Abigail Husbands is a specialist Rape panel and Grade 3 CPS advocate. She is an established junior with extensive experience in all types of rape and serious sex case, child abuse, serious multi-handed violence and complex drugs conspiracies. She both prosecutes and defends. She routinely deals with vulnerable and young witnesses, expert evidence and complex legal arguments. Her experience includes R v K (prosecution): historical rape case involving a number of complainants spanning a 30 year period; R v E (defence): child cruelty case involving multiple injuries to a 9 month old; R v JC & BC (prosecution): gang rape of a young girl; R v SS (defence): 14 year old charged with serious sexual assault on a five year old; R v Hollick (prosecution): rape case dealing with automatism due to sexsomnia. Abigail has a particular specialism in Intellectual Property crime having prosecuted for the Federation Against Copyright Theft and has dealt with multi-handed conspiracies including a conspiracy to supply drugs to inmates of HMP Elmley. She has also been led on high profile cases such as the Hackney boys gang rape trial, the Tonbridge arsonist case and other drug smuggling and people-trafficking conspiracies. Abigail appeared in and helped put together a recent programme on BBC3 aired on 2ndNovember 2015 called ‘Is this Rape? – Sex on Trial’ in which 12 teenagers viewed a dramatisation of a rape scenario and were asked to decide whether the victim consented to what took place. This was a very thought provoking programme that attracted much interest in the media. Abigail was also interview by Radio 1. Please click on the following links to read more about the programme: The Mirror Online BBC
Barristers
A highly recommended trial advocate with a particular focus on complex conspiracy trials involving the most serious allegations. Ahmed is consistently instructed in high profile cases involving overlapping conspiracies often attracting publicity. Ahmed’s high level of competence in cross examination together with the presentation of expert evidence has frequently been the subject of professional acknowledgement. Ahmed has an established criminal defence practice increasingly incorporating financial crime and has a keen interest in criminal cases with multi-jurisdictional aspects.
A criminal defence specialist, Aisha Khan is instructed in a broad range of offences including murder, sexual offences, violent offences and fraud. She has a particular interest in representing vulnerable defendants including young persons and those suffering from mental illness. Aisha is consistently instructed due to her vast experience and her firm yet personable approach with defendants. She is particularly adept at dealing with difficult clients and is known for her willingness to fight a case, regardless of how difficult it may appear at first blush. The way in which Aisha deals with cases is often the subject of praise by judges and prosecutors alike, she takes a no nonsense, direct approach with cross examination and her submissions are persuasive whether directed at the judge or the jury.
Alan is an experienced and highly regarded junior who prosecutes and defends in all types of serious criminal cases. He has acted as leading counsel, a led junior or a junior alone in a very wide range of criminal cases, including high profile murder cases, serious sexual allegations, complex fraud, complex multi handed trials, fatal road traffic cases, kidnap and organized professional robberies. Alan is ranked as a leading criminal junior in Chambers and Partners 2015 and 2016, where it is said that he is “particularly known for his strength in sexual offence cases.” He is a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor. He is on the CPS Specialist Rape Panel, and is instructed by specialist CPS divisions such as Special Casework and the Specialist Fraud Group. Alan’s recent experience includes: Leading counsel for the prosecution in the trial of a number of men accused of the rape and sexual exploitation of several young girls; Junior counsel for the prosecution in a complex fraud trial at the Central Criminal Court; Several cases of attempted murder (ranging from a throat cutting in a pub to a fight with meat cleavers in a Chinese restaurant); Other recent trial experience includes cases of gang-related kidnap, cyber fraud and armed robberies investigated by the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad. Alan is regularly instructed to prosecute or defend cases involving allegations of sexual offending, and he has acted in numerous cases of historic allegations of sexual crimes, including cases dating back half a century or more; cases involving allegations made by multiple complainants, cases of joint enterprise sexual offences; familial sexual abuse; cases involving vulnerable witnesses and complex, multi-handed trials involving allegations of sexual abuse and torture. Alan recently acted as legal advisor on the forthcoming Channel 4 drama dealing with historical sexual abuse, “National Treasure”. Alan is qualified to accept direct access instructions.
Alex has appeared in the youth, crown and magistrates’ court. He has prosecuted and defended summary trials covering a range of offences from dishonesty, violence and sexual assaults to fly-tipping, social security and road traffic matters. He has experience of contested POCA hearings in the crown court, and cash seizure proceedings in the magistrates’ court. Regulatory/civil: Alex has experience as a led junior for the defendant in judicial review proceedings concerning the issuing and execution of search warrants, relating to a money laundering investigation. Alex appears in accountants’ disciplinary proceedings, representing the regulator. The allegations frequently involve dishonesty and misconduct in a business context, and can be complex and paper heavy. In 2014 he spent several months assisting the solicitors to a government department in relation to the disclosure and document review aspects of a substantial commercial court damages claim. Further, whilst in pupillage Alex spent several weeks working at a solicitor’s firm, assisting with civil litigation. He has been instructed to assist with disclosure in both criminal and civil proceedings.
