Mountford Chambers

Alan Kent KC

Alan Kent KC is the Head of Crime and Head of Pupillage at Mountford Chambers. Alan has a reputation for sound judgement, thorough preparation, and fearless advocacy. He is a specialist in homicide cases and has conducted hundreds of murder trials. He is well respected by his peers and judges in all the courts he practises in. Alan has developed an expertise in defending and prosecuting multi handed cases, with a particular emphasis on gang related murder allegations. He has outstanding trial strategy and tactics based on over 35 years of experience in the criminal courts. He is regularly instructed in cases involving young and vulnerable people and those with mental health issues. His calm and measured approach provides reassurance to all his clients, and he is adept at explaining the law and procedure in a clear and simple way. He is always ready and willing to listen, provide advice and assistance Alan builds an excellent rapport with clients, both professional and lay. He is down to earth and very easy to work with.

Alexandra Scott

Alexandra is an incisive, engaging and persuasive advocate. Specialising in criminal defence, Alexandra is known for her easy manner with lay clients and building strong working relationships with instructing solicitors. She is particularly adept in her sensitive handling of vulnerable clients and understands the complexities of issues posed in their cases. Throughout her practice, Alexandra has been instructed on a wide range of sensitive, demanding and high-profile cases, from conspiracies to supply sub-machine guns through to high-value frauds. Alexandra has extensive experience of cases involving high volumes of evidence, disclosure, legal argument, expert evidence and ‘cut-throat’ defences. Alexandra has experience of acting in civil and criminal POCA proceedings, extradition, licensing, and health and safety cases. Alexandra is ranked as a Leading Junior in both Crime and Fraud: Crime in the Legal 500, 2023.

Alphege Bell

Alphege Bell is an Oxford University law graduate who rose rapidly through the profession to become an established, trusted first choice leading defence advocate in impact crime cases. He is a founder member of Chambers and has exclusively been instructed by the defence (on a public and privately funded basis) for his entire career at the Bar. His work often involved representing celebrity and high profile clients, however he is equally committed to fearless and inclusive process rights advocacy on behalf the marginalised and vulnerable. Alphege has exceptional and deep experience in all iterations of homicide. He has pioneered innovative defence strategies in joint enterprise murder and serious violence. His expertise and mastery of complex legal issues lead to him being one of only 6 leading barristers in England and Wales that was selected by the Law Commission to advise the government on reforming the criminal law in respect of homicide. His ability results in defending across the entire arc of the criminal law in all arenas, but especially the higher courts. Although often defending at the Old Bailey his ability means he is sought out to defend in court centres across the national circuit. He has specialist experience in military law and human rights that regularly require him to fly out to British army bases in Germany and defend British Soldiers. Alphege’s case portfolio and experience also straddles the spectrum of defending in special operations in respect of huge fraud and very grave organised crime group offences; this extends to firearms and large scale drugs operations. He is often sought out in complex and ‘paper’ heavy cases and an early adopter of modern digital data interrogation techniques to assist in sophisticated fact management. He has an almost engineering level of expertise with complex encrypted phone evidence cases. He has specialist experience in terrorism offences prosecuted under the specialist protocols. Alphege lives and breathes his cases and works industriously for positive outcomes for his clients.

Anisha Kiri

Anisha is a charming advocate who relentlessly fights for her clients. She has a busy practice and is routinely instructed to defend in complex cases across a range of increasingly serious charges. Anisha has represented clients across the full spectrum of allegations including violence and sexual assault, as well as drug and acquisitive offences. She is a sought-after junior advocate due to her energetic and efficient approach in grasping cases and has been led in a number of high-profile cases. Recently, Anisha was led in an Attempted Murder at the Old Bailey. This case involved technical legal argument surrounding the admissibility of out-of-court statements made by co-defendants against other co-defendants. Successful legal arguments led to the learned judge acceding to a submission of “no case to answer”. Anisha has built expertise in handling technical evidence such as scheduling vast amounts of call and messaging data and reviewing hours of CCTV. Anisha is part of the recruitment committee for chambers and a member of the Kalisher Trust’s Early Career Group, championing diversity at the Bar.

Anna Renou

Anna is an experienced advocate who specialises in criminal law. She has dual-qualification after originally qualifying in Australia in 2010, going on to cross qualifying as a solicitor with Higher Rights in 2016. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2022. Anna has a particular interest in ‘protest’ law, whereby the defendants have been arrested on multiple occasions and have been subject to abusive treatment by police and security guards. Anna joins chambers as a junior tenant with extensive advocacy experience in the crown courts, including cases of terrorism, homicide, serious violence, public disorder, protest, sexual offences and fraud. Her hard work was noted by her nomination for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2021 in the category of Criminal Defence.

Anthony James

A no-nonsense advocate with an eye for technical legal arguments, Anthony’s spirited approach regularly wins him favour with clients. Anthony has developed a broad and varied practice in all areas of criminal law, having represented clients charged with offences of violence, drug-related crime, breaches of court orders and sexual offences. As confident in his witness handling as he is dealing with legal argument, Anthony has recently had success in technical submissions of no case to answer as well as arguments to stay proceedings as an abuse of process. Anthony also has an increasingly busy practice in quasi-criminal law work, acting for clients in the expanding area of Domestic Violence Protection Orders and in private prosecutions brought by other public bodies. Anthony has a particular interest in the area of animal welfare, advising on private prosecutions under the Hunting Act 2004 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006. He has also successfully represented defendants charged with offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Prior to joining Chambers, Anthony volunteered with post-conviction charities and law clinics including Innovation of Justice and the California Innocence Project in San Diego. Anthony is also a member of Amicus ALJ, a charity providing representation for those facing the death penalty in the US. Whilst at university, he spent a year abroad in Germany, studying law. Anthony is also on the CPS Grade 1 list. Anthony is an advanced German speaker and has experience of advising clients in German.

