Retour United Kingdom - The Bar

Leading Silks

Dafydd Enoch KC – KBWDafydd is a well-respected silk with a wealth of experience. He is a robust advocate who puts his points across persuasively.’
Caroline Goodwin KCTrinity Chambers 'Caroline is a highly charismatic silk.'
Paul Greaney KCNew Park Court Chambers 'Paul is a brilliant lawyer.'
Abdul Iqbal KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A silk of star quality. His jury presence is very impressive.'
Nicholas Johnson KCExchange Chambers 'He is the complete package. He speaks and acts with an unstated authority.'
Nicholas Lumley KCNew Park Court Chambers 'An incredibly skilled and talented advocate. He commands the attention of the courtroom.'
Alistair MacDonald KCNew Park Court Chambers 'His reputation precedes him. Judges will listen to him no matter the difficulties in the case.'
Peter Moulson KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Peter is a compelling advocate, and his ability to engage with a jury is natural and exceptional.'
Richard Wright KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Richard is an exceptional talent.'
Bryan Cox KC - St Pauls Chambers 'Bryan is a strategic thinker, who develops a compelling, persuasive rapport with the court and clients. He holds the court's sustained attention and notice when on his feet.'
Toby Hedworth KCTrinity Chambers 'Toby is a highly accomplished and experienced counsel. His manner of delivery holds the jury's attention. His closing speeches are legendary.'
Simon Kealey KCNew Park Court Chambers 'Simon's advocacy is first class - a smiling assassin.'
Peter Makepeace KCDere Street Barristers 'He is a masterful cross-examiner.'
Kama Melly KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A formidable cross-examiner.'
Nicholas de la Poer KCNew Park Court Chambers 'He has a brilliant legal mind and an unbelievable ability to formulate and reason legal arguments.'
Stephen Wood KCBroadway House Chambers 'Stephen is a fearless cross-examiner and his jury speeches are perfectly pitched. He is a good operator, tactically astute. Juries love him.'
David Brooke KCKBW 'A formidable and exceptional silk who masters his brief.'
Andrew Haslam KCExchange Chambers 'Andrew is a devastating prosecutor. He works extremely hard; he knows every detail and is relentless in the best possible way.'
Craig Hassall KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A measured and unflappable silk.'
Mark McKone KCPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A collaborative silk who works well with others.'
Jason Pitter KC – New Park Court ChambersJason is a fantastic, extremely well-respected silk.’
Richard Thyne KCSt John’s Buildings 'An impressive performer. An extremely thoughtful and measured advocate. His very pleasant demeanor belies a steeliness and a resolve to get the best for his clients.'

2023 Silks

Nick Worsley KCSt Paul’s Chambers 'He is absolutely unflappable. Tremendous before a jury, and has a keen eye for detail.'

2024 Silks

Denise Breen-Lawton KCSt Paul’s Chambers 'Denise is a truly exceptional advocate. Her mastery of complex and vast cases is second only to her ability to convey the same to a jury in a clear, digestible and persuasive manner. She is a dogged defender; you would want her in your corner if you were in trouble.'
Tom Storey KCNew Park Court Chambers 'Tom has a calm and wholly unflappable demeanour. His approach to cross-examination reflects his highly impressive and wholly professional approach to his cases.'