Alex has established an excellent reputation as a confident and persuasive trial advocate. Whether acting as led junior counsel or sole counsel alone, his meticulous preparation of cases combined with sensitive client/witness care and robust advocacy means he is a barrister who is very much in demand. Alex’s expertise covers the full range of criminal offences, both private and publicly funded, including large scale fraud, violence, drugs, organised crime and sexual offences. In addition to defending, Alex is also a Grade 3 CPS prosecutor.
Allison is routinely instructed to prosecute and defend in cases of significant gravity, complexity and sensitivity, often high profile in nature, attracting national and local media attention. Her experience ranges from murder, gang related murder, offences of serious violence, cases involving major organised national and international crime networks, human trafficking, firearms, drugs, serious fraud and money laundering, driving fatalities, and serious and historical sexual offending. Allison has particular expertise in cases involving covert investigations and requiring extensive consideration of RIPA, PII and the Disclosure Regime. She also has significant expertise in the handling of complex forensic evidence (DNA, Body fluids, Blood Pattern Analysis, Fibre analysis, Firearms, Gunshot Residue, Toxicology). Allison is a CPS Grade 4 Prosecutor and Rape Specialist. She is also included on CPS HQ Central Casework Divisions Advocate Panel Specialist Lists for the Serious Crime Group and Fraud. She led the first contested case involving section 73 SOCPA agreements, and also the first prosecution for the importation of Ketamine into UK and was invited to advise and participate with the panel that negotiated with the Home Office for the successful inclusion of Ketamine within the schedules to the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Asa is a specialist chancery/commercial practitioner and one of the founder members of 23ES Commercial, joining from St James’s Chambers in July 2015. He undertakes work in all aspects of those fields, but with particular specialism in the areas of banking, company, defamation, insolvency, landlord and tenant, probate, professional negligence, real property, trusts and general commercial litigation.
Barry has a vast 23 years experience of Criminal Law, procedure and advocacy. Prior to Joining 23 Essex Street, he was employed as in-house Counsel for a leading national firm attending courts around the Country on a daily basis. Before qualifying he practised as a Senior Crown Court Caseworker and Head of Crown Court and Police Station departments for Solicitors firms and to this day remains an Accredited Police Station Advisor occasionally representing suspects. His practise has been built up on his ability to communicate with clients from all walks of life, a skill he has learnt from hours in police stations and having his own clients to work with and to build a report with. He has an ability to juggle numerous issues and cases and can rapidly decipher that which is relevant. Barry is an all- round advocate with impressive skills that are widely demonstrated to his lay clients. His meticulous preparation, enthusiasm and fiery stubbornness in the interests of his client are highly regarded. He is well known and respected throughout the profession and has built up a vast network of contacts over the years from experts to other legal professionals. Defending at the highest level of practice he has represented clients across the entire range of criminal cases . Barry differs from many in that he has dedicated his life to the legal profession, having represented his first murder suspect when he was 17 years old. HIs professional empathy and patience in handling clients with diverse vulnerabilities is well known. As a good, solid all-rounder he has been instructed on a wide range of criminal, regulatory and other tribunal based litigation over the years. Barry also holds a personal interest in International Criminal Law and will be developing this practise area.
Bart is a member of the Civil Team and the Commercial and Chancery Group within chambers. His practice is predominantly business related, advising and appearing on behalf of businesses involved in commercial disputes, regulatory disputes and disputes with government agencies. Bart was previously a legal advisor in one of the largest commercial banks in ‘The City of London’ and has a good understanding of many complex banking products and financial transactions. Throughout his career at the Bar, Bart has regularly provided seminars to solicitors and other professionals on various aspects of the law, whether substantive or procedural. Earlier this year Bart provided a seminar on Internal Corporate Investigations and related legal issues to solicitors at Clyde & Co. and some of their international clients. He is presently engaged in a series of seminars with Brad Pomfret on directors’ duties, insolvency and asset tracing.
Bob Sastry is a very experienced practitioner who was called to the bar in 1996. He specialises in heavyweight Crime and Professional Discipline proceedings. His criminal practice involves all aspects of serious violence, drugs and firearms offences, sexual offences and fraud and other dishonesty offences. He has defended in serious drugs conspiracies including two recent matters involving encrypted telephones. Bob is renowned for his meticulous preparation and calm persona. In 2018, he was involved in the longest ever criminal trial at Liverpool Crown Court, defending as junior counsel in a multi-million pound fraud trial. In 2020 this became the leading criminal case relating to the test for dishonesty (Regina v Barton and others [2020] EWCA Crim 575). His Professional Discipline and Regulatory practice involves frequent appearances at the MPTS acting on behalf of the General Medical Council and also defending in regulatory matters in the Crown Court. A number of his cases have attracted national media coverage. Bob also provides advice in relation to other regulators such as the SRA and IPReg, and has also appeared on behalf of the GOC and the GDC. Bob is a member of the 23 ES Inquests and Inquiries team.