Barry Kogan

Barry has a great courtroom presence, real charm, and an enviable record of success as a defence jury advocate. He is highly regarded for his skill and sensitivity in cross-examining vulnerable witnesses, including the very young, very old and those with mental illness.

Ben Hargreaves

Ben is a highly skilled and capable criminal law barrister with over 30 years’ experience. He is routinely instructed in the most serious and complex criminal cases by professional clients from across the UK, in particular, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Preston and Bradford. As an experienced defence advocate, Ben has appeared in a number of high-profile cases, including: the murder of schoolboy Rhys Jones, who was shot and killed in August 2007 in Liverpool as he was walking home from football practice. This infamous case was the subject of a Bafta winning series, Little Boy Blue. a global Sky satellite fraud prosecuted by FACT/Premier League (R v Rolston and others 2019), and in the leading authority on life imprisonment and LASPO provisions at the Court of Appeal (R v Bursinkas, Phillips and others 2014 EWCA Crim 334) Ben is a specialist criminal defence advocate and adviser with particular expertise in representing young defendants and handling vulnerable witness. He is adept at dealing with cases with gang material, ANPR/phone data, bad character applications and s28 hearings. His calm manner combined with his forensic attention to detail makes him a popular choice with instructing solicitors. Ben is utterly committed to providing every client with a first-class service. His down to earth manner and determined approach allow him to act for a variety of clients from all areas of society.

Benjamin Brown

Ben is instructed as a led junior and junior alone. He has a wide-ranging practice encompassing organised crime, serious violence, sexual offences, regulatory offences, financial crime and general crime. His attention to detail and assertive advocacy wins the trust of clients, whilst his pragmatic and comprehensive approach regularly leads to repeat instructions. Ben is a passionate, highly experienced and polished orator having debated for the United Kingdom at an international level. Before joining Chambers, Ben spent two years working at a leading American law firm in both the complex Commercial Litigation and Disputes Department and the White Collar Crime team. In particular, he worked heavily in a £110 million civil fraud claim against seventeen Defendants on behalf of the Receivers of a Cayman SPC.

Bozzie Sheffi

With over 30 years of experience, Bozzie has gained a strong reputation for being a skilled, robust and able advocate, with a keen eye for detail, strategic planning and above all as someone who will fight for her clients. She is known for her engaging manner and her ability to put her clients at ease. Judges in front of whom she has appeared have commented on her skilled cross examination and closing speeches. One who recently tried a case in which she represented a deaf defendant in a sensitive matter commented that she did a ‘brilliant job’ and another said that her closing speech to the jury, at the end of lengthy case involving multiple complainants in sexual offences was ‘superb and beyond reproach’. Bozzie’s practice encompasses a wide range of criminal offences including serious sexual and violence offences, money laundering offences and cases with an organised crime element including kidnapping, large scale drugs cases and people trafficking for sexual exploitation. She is particularly noted for her meticulous and sensitive approach to cases involving vulnerable defendants and in particular those with mental health issues. Additionally, she has particular expertise in sexual offences cases involving the cross examination of vulnerable and child witnesses. Bozzie is very much a ‘hands-on’ and accessible barrister and is equally proactive whether she is appearing on her own, as a led junior or as leading junior. Bozzie is fluent in Hebrew.

Charles Bott KC

Charles is a prominent and highly regarded advocate, who specialises in cases of serious fraud, money laundering and revenue evasion. He is also regularly instructed in serious criminal and regulatory cases of all kinds. Since 2012 he has been a Chambers and Partners top ranked silk (Band 1) in Financial Crime. He combines extensive criminal experience with a background in civil and commercial law and has also become a leading practitioner and recognised authority in the fields of civil fraud litigation, asset recovery, civil recovery and account freeing orders. He has recently led teams in the private prosecution of serious fraud and is currently instructed by a foreign government in relation to an alleged fraud on their public funds. Charles has appeared in more than 90 serious fraud trials in his career including some of the leading cases of recent years and has advised many other clients under investigation. He has represented politicians, solicitors, accountants and prominent figures in the city and insurance markets. The Chief Executive of a leading psychiatric hospital, who he represented and who received a public apology after his acquittal, described Charles as, ‘passionate and committed…(he) has natural talent of a very high order’. Charles’ recent work includes criminal aspects of insider dealing, rate manipulation, cross jurisdictional asset recovery, market manipulation and anti-competitive trading. He has advised banks and other financial institutions and has drafted asset recovery legislation for overseas territories and advised on the implementation of money laundering and mutual assistance regimes. In criminal law, he also has extensive experience in cases of homicide, terrorism, serious violence and drug trafficking and has appeared in two major public enquiries. Recent clients include News of the World news editor James Weatherup; James Gilmour inter-dealer broker acquitted in the LIBOR trial; JV, a prominent defendant in major European corruption trial; and IJ, accused of corruptly influencing cricket matches. Charles frequently contributes articles to Lexis on subjects relating to fraud and financial crime and has written for the Money Laundering Quarterly review. He regularly speaks to audiences in different parts of the world on subjects relating to fraud, money laundering and international asset recovery.

Charles Hannaford

Charles is a dedicated criminal defence advocate who is meticulous in his preparation of cases. Charles provides excellent client care and understands the importance of the early stages in a criminal investigation having worked as a paralegal in a criminal defence firm and an accredited Police Station Representative before joining the bar in 2019. Charles appears for Youths and Adults in Magistrate and Crown Courts across the South East of England and occasionally North Wales. Charles has been led in the Crown Court by Kings Counsel in a complex child neglect case which resulted in a dismissal and in the Magistrates Court by senior counsel in defence of prosecution brought by RSPCA. Charles is available to instruct through Direct Access in respect of Motoring law offences.

