Crime

Chambers is proud to be able to offer members through all levels who both prosecute and defend in every area of the criminal law. The Crime Team endorses and applies Chambers' equal opportunities and diversity policies and is proud of its longstanding commitment to these most important aspects of practice.

Chambers receives an ever-increasing number of instructions in high-profile and extremely serious matters, many of national significance. This is a reflection of the wide range of well-recognised and experienced counsel, from juniors to King's Counsel, that we are able to offer. Whilst many members of the team have developed strong practices within London, the Thames Valley, the South East and the Midlands, our counsel are available to appear anywhere within the jurisdiction.

The Crime Team is the largest group within chambers. As well as breadth across the team, individual members have developed strengths in specific areas of expertise, including:

• serious violence and homicide
• sexual offences
• fraud and dishonesty offences
• drug offences
• firearms
• proceeds of crime
• road traffic
• computer misuse
• offences against the Crown and public justice
• terrorism
• human rights
• mental health
• police complaints
• Courts Martial
• animal welfare offences

Members also undertake instructions relating to regulatory work and offences within the areas of:

• Trade Descriptions
• Data Protection
• Environmental Protection, including statutory nuisance
• Health and Safety at Work
• Licensing work including liquor, gaming, betting and taxis.

Our counsel appear in all courts including The Court of Appeal, Crown Court, Magistrates Court, Courts Martial, and the Coroner’s Court. Following the common law tradition of Chambers, a number of members maintain dual practices, and where cases require the deployment of a team that is able to cross disciplines, we are adept in pairing counsel who can cover all aspects of a case. This is something that is happening evermore regularly in family fact finding cases where criminal allegations are made, inquests, civil claims involving allegations of fraud, and numerous other areas.

The crime team prides itself on the excellent service it offers. Instructions are received from a large number of defence solicitors across the UK. For most, chambers is a first choice for their instructions. Many of our solicitors have instructed us for decades, a reflection of the loyalty and care devoted to their cases by our members. 

Instructions are also accepted from the major prosecution authorities. Chambers is able to offer the services of members holding CPS grades at all levels. There are team members who appear upon the Attorney General’s A and junior lists and are regularly instructed to prosecute in serious cases. Members of Chambers are on the specialist prosecution lists, including RASSO and counter-terrorism. Chambers is also regularly instructed to undertake private prosecutions from a number of different prosecuting agencies including local authorities and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

Most of our members are available to undertake Direct Access work in relation to criminal matters. Members stay up to date with changes to law and practice, maintain their CPD requirements, and have completed vulnerable witness training. All adhere to latest guidance from the Bar Council and Bar Standards Board.

Details of any individual member’s experience and speciality can be found on their individual profiles below. Alternatively, our clerks will be pleased to assist directly with any particular or bespoke enquiry.