Brad has a broad-ranging commercial litigation and arbitration practice, covering diverse areas including contract, unjust enrichment, insolvency, company and partnership, sale of goods, insurance, professional negligence and privacy. The majority of Brad’s work is in the Business and Property Courts of the High Court and he has appeared with success in the Court of Appeal a number of times, including most recently in the important contract/unjust enrichment case of Barton v Gwyn-Jones (2019) EWCA Civ 199 and, prior to that, in Gahan v Emirates [2018] 1 W.L.R. 2287, a test case concerning the interpretation of EC Regulation 261/2004, the Montreal Convention and questions of extraterritoriality in international law. He also drafted the submissions to the Supreme Court in response to Emirates’ unsuccessful application for permission to appeal. Brad has recently completed an LLM in International Corporate and Commercial Law at King's College London, graduating in 2019. He was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in October 2019. In addition to the above areas, Brad practises in sports law where, in addition to acting as advocate and adviser, he sits as arbitrator and disciplinary panel member for organisations including the Football Association and Sport Resolutions.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Brian Williams worked in the commercial and financial sector including two years with a large firm of commercial solicitors dealing with insolvency and commercial disputes. After starting at the Bar with a mixed practice, he soon gravitated towards criminal work and for the last 25 years his main practice has been in criminal advocacy. He has extensive experience in dealing with criminal cases of every type for both defence and prosecution. He has been instructed in many cases involving historic sexual abuse, large scale drugs conspiracies and homicide. Recent examples of his work include prosecuting a solicitor for fraud, prosecuting a pharmacy dispenser for supplying drugs which contributed to a young boy’s death, defending in an historic sexual abuse cases in which two brothers abused their younger step sister over a number of years defending in a multi handed gangland firearms conspiracy and defending in a multi handed people trafficking conspiracy. Although regularly instructed in the most serious cases he maintains the ethos that no matter what the circumstances are, every case is important to his client and is deserving of the best representation He has been described as a thorough and persuasive jury advocate with a good manner with clients of all types. Outside work his time is taken up by his family and his interests in music and outdoor activities.
Over the years, Cairns has acquired considerable expertise in the field of fraud and in particular revenue fraud (direct and indirect tax frauds) including civil actions. He has appeared in a number of cases involving prosecutions relating to the trade in military goods under the Export and Trade Control legislation and regulations. This is a complex area of law; UK statutory provisions, EC directives and UN sanctions. He was appeared in most of the leading complex cases in this field; military aircraft parts to Iran, bombs to Sri Lanka, body armour to Iraq. Cairns has wide experience of defending homicide cases. In the regulatory field, he recently represented the BSB in an appeal concerning the fairness of the Bar disciplinary processes.
Charles has an established practice in complex and serious cases. He primarily defends, though does prosecute. He is competent and calm, fearless and persuasive. He is always meticulously prepared and maintains a tactical overview. He has acted alone in cases from murder to multi-million pound frauds to historic sexual allegations. His practice is in financial crime, general crime and professional and regulatory law. He is used to dealing with vulnerable and young witnesses. He has specialist knowledge in drug and pharmaceutical matters, having qualified and practiced as a pharmacist. He has extensive experience of healthcare practice and hearings before the professional fitness to practice tribunals. He is experienced in personal injury and health and safety law and he understands technical evidence. Charles is often instructed as he is able to bring a fresh and novel approach to a case, is dogged, and has the will to win.
Charles Machin has over 40 years’ experience in the fields of Chancery and Commercial litigation, advisory and drafting work as a meticulous and skilful all-round advocate in those fields. He has practised since 1974 from Manchester chambers in Chancery & Commercial law and litigation. He is noted for his perceptive and robust cross-examination and persuasive advocacy, and has appeared in several important, leading and reported cases.