Chloe Birch

A tenacious and charismatic Court room advocate with exceptional client care. Known for her charismatic approach in Court, Chloe has a busy and diverse criminal defence practice across the spectrum of criminal offences. As well as a successful and varied general crime practice, she is a specialist in serious Youth Court work with a proven success record in cases of perverting the course of justice, GBH and robbery for young defendants. Her work in this area extends wider into jurisdictions dealing with quasi-criminal applications such as Civil Gang Injunctions and Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions. Chloe has an exceptional ability to work with vulnerable people and is quickly able to build a rapport with defendants and witnesses alike. She has been described as having the makings of a ‘first rate criminal advocate’ and a “credit to the Bar”. Chloe regularly represents professionals in front of professional discipline tribunals, including the Nursing & Midwifery Council, Education Workforce Council and the Traffic Commissioner. Chloe is Vice-Chair of Women in Criminal Law, an organisation promoting and empowering female practitioners working across the criminal justice system. In 2020, she was shortlisted as one of five finalists for the Next 100 Years Project ‘Inspirational Women in Law’ Awards 2020, Under 35 Woman of the Year. Prior to joining Chambers, Chloe qualified as an accredited police station representative, representing detainees across police stations nationally, including suspects detained for terrorism offences, one of which featured in the National Press.

Christina Courquin

Christina is developing a reputation for her eloquence in both her written and oral submissions. She has a strong track record of advancing legal arguments and has secured a number of acquittals for clients at trial. She accepts instructions across all Chambers’ practice areas with a principle focus on general crime. She has particular experience in representing vulnerable defendants in both the Crown and Magistrates’ Court. She has encountered a number of fitness to plead issues and has helped clients secure suitable disposals under the Mental Health Act 1983. Christina also accepts instructions in civil applications. She has been involved in opposing an application for a Serious Crime Prevention Order for a client convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, arising out of an Encrochat investigation. She has also had success appealing a taxi licence decision (with costs awarded in full) and currently has ongoing instructions to represent a client through Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings. In April 2023, Christina started a secondment with the British Horseracing Authority where she is gaining experience in sports regulation work. She is assisting with a wide range of cases for both the disciplinary and compliance team, including anti-doping and safeguarding matters. She has also represented the BHA at oral hearings in front of the Disciplinary Panel, which has included equine anti-doping cases and jockey anti-doping cases. Prior to commencing pupillage, Christina worked as a paralegal at a legal aid firm in London, specialising in international child abduction and childcare cases. She ranked 2nd in her year on the GDL and during her BPTC was the joint winner of the Examination in Chief prize. Christina was also the individual winner of the national 5PB Michael Corkery QC Criminal Law Moot and represented the Inner Temple External Mooting team for two consecutive years in both national and international moots. Christina accepted tenancy upon completing pupillage.

Christopher Henley KC

Chris is one of the busiest criminal silks in the country, highly regarded in all areas of serious crime, particularly murder, fraud and terrorism. His work ethic, total commitment, empathetic and tenacious approach to all his cases has marked him out from his earliest years in practice. He has appeared in a wide variety of leading cases over the years including the 21/7 terror attacks, the Damilola Taylor trial, the Daniel Morgan murder trial, the Jemma Beale trial, the ‘Babes in the Wood’ perjury trial and many cases prosecuted by the SFO. In 2018/2019 he was chosen by criminal barristers across the country to lead the Criminal Bar Association during one of the most challenging periods in the profession’s history. He is considered, by many, the most successful leader the CBA has ever had. Chris is a highly effective advocate, with a confident, reassuring manner. He is instructed to appear at inquests, professional disciplinary hearings, and to provide advice to individuals facing a very wide range of criminal allegations. The CCRC have recently asked him to review one of their longest running cases.

Colin Aylott KC

Colin Aylott KC is a leading defence silk known for his courtroom presence and impeccable strategic judgment. Since taking silk he has built a significant practice in the fields of homicide, serious crime, and complex fraud. He has appeared for the defence in numerous high profile criminal trials including the News International “Operation Elveden” prosecutions and the SFO LIBOR manipulation case. Since taking silk Colin has been instructed across a broad spectrum of high-profile criminal cases ranging from high profile multi-handed murder trials at the Central Criminal Court, to acting for the Managing Director of a Monaco based company in the SFO Unaoil bribery and corruption investigation. His extensive experience of serious crime work includes: murder, terrorism, and multi-handed conspiracies involving the importation and supply of class A drugs and firearms. He is one of the go-to Silks to defend in multi-handed homicide cases, particularly in cases alleging gang violence. His fraud practice covers all aspects of complex financial crime including bribery, corruption, tax fraud, insider trading and market manipulation. Colin is frequently asked to advise prominent individuals who are under investigation and advises on all aspects of pre-charge strategy.

Daniel Frier

Daniel Frier is recommended by both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners as a leading junior in the field of crime. As a specialist criminal law barrister, he is instructed in a wide range of cases including – murder, serious sexual offences, offences involving violence, drugs, offences of dishonesty, financial crime, confiscation proceedings and regulatory crime. He also has extensive experience in matters involving road traffic law including cases involving fatalities. Daniel is known for his meticulous preparation and effective advocacy. This hard-working approach make him a popular choice for complex conspiracy cases, high-value frauds, allegations of historic sexual offending and offences of the serious nature. He is regularly instructed in high profile matters and has developed a reputation for handling difficult and sensitive case.

Edward Henry KC

A silk of huge intellect, with the ability to deploy it to maximum advantage in whatever the arena, Edward Henry KC is a phenomenon at all stages of case. Astonishing advocacy skills have earned the respect of clients, colleagues and the judiciary alike: he is a force to be reckoned with. Head of Regulation Practice Group

Fiona Clegg

A persuasive and personable advocate with experience in a broad range of criminal law. Instructed as led junior and junior alone in all areas of serious and complex crime. Recently instructed in cases of fraud, sexual offences, organised crime, violence, drugs and regulatory offences. Fiona undertakes both privately funded and legal aid work. Fiona is regularly instructed in the Crown and Youth Courts, as well as often being instructed in the Magistrates’ Court on a privately funded basis to represent individuals in a range of general crime cases. Fiona is experienced in representing vulnerable clients, as well as crossexamining vulnerable witnesses in sensitive cases. Fiona’s flexible approach, perception and attention to detail all enable her to build an excellent rapport with clients. Prior to joining Chambers, Fiona represented High Net Worth individuals at a leading Investment Solutions firm. After identifying breaches of the Financial Services Marketing Act 2000 and the FCA’s Conduct of Business Sourcebook, Fiona submitted complaints to the advising firm in the first instance. Fiona also submitted complaints to either the FOS or the FSCS if unable to settle with the firm, with the overriding aim of seeking financial redress for the client. Fiona assisted in securing significant settlements for clients whom had invested in complex and often aggressive schemes.

