Crime | UK Bar

2 Hare Court is an expert criminal set with a great track record of handling the most serious matters. It has experience of prosecuting and defending murder, sexual offences, gang-related and serious violence cases, among others. It further has expertise in extradition and high-profile international cases. Members of the set have been instructed in some of the year's highest profile cases including acting for CPS in a matter involving four defendants who were convicted of their involvement in the assassination of a man.

2BR has long had a standing in the top rank of criminal sets. It is regularly involved in high-profile cases across the full spectrum of criminal law and has practitioners, instructed for both the prosecution and defence, who have particular expertise in dealing with complex defences including insanity. One client notes: "the counsel they have in this set are extremely experienced and the results they achieve always exceed expectations." Recent cases for the set include the prosecution of Luke D'Wit.

Paul Rodgers is the senior clerk.

3 Raymond Buildings is noted for its "great tacticians who make complex and sophisticated cases seem simple." Its members are instructed in the most serious cases, many of which are privately paying. Barristers here have particular expertise in representing clients in terrorism, organised crime, homicide and sexual offences cases, and often handle matters that are international or multi-jurisdictional in nature. The set has been instructed in R v Fiona Beal, concerning the prosecuting re-trial of the murder of Beal's husband.

6KBW College Hill is a premier criminal prosecution and defence set renowned for its involvement in the most serious criminal and regulatory cases. It is noted for "providing some of the best quality legal advice and representation." Members of the set regularly act at all levels of the court system, and have made numerous appearances in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, as well as in a number of foreign jurisdictions. Recent cases for the set have included R v Dylan Earl and others, which concerns the alleged involvement of the Wagner Group.

Doughty Street Chambers is a redoubtable set with skill in serious crime and related human rights and international law cases, that is noted by sources for its "very strong advocacy, passionate and dedicated counsel." It handles the full range of criminal matters, but is especially well known for its involvement in significant terrorism cases and murders that receive national media interest. It also routinely deals with vulnerable defendants and youth crime cases, and has a specialist Appeals Unit, which concentrates on matters brought before the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, Privy Council and ECtHR. Members were instructed in Craig Miller v R, acting for Craig Miller who was one of three defendants in an appeal against conviction and sentence for attempted murder, where the conviction was ultimately rendered unsafe.

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.

23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) handles the full regimen of criminal matters including murder, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and road traffic work. Sources state that the "knowledge and skill set of their barristers in areas of the law, advocacy and presentation are remarkable." Alongside its capabilities in London, the set has an office in Manchester and many of its members are capable of conducting cross-border and foreign work in jurisdictions including the Cayman Islands, where they handle a good diet of financial crime work. Its members are experienced in both prosecution and defence work, with recent instructions including acting as leading counsel for the Crown in the conviction of Ian Hamilton, who was convicted of 60 counts of rape and sexual assault.

25 Bedford Row is a set noted for its "strength in depth and exemplary client care," whose members regularly appear in reported murder, manslaughter, sex and terrorism cases, among others. They specialise in defence and are regulars at the Old Bailey and Court of Appeal, and are particularly known for their involvement in multi-handed murder trials, including those relating to young offenders. A recent case of note is R v TC, concerning a county lines drug dealer who was charged with murder and GBH.

5KBW is home to "barristers of the highest quality, who deal with high-profile cases on a regular basis." Indeed, they handle criminal cases of any type, whatever the level of seriousness. Major matters relating to organised crime, murder and terrorism are undertaken amidst the usual diet of general crime, and members boast further skill in commercial criminal cases and regulatory work. They have particular expertise in sexual offences cases, including historic sex crimes. Their recent matters include the prosecution of Daniel Khalife, who was convicted of espionage and terrorism offences.

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.

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.

5 Paper Buildings is commended as a set whose barristers are regularly instructed in the major cases of the day including those relating to murder, sexual offences, terrorism, gang-related crime and firearms offences. In addition to general and serious crime, the set also handles financial crime, football corruption and European Arrest Warrant work. Its members demonstrate high-profile cases, such as R v Axel Rudakubana, concerning the Southport murders.

Dale Jones is the senior clerk.

9BR Chambers is composed of impressive barristers who regularly deal with murder, modern slavery, sexual offences, people trafficking and drugs cases, to name but a few. It further has a dedicated sexual offences team and regularly handles cases involving vulnerable individuals. Other areas of expertise include cybercrime and courts martial, the latter being attended to by a military law team that includes a number of former military personnel. Recently, its barristers have been instructed in high-profile cases including defending in R v Madhi Mumin and others, concerning a four-handed murder case relating to a drug turf war.

Paul Outen is the senior clerk.

Although more likely to be seen in financial crime cases, Cloth Fair maintains a general criminal practice, which it tends to with its customary skill and polish. Its highly renowned barristers can turn their hand to anything and are often selected to tackle sexual assault cases, representing famous people such as celebrities, politicians and athletes.

Dean Brown is the Director of Clerking.

Foundry Chambers is noted for its "highly skilled advocates, who consistently deliver persuasive and strategic representation in court." The set has an illustrious track record handling criminal matters of great importance alongside a strong reputation for its appellate work. It both prosecutes and defends, and is instructed by top defence solicitors and prosecuting bodies such as the SFO, NCA and CPS Special and Complex Crime Units. A number of the cases it undertakes attract media attention and involve atypical elements, such as R v Steven Sansom.

Angela May is the senior clerk.

Members of Furnival Chambers prosecute and defend criminal cases of all types and are regularly involved in high-profile matters of the day, such as R v Sharif, Batool and Malik, concerning the murder of ten-year-old Sara Sharif.

Matrix Chambers is a major public and commercial law set that has a significant criminal offering and expertise in related extradition cases. Its members have particular experience of handling appellate proceedings and unsurprisingly, are masters of those cases where human rights and criminal law collide. They routinely act in serious cases, including those relating to murder and sexual offences, historic or otherwise, and are often to be seen in major public inquiries and inquests. They also regularly appear before international courts. Recent instructions for the set have included defending in R v Roussev and others, a Russian spy ring case.

Mountford Chambers is well versed in general crime cases, offering a "truly exceptional range of counsel" to handle the full complement of briefs, including murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences cases. Barristers at the set have experience on both the defence and prosecution sides, and are thoroughly au fait with appellate work. Members of the set have been involved in R v Ian Hamilton, who was charged with 60 counts of historic rape, sexual assault and serious violence on multiple victims.

187 Chambers is a substantial set noted for its "highly skilled advocates, who are known for their persuasive courtroom performance and meticulous cross-examination skills." The set handles serious matters including murder, robbery, drugs and sex cases, among a host of others. Significant homicide cases include gang-related killings, baby-shaking cases and historic murders. Examples of recent instructions include Operation Skirp, a Russian espionage case. Its strength in general crime is complemented by capabilities in large scale fraud and regulatory law.

Steven Wright is the senior clerk.

2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. Recent examples of work include R v Thomas Huang, involving an attack at Blundell's Public school by a pupil, who claimed he was sleepwalking.

3TG is a set noted for its "very broad depth of experience," catering to all the usual areas of general crime including murder, serious sexual offences, fraud and organised crime-related drugs and firearms work. Members of the set are also active in terrorism cases. An example of recent work is R v Mohammed Nur, who was jailed for life for a series of slasher attacks.

Gary Brown is the senior clerk.

5 St Andrew's Hill is a well-regarded set that offers "a deep bench of highly skilled barristers across a wide range of areas," with cases relating to homicide, drugs and human trafficking. The set takes on matters involving serious sexual offences, including those pertaining to historic child abuse, gang-related assaults and rape. Recent cases for the set include defending in R v Abdulkhadir, who was charged with murder and Section 18 GBH.

7BR offers expertise spanning the full gamut of criminal matters and "has the recognised strength of its members across various disciplines." Indeed, members are experienced in the handling of complex and high-profile cases involving murder, sexual offences, drug trafficking, terrorism and serious violent crimes. The team is also well versed in cybercrime matters, including cases involving cryptocurrency. The set's barristers act for both the prosecution and the defence and frequently appear on the Midlands Circuit as well as in London. Recent instructions have included R v Voja Petkovic and others, a long-running case involving firearms possession and the supply of drugs.

James Crighton is the senior crime clerk.

Crucible Chambers is noted for its "communicative, sharp and hard-working" barristers. Members here are highly experienced in taking instructions in serious and high-profile criminal cases involving homicide, terrorism and child abuse. Recent instructions for the set have included R v Vittorio Di Murro, a murder trial involving significant legal arguments as to the admissibility of previous convictions of co-defendants.

Barristers at Farringdon Chambers have experience of serious crime cases, including those relating to homicide, firearms and drugs offences, among others. Its barristers are recognised for their impressive capabilities and are regularly called upon to defend complex crime cases. An example of the work undertaken by the set is R v Sikander Babar, regarding an allegation of joint-enterprise murder.

Libertas Chambers is a virtual set with its London facilities at Old Bailey. The set has expanded considerably since its formation in 2020 and offers "an excellent range in experience and knowledge." Barristers here frequently defend clients accused of the most serious crimes, including those involving infanticide, familicide, homicide and terrorism. It has specialist teams for human trafficking and modern slavery, and appellate cases. Recent cases have included the long-running Operation Tradite, involving a major, large-scale drug importation conspiracy.