Department profile
Red Lion Chambers

Crime

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Red Lion Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Crime - London (Bar)

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Red Lion Chambers is a set experienced in domestic and international criminal trials, which both prosecutes and defends. It is noted for its "very impressive array of extremely capable and competent counsel across a range of fields." It offers expertise in all types of criminal cases including those relating to drugs, murder and sexual assault. They have a notable profile in the Central Criminal Court and the Court of Appeal, and interest in niche areas such as human trafficking law. Recent instructions have included R v Mawien Mawien & Or, concerning a joint-enterprise case.

Mark Bennett is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They offer superb leadership and great clerking all the way.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks' organisation and communication are top tier.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • What also makes Red Lion Chambers distinguishable from others in the industry is their unique set of clerks. The clerks have excellent communication and organisational skills.

    Crime respondentUK Bar
  • It is a great clerking team.

    Crime respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1David Etherington
    Band 1David Etherington

    David Etherington

    David Etherington KC is a highly renowned silk who possesses in-depth knowledge of all areas of criminal law. He regularly appears in cases concerning fraud, murder, gang-related violence and historic sexual assault.

    • David Etherington is an advocate with few equals.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Kind, fair and never to be underestimated. I could listen to his voice all day long.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Gillian Jones
    Band 1Gillian Jones

    Gillian Jones

    Gillian Jones KC routinely acts in murder and sexual assault cases, often dealing with vulnerable defendants and witnesses. She has expertise in cybercrime cases and is skilled in the handling of complex computer evidence. Jones has extensive experience appearing before the Court of Appeal.

    • Gillian Jones KC is great and at the top of my list.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Jones is a pillar of the legal society.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Gillian Jones has a lovely manner.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jennifer Dempster
    Band 1Jennifer Dempster

    Jennifer Dempster

    Jennifer Dempster KC can regularly be found defending on behalf of her clients at the Old Bailey against the most serious and complex criminal allegations. She is very experienced in handling homicide proceedings.

    • Jennifer Dempster KC is very good with juries. She is very bright and great at the law and at dissecting the legal aspect in cases. She stands above the others.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Tom Forster
    Band 2Tom Forster

    Tom Forster

    Tom Forster KC is highly regarded for his practice across crime and financial crime. He is equally comfortable prosecuting and defending in cases involving homicide, sexual offences and charges arising out of the activities of organised crime groups.

    • Tom Forster KC gets high-profile work and he is very pleasant and affable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Joanna Hardy-Susskind
    Band 3Joanna Hardy-Susskind

    Joanna Hardy-Susskind

    • She is great.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Joanna deserves her high profile.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Joanna Hardy-Susskind provides a very good communication level.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Kate Bex
    Band 3Kate Bex

    Kate Bex

    • Kate Bex KC is formidable.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is a very good advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Jeremy Benson
    Band 4Jeremy Benson

    Jeremy Benson

    • Jeremy Benson KC is a really natural advocate and persuasive. He has a superb manner with the jury.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Riel Karmy-Jones
    Band 4Riel Karmy-Jones

    Riel Karmy-Jones

    • Riel is formidable and dogged.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Karmy-Jones is a smooth and suave jury advocate, who makes the complex seem simple.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is superb. A bit like a swan, she looks serene on the surface, but works very hard underneath.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She commands the courtroom, captivates the jury and makes sure that the client is heard. She is clear, fair and impeccably prepared.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Edmund Vickers
    Band 5Edmund Vickers

    Edmund Vickers

    • Vickers is so smooth. He is incredible, calm and collected.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Edmund Vickers KC does very good work.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Leo Seelig
    Band 5Leo Seelig

    Leo Seelig

    • He is a very persuasive and engaging advocate.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Leo Seelig is excellent and very impressive.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 5Michelle Nelson
    Band 5Michelle Nelson

    Michelle Nelson

    • Michelle Nelson KC is great. She is formidable in court and a good person to have on your side.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Michael Goodwin
    Band 6Michael Goodwin

    Michael Goodwin

    • Michael Goodwin KC is very capable and highly authoritative.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Goodwin possesses a real command of detail.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Michael is a very good advocate. He is measured and likes to find a resolution.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Goodwin is a master of his craft. He navigates the most complex of cases.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • Band 6Tom Payne
    Band 6Tom Payne

    Tom Payne

    • Tom Payne KC is a superb trial lawyer.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksFelicia Davy
    New SilksFelicia Davy

    Felicia Davy

    • Amazing with people and not afraid to give robust advice, she is great for cases concerning difficult clients and difficult situations.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Well-versed in the law and not afraid to deal with cases involving lots of evidence, she is a very confident performer.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksSerena Gates
    New SilksSerena Gates

    Serena Gates

    • Serena Gates is amazing.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Serena is a standout prosecutor, who is highly impressive. She is great to communicate with and very clever.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • Gates is a talented barrister who, whilst committed to her brief, remained open-minded, approachable and easy to work with.

      Crime respondentUK Bar
    • She is extremely able, being confident and competent. She is a fantastic prosecutor and marshalled the case very well.

      Crime respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Red Lion Chambers (15)

London (Bar)

Red Lion Chambers has rankings in the following guides

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