Grace Khaile

Grace joins Chambers as a probationary tenant having undertaken pupillage at another leading set. Her practice largely consists of criminal defence but a small amount of prosecution work as a grade 1 prosecutor, she has prosecuted appeals, various hearings in the Crown Court and on behalf of the insolvency agency. She also case presents on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council dealing with interim orders and substantive order hearings. Grace has a particular interest and focus on youth justice, serious crime, and terrorism matters. She is keen to develop a practice in international crime dealing with matters that require prosecution or defence at the International Criminal Court or African Court on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights, for those charged with war crimes or crimes against humanity. She is also expanding her regulatory practice alongside her predominantly criminal practice.

Houzla Rawat

An exemplary junior barrister who is consistently instructed in challenging and complex cases across the spectrum of general crime and fraud. Houzla has substantial experience in cases alleging high-value frauds (e.g. boiler room frauds, conspiracy to defraud), large-scale drug conspiracies (importation and supply), serious violence and serious sexual offences. She is known for her meticulous case preparation which, alongside her pragmatic and tactical approach to case strategy, means she has an established and thriving practice. In recent years she has developed considerable skill in analysing and interpreting complex digital evidence, enabling her to form solid and persuasive legal arguments. Houzla’s work on cases involving young and vulnerable people, including those with mental health illnesses, learning disabilities and those on the autism spectrum, is impressive. She has a natural ability to explain and communicate complex issues in a clear way.

Hugh O'Donoghue

Hugh O’Donoghue concentrates on a strong commercial and chancery practice. He projects a multi jurisdictional presence holding practising certificates in a number of jurisdictions, is an acknowledged specialist in International laws (presently instructed to advise on Congolese claims to traditional mineral rights) and is a registered with OHIM (EU) as a European trade mark attorney. He is regularly instructed in high-end litigation including a milestone bailment case taken against a nationwide bank revolving around priceless Swedish postage stamps. He has recently appeared in the High Court Business and Property Courts and Insolvency & Company Courts representing shareholders who petitioned for unfair prejudice Companies Act relief and in winding up- related issues. He has been instructed in patent and trade mark disputes. He has also been instructed in the past year by Isle of Man lawyers in an international trust dispute before the Manx High Court. Hugh has a wealth of injunctive experience, including (world-wide) freezing orders, interim relief and applications to restrain presentation or advertisement of a winding up petition. Many of his cases are reported. Hugh is known as a stunningly competent advocate with outstanding trial experience. He is also regularly instructed in CPR-based applications (for example, contested security for costs applications and strike out & summary judgment application. Hugh O’Donoghue also accepts instructions in matters relating to public law, regulation and mixed regulation and crime and judicial review. He has a special interest in aviation being a qualified pilot himself. He has In the past year represented a pilot prosecuted jointly by the Civil Aviation Authority and the CPS following a crash landing near Manchester. He brings enormous energy and commitment to his professional life, has a strong following of solicitors and lay clients (direct public access) (both large and small) that will always pick him for their work. He prides himself on giving clear and practical advice, quickly absorbing complicated instructions in order to give clear bite-sized advice and sharing the workload with his instructing solicitors. Hugh is regarded as being user-friendly and accessible. He is open to CFA arrangements in suitable cases. He promises speedy turn-around and guarantees thorough research. Hugh is Chair emeritus of the EU and International Affairs of the Law Society in Ireland and served in the years 2004-2006; Vice-Chair 2003-2004. Member of the Irish Law Society Standing Committee on Curriculum Development (CDU) 2005-2007. Vice-Chair 2006. He represented Ireland on the prestigious Union International du Notariat Latin between 2005 and 2007. He holds membership of the Association of Law Teachers (IALT) and Canon La Society of England and Wales and is currently accredited by OHIM (EU). He is a member of the South East Circuit. He is also a member of the Administrative Bar Association, the PNBA and the British Institute of International & Comparative Law. Hugh has lectured extensively in International Human Rights protection and was while based in Ireland an associate faculty member of the Law School of the Irish Law Society. He lectured in Warsaw (2003) and also in Pretoria, South Africa (2004-2005) where he contributed to a programme extensively funded by the Irish Government to assist local lawyers become skilled in the rewarding but monopolised commercial field. His manual of human rights was published by the Oxford University Press. His continuing interest in education is reflected in a lecture at the College of Law Bloomsbury in London on the topic of Military Law. He has assisted the Inner Temple undertaking an extensive review of a published work on International Arbitration which was a serious contender for the coveted Pegasus prize. He is a member of the Kings Inns Dublin and has a seat at the Irish Law Library.

Isabelle Gillard

Isabelle is an accomplished barrister whose expertise covers a broad range of criminal law matters. She holds The Royal London Hospital Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Medicine and during her career has defended in over 30 murder trials. She has extensive trial experience of cases involving murder, terrorism, serious fraud, firearms, and drugs conspiracies. She has represented members of the Armed Services in both military and civilian trials. Her experience is augmented by her work in the Court of Appeal; for many years she was on the list of counsel instructed in cases in the CCA where trial counsel no longer acts. Besides criminal trial advocacy, her practice includes professional regulation and Coroners’ courts work (presently in a Prevention of Future Deaths case) and advisory work; she advises in sensitive areas involving reputational issues (most recently a successful submission to IPSO) and safeguarding as well as pre-charge.