Charles Miskin KC, formerly Head of Chambers, is a very well-recognised silk who provides advocacy and advisory services across the whole spectrum of criminal law. He was shortlisted by the Legal 500 for Silk of the Year 2019 where he is ranked in Tier 1 – Fraud: Crime. He is also ranked in Chambers and Partners. Those leading directories say and have said of Charles Miskin KC that he is: “A silk with charm and panache”; “A man of long experience who is charming and utterly engaging”; “not afraid to argue forcefully with the Court in the finest traditions of the Bar”; “he is extremely bright and has impeccable judgement”, “tough and formidable”; “One day after picking up the case, he knows all the details. “When in court he has great presence”; “a persuasive advocate”; “meticulous and always gives sound advice in the client’s best interest”; “a good man to use if your back is against the wall”; “a fantastic intellect”; and that he can “take a case that is utterly hopeless and turn it around”; “very thorough and masters complex issues quickly” and “extremely bright with impeccable judgment”. His core practice consists of cases of complex fraud, corruption and money-laundering together with all forms of POCA actions: confiscation, international restraint and other forms of mutual legal assistance, warrants, civil recovery; and asset and account forfeiture. He has considerable expertise in tax crime, originally obtained during his time spent as Standing Counsel to the Inland Revenue. At the same time, Charles Miskin KC has always maintained a national and international practice in really serious general crime, both defending and prosecuting. He also has a strong track record in public law, human rights, appellate, regulatory and tribunal work. Charles Miskin KC is hard working, innovative and imaginative and always keeps his sense of humour. He gets on with people and works well with a team. He inspires confidence in his clients whose interests he fearlessly promotes. Appointments: Assistant Recorder of the Crown Court 1991-1998; Standing Counsel to the Inland Revenue 1993-1998; Recorder of the Crown Court 1998; Queen’s Counsel 1998; Bencher Gray’s Inn 2004; Called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands for specific cases since 1989; Appointed to the SFO List of Silks 2010 and re-appointed 2017
Christopher Amis, a senior junior barrister with 25 years’ experience, is regularly instructed both for the prosecution and defence in the most serious cases including homicide, organised crime, rape and other serious sexual offences, complex fraud, firearms and large-scale drugs prosecutions. Prosecution Appointed to the CPS Serious Crime Group Panel at Level 4 (for the prosecution by CPS HQ of serious organised crime, terrorism, money-laundering and other sensitive cases with a national profile). He is a Grade 4 prosecutor (General Crime), is on the Rape List and acts for the CPS in London, the South-East and the Thames Valley. Instructed in cases as leading/sole counsel by CPS London’s Complex Casework Unit (Special Casework and Homicide teams) and on a short-list of security-cleared counsel for the prosecution of serious cases involving extremely sensitive material. His practice embraces homicide, organised crime, cyber-crime, child-pornography, all sexual offences, firearms offences, human-trafficking, complex fraud and financial crime, confiscation, restraint of assets and money-laundering. He often conducts sensitive cases involving complex disclosure issues. Christopher has acted for CPS RASSO units in numerous rape cases throughout London and elsewhere. He also has experience of extradition work. His practice increasingly pits him alone against Queen’s Counsel acting for his opponents. The sensitive cases he prosecutes require the victims’ needs to be placed, at all times, firmly at the forefront of case-preparation and management. He finished prosecuting (in March 2016), as leading junior counsel, a 5 month, organised crime, drugs trial of seven defendants, two represented by senior Queens’ Counsel, at Snaresbrook Crown Court. Defence Christopher defends at a similar level in the same range of cases. He is instructed to defend in murder trials and has acted as sole counsel in attempted murder, gross-negligence and driving manslaughter cases. He frequently defends in rape cases and those involving historic sexual abuse. Christopher is also instructed to defend fraud and money-laundering allegations. His practice is equally divided between prosecution and defence work. He is currently instructed to defend, as leading junior counsel, in a 4 month fraud at Teeside Crown Court which will start in April 2017. “A reliable and hard-working barrister who gives his best in every case and who is liked and trusted by the professional and lay client. A pleasure to work with.” Soheila Richardson, Richardsons Solicitors
Chris specialises in professional disciplinary and regulatory work. For Regulators: Drawing upon a decade of experience in this field, Chris provides advice and representation to the major medical regulators, including the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, General Chiropractic Council and the Health and Care Professions Council. He has had extensive exposure to a variety of tribunals, from complex fitness to practise hearings to interim order hearings, investigation committees, registration appeals and restoration applications. He has considerable experience of calling and challenging experts in the field and dealing with vulnerable witnesses. For Registrants: Chris has a developing portfolio of defence work. He has successfully defended Solicitors, Nurses and Pharmacists before their respective disciplinary tribunals and has taken appeals of tribunal decisions to the Administrative Court. Courts Martial: Chris maintains a personal interest in the Forces having served for six years as an army officer. He now defends servicemen/women at courts martial. He is currently being led by John Price QC in the high profile defence of an RAF A330 pilot involved in a serious airborne incident. Other work: Chris is instructed to appear in the High Court for interim order extensions and in the Family Court for third party disclosure matters pursuant to regulatory investigations. He conducts training for investigators and in-house lawyers on effective investigation, evidence collection and preparation for trial. He has provided training to expert witnesses and performance assessors on preparation for hearings and cross examination. Chris sits as a legal assessor on the regulatory panel of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.
