Crucible Chambers > LONDON, England > Set Profile

Crucible Chambers
CENTRAL COURT, 25 SOUTHAMPTON BUILDINGS
LONDON
WC2A 1AL
England

London Bar > Crime Tier 4

Crucible Chambers is an ‘excellent set of chambers that is going places fast’, with several strong barristers handling a wide range of criminal matters. Martin Goudie KC, praised as ‘one of the best strategists at the Bar’, is experienced in murder and robbery cases. Roderick James specialises in serious drug trafficking and violence cases. Leila Gaskin has a strong reputation as an ‘articulate and very persuasive advocate’ – she has recently acted in murder, attempted murder, and human trafficking trials. Clea Topolski KC took silk in March 2024.

Leading Silks

Martin Goudie KC – Crucible Chambers ‘Martin is one of the best strategists at the bar. From the start of a case, his clear-eyed approach gives confidence to solicitors and clients alike, and achieves results that would otherwise have seemed impossible.'
Ranked: Tier 4

2024 Silks

Leading Juniors

Leila Gaskin – Crucible Chambers ‘Leila is the perfect brief and stands out as an advocate in multi-handed trials. Her advocacy is elegant and she does not waste a single word. She has a brilliant handle on the facts and the law, excellent judgement and is thoroughly professional in and out of court. She will walk into silk seamlessly.'
Ranked: Tier 2
Oliver Renton – Crucible Chambers ‘Oli is absolutely on top of his brief. He reads every page, knows the unused, and as a result is a go-to barrister for cases involving serious violence. He defends fearlessly and always takes good points. His jury manner is charming.'
Ranked: Tier 2
Roderick James – Crucible Chambers 'Roderick's strengths include being extremely personable and well liked by clients. He has excellent advocacy skills, is incredibly hard-working and manages to find solutions in cases by carrying out innovative research.'
Ranked: Tier 3
Claire Robinson – Crucible Chambers ‘Claire has a real ability to connect with clients. She walks them through evidence at a pace and level that they understand and makes them comfortable when facing challenging evidence. She is diligent in her case preparation and does not miss any tiny details.'
Ranked: Tier 4
Julia Flanagan – Crucible Chambers ‘Julia is a star counsel who is inevitably destined to be silk before too long if she so chooses. She is very clever legally and tactically as well as incredibly approachable. Julia is hugely respected by her peers, with silks actively asking to work with her.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Libby Anderson – Crucible Chambers ‘Libby is an extremely well-rounded lawyer. She is hard-working, tenacious, and has a great ethic for achieving the best for clients. She is a very persuasive court advocate, and extremely well respected by judges.’
Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

‘The clerks at Crucible Chambers are brilliant, especially James Hall. He is organised, passionate and will do his utmost to ensure that instructed counsel can attend the hearings, to ensure continuity in representation. A rare commodity these days!’

‘James Hall and Zach May in particular are amazing. They are always responsive and prioritise any queries.’

‘Zach May is fantastic. He is always available to discuss work and makes a real effort to make sure the machine that is defence work is always running smooth.’

‘The clerks’ room is run brilliantly. Zach and James are always very helpful and go above and beyond!’

‘An excellent set of chambers that is going places fast. Recruitment is carefully considered so that calibre is retained. Returns are not an issue as counsel are very able who are appointed for the return hearing. A set that is very much on the rise and expeditious in its current ascendancy.’

‘Crucible appears to be a very strong set with good counsel across the board.’

‘Crucible Chambers is a very competent set of chambers which will always do their best to provide a first-rate service.’

‘Crucible is great at what they do in crime.’

London Bar > Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations)

Leading Silks

Neil Hawes KC – Crucible Chambers ‘The guy is amazing and the hardest working silk around. The man doesn’t sleep and commits all advice in writing and stands behind his decisions.’
Ranked: Tier 1

London Bar > Fraud: crime

Leading Silks

Neil Hawes KC – Crucible Chambers ‘Neil's capacity for mastering large amounts of complex material with an extraordinary level of precision and detail is highly impressive. He is a tenacious advocate and exceptionally hard-working.’
Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Roderick James – Crucible Chambers ‘With a patient, calm-under-fire but forceful advocacy style, he is favoured by judges and juries and rightly so.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Leila Gaskin – Crucible Chambers ‘Leila provides robust advice and is not afraid of voluminous evidence. She identifies key issues at an early stage. She is a passionate advocate who is incredibly confident and brave, and displays a calm manner that is well liked by the judiciary.'
Ranked: Tier 2

London Bar > Extradition

Leading Juniors

Laura Herbert – Crucible Chambers 'Laura is an excellent lawyer whose analysis is spot on. She is particularly adept at getting to the heart of the matter. Her submissions are clear and to the point. She is consistently fair and has the trust of judges.'  
Ranked: Tier 3

London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law

Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 3
Laura Bayley –Crucible Chambers ‘Laura is an incredible, instinctive lawyer. She manages to absorb and recall vast amounts of case evidence and documentation, has a detailed knowledge of the law and legal processes, whilst all the time fiercely advocating for her client and making them feel heard and confident in her and the legal process.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Claire Robinson –Crucible Chambers ‘Claire's great asset as an advocate is her calm yet assertive demeanour, which ensures that her points are well made. Clients love the way she fights their corner.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Oliver Renton –Crucible Chambers ‘Oliver is confident when speaking, and can explain complex information to lay clients.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Libby Anderson  – Crucible Chambers ‘A highly skilled advocate, Libby is meticulous, thorough and committed to obtaining the best result. She is charming and has a fabulous manner.’
Ranked: Tier 4

At Crucible, professional excellence, client care and reliability of service remain central to all that we do. We aim to fuse this with a modern, creative and agile approach that sets us apart in the market. Specialising in: financial crime, serious crime, professional discipline and regulatory law.