James Lloyd

James accepts instructions in all of Chambers’ areas of practice, with particular expertise in financial crime, regulatory compliance, and professional discipline. James has been involved in several Serious Fraud Office investigations relating to financial institutions and insider dealing. His advisory practice has included advising multinational entities on SFO investigations into global trading arrangements. He has assisted in past business reviews of financial institutions, particularly relating to COBS compliance, and has been involved in ‘skilled person’ reviews (under s.166 FSMA 2000) instigated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority into alleged mis-selling of interest rate hedging products by a major retail bank, and investigations into mis-management of investment portfolios. James recently acted as junior alone for four of five applicants in Page & Ors v Financial Conduct Authority [2022] UKUT 124 (TCC); one of the largest Upper Tribunal cases of recent years, relating to the transfer of c.1,500 retail customer pensions (totalling over £60 million) into loan notes and bonds being promoted by an unrelated entity. The case was heard over 5 weeks and involved: detailed consideration of IFA duties in respect of products; due diligence; duties relating to outsourced activities and conflicts of interest; the requirements of honesty and integrity for regulated IFAs; limitation; and de facto directorship. James is the Deputy Head of the Mountford Chambers Regulatory Practice Group. He is frequently instructed to present fitness to practise cases and professional disciplinary cases on behalf of professional regulators. James also acts for regulated professionals before disciplinary tribunals across several industry sectors.

Jim Tilbury

Praised by clients as being “a rare talent” and “a joy to work with from the outset”, Jim enjoys a robust and varied defence practice built up over many years. This has included representing a variety of professionals ranging from Company Directors to Detective Inspectors, involving allegations of fraudulent trading, unfair and misleading practices, perverting the course of justice, money laundering and corruption. Jim is equally at home defending in complex organized crime, often involving serious allegations of drugs and violence, proving himself to be “hard working, tactically very astute and extremely skillful in cross examination”, with “an outstanding work ethic, client manner and court presence”. Jim has represented a Company Director in what was then the “UK ‘s longest ever” Trading Standards prosecution and acted for a senior police officer in the “largest ever conspiracy to pervert the course of justice” [acquitted after a 6-month trial]. He has defended well known individuals facing allegations of fraud, and various other professionals in the public eye. These have included a chartered surveyor accused of defrauding the Home Office, a company accountant for accused of tax and pension fraud, and an independent financial advisor regarding a novel “SIPP” scheme [acquitted after 4-month trial]. Jim has also built up a practice in cases involving elements of modern slavery.

Jim Olphert

Jim has a broad practice across several of Chambers’ key practice areas. He is experienced in crime, regulatory crime, professional discipline and public law. He is sought after for his pragmatic and tactical approach to cases and is an accomplished advocate. He has experience well beyond his call as a result of experience gained from time working with the Crown Prosecution Service and a number of Band 1 Solicitors firms both before and during his time at the self-employed Bar. Jim regularly appears in the Crown, County and Administrative Court. Jim also advises regulators on process and enforcement and has dealt with complex cases before a number of regulatory and specialist tribunals. Alongside serious crime, he accepts instructions in traffic, proceeds of crime, building regulations prosecutions and is developing a significant practice in the field of indirect tax and tax fraud.

Joe Hingston

Joe Hingston is a hugely experienced junior criminal law barrister. In recent months he has defended in cases of murder, international gun and drug smuggling, armed robbery and human trafficking. Joe is currently instructed in three separate murder trials scheduled to take place in 2021 and 2022. Specialises in representing those accused of organised crime. In addition to trials on indictment, Joe has experience in advising individuals and corporations on criminal investigations and representing interested parties at Coroners’ inquests. In recent years he has advised frequently on instigating private prosecutions. Assists in the representation of individuals facing the death penalty and prisoners detained in the “war on terror”, travelling and working alongside lawyers in regions including the United States, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Consults on numerous death penalty projects with the charity Reprieve, and lecturing and teaching on the subject. Acting on a largely pro bono basis. Recent work includes travelling to Pakistan to provide training to capital lawyers and assisting in the representation of an individual facing extradition to Ghana to face the death penalty. Trustee for APPEAL, a non-profit “access to justice” initiative which investigates miscarriages of justice. Before being called to the Bar, worked for a number years in the United States assisting in the representation of individuals facing the death penalty. Led the investigation on behalf of scores of defendants at all stages of the capital trial process. Able to receive instructions directly from members of the public under the Direct Access scheme. Joe is a Pupil Supervisor and supports a number of initiatives which encourage inclusivity and diversity at the Bar.

Joseph Sinclair

Joseph is developing a busy practice in all areas of Chambers’ work and is regularly instructed to defend in the Crown and Magistrates’ courts. He is increasingly instructed to defend allegations of serious drug, firearms and violence offences in the youth court, which often raise issues of gang affiliation, county lines, and modern slavery. Joseph has advised those regulated by Social Work England, the Health and Care Professions Council and the General Medical Council. He has advised a third party in multi-million POCA proceedings which raise gender-based discrimination issues. Joseph uses his significant public, commercial and human rights law experience he gained prior to coming to the bar to take novel angles to difficult procedural and legal issues. Before coming to the Bar, Joseph worked with a leading anti-corruption charity where he gained experience in financial crime proceedings and asset recovery, with a focus on freezing orders brought under the Criminal Finances Act 2017. As an immigration caseworker, he developed an expertise in nationality fraud and advising on issues of diplomatic law. He has significant public law drafting experience before the tribunals, Administrative Court, Court of Appeal, and the Privy Council. As an associate researcher at an anti-corruption charity, Joseph gained experience in bribery proceedings, asset recovery, sanctions and mutual legal assistance, with a focus on freezing orders brought in under the Criminal Finances Act 2017. Before coming to the Bar, he was a specialist caseworker at a firm of immigration solicitors working on citizenship deprivation proceedings, complex appeals and advising on points of diplomatic law. At the Home Office, Joseph specialised in judicial review claims concerning allegations of tax and document fraud. As a barrister’s assistant, he has drafted grounds of judicial review for claims before the Upper Tribunal and High Court, and grounds of appeal to the Court of Appeal. He has also provided research assistance in criminal and commercial matters before the Privy Council. As a member of ALBA, Joseph was invited to assist in preparing its response to the government’s proposed changes to judicial review. He has also been asked to comment in the press on asset recovery cases in the UK, and has written articles on account freezing orders, whistleblowers, and legal drafting for a specialist immigration publication. Joseph holds an LL.B (Hons) in Law & Sociology from Cardiff University and an MA with distinction in Corruption and Governance from the University of Sussex. He was awarded the Jules Thorn scholarship by Middle Temple to study a joint LLM BPTC. As part of his LLM, he represented clients in private child proceedings before the family courts. He was a director of Vocalise, the prison debating initiative run by Gray’s Inn, and is currently a trustee of the refugee charity, RLS.

