC is a well-regarded silk and a former Senior Treasury Counsel praised by interviewees for his ability to support clients through difficult trials. He is a highly experienced criminal practitioner who is also a strong regulatory lawyer. Brown is highly thought of for his exemplary cross-examinations and skilful advocacy in serious criminal cases. He has expertise in prosecuting cases involving juvenile defendants and those subject to Mental Health Act orders.

    • He is an amazing doyen of the Bar and is a top prosecutor.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ed Brown has an excellent rapport with his solicitors and his lay clients. He presents a case with absolute ease, however complicated it is.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Orla Daly
    Band 1Orla Daly

    Orla Daly

    Orla Daly defends and prosecutes a range of complex criminal proceedings. She regularly appears in complex and high-profile cases covering a wide spectrum of matters including murder, rape and other sexual offences.

    • Orla Daly gets results in some of the most difficult cases around.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her client care skills are second to none.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a go-to junior for those instructing counsel to defend serious sexual allegations. Her judgement is spot-on.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is really great to work with and has excellent judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Philip Evans
    Band 1Philip Evans

    Philip Evans

    Philip Evans KC frequently defends and prosecutes complex homicide cases, as well as the full range of general crimes. He has an impressive roster of high-profile criminal cases, including the prosecution of Levi Bellfield and a member of the gang that carried out the Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary.

    • Philip Evans KC combines being really thorough and detail-oriented with having a real presence in front of the jury.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Evans was a bright advocate with amazing client skills in a really sensitive case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Evans is very good in court, tenacious, to the point, a ferocious cross-examiner and highly effective at interrogating the evidence.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is exceptionally bright and a walking Archbold. He has a great presence in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Sean Larkin
    Band 1Sean Larkin

    Sean Larkin

    Sean Larkin KC is an admired barrister with decades-long experience of both prosecuting and defending serious criminal cases including those relating to murder and sexual offences. Larkin is an expert in terrorism matters and has experience appearing in the Supreme Court.

    • Sean Larkin KC is a quietly brilliant silk who is universally liked and respected by judges.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is amazing with clients. He is a fantastic advocate in court. For serious offences, he is one of the best.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He knows exactly what he is doing with each and every case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is extremely efficient, reliable and his advocacy cannot be faulted.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Zoe Johnson
    Band 1Zoe Johnson

    Zoe Johnson

    Zoe Johnson KC is a brilliant silk, highly regarded for her advocacy and strong presence in court. She has expertise in both serious crime and professional discipline matters, and is praised for her skill in cross-examination. Johnson has been instructed in matters relating to terrorism, homicide, child murder and gross negligence manslaughter. She frequently handles complex criminal matters that heavily feature medical evidence.

    • Johnson really is very effective.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Zoe Johnson produces excellent written advocacy in advance. In the courtroom she has a real presence.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Zoe Johnson KC is fantastic, like an encyclopaedia. Her manner and delivery are the best.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Philip McGhee
    Band 2Philip McGhee

    Philip McGhee

    Philip McGhee undertakes work across criminal law, including instructions in organised crime matters and criminal fraud. He prosecutes and defends equally adeptly and is Junior Treasury Counsel.

    • He knows his stuff inside-out.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Philip McGhee handles complexity extremely well and is a very calm, persuasive advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • McGhee is a very hard-working, intelligent junior with excellent judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Phil is a brilliant junior. He commands the respect of the court and juries really like him.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Philip Stott
    Band 2Philip Stott

    Philip Stott

    Philip Stott prosecutes and defends serious criminal cases at the highest level. His practice also encompasses regulatory work and fraud cases.

    • Philip Stott is excellent and possesses a lot of ability.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very good advocate. His approach is hard-working and dedicated.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2William Boyce
    Band 2William Boyce

    William Boyce

    William Boyce KC is a fantastic silk and a former Senior Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court who stands out for his impressive track record in complex and high-profile cases. He focuses his practice on criminal defence matters and regularly handles murder and sexual abuse cases. His experience further includes World War II war crimes investigations and a range of fraud cases.