'She has a cost-effective and commercial approach’. Legal 500, 2015 : Commercial, banking and insolvency Claire’s practice includes company and shareholder disputes, freezing injunctions, professional negligence, sale of goods, consumer credit, restitution, defamation and soft intellectual property. She is frequently retained in high value contractual litigation, recent examples of which include a tri-party High Court dispute over title to goods with a damages claim in excess of £2 million, and a claim for commissions in excess of £1 million arising out of the selling of packaged financial products. Claire often acts for banks and well known finance providers in a wide range of disputes. She recently represented an international bank in a successful appeal against a decision concerning the recoverability of “claw back’ commissions. Claire’s practice includes a traditional Chancery element, and she regularly advises and acts in cases involving boundary disputes, easements, covenants, resulting and constructive trusts, landlord and tenant and contentious probate. Claire has appeared in the Ecclesiastical Court and the Lands Tribunal and she has been retained in high profile inquests. Claire has a particular interest in insolvency, and regularly appears in the High Court in relation to wide range of insolvency related matters. Having studied Conflict of Laws as part of her Bachelor of Civil Law degree, Claire has maintained her interest in Private International Law in practice, and frequently advises in cases that have a cross border element. Claire has significant experience in the regulatory field. She often represents a well-known regulatory body, and has advised and acted in relation to enforcement of industry regulations, both by the regulator and by consumers. She has also, in her capacity as Counsel for the regulator, had conduct of a number of judicial review matters and recently successfully appeared before the Head of the Commercial Court in a case involving the determination of whether or not the regulator owed a consumer a duty of care. Claire particularly enjoys conducting cases with a commercial fraud element, recent cases including a 7 day trial involving a complex insurance ring fraud and a matter involving a sophisticated cross border property investment scam. Claire has a rapidly developing practice in Sports Law. Recent cases include advising an international athlete in relation to her prospects of successfully appealing a doping ban, and advising a Premiership footballer as to the construction of an ‘exit clause’ in his contract with the club.
Daniel has experience in all areas of criminal law. He is a fearless advocate, who tirelessly prepares and applies sound judgment. He has acted in cases involving murder, rape, organised crime, serious violence, armed robbery, and serious fraud. Daniel is regularly led in complex matters and has gained experience in managing paper heavy cases. He is confident with sensitive and challenging issues. Daniel has been instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority and has gained experience in financial regulation. He has also completed a secondment with the office of fair trading gaining experience in competition law and consumer regulation. Daniel gained experience in regulatory compliance while instructed in a Jersey Financial Services Commission investigation involving anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
Daniel joined 23 Essex Street in October 2015 after successful completion of his pupillage. He is fast developing a practice across the entire spectrum of chambers’ work. Daniel prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court. He is regularly instructed across a broad range of matters including sexual offences, drugs, offences against the person, financial crime, and motoring offences. In addition to general crime, Daniel has acted in a range of other work including applications for civil orders on behalf of the Metropolitan Police; local authority prosecutions and internal investigations. After graduating from the University of Cambridge with a BA in Law, Daniel worked as a paralegal in a leading City Law Firm assisting in a multi-million pound partnership dispute in the Chancery Division of the High Court. He also worked as a writer and researcher at Chambers and Partners.
David Povall practises across all areas of criminal law including fatal violence and serious sexual offences. Before coming to the Bar, he worked in financial services. He has a particular interest in financial crime and has recent experience in prosecuting and defending in significant fraud cases. David has extensive experience of handling sensitive material from covert police investigations, including RIPA product. He has also handled many cases involving fitness to plead and mental health issues. CPS Advocacy Panel Level 3 CPS Rape Panel Lincoln’s Inn Advocacy Trainer Recent cases include: R v TB [2012]Prosecuting a case of child sex abuse, concerning 6 complainants, an indictment period of 25 years, and allegations including multiple rapes. R v KF [2010]Leading for the defence in the case of an accountant accused of defrauding his clients. R v AW & Others [2010]Prosecuting six defendants for conspiracy to supply cocaine at a wholesale level, following a targeted police operation.
David is regularly instructed in the Crown Court appearing in a range of matters on behalf of both the Prosecution and Defence. David has experience of dealing with cases involving vulnerable witnesses and takes a sensitive approach to clients suffering from mental health issues. He is keen to develop a balanced practice and wants to build a reputation as a courageous and committed advocate. David is on the CPS Advocacy Panel. Recent Work: R v AA (Aylesbury Crown Court) – represented a 20 year old man alleged to have committed two violent sexual assaults. Complainant was exceptionally vulnerable and in poor health so restrictions were imposed on cross-examination. Client acquitted after closing speech which the judge described as “helpful and eloquent”. R v QN and Others (Aylesbury Crown Court) – led junior prosecuting members of a conspiracy to supply cannabis worth over £3million. Case centred around hours of surveillance evidence from undercover officers, supported by cell-site, ANPR and phone evidence. QN, who played a leading role, received nine years after trial. R v AR (Luton Crown Court) – represented an 18 year old alleged to have threatened another male with a flick knife. Cross-examined four Crown witnesses present at the scene (two of which said that they saw a knife) and drew out substantial inconsistencies between each of their accounts. Client acquitted in 10 minutes. R v RK (Central Criminal Court) – represented a man alleged to have submitted a number of falsified documents as part of an application for leave to remain. At the end of a five-day trial the judge remarked that David put his client’s case “forcefully” and with “conspicuous care and professional skill.” R v DB and FQ (Croydon Crown Court) – prosecuted two men from South London who held a screwdriver to a young woman’s neck and robbed her of her mobile phones. FQ pleaded guilty on first day. DB convicted after a three-day trial involving critical legal argument relating to hearsay and bad character. R v JG (Reading Crown Court) – prosecuted a man said to have burgled three homes in Reading over the course of one week. Issue in the case was identification. Utilised the evidence of a facial mapping expert at trial to secure convictions. R v IC (Harrow Crown Court) – instructed as disclosure junior in historic sex case. Defendant was alleged to have raped and sexually abused his niece from the age of three. Defendant convicted on 11/13 counts and sentenced to 20 years’ custody. Advisory Work: R v BR (Nottingham Crown Court) – advised CPS on whether sentence imposed on 17 year old who pleaded guilty to a s.18 wounding (five stab wounds to the abdomen, chest and legs) was unduly lenient. R v CE (Ealing Youth Court) – provided written advice on whether it was possible to judicially review the decision of the CPS to prosecute a 13 year old boy for possessing indecent images.