Laura Paisley

Laura has developed an impressive criminal defence practice, and is regularly instructed in cases involving serious violence and sexual offences. She has excellent client care skills and always ensures that those she represents fully understand all stages of the proceedings and can feel confident that someone is fighting for them. Laura fiercely represents her clients’ interests and does not shy away from making ambitious and unique submissions when this is appropriate in the circumstances of a particular case. Further to her criminal work, Laura accepts instructions in professional discipline and regulatory cases. She has a strong professional relationship with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and is regularly instructed as a case presenter in substantive Fitness to Practise Hearings. Keen to engage in a variety of different cases, Laura often accepts instructions to assist in large scale document reviews. In 2020 she was instructed by Peters & Peters as part of the extensive document review exercise concerning the CCRC referrals of convictions of Sub-Postmasters relating to the Horizon IT system. In 2017 she was instructed by White & Case as part of a small team of barristers to assist with the defence of Richard User, a former foreign exchange trader prosecuted by the US Department of Justice for criminal cartel offences relating to a conspiracy to fix prices in the foreign exchange market. She was further instructed by White & Case in 2021 to assist with the U.S Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s investigations into alleged beaches of the civil side of the Sherman Act. In 2019 she was instructed by the National Crime Agency’s International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre as part of a document review exercise in relation to bribery and corruption in the Nigerian Oil industry. Laura was appointed as one of the 49 junior Counsel to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry‘s Legal Team by The Inquiry Chair, Baroness Heather Hallett in June 2022.

Laurence Harris

Laurence has a thriving practice in the Crown Court, and has represented clients at the early stages of homicide, terrorism, and serious sexual offence cases. He has a particular interest in fraud, corporate crime, and financial regulation. He helped prepare defences to both corporate investigations and civil fraud claims whilst working at Boutique Law. He has developed this interest since commencing pupillage, assisting in the preparation of money laundering cases and FCA regulatory claims under FSMA 2000. Laurence also has experience of defending extradition claims, often with a human rights dimension. Having also worked as a paralegal on the Infected Blood Inquiry, Laurence is keen to develop his practice at the intersection of criminal and public law. Laurence has a strong academic background, having graduated with a first-class degree from Cambridge and winning several academic prizes.

Luna Spada

Luna is a barrister specialising in criminal defence work. Before joining Mountford, Luna worked as an in-house barrister at GT Stewart. She has developed a strong practice in serious crime, securing successful outcomes for clients in a wide range of criminal matters involving violent offences, drugs, fraud, and weapons. Luna has previous work experience in international criminal law, public and prison law. Prior to joining the Bar, she was working as a legal assistant at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals and International Criminal Court in The Hague. Luna is Italian and bilingual.

Mark Watson

Mark’s practice is divided into business crime, general crime, and regulatory proceedings. He is regularly instructed in matters involving high-value fraud, cheating the public revenue, money laundering and related dishonesty offences. Mark represented the third Defendant in the largest counterfeit cigarette and hand rolling tobacco prosecution in the United Kingdom to date. In relation to general crime, Mark is regularly instructed in matters relating to attempted murder, firearms offences, serious drug offences and violence. In every single case, Mark takes his preparation extremely seriously, and prides himself on his persuasive and engaging advocacy.

Matthew Buckland

An advocate described by Criminal Law and Justice Weekly as “masterful” and by the Guardian as “deft and subtle”. Calm, measured, strong and persuasive; Matthew brings intellectual rigour and confidence to every case he is instructed in. Matthew is a specialist defence advocate with extensive and frequently successful experience in defending complex fraud, money laundering and other allegations of serious organised criminal activity. Matthew has represented numerous professionals charged with fraud including accountants, bankers, chartered surveyors and lawyers. He has also acted for them at related disciplinary proceedings. He has achieved many successful outcomes in the VAT tribunal. Currently instructed in one of the lead Encrochat cases and assisting numerous clients with issues arising out of Operation Venetic.

Nigel Lambert KC

Nigel is the former Head of Carmelite Chambers. A Criminal Defence specialist with a particular emphasis upon very serious crime including large scale commercial fraud, money laundering, terrorism, murder, manslaughter and offences of violence, gangland killings and offences involving the use of firearms, serious sexual offence and child sexual abuse, drug trafficking offences and Courts Martial. He has a wealth of practical experience and has acted in a number of well publicised cases. He is regularly instructed to appear at the Central Criminal Court. He has had a considerable number of serious cases stayed as an abuse of the process. He has notable expertise representing young and/or vulnerable Defendants and acts in cases where there are young and/or vulnerable Prosecution witnesses. His attention to the smallest detail during the preparation of cases, the care taken with, and time devoted to lay clients, coupled with powerful advocacy, have all become his hallmarks.