    • Boyce is brilliant at cross-examination and pleas in mitigation. He has a very good manner with clients and is supremely clever.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Anne Whyte
    Band 3Anne Whyte

    Anne Whyte

    • Her advocacy skills and preparation are second to none. She is respected by her peers and the judiciary and has first-class judgement. Her written work is always faultless.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Anna Whyte KC pays exceptional attention to thorny legal issues and delivers on time.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Benn Maguire
    Band 3Benn Maguire

    Benn Maguire

    • He is very knowledgeable and easy to get along with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He works incredibly hard for each and every client.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Benn Maguire is a great negotiator in highly sensitive cases that involve a careful touch.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Maguire is a very good and experienced advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Fiona Robertson
    Band 3Fiona Robertson

    Fiona Robertson

    • Fiona is inventive, creative, patient with clients and exceptionally hard-working. In particular, her written work is of high quality.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Fiona Robertson is an absolute star, with a great work ethic, fantastic client-handling skills and a real presence in and out of court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Her judgement is second to none.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Kerry Broome
    Band 3Kerry Broome

    Kerry Broome

    • Kerry Broome is very pleasant and formidable in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is one of the top prosecutors in the country.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Wakerley
    Band 3Paul Wakerley

    Paul Wakerley

    • Paul Wakerley is a highly experienced, approachable and robust barrister.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a go-to for drug and or violence cases. He is incredibly bright and has the best judgement and tactical ability.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a fantastic junior and very experienced in that category. Nothing fazes him. His calming influence is really impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Peter Finnigan
    Band 3Peter Finnigan

    Peter Finnigan

    • An outstanding jury advocate, who is always on top of the brief.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Rachna Gokani
    Band 3Rachna Gokani

    Rachna Gokani

    • Rachna Gokani is an excellent crime and regulatory practitioner with an eye for detail and excellent drafting skills.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She was great in her advocacy. She was well prepared, forensic and she knew when to stop.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Susannah Stevens
    Band 3Susannah Stevens

    Susannah Stevens

    • Stevens is brilliant at cross-examining witnesses and is very effective in front of different sorts of tribunals.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Susannah is a fantastic lawyer. She is measured, effective and focused.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Susannah is a good junior in terms of preparation. Her junior work is extremely good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Tom Broomfield
    Band 3Tom Broomfield

    Tom Broomfield

    • Tom is very hard-working. He is exceptional.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Tom Broomfield absorbed the instructions very quickly. He was good on his feet; good with the client, and good at negotiating with the other parties.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He never fails to impress with his genuine commitment.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Fallon Alexis
    Band 4Fallon Alexis

    Fallon Alexis

    • Fallon Alexis oozes quality with all aspects of her casework and advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Fallon is really good at getting stuck into the evidence and is a pleasure to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is calm and composed under pressure. She is polished and so good.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Fraser Coxhill
    Band 4Fraser Coxhill

    Fraser Coxhill

    • Fraser Coxhill is an impressive junior. He has great attention to detail and produces careful analysis of complex legal issues. His client care is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is able to digest volumes of material very quickly and with great attention to detail. Clients all give very positive feedback about Fraser both in and out of the courtroom.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Coxhill is pretty faultless. He is very diligent and very good with defendants.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Fraser Coxhill does quite a bit of criminal work involving police officers, and we will always go to him for that work.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Julian Evans
    Band 4Julian Evans

    Julian Evans

    • He stands out as a class act.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He was a brilliant advocate, really good on the law and a lovely guy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Julian Evans KC is outstanding in all ways. He is the epitome of a really good prosecutor. He fights hard but does so in a fair and attractive way, advocacy-wise.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • He is a really solid advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Nicholas Corsellis
    Band 4Nicholas Corsellis

