5 King's Bench Walk

Head of Chambers: Sarah Forshaw KC, Mark Heywood KC

Senior Clerk: Lee Hughes-Gage

Tenants: 54

THE CHAMBERS Founded in 1966 5KBW is recognised nationally as a leading criminal chambers and continues to excel. Chambers provide representation at all levels of seniority across the full spectrum of criminal offending. Members have an unwavering commitment to provide advice and representation of the highest quality coupled with advocacy that is frequently recognised by the judiciary, solicitors and clients to be of the very highest quality.

WORK UNDERTAKEN

Serious Organised Crime:

Chambers has a formidable reputation in the prosecution and defence of allegations of serious and organised crime, with practitioners providing advice and representation of the very highest quality in the most serious high-profile criminal trials of this nature throughout the UK.

Sexual Offences:

Chambers enjoys an unparalleled reputation when it comes to the prosecution and defence of sexually motivated crime. Chambers have many advocates who are regularly instructed to provide cogent and expeditious advice at the very earliest stage and then successfully see the case through to completion. Cases include those involving historic offending, child cruelty, internet offending, child abduction, stranger rape and serial rape.

Homicide & Corporate Manslaughter:

Members regularly appear for both the prosecution and defence in the most serious and high-profile homicide cases including, serial killers, matters of terrorism, gangland executions, multi-defendant murders, baby shaking murders, gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter. That wealth of experience has earnt Chambers a first-class reputation amongst its peers and in the legal directories, with many members recognised as being leaders in this field.

Fraud & Financial Crime:

Chambers’ practitioners are routinely instructed in significant cases involving matters of financial offending - including fraud, bribery, money laundering and other financial offences. Members act for both the prosecution and defence, including cases involving the S.F.O & F.C.A. Representing individuals, (including directors) as well as Companies who are accused of financial offences. Often, members are instructed prior to charge, and are instructed to advise during the investigation stage. From tax/VAT/MTIC frauds to bribery, mortgage frauds to insider trading and corruption, Chambers offers experience and expertise to all those who are under investigation in relation to financial offences.

Confiscation, Civil Recovery & Asset Forfeiture:

Chambers has a long established tradition of expertise within the areas of asset recovery, civil fraud and confiscation and the dedicated team of barristers are able to navigate their way through this technical and ever evolving world from advice to representation at all levels. Frequently appearing in matters of Restraint, providing advice and assistance at every stage, Civil Recovery Orders and Cash Forfeiture Orders. Barristers are repeatedly instructed in post-conviction confiscation matters where benefit figures and the value of realisable assets are in contention.

Regulatory & Professional Disciplinary:

Chambers undertakes a wide range of regulatory and professional discipline cases. Members provide expert advice and representation to many professions and at all levels, from healthcare, education and finance sectors, to assisting police officers. Dealing skilfully and effectively with all stages of disciplinary proceedings of any type, from employers’ internal disciplinary procedures to proceedings before regulators.

Terrorism:

Members of Chambers are frequently instructed for their expertise both to prosecute (including the provision of pre-charge advice) and defend in the most serious and sensitive terrorist cases. Members are also instructed in relation to all terrorism law related applications, from control orders to orders relating to assets. As such, Chambers offers Counsel who are experienced and recognised for their ability to deal with the political, religious and cultural issues raised by terror related cases coupled with unquestionable ability to provide expert trial representation at both Silk and Junior level.