Paul Crampin

Paul Crampin is a leading junior and is instructed in a variety of serious and complex criminal matters. He has a particular expertise in organised crime and cases involving multiple defendants, with his approachability and client care being cited by clients, both lay and professional, being what makes him stand out from the crowd. Paul’s practice and reputation spans the length of the country. He is known to be a fearless advocate, who engages people from the off, meaning he is someone whom jury’s respect and warm to. He is known for his cutting cross-examination and evoking speeches which inspire admiration from the court. Paul is known for his strategic approach to difficult and sensitive cases and has a reputation for being proactive, engaging with all parties at an early stage of a case to ensure the best possible outcome for his clients. It is for those reasons that he is often approached to represent high level professionals in matters which can have serious consequences for their career.

Peter Corrigan

Peter is a leading junior counsel with considerable expertise across a wide range of criminal defence work. As an experienced and trusted adviser and advocate, Peter is regularly instructed as a leading junior in organised crime and fraud cases. Over the last three decades he has appeared in several high-profile terrorism and Court of Appeal criminal cases. Peter has a busy practice as defence counsel in fraud cases. Over the years he has achieved many outstanding results for those who instruct him

Rachel Pain

Rachel specialises in criminal defence work. She has a busy practice in the Crown and Magistrates’ courts, defending across a broad range of offences including violence, sexual offences and driving matters. Rachel is also experienced in representing youth clients and vulnerable individuals. Rachel recently secured acquittals on all counts for a client charged with threats to kill and other offences, as well as acquittals on all counts for a client charged with supplying drugs and related offences. Rachel has also made a number of successful submissions of no case to answer. She regularly defends in complex youth cases, including allegations of serious violence. Prior to joining Chambers, Rachel worked at a criminal defence firm where she specialised in criminal appeals. She has experience in a wide variety of criminal matters as well as challenging public bodies such as the Legal Aid Agency, the Ministry of Justice, and the Metropolitan Police Service. Rachel is a committee member of the Criminal Appeals Lawyers’ Association. She was a recipient of the Gray’s Inn Ann Goddard pupillage scholarship.

Rebecca Upton

Rebecca practises in the Crown Courts of the South East of England dealing with the most serious allegations. She also has significant experience in the Court of Appeal, civil and criminal applications made by the police, and inquests.

Richard Furlong

Richard Furlong has a mixed criminal and civil practice. He undertakes mainly private work, including pre-charge advice. He defends in white-collar crime but is also instructed in private prosecutions. He is frequently instructed in confiscation and asset recovery, particularly in the Court of Appeal. He has acted in a number of very high-profile cases including representing the individual accused of planning the “Mother of Satan” bomb attack, and the former leader of the EDL in contempt proceedings. He is instructed in Operation Larkshot, the alleged laundering of £360m by a Leeds-based firm said to involve NatWest Bank and James Stunt, the former son-in-law of F1’s Bernie Ecclestone. He is regulated on a dual capacity basis and also works for the international law firm Amsterdam & Partners. He speaks fluent French and has been instructed on behalf of defendants in criminal proceedings in that jurisdiction.

Sebastian Winnett

Sebastian has a busy practice in serious fraud and is frequently instructed as a led junior in complex multi-handed matters. Particularly attuned to the requirements of lay and professional clients, Sebastian is regularly instructed in cases involving defendants and witnesses with complex needs.

Shekyena Marcelle-Brown

Shekyena specialises in Criminal law and Professional Discipline. She regularly defends a broad range of offences such as violence including domestic abuse, animal cruelty, road traffic, public order, drugs, and weapons in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth courts. Her calm and confident manner allows her to put forward her client’s case in a clear, concise way and make submissions that achieve positive results. Shekyena recently secured an acquittal for one count of ABH and successfully made a submission of no case to answer on three other counts of ABH for a client accused of strangulation during intercourse. She has experience representing vulnerable clients with mental health conditions, as well as youths having completed Youth Justice training from the Youth Justice Legal Centre. Her bubbly personality and attentiveness allow her to build a rapport with lay clients and put them at ease, during what can be a difficult and stressful time. Shekyena has extensive experience in Regulatory law and Professional Discipline. She acts for professional regulators in final substantive hearings, interim order applications and reviews, and substantive order review. Shekyena also acts for regulated professionals at all stages of the professional disciplinary process including advising registrants and providing representation at hearings. Shekyena frequently appears in complex fitness to practise matters involving criminal convictions, lack of competence, and serious allegations of professional misconduct including sexual misconduct. She also completed a secondment at the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2022 where she presented cases on behalf of the regulator. Prior to coming to the Bar, Shekyena has years of Professional Discipline experience having worked at the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Case Manager, and the Health and Care Professions Council as a Case Manager and Advocate. Most recently she worked at the Financial Ombudsman Service and the Adjudicator’s Office (HM Revenue & Customs), where she developed experience in financial and tax matters.

Silas Lee

Silas is a robust advocate who approaches each of his cases with diligence and tenacity. He has represented clients charged with serious fraud, sexual offences and violence in the Crown, Magistrates’ and Youth Courts. In recent months, he has secured acquittals for clients charged with a number of violent and acquisitive offences. He has successfully opposed police applications, such as for Criminal Behaviour Orders against suspected gang members. Not afraid of advancing complex legal argument, Silas successfully submitted, in a recent case, that youth robbery proceedings ought to be declared null and void due to procedural and jurisdictional issues. Silas is also instructed by the Infected Blood Inquiry and has a particular expertise in the UK Blood Transfusion Service and its role in the ‘tainted blood’ scandal of the 1980s and 1990s.

Simon Molyneux

Vast experience, exceptional personal rapport with clients, meticulous preparation combined with razor sharp court room presentation. Simon has been instructed as leading counsel for over 20 years in cases ranging from election fraud to conspiracy to murder. He has appeared on behalf of appellants referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission and behalf of many appellants who have successfully appealed both conviction and sentence. Simon is a Vulnerable Witness Bar Lecturer and facilitator. He undertakes training and assessment of barristers for them to be qualified to undertake major trials involving particularly vulnerable witnesses in the criminal justice system. The training involves facilitating barristers in how to cross-examine very young children, those with learning difficulties and traumatised complainants in grave sexual offences and to understand and utilise the tools available to the criminal bar.