Crucible was conceived, designed, structured and opened during the second half of 2020 against the backdrop of the COVID pandemic. We have learned from the challenges the pandemic has posed for businesses, both financially and organisationally.

Serious crime: Barristers at Crucible prosecute and defend cases across the whole criminal spectrum. The cases recently undertaken by members of Crucible range from high profile multi-handed murder cases to more sensitive and complex matters often involving vulnerable defendants and witnesses. Members of Crucible routinely appear at the Central Criminal Court, Crown Courts across the country and at the Court of Appeal.

Members of Crucible advise on complex and lengthy investigations pre-charge for prosecuting authorities, individuals and companies; they maintain a high level of commitment and dedication throughout the proceedings and on to appeal. A number of members of Crucible also specialise in extradition work and are known for their legal acumen and expertise in this field.

Financial crime: We are frequently instructed at the outset during investigations, from the initial discovery of a potential liability through to trials and enforcement proceedings. Our barristers have been instructed to defend in some of the highest profile financial crime cases in recent years, including three of the most recent individuals prosecuted alongside Deferred Prosecution Agreements. We are instructed by prosecutorial, regulatory and investigatory bodies in a wide variety of matters including bribery, tax fraud, pension fraud, money laundering and sanctions matters.

We have acted in the very highest profile fraud cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), HMRC, FCA, the Pensions Regulator, and the CPS (among others). Our pedigree is illustrated by the cases we have appeared in, from Libor and NHS Price Fixing to Tabenula insider dealer and G4S. Our depth of experience is such that we are often the very first point of contact that clients reach out for.

Professional discipline and regulatory: Members are highly regarded experts within their fields of practice, recommended in The Legal 500 rankings, and include Legal Assessors and Advisors to a number of Fitness to Practice panels. From our silks to our seasoned juniors we act in all stages of proceedings across the healthcare, financial, legal, transport and sporting professional regulators. The team is also able to call upon chambers’ substantial expertise in financial crime.

All of Crucible’s barristers have experience in serious criminal cases, which gives us a solid foundation in advocacy, forensic legal analysis and an ability to act in a wide range of associated proceedings. Several of members of the team have been appointed to the Health and Safety Executive List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates and have experience of Criminal, First Tier Tribunal and High Court appearances on behalf of government regulators.

Crucible’s barristers are frequently instructed to appear on behalf of bereaved families, interested persons and corporate entities at Coroners Inquests, including those engaging Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, requiring juries. We have experience advising and representing individuals on appeals against Disclosure and Barring Service barring decisions, including appearances in the Upper Tribunal

Department Name Email Telephone
Head of Chambers Neil Hawes KC [email protected] 0207 031 5310
Senior Clerk James Hall [email protected] 0207 031 5310
Photo Name Position Profile
Libby Anderson photo Ms Libby Anderson She has recently acted in several cases involving gang violence, firearms, and…
Laura Bayley photo Mrs Laura Bayley Laura is recognised for her careful case preparation, considered legal submissions and…
Thomas Buxton photo Mr Thomas Buxton He is instructed in complex, sensitive cases on behalf of the Royal…
Julia  Flanagan photo Mrs Julia Flanagan A highly experienced, innovative and hard-working advocate, Julia is a leading London…
Leila Gaskin photo Ms Leila Gaskin Leila Gaskin is a leading barrister in her field. She both prosecutes…
Martin Goudie KC photo Mr Martin Goudie KC Member of Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates since 2005 dealing with…
Henry Grunwald KC photo Mr Henry Grunwald KC Henry is a long-established Queen’s Counsel and dedicated advocate with forty-eight solid…
Neil Hawes KC photo Mr Neil Hawes KC Head of Chambers
Laura Herbert photo Mrs Laura Herbert Known for her clear and cogent advice she is a persuasive advocate…
Roderick James photo Mr Roderick James Described by instructing solicitors as “very methodical with evidence and excellent under…
Michael Lavers photo Mr Michael Lavers Michael is a committed barrister with a strong sense of social justice.…
Tasmin Malcolm photo Ms Tasmin Malcolm Examples of instructions include Murder and Serious Violence (such as s.18 GBH,…
Briony Molyneux photo Ms Briony Molyneux
Alexandra Monaghan photo Ms Alexandra Monaghan She is regularly instructed in cases involving vulnerable defendants, including defendants as…
Oliver  Renton photo Mr Oliver Renton Oliver is regularly instructed to defend grave and complex matters, often involving…
Claire Robinson photo Ms Claire Robinson Claire is an experienced barrister who regularly acts as leading junior and…
Ben  Rowe photo Mr Ben Rowe Ben Rowe is a founding member of Crucible and specialises in serious,…
Clea Topolski KC photo Mrs Clea Topolski KC Clea has an exclusive defence practice in serious crime and is regularly…
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English