Elisabeth is a persuasive and precise advocate who understands the importance of client care and active case management. She practices in crime, the civil offshoots of crime and various professional discipline/regulatory arenas. Her trial work includes arson with intent to endanger life, witness intimidation, supply Class A, burglary, robbery, threats to kill, harassment, and sexual assault. She has also worked under others in more complex cases. She was junior to defence investigations counsel, Gary Summers, in His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ICC trial. She was instructed by the SFO as independent counsel for the purposes of LPP in Operation Steamroller and by the FCA for the purposes of disclosure in Operation Ripley. Having completed secondments with both, she continues to be instructed by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, both as an advocate and in an advisory capacity. She is regularly instructed to defend in professional discipline cases by the Royal College of Nursing and the National Head Teachers Union. She also has experience of police complaints and discipline. Her article on the implications of the judgement in Jones v Kaney was published in Medicine, Science and Law and she was interviewed by Baroness Kennedy about female defendants on BBC Radio 4. She was involved in the Law Society consultation on Youth Justice, attending meetings with government representative, charities and other stake holders. She provides advocacy training at the College of Law. Before coming to the bar she studied history at Oriel College, Oxford and worked in the music industry.
Eloise Marshall KC stands out for her exceptional trial experience. She has been ranked in the Legal 500 since 2010 and Chambers and Partners since 2017. She is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in serious, high profile criminal trials in both the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Cases in which she has particular skill include murder, grave violence, sexual offences against children and adults (both recent and historic) and fraud. She has experience of working in long term fraud trials, child trafficking cases and other cases involving complex digital and forensic material. Eloise is often asked to provide charging advice to the CPS in serious and complex cases. Eloise also advises defence clients facing serious sexual allegations both pre and post charge. Professional and Panel appointments: Until her recent appointment as Queen’s Counsel she was an appointed advocate on the CPS list: Level 4 and she continues to prosecute cases for the CPS as a KC An appointed CPS advocate, authorised to prosecute serious sexual offence cases. Additional Information: She has recently become the main contributor to the disclosure chapter in Rook and Ward: Sexual Offences Law and Practice. She is authorised to give vulnerable witness training to other practitioners
Francis is an exceptional practitioner with a high level of expertise in conducting cases across the entire spectrum of the criminal law, who consistently performs to a high standard in the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. He has a specialist knowledge of the law relating to communications data, and demonstrates a masterful grasp of the details when it comes to presenting or challenging such evidence in court and he has lectured on RIPA and other statues relating to the legality (or otherwise) of intercepting communications. He has regularly been instructed in cases of serious fraud and has appeared either as a leading junior, or junior alone in trials involving considerable evidential or legal complexity, including a pioneering environmental law case in the Crown Court. Francis has the ability to utilise the strengths or limitations of scientific evidence to maximum effect in any trial, his skills as an advocate have been honed over years of conducting trials, including offences of violence (fatal and non-fatal), serious sexual offences and allegations relating to drugs and dishonesty. These attributes have left him ideally equipped to undertake the most challenging of briefs.