Sophie Evans

Sophie has a wealth of experience across the full spectrum of criminal offences, including offences of violence, drugs, dishonesty, animal welfare, driving and sexual offences. She is particularly adept at handling vulnerable witnesses and vulnerable defendants, including youths. She is able to build a good rapport with witnesses and defendants alike, whilst earning their trust and respect. Sophie is able to identify key issues and get to the heart of a case quickly and efficiently. Sophie also regularly accepts instructs in regulatory law, local government and public law.

Stephanie Panchkowry

Stephanie is a fierce, engaging and passionate advocate. Stephanie is renowned for her ability to engage with clients of varying ethnicities and backgrounds. She understands the way people behave and react and is able to use that to her advantage when questioning witnesses. Stephanie holds the attention of her audience through her powerful and enticing advocacy. She has excellent judgement and an impressive ability to untangle a complex case. Stephanie is renowned for regularly securing acquittals, following impressive closing speeches, despite overwhelming evidence. She has the ability to pick cases up at short notice and achieve exceptional results. She works tirelessly and deals with cases calmly. She has an inherent drive to fight to get the best results for her clients.

Tom Edwards

Tom is instructed in cases of significant seriousness, weight and complexity. Tom has acted as both leading junior and junior alone. In recent years Tom has acted in a number of serious, large and multi-handed cases with an increasing emphasis on cases involving firearms, attempted murder and large drugs conspiracies. Tom has extensive experience in representing those accused of offences involving gang related activity, particularly in cases involving murder, serious violence and drugs. Tom has a finger-tip knowledge of the law relating to bad character and gang association and has had a number of successes involving the exclusion of this evidence and in the outcome at trial. Tom has also acted in conspiracies to defraud and sexual offences including rape. Tom is not afraid to undertake “difficult” defences. He regularly deals with ‘cut-throat’ defences and has had success running duress and other factually complex defences. Tom is known for his succinct advice and strong jury speeches which have been described as emphatic. He is often requested to act for defendants he has previously represented. He gives each client the same consistently high standard of representation irrespective of the offence or difficulty of the case. Tom has a relaxed approach with clients but a determined approach to advocacy. He maintains a “can-do” attitude and works well with professional clients in the preparation of his cases, seeking to give a tactical edge wherever possible.

Tony Ventham

Tony came to the Bar after spending twelve years as a front-line ambulanceman, working from Willesden Ambulance Station. At the time he left, he was the senior shop-steward for the North-West Division of the London Ambulance Service. It was his experience representing union members, both in negotiations with management and at disciplinary hearings, that showed he had an aptitude for persuasive arguments and winning cases. This led to him being encouraged to join the Bar as a criminal practitioner. Lessons learnt in dealing with patients, as well as the public, during countless 999 calls, has stood him in good stead in the criminal courts. Tony always defends, and goes the extra mile for his clients, both lay and professional. His medical background allows him to relate with empathy and understanding with those defendants who have mental or other health issues, whilst his strong sense of justice means he defends all with both compassion and vigor. His experiences in dealing with people means he is excellent at communicating with juries, which is reflected by the high number of acquittals he achieves.

William England

William practices in serious organised crime, with particular emphasis on business and financial crime and its regulatory counterparts. He defends largely in cases prosecuted by the NCA, including high profile terrorist cases, large-scale drug importations and some of the country’s leading VAT and Customs and Excise Frauds. He is also known for his wealth of experience in murder and manslaughter cases, especially gang related matters. William has developed a thriving private practice and is regarded as a Leader in his field in the areas of both economic crime and those accused of sexual misconduct. He has represented a number of high profile and high net worth individuals, and is a regulatory consultant at Prospect Law, where he provides advice on a wide range of topics, including the pitfalls associated with regulatory compliance. His attention to detail, his work ethic, and his ability to provide early strategic advice, typifies why he is in strong demand. In the areas of professional discipline and general regulatory practice, he has represented individuals in the medical and healthcare sector accused by their regulatory bodies of misconduct and fitness to practice impairment by virtue of lack of competence, health, and misconduct. His recent instructions include acting as lead counsel in Operation Maplelodge (£80 million Royal Mail fraud). Operation Dogwood (£17 million trading standards fraud) Operation Druid, (highly publicised VAT fraud in the fashion industry). Operation Tabernackler. (£200 million cocaine seizure). Operation Italici (£80 million steroid distribution case) Operation Cornflour (multi-million-pound boiler room fraud) Operation Electron (Leading top ten NCA VAT fraud) and Operation Sacae and Operation Harplike, (Terrorist cases involving far right groups). In matters of health and safety and corporate crime, he has defended in cases alleging gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter. He acted as lead counsel in the successful defence of the prosecution of senior members of the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service for gross negligence manslaughter. He was also lead Counsel representing a core participant in the Baha Mousa Public Inquiry, chaired by Sir William Gage – an inquiry of international importance into the death of an Iraqi whilst in custody during Operation Telic.

Zayd Ahmed

Zayd is a criminal and extradition barrister who represents both children and adults charged with a full range of criminal offences. He has represented a variety of individuals at both the magistrates’ and crown courts and has conducted in excess of 200 trials obtaining great results. Zayd has an in-depth understanding of the CPIA and the disclosure obligations on both the prosecution and defence. Zayd is also a dual qualified duty solicitor and has a detailed understanding of the police interview process, allowing him to challenge any breaches of the codes of practice. He also has experience in dealing with extradition proceedings both at the initial and final hearing and has worked on Proceeds of Crime applications so is able to advise on and challenge cash seizure, forfeiture and confiscation proceedings. Prior to qualifying as a barrister, Zayd worked for some of the top criminal defence firms litigating high profile cases including murder, terrorism and fraud. Zayd is the chair of the young criminal bar association and an elected member of the Bar Council and confidently represents the needs of young and Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic barristers practising at the bar in England and Wales. He is also a social mobility advocate for the Bar council.

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