Retour United Kingdom - The Bar

Leading Silks

Owen Edwards KCLinenhall Chambers ‘Owen is an outstanding criminal barrister.’
Paul Lewis KCFarrar’s Building 'Paul's advocacy is exceptional. His cross-examination is effective and forensic.'
Caroline Rees KC30 Park Place Chambers ‘Caroline is an excellent lawyer who works superbly with professional and lay clients alike. She is meticulously prepared, thorough, and outstanding in her client care.’
Jonathan Elystan Rees KCApex Chambers 'Jonathan is a go-to for anything serious and complex. He has an eye for detail that is unparalleled.'

Leading Juniors

Julia Cox – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Julia is very hardworking and diligent. She has a very good manner with clients, especially young defendants.’
Heath Edwards9 Park Place ‘Heath is an excellent advocate. He can put clients at ease, regardless of their background and provide insightful advice. On his feet, he is unflappable.’
Denise Fitzpatrick  – Linenhall Chambers ‘Denise is extremely thorough in her preparation and approach to the case. She is approachable and always willing to assist with difficult questions or points of law.‘
Anna PopeLinenhall Chambers 'Anna works incredibly hard and is calm yet forceful in court.'
Lee ReynoldsApex Chambers 'Lee is an experienced advocate who is knowledgeable, always well-prepared, and assuredly presents the case. He presents his case with tact yet also with firmness.'
Simon RogersLinenhall Chambers ‘Simon is an exceptional criminal barrister.’
John RyanApex Chambers 'John is a powerful and effective advocate. His strength lies in giving clear and concise advice in difficult circumstances. He has an eye for detail and will often consider new and effective ways of approaching a case to help achieve a positive outcome.'
Owen Williams9 Park Place ‘Owen is the go-to barrister for high-end criminal defence. He has a great grasp of detail and an excellent working relationship.’
Matthew Cobbe9 Park Place 'Matthew is very well respected. He is very responsive and well-organised, knowing the ins and outs of his cases.'
Peter Donnison30 Park Place Chambers ‘Peter is very experienced and willing to take on all matters. He is extremely fair and compassionate with clients and understands their needs.’
Nicholas GedgeApex Chambers 'Nicholas is an excellent advocate who has infinite patience and engages well with clients and those instructing.'
Ryan Rothwell – Linenhall Chambers ‘Ryan always ensures clients understand the offences and proceedings. He is very good with clients who are vulnerable and have learning difficulties. He tailors his language to suit the individual and takes the time to listen to their concerns.’
Frances Willmott – Linenhall Chambers ‘Frances is a talented and thorough trial advocate. She has a reassuringly calm approach in court.’  
William Bebb – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘William is an excellent communicator. He can empathise with those who are in the criminal justice system and he can also communicate eloquently in court so clients feel that their story has been told. Nothing is too much trouble for him and his ability to make those around him feel at ease is a gift that few possess. He is a rising star and his qualities will mean he will go far.’
Emma Harris – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Emma's meticulous attention to detail translates into her approach. She is organised and reliable.’
Daniel Jones – 30 Park Place Chambers ‘Daniel has an attractive style in both written and oral advocacy. His oral and written submissions are clear, precise and succinct.’
Andrew Kendall Apex Chambers 'Andrew is an excellent advocate and is on top of the brief at all times. His manner and interpersonal skills are also fantastic.'
Matthew Roberts – 9 Park Place 'Matthew is a silk-worthy advocate. His logical submissions hold the attention of the jury and respect of the judiciary.'
Hashim Salmman – Apex Chambers 'Hashim's case preparation is meticulous. He has an innate ability to assimilate masses of material in complex cases to get to the crux of what is required. His manner with lay clients and those who instruct him is excellent, which inspires confidence.'
Ruth SmithApex Chambers 'Ruth is professional, experienced, knowledgeable and personable. She is of great assistance when fully preparing cases for trial. She can build an amazing rapport with the client, which assists in the smooth running of the case.'
Clare Wilks Apex Chambers 'Clare has a calmness in everything she does. She is a go-to barrister for cases where a subtle and effective approach is required. She has a collaborative approach to case preparation.'
Ember-Jade Wong – Linenhall Chambers ‘Ember is logical and methodical in her work, accepting briefs on various cases, from a simple case with one clear issue to more complicated and convoluted. She takes everything in her stride and is unwavering in doing so.’