Francis FitzGibbon KC has a wide-ranging and diverse trial practice covering all types of serious crime, as well as high-profile appellate work (including the Supreme Court case of Jogee [2016] UKSC 8, which radically changed the law of joint enterprise), lately focussing on victims of human trafficking, and miscarriage of justice cases, and cases before the Criminal Cases Review Commission. He accepts instructions, in London and nationally, to provide advice and advocacy for private and legally aided clients, as well as under the Bar’s Public Access scheme. He also acts for clients in immigration and asylum cases, and sits as an Immigration Judge in the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration & Asylum Chamber). He also accepts instructions in professional disciplinary matters, and advises professional clients in other jurisdictions. Francis was Chair of the Criminal Bar Association (2016-17) and is a Bencher of Middle Temple. Francis has been recognised as a leading barrister in Crime for many years, and is ranked in the Legal 500, as ‘a highly intelligent Silk’. Other comments include: ‘Very talented’ ‘A charmer with the jury’ ‘Excellent’ ‘Provides a seamless service’ ‘A true expert in human trafficking work’
Ged O’Connor’s practice covers all areas of the criminal law, and he regularly appears in all courts up to and including the Court of Criminal Appeal. His Crown Court experience includes murder, manslaughter, multiple rape, kidnap, GBH with intent, armed robbery, threats to kill, indecent assault, child abduction, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, drugs and arson with intent to endanger life. Ged has been a Leading Junior as well as being led by Queen’s Counsel on some of the most serious cases. As a leading junior, he secured the acquittal of one of the two persons found not guilty in the £53 million securitas robbery trial at the Old Bailey. In addition, he has a particular expertise in civil actions against the police, proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, together with regulatory and disciplinary work. Ged also has experience representing the families of deceased in Coroners Inquests both with juries and without and in particular has represented such families in Inquests involving questions and issues surrounding the actions of serving police officers.
Graham defends and prosecutes in all areas of serious and organised crime, including murder, large scale drug offences (importation and supply), people trafficking for sexual exploitation, firearms related crime, and offences related to the making, possessing and distribution of indecent images of children.
Hamish Common practises in all areas of crime, tending towards more serious or organised crime. Hamish's scientific background means he is frequently instructed in cases concerning fraud, IT and with a numerical, technical or scientific element. He also undertakes regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.Hamish is a CPS level 3 advocate and is on the Unified List of specialist regulatory advocates for health and safety and environmental law, as well as on the CPS specialist RASSO panel and the Fraud panel at level 3. He is also instructed by several medical and financial professional regulators. As well as undertaking cases of murder, public disorder, drugs, sexual offences and other crime, Hamish has prosecuted insolvency and related offences on behalf of BIS, environmental offences on behalf of the Environment Agency, defended complex cash forfeiture applications, and has advised individuals and government departments (within and outside the UK) upon fraud, money laundering and IT related crime. Hamish was previously seconded to the SFO (specialising in restraint and confiscation), Office of Fair Trading, FCA and various departments of the CPS, including Homicide and RASSO. Hamish has degrees in computing and economics. At University and in pupillage, Hamish won several major advocacy and essay competitions.
Helena both prosecutes and defends in all criminal courts. She is experienced in handling cases across the spectrum of criminal offences, including serious violence, drugs, robbery and fraud. In addition to her criminal practice, Helena has considerable experience in financial regulation. She has been instructed on a continuing basis for 18 months by an offshore firm in a highly confidential financial services regulatory investigation. This involved a detailed understanding and application of the anti-money laundering and counter terrorist-financing regulatory framework. In September 2013, Helena spent a month working at a cabinet d’avocats specialising in criminal law in Paris as a recipient of a scholarship from the Pegasus Trust. Before coming to the Bar, Helena worked as a research assistant on the criminal law team at the Law Commission, assisting in the projects on the insanity defence and unfitness to plead.
Hugh McKee is a senior criminal practitioner with a heavyweight caseload. For many years he has been instructed in all areas of crime, including; sexual offences, violence, serious fraud/confiscation, drugs, road traffic, health and safety, trading standards and police discipline. Hugh has defended in a number of high-profile cases involving allegations of violence and in recent years has been involved in a number of lengthy and complex fraud trials with the Legal 500 noting him as having ‘wide fraud experience’. Hugh has also prosecuted and defended in a number of health and safety related cases primarily where a death has occurred. Regulatory work has included environmental cases, food-hygiene and acting as a legal assessor for the GMC. Hugh has accumulated a wealth of experience in all aspects of criminal law. He appears alone, leads and is led both for the prosecution and defence.
Hugh Forgan is a highly experienced criminal law barrister. He was called in 1989 and has developed a practice exclusively in criminal law. He regularly acts as a leading junior both for the defence and for the prosecution. He specialises in complex cases particularly in areas such as fraud and money laundering but also practices more generally and has been instructed to act in case covering all areas of criminal law including murder, rape and serious drug offences. Hugh has recent experience of cases covered by the VHCC scheme. He is a grade 4 prosecutor and is on the prosecution rape list.
Ian is an experienced trial advocate (CPS Grade 4 and Rape Specialist). Since 2009 he has undertaken leading work, and prosecuted murder alone, and his practice is a healthy 50 / 50 mix of Defence and Prosecution work. His talents are in analysing complex issues, formulating those issues within the appropriate legal framework and oral advocacy, especially dealing with clients and witnesses, whichever end of the social spectrum they may come from. Ian has dealt with many sensitive cases, whether due to issues of vulnerability of defendants and / or witnesses, historical child sexual abuse or covert policing. He has Security Clearance and has dealt with cases involving foreign and ‘supergrass’ evidence (“Bloggs 67”).