Leading Juniors

Charlotte Baines – Wilberforce Chambers 'Charlotte is a class act. She knows the law, applies it to the evidence in the case in hand and produces excellent written work. She is at her best in court, and juries warm to her common sense and down to earth approach. Hers is an iron fist in a velvet glove.'
Gillian BattsPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Her jury advocacy is characterised by an engaging style underpinned by a detailed and logical analysis of the evidence. She could recite the alphabet and the jury would still be eating out of her hand.'
Anne RichardsonDere Street Barristers 'Anne has the ear of the court. She absorbs the facts of cases and has the end game in sight from the beginning.'
Catherine SilvertonPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A barrister in a league of her own.'
Robert StevensonPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Robert commands the confidence of the court, and is an incisive cross-examiner.'
Taryn TurnerPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Taryn is highly committed and motivated. She commands the respect of clients and works tirelessly to secure the best outcome.'
Laura Addy - Park Square Barristers 'Laura is outstanding in every aspect. She is incredibly intelligent with immaculate preparation. An authoritative advocate.'
Julia Baggs – Wilberforce Chambers 'An extremely able trial lawyer with a very good jury presence.'
Adam BirkbyNew Park Court Chambers 'He is a hugely talented courtroom advocate, being both succinct and persuasive. Judges love him.'
Helen Chapman – St Paul’s Chambers 'She is both tactically astute and hugely effective when cross examining, even on the most sensitive of trials. She is an outstanding advocate.'
Daniel CordeyDere Street Barristers 'A very assured and able junior.'
Tony CornbergTrinity Chambers 'An extremely methodical and highly able lawyer. He has a uniquely calm and measured manner, free from unnecessary bombast and theatre. His client care is extremely good and his preparation and presentation of often complicated arguments and submissions is exceptional.'
Anthony DavisDere Street Barristers 'Anthony is a highly accomplished advocate.'
Eleanor FryNew Park Court Chambers 'Eleanor is an advocate of exceptional talent.'
Stephen GrattageExchange Chambers 'With an incredible eye for detail, his adversarial skills are charming and intellectually persuasive.'
Geraldine KellyNew Park Court Chambers 'A cool, calm and collected advocate, with tremendous focus.'
Angus MacDonaldSt Paul’s Chambers 'Angus is a well-prepared prosecutor and tenacious but also sensible and reasonable. He is liked and respected by his opponents, judges and juries.'
Glenn ParsonsPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'Glenn is hugely charismatic. The quality of his advocacy on his feet is as smooth as silk; he has the ability to completely captivate the court with his presence. His confidence and magnetism draws the court and the jury in.'
Conor QuinnKBWA stand-out junior.’
Rebecca Randall – Park Square Barristers 'Rebecca is a superb jury advocate, with particular expertise in the cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses.'
Katherine Robinson – Park Square Barristers 'Katherine is an engaging jury advocate who remains serene in tumultuous circumstances.'
Charles BlatchfordSt Philips Chambers 'Charles is a very able and talented barrister, who is able to apply both intellectual skill and tactical analysis to his cases.'
Dale Brook – Wilberforce Chambers 'Dale is an engaging and effective advocate, with an incredible presence before a jury.'
Holly Clegg  – Park Square Barristers Ltd. 'An eloquent advocate with natural flair. She is engaging to a jury.'
Eddison Flint  – Exchange ChambersAn approachable junior who is diligent and unafraid of a fight.’
David Godfrey - Crown Chambers 'David is a strategic and fierce advocate. He can tackle the most complex of legal arguments while remaining personable and approachable.'
Kristina Goodwin - St Pauls Chambers 'She is tactically brilliant, methodical and persuasive.'
George Hazel-Owram – St Pauls Chambers 'George goes the extra mile for his clients. He is a top-tier court advocate: his courtroom presence is modest and unassuming yet his advocacy is commanding. His witness handling is empathetic – even when cross-examining - and this approach means that he is devastatingly effective in trials before a jury.'
Richard Herrmann  – Dere Street Barristers 'He is a superb jury advocate and strikes the perfect balance between personable and impartial. A cool operator in court.'
Chloe HudsonNew Park Court Chambers 'A focussed junior who stands her ground.'
Julian JonesPark Square Barristers Ltd. 'A diligent junior with an authoritative court presence.'
Soheil KhanPark Square Barristers Ltd.  'At his heart a blood and guts advocate. His love for the job and the art of cross-examination and addressing a jury really does shine through.'
Laura Jane Miller  – Trinity Chambers 'Laura is an advocate with great ability in dealing with complex facts. Her work ethic is outstanding and she approaches all cases with enthusiasm and tenacity.'
Lydia Pearce – Broadway House Chambers 'Lydia has an incisive attention to detail, communicates important points in an easy-to-understand way, and has a personable style which clients and juries enjoy.'
Steven Reed  – Trinity Chambers 'He is thorough and well prepared, and his skill at sensitively yet professionally cross-examining vulnerable witnesses is impressive.'
Rachel Scott – Wilberforce Chambers ‘She is a force to be reckoned with: ferocious in court and excellent with clients.’
Jane Waugh - Dere Street Barristers 'She prepares well and has great communication skills.'
Ellen Wright – Park Square Barristers 'Ellen is a meticulous and adroit advocate. Juries adore her.'