Rising Stars

Amy Edwards - Linenhall Chambers 'Amy is a warm and personable advocate who can establish rapport with clients quickly. She is proactive and capable.'
Joshua Gorst - Linenhall Chambers 'Joshua demonstrates exceptional thoroughness. He is very knowledgeable.'
Martha Smith-Higgins – Apex Chambers 'Martha is a superb advocate. She is bright, diligent and compassionate. She is as adept with technical points before judges as she is sensitive with handling juries.'
Laura Knightly - Linenhall Chambers 'Laura is extremely thorough in her preparation of cases. She is an excellent advocate.'
Tom McLoughlin - Linenhall Chambers 'Tom has an excellent rapport and manner with clients. He prepares cases extremely thoroughly and has an attractive manner when making submissions to the court.'

Crime (general and fraud) in Regional Bar

30 Park Place


30 Park Place Chambers is widely praised for its ‘incredibly strong criminal team’, with members demonstrating well-established expertise across the full spectrum of criminal law. ‘Brilliant and astute advocate’ Caroline Rees KC, known for her ‘forensic cross-examination’, represented the CPS in a tragic homicide case where a mother was accused of killing her child in the presence of another. Nigel Fryer is currently prosecuting four defendants in a multi-million pounds county lines cannabis conspiracy trial. Julia Cox, recognised for her ‘relentless work ethic‘, regularly defends in proceedings involving allegations of serious sexual offences. Peter Donnison is currently representing one of the defendants in a multi-handed murder trial and is commended for ‘providing an excellent case strategy’.

Les références

‘Emma Haines and Laura Macpherson are both very easy to deal with, provide a high level of service and are incredible at what they do.’

‘Laura Macpherson is extremely thorough and prompt with responses and answering queries. All clerks are approachable, friendly and professional. They go above and beyond to ensure the needs of solicitors and clients are met.’

‘Emma Haines goes the extra mile to ensure counsel is available for all levels of cases.’

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Linenhall Chambers


Linenhall Chambers offers notable strength in depth across serious criminal work, both in prosecution and defence, spanning complex multi-handed murders, sexual offences, and drug conspiracies. Owen Edwards KC represented one of the defendants in a high-profile murder case involving the fatal stabbing and beating of a man in his own home. Simon Rogers secured a conviction in a case involving sexual activity with a mentally disordered person, with the defendant receiving a 14-year custodial sentence. Denise Fitzpatrick, praised for her ‘unflappable fairness of approach’, acted for a defendant accused of historic sexual offences alleged to have occurred during residential holidays for deaf children.

Les références

‘Gareth Stickels and Ryan Turner are well-mannered, courteous, professional, and helpful, and go above and beyond what is expected of them.’

‘Gareth Stickels is always very helpful, always responds quickly to emails and provides updates as soon as possible when counsel is unavailable.’

‘Ryan Turner and Gareth Stickels are hard-working and reliable clerks who go above and beyond to provide excellent service.’

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9 Park Place


9 Park Place has ‘a wide range of counsel of all levels’, with members regularly instructed in serious prosecution and defence work, including terrorism, murder, drug offences, and sexual crimes. Heath Edwards has a broad practice, frequently defending in complex, multi-handed organised crime cases and is ‘a superb advocate, quickly getting to grips with a case and conducting persuasive cross-examination’. Owen Williams, known as ‘a tenacious advocate’, is currently representing a defendant in an ongoing murder trial. Matthew Cobbe is praised as ‘a robust and tenacious advocate’, bringing strength and determination to his criminal defence work.

Les références

‘Nigel East and Sam Johnson are very proactive.’

‘The clerking is excellent, particularly Sam Johnson and Nigel East, who are well organised.’

9 Park Place has a dependable clerking team.’

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Apex Chambers


‘Very strong set at all levels’ Apex Chambers is praised as ‘an excellent chambers with a significant number of able advocates’. Jonathan Rees KC prosecuted in a murder and manslaughter trial arising from a fatal attack in a pub. Lee Reynolds prosecuted sixteen defendants in a multi-million-pound fraud involving illegal tobacco and nitrous oxide, and is recommended as ‘a very good advocate and detail-focused’. John Ryan, described as ‘a star performer’, brings extensive experience in serious criminal law, particularly in cases involving homicide and sexual offences. Nicholas Gedge secured an acquittal for a defendant charged with multiple counts of rape against a teenager.

Les références

‘Craig Mansfield is helpful.’

‘Craig Mansfield is a very experienced senior clerk who is reliable and always tries to resolve problems without delay.’

‘The clerks at Apex are always friendly and happy to assist in whatever way they can.’