    Nicholas Corsellis

    • Nicholas Corsellis KC is a really reassuring presence in both the conference room as well as the courtroom. He is always all over the detail. He has the best client care in the business.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Paul Raudnitz
    Band 4Paul Raudnitz

    Paul Raudnitz

    • He is very talented all-round, with particular expertise in financial crime. He is highly liked by clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Raudnitz KC is extremely efficient, reliable and his advocacy cannot be faulted.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Raudnitz is down to earth and client-friendly, despite his impressive legal talent. His case preparation is meticulous.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Paul's ability to understand and communicate on even the most nuanced of matters is unprecedented. His judgement is astute and his client care is phenomenal. In court, he is a master of his craft.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Tom Kark
    Band 4Tom Kark

    Tom Kark

    • Tom Kark KC is very good. He carries a weight and is a very understated and elegant advocate. He engaged with the jury well and was great on his feet.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Adam King
    Band 5Adam King

    Adam King

    • Adam King's robust approach to his cases is unmatched. He has an excellent understanding of the law and legal language.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Adam King is extremely proficient in offences involving a sexual element.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Adam is a go-to member of chambers for his unyielding approach to every case he does. His commitment to client care and his ability to pick up a case and run with it is first-class.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Clients are always very happy with him and his advocacy.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Alexandra Felix
    Band 5Alexandra Felix

    Alexandra Felix

    • She is extremely caring and empathetic, but takes no prisoners when dealing with the prosecuting authorities. She is just a real team player.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is precise and has complete knowledge of her cases as well as being friendly, approachable and respectful.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Alexandra Felix is highly intelligent and is an incredibly strong advocate, challenging every aspect of a case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a good advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jocelyn Ledward
    Band 5Jocelyn Ledward

    Jocelyn Ledward

    • Her ability to soak up information is unrivalled.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a quick thinker and a machine. She just knows her case inside and out.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is hard-working, and has great judgement. She is good in court.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jocelyn Ledward KC is a class act with a complete command of the law.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Jonathan Polnay
    Band 5Jonathan Polnay

    Jonathan Polnay

    • Jonathan has an encyclopaedic brain. He is an engaging individual and is so accomplished in different areas of the law.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Polnay KC is a first-choice advocate for the most serious, complex and sensitive cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan Polnay is well known for prosecution, but he also has a great defence practice. He is very straight-talking, which clients like.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Polnay is very dedicated to a case, tactically very aware and always one step ahead.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Roger Smart
    Band 5Roger Smart

    Roger Smart

    • Roger Smart is very experienced. He's a man of dogged determination, who has a strong work ethic and is always polite but firm.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Arabella MacDonald
    Band 6Arabella MacDonald

    Arabella MacDonald

    • She is an outstanding junior who is outstandingly clever and a pleasure to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is excellent.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Ben FitzGerald
    Band 6Ben FitzGerald

    Ben FitzGerald

    • He is very bright and hard-working. He possesses good judgement.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ben FitzGerald KC is an exceptional criminal barrister. He provides impeccable judgement, is extremely bright and sees tactically the best route for a case.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Jennifer Newcomb
    Band 6Jennifer Newcomb

    Jennifer Newcomb

    • She is good and hard-working.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Ruth Broadbent
    Band 6Ruth Broadbent

    Ruth Broadbent

    • Ruth is a strong all-rounder and always assists and advises where needed from start to finish. She is much liked by clients.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She has been forensic in her approach, cutting to the core of the most important elements. Her knowledge of the cases she is instructed on is encyclopaedic.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Ruth Broadbent is incredibly hard-working, personable and enthusiastic. She is a real team player.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksKaren Robinson
    New SilksKaren Robinson

    Karen Robinson

    • She is really good at crunching through facts. At advocacy and cross-examining, she is really effective.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Karen Robinson has a great mixed crime practice.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is very approachable and knowledgeable. She does not over promise and under deliver. Karen is first-class.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at QEB Hollis Whiteman (38)

London (Bar)

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