Rising Stars

Michael Forrest – Wilberforce Chambers 'Michael is a fearless advocate. He is not afraid to challenge perceived wisdom and bring a fresh and effective perspective to complex issues of fact and law.'
Celine Kart – Park Square Barristers 'Celine's advocacy is excellent with an easy style which gets to the heart of the most complex of legal issues quickly and with great clarity.'
Charlotte Noddings - Exchange Chambers 'Charlotte is a respectful, persuasive yet forceful and tenacious advocate, and displays very sound judgement and skill.'
Oliver Shipley - Wilberforce Chambers 'A concise advocate, unflappable and with good judgement.'

Crime (general and fraud) in Regional Bar

New Park Court Chambers


The criminal team at New Park Court Chambers‘ ‘depth of expertise and knowledge is second to none‘. In recent work for the group, the ‘impressiveNicholas Lumley KC defended a woman from Teesside who was charged under the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act with carrying out an illegal abortion on herself during the first UK Covid-19 lockdown; Cox was found not guilty after prosecutors offered no evidence. In a separate matter, the ‘very personableNicholas de la Poer KC successfully prosecuted a man who was convicted of attempting to collect information useful for terrorism; the defendant was alleged to have been filming security arrangements around an Iranian dissident television station based in Chiswick. Among the juniors, Adam Birkby‘s ‘command of a case is almost unrivalled‘ and Eleanor Fry is ‘tenacious and persuasive‘. The senior end of the team was recently bolstered by Tom Storey KC‘s elevation to silk in March 2024.

Les références

Teresa Pugh provides a first class service.’

The team of clerks are always dependable and friendly.’

New Park Court is a top-flight set.’





Park Square Barristers Ltd.


Park Square Barristers‘ team garners praise for its ‘excellent strength in depth‘, and is home to ‘very experienced counsel specialising in criminal law‘. In a prominent work highlight, the ‘brilliantRichard Wright KC led the ‘fearlessGillian Batts for the prosecution of a man who was convicted of the murder of seven-year-old Nikki Allan in 1992. Kama Melly KC has a solid track record in handling cases involving serious sexual offences; Craig Hassall KC stands out as ‘a first-rate cross-examiner‘. In another matter, Catherine Silverton led Holly Clegg for the defence of a woman who was charged with conspiring to supply and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs after 5kg of cocaine was found in her flat; the client received a two-year sentence after being convicted for participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. Ellen Wright joined the team in December 2023.

Les références

Andrew Thornton and Rebecca Wilson stand out as incredibly calm and organised.’

Andrew Thornton is particularly helpful.’

Andrew Thornton is adept at resolving any issues in a timely manner.’





St Pauls Chambers


St Pauls Chambers is ‘a very experienced criminal law chambers with significant talent at every level‘. In a prominent work highlight, Nick Worsley KC successfully defended a man who was acquitted of both murder and attempted murder after his brother-in-law was stabbed; the defendant had been jointly charged with his father. Sam Green KC‘s recent caseload includes prosecuting in high-profile murders; he acts as joint head of chambers with newly appointed silk Denise Breen-Lawton KC, who is ‘extremely impressive‘ and has an excellent reputation for handling complex fraud work, terrorism cases, and serious sexual offences, to name a few areas. Helen Chapman is ‘very poised‘ and ‘a great trial tactician‘. The senior end of the team was also bolstered by the elevation of James Bourne-Arton KC to silk in the 2024 round.

Les références

‘The clerks’ room is superbly led by Jayne Drake, who provides an excellent service, bringing a very business-savvy nous. Jayne is well-supported by Kelly Staniforth, who is uber-efficient and always prompt at responding to all enquiries, calls and emails.’

‘Kelly Staniforth is excellent, well organised and a good communicator.’