Isobel McCarroll’s practice focuses on defending serious, complex and high profile general crime and fraud cases, inquests and mediations. Isobel is regularly instructed in some of the most complex criminal defence cases across London and the South Eastern Circuit including murder, firearms, kidnap, gang on gang stabbings and the full spectrum of serious sexual offences. She is particularly experienced in cases involving multi-handed conspiracies and shootings, gang-related violence and other organised crime cases, including large scale drug supply and importation cases. She is an experienced fraud and financial crime practitioner. Her work in this area encompasses high value data theft, money laundering, mortgage fraud and banking identity fraud. She offers particular experience in the representation of vulnerable defendants and cases involving vulnerable witnesses and sensitive issues such as mental ill-health, autism, learning difficulties and ADHD. Isobel regularly provides training courses for Gray’s Inn in advocacy involving vulnerable witnesses, ethics for both new and established practitioners, and equality, diversity and inclusion. Isobel accepts instructions on both a private and legally aided basis and in limited cases will consider direct access and pro bono cases from members of the public. Academic Background: University of Ulster. BA Hons Politics and Philosophy (1992) College of Law, London. Common Professional Exam (1999) Inns of Court School of Law (2000) Bar Vocational Course CEDR Accredited Mediator (2018)
James Mulholland KC is a highly rated trial advocate who has been involved in numerous trials of the utmost gravity, nationwide, throughout the last decade. He has vast experience in all areas of serious and complex crime, particularly, murder, manslaughter, international drugs operations and large-scale fraud. He has also acted in numerous professional disciplinary matters with lay clients ranging from pharmacists to football clubs. He has been described as tactically very astute and compelling in front of jury or tribunal and rarely fails to secure a favourable result for those he represents. He is a former Chair of the Criminal Bar Association. During his tenure, he was closely involved in the court recovery after the pandemic and also led negotiations on behalf of the criminal bar to the Bellamy Review which eventually resulted in a 15% increase in defence legal aid rates. He has fought for improvements within the criminal justice system for many years. James is ranked as a leading silk in The Legal 500.
James is an experienced Leading Junior, with a heavyweight and complex practice for his call. Whilst the majority of his work has, for some years, been in Hampshire and Surrey, he continues to practice over a wider geographical area. He has a particular specialism in defending those with complex mental health problems and/or learning difficulties charged with serious offences; an area calling for a particular blend of approachable, patient, careful client-facing skills, plus the robust forensic skills and diligence solicitors have come to know him for, over a period of years. Current instructions include 2 multi-defendant paedophile ring allegations, 2 separate allegations of attempted murder (one as Leading Junior, and one alone), a baby-shaking, allegations of rape by an 11 year old, and numerous cases involving large scale dishonesty, kidnapping, serious violence of every kind and serious sexual allegations. Although the overwhelming majority of his practice has long been in defence work, James has also prosecuted for the Crown Prosecution Service, the Department of Work and Pensions, and various Borough Councils.
James Halliday accepted tenancy in January 2023 after successfully completing a 3rd six pupillage. During that time, he was supervised by James Bloomer and Flora Page. James undertakes all work, both Prosecution and Defence, in the Magistrates’, Youth and Crown Court. He is keen to explore all areas of expertise which Chambers practices in and has begun to develop a practice in professional disciplinary work; he was recently instructed in five-week fitness to practice hearing on behalf of a registrant at the NMC. He has a special interest in cases with challenging scientific elements having read chemistry at university. Prior to commencing pupillage James was a paralegal at a busy defence practice, during which he assisted on a notable two handed murder trial which received national media attention. Prior to this he worked as an assistant to a barrister specialising in criminal and sports law.
Jennifer has a strong prosecution and defence practice in serious and complex crime. She is instructed in substantial high-profile trials including murder, manslaughter, causing or allowing the death of a child, child sexual exploitation, gang rape and misconduct in public office. Described by instructing solicitors as possessing ‘first class advocacy skills’, Jennifer has been praised for her ‘skill and tenacity’ and is said to bring ‘an intelligent and incisive approach’ to her work whilst maintaining a ‘completely calm composure’. Specialising in the prosecution of serious sexual offences, Jennifer has a track record of securing convictions in large and challenging cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses. She has developed particular expertise in enabling complainants with profound communication difficulties to give evidence. Jennifer frequently works with intermediaries and was invited to contribute to the writing of the Advocate’s Gateway Toolkits. Jennifer is experienced in the conduct of cases of non-accidental head injury involving the death or serious injury of children and has a formidable ability to assimilate and present highly complex medical evidence. Areas of Expertise - Homicide and related offences - Sexual Offences - Misconduct in Public Office - Private Prosecution
eremy has a deep understanding of all types of financial crime