Crime | UK Bar

Drystone Chambers has a prominent presence in East Anglia and maintains an impressive reputation for its serious crime practice. Members of the set offer notable skill acting as both defence and prosecution counsel in high-profile cases. Its barristers regularly handle cases relating to murder, sexual offences and gross negligence manslaughter, as well as fraud and regulatory issues. The set also offers strong capabilities in extradition. Recent instructions for the set have included prosecuting the racially-motivated murder of a homeless man in R v Harding as well as acting for the defence in a trial concerning a machete attack, in which the defendant was ruled to be unfit to plead.

Red Lion Chambers is a highly regarded set which maintains a strong reputation across East Anglia for "very experienced practitioners, well versed in all aspects of crime." Barristers here are regularly instructed in cases involving murder, sexual offences and organised crime. Its members also have experience handling youth cases, such as a recent instruction involving a gang-related stabbing where both the victim and the defendant were children. Other recent matters include the prosecution of Cheryl Banks for the smothering of her mother.

Six Pump Court is a popular set with an impressive profile in Kent and a strong bench of silks and juniors, who have "excellent ability to handle complex cases". Its barristers regularly prosecute and defend a range of serious criminal cases, including murders, drug conspiracies and sexual assault. Recent instructions include prosecuting in R v Bissendary, a multiple homicide in which a car was driven into pedestrians in Kent.

23 Essex Street Chambers is a well-regarded set housing "a number of very experienced and able practitioners" who prosecute and defend a wide range of criminal cases. Members are instructed on high-profile sexual offences, murder cases and fraud-related matters. Recent matters for the set have included prosecuting Dawn Lewis for murder following her false claim to have stabbed her victim in self defence; and the prosecution of a number of individuals concerning the running of brothels and consequent involvement in both prosecution and money laundering.

Lamb Building houses a well-respected criminal team who are frequently instructed as the defence and the prosecution in serious criminal cases. The set's tenants handle cases involving allegations of GBH, homicide, rape and modern slavery. A recent instruction for the set involved acting for the lead defendant charged with false imprisonment, torture and rape in the Banbury Torture Trial. "It is an experienced set that is able to deal with a range of complex matters," says one interviewee.