Jayne Drake is extremely efficient and personable.’





Dere Street Barristers


At Dere Street Barristers, the ‘very thorough and keen‘ team continues to handle a high volume of serious criminal cases, and the set reports an uptick in instructions concerning serious sexual offences. Richard Herrmann, who is ‘extremely attentive to detail‘, heads up the group and has expertise in defending and prosecuting in cases involving large-scale drugs conspiracies and serious violence. John Elvidge KC is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, and Peter Makepeace KC has ‘excellent communication skills‘. David Lamb KC‘s recent workload includes multi-defendant murder cases. Anne Richardson ‘is formidable yet professional‘.

Les références

The clerks are helpful and able.’

A great set, highly regarded and professionally managed.’

Excellent set. Brilliant clerks who always go above and beyond.’





Exchange Chambers


The Leeds office of the ‘dynamic‘ set Exchange Chambers houses a criminal team with ‘strength in depth‘. The group has been kept especially busy handling large-scale drugs conspiracies, murder, complex fraud and terrorism cases. The ‘very thoughtfulNicholas Johnson KC ‘is able to instill confidence in juries‘, and Andrew Haslam KC‘s ‘judgement is excellent‘. Among the juniors, Stephen Grattage successfully prosecuted a man for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration into the UK, as well as separate violence and firearms offences. In a separate matter, Charlotte Noddings acted as junior counsel in a multi-handed murder trial for one of the defendants, who was charged with the murder of an 18-year-old man by way of joint enterprise; the defendant was acquitted of all charges.

Les références

The clerks, led by Ian Spencer, are friendly, helpful and organised. In a nutshell, they get the job done.’

Ian Spencer is unflappable. He directs operations with aplomb.’

Ian Spencer is a joy to deal with.’





Trinity Chambers


Trinity Chambers‘ ‘strong team of experienced criminal counsel‘ is well versed in handling a broad range of criminal cases, including large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences, terrorism and firearms offences. Practice head Caroline Goodwin KC has an excellent track record in prosecuting and defending in manslaughter, murder, serious sexual offences and terrorism cases. Toby Hedworth KC ‘is always courteous and takes proper points but will stand his ground and refuse to be pushed around‘. Christopher Knox is sought after for his experience in advising on financial criminal matters, and Tony Cornberg is ‘an expressive advocate‘, ‘well liked by clients who are often charmed by his easy going approach and relaxed advocacy style‘.

Les références

Liam Gorman is courteous, helpful and highly efficient.’

Chris Gibbin can only be described as outstanding – an unsung hero! He is a great ambassador for Trinity Chambers.’

All the clerks are particularly helpful; Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin go above and beyond to ensure that they assist with whatever case is needed.’





Broadway House Chambers


At Broadway House Chambers, Stephen Wood KC is ‘well-prepared and courageous in court‘ and ‘devastating in cross-examination‘, with an established track record in prosecuting and defending in a wide range of serious criminal matters. Among the junior end of chambers, Syam Soni has ‘exceptional legal acumen‘, and the ‘tenaciousLydia Pearce is well-versed in advising on cases of serious sexual offences, drugs conspiracies and serious violence.

Les références

Always helpful clerks.’

Reliable set.’

A stellar team of highly skilled barristers.’





Wilberforce Barristers


Hull's Wilberforce Chambers is ‘a strong set of criminal barristers‘. Michele Stuart-Lofthouse is ‘a measured and polished presence in court‘ and ‘always ahead of the game in terms of her trial strategy‘, with an excellent track record in handling cases of murder, serious violence, serious sexual offences, and large-scale drugs conspiracies. Rachel Scott has ‘a flair for jury speeches‘, while Charlotte Baines is ‘a courageous and combative cross-examiner‘ and ‘a real tour-de-force in her field‘. In recent instructions for the set, Baines and Dale Brook appeared in a trial concerning a contract killing in Hull.

Les références

Wayne Stevens and Lewis Richardson are a credit to the chambers.’

Wayne Stevens runs the clerks’ office well.’

Clerks are second to none. Extremely helpful, accommodating and go the extra mile!