Ranking tables

Crime | UK Bar

Northern (Bar)

This section concentrates on what might be deemed 'serious' crime including illegal drugs, assault, sexual offences, terrorism and homicide. Financial crimes, including bribery and corruption, are covered separately. It covers work at all levels, from the Magistrates Court all the way to the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. Barristers ranked in this table are predominantly based on the Northern Circuit.

Rankings overview for Sets

1

  1. John Richard Jones KC
    John Richard Jones KC Exchange Chambers19 Years Ranked
  2. Benjamin Myers KCExchange Chambers
  3. David Temkin KCExchange Chambers
  4. Kate Blackwell KCLincoln House Chambers
  5. Nicholas Johnson KC7 Harrington St Chambers
  6. Nina Grahame KCGarden Court North Chambers
  7. Peter Wright KCLincoln House Chambers
  8. Simon Csoka KCLincoln House Chambers
2

  1. Richard Littler KC
    Richard Littler KC Exchange Chambers5 Years Ranked
  2. Alexander Leach KCLincoln House Chambers
  3. Andrew Thomas KCLincoln House Chambers
  4. Brenda Campbell KCLincoln House Chambers
  5. Richard Pratt KC7 Harrington St Chambers
  6. Tim Storrie KCLincoln House Chambers
3

  1. Imran Shafi KC
    Imran Shafi KC Exchange Chambers5 Years Ranked
  2. Michael Hayton KC
    Michael Hayton KC Deans Court Chambers16 Years Ranked
  3. Gordon Cole KCExchange Chambers
  4. Jaime Hamilton KCNine Chambers
  5. Mark Ford KCLincoln House Chambers
  6. Michael Brady KC7 Harrington St Chambers
  7. Nigel Power KC7 Harrington St Chambers
  8. Siobhan Grey KC18 St John Street
1

  1. Alex Langhorn7 Harrington St Chambers
  2. Damian NolanExchange Chambers
  3. David ToalExchange Chambers
  4. Michael LaveryExchange Chambers
  5. Rebecca FillettiLincoln House Chambers
  6. Richard Vardon18 St John Street
2

  1. Alaric BassanoExchange Chambers
  2. Barry GrennanKenworthy's Chambers
  3. Clare AshcroftLincoln House Chambers
  4. Gemma MaxwellSt John's Buildings
  5. Ian McMeekinLincoln House Chambers
  6. Ian WhitehurstExchange Chambers
  7. Rachel Faux18 St John Street
  8. Richard SimonsLincoln House Chambers
  9. Simon GurneyLincoln House Chambers
3

  1. Bob Sastry 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)12 Years Ranked
  2. Daniel Lister 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)3 Years Ranked
  3. Hugh McKee 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)12 Years Ranked
  4. Rachel Shenton
    Rachel Shenton 18 St John Street2 Years Ranked
  5. Charlotte RimmerExchange Chambers
  6. Erimnaz MushtaqDoughty Street Chambers
  7. Fiona ClancyExchange Chambers
  8. Gerard DoranLincoln House Chambers
  9. Helen LongworthNine Chambers
  10. Jane GreenhalghLibertas Chambers
  11. Jonathan Duffy7 Harrington St Chambers
  12. Keith HarrisonSt John's Buildings
  13. Nicola DaleyExchange Chambers
  14. Patrick CassidyKenworthy's Chambers
  15. Rebecca PenfoldSt John's Buildings
  16. Richard BrigdenExchange Chambers
  17. Richard DawsonLincoln House Chambers
  18. Rosalind Emsley-SmithDeans Court Chambers
  19. Sarah MagillLincoln House Chambers
  20. Virginia HaytonDeans Court Chambers
U

  1. Holly Menary7 Harrington St Chambers

All Sets profiles

1

Band 1

  1. 1
    7 Harrington St Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years Ranked

    7 Harrington Street Chambers is a leading set on the Northern Circuit for criminal matters which has "strong individuals at all levels of call both silks and juniors." It houses a bench of experienced practitioners who regularly undertake cases relating to serious crimes and large-scale frauds. Areas of expertise for the team include high-profile homicides, sexual assaults and drugs offences. Members act on behalf of both the prosecution and the defence, and are frequently instructed in headline cases. Recent instructions for the set have included prosecuting Lucy Letby.

  2. Exchange Chambers
    1
    Exchange Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years Ranked

    Exchange Chambers retains its reputation as a go-to set on the Northern Circuit for complex and high-profile criminal cases and are "well known for the depth of advocates they have available to represent both the prosecution and defence". Members are regularly instructed in cases relating to serious crimes, such as homicides, drugs offences and sexual abuse, and are also highly regarded for their expertise in terrorism cases and large-scale frauds. The set's barristers act for both the prosecution and the defence, and the chambers houses a number of Category 4 prosecutors. Recent cases have included the defence of Lucy Letby, concerning the appeal and a retrial for one count of murder.

    Kate Masher and Dave Haley are the senior criminal clerks in Liverpool and Manchester.

  3. Lincoln House Chambers
    1
    Lincoln House Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 1 | 15 Years Ranked

    Lincoln House Chambers is a highly rated set on the Northern Circuit, lauded by instructing solicitors as having "barristers with a vast amount of experience and skillset." The set offers expertise spanning the full range of criminal offences, and members regularly undertake cases of the utmost gravity including those relating to homicides, serious violence, drug offences and sexual assaults. Additional areas of strength for the team include road traffic offences and fraud matters. The set's barristers accept both public and privately funded instructions. Members of the set have recently been instructed in R v Mohammed Zada and others, concerning the prosecution of a multi handed human trafficking conspiracy.

    Andy McGuinness is the senior criminal clerk.

2

Band 2

  1. Deans Court Chambers
    2
    Deans Court Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked

    Deans Court Chambers is an established set on the Northern Circuit, known for broad expertise spanning the full range of serious criminal matters. The set houses a strong bench with a "diverse set of barristers" and its members are regularly instructed in high-profile cases relating to homicides, people trafficking and drugs offences. The set also offers considerable expertise in cases involving allegations of both recent and historic sexual offences. Additional areas of strength for the team include regulatory matters and criminal prosecutions arising from health and safety offences. Recent cases for the set included R v Erion Voja, which saw the defendant accused of murder.

    Peter Kelly is the senior criminal and regulatory clerk, working with senior clerk Matthew Gibbons.

3

Band 3

  1. 18 St John Street
    3
    18 St John Street
    Crime
    2026 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked

    18 St John Street is well regarded for its expertise in a variety of serious general crime matters, including murder, serious sexual offences and drugs. The set is praised for its "professionalism and ability to assist on short notice and their compassion and empathy with each case." Areas of significant strength for the team include complex fraud work and is regularly called upon to handle matters concerning organised crime. Recent instructions for the set have included R v Paul Green and Others, pertaining to a large Class A drugs importation matter.

  2. 23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
    3
    23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers)
    Crime
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    23ES (23 Essex Street Chambers) has a strong presence on the Northern circuit, offering representation to its clients in both prosecution and defence. The set houses a strong bench with "excellent barristers across the board, from the junior end, to kings counsel." The barristers are highly experienced in taking instructions in complex criminal cases involving homicide, drugs and sexual offences. Recent instructions for the set have included Operation Icon, pertaining to the conspiracy to traffic women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

    Sean Hulston is the senior criminal clerk in Manchester.

  3. Kenworthy's Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 3
  4. Nine Chambers
    Crime
    2026 | Band 3
  5. St John's Buildings
    Crime
    2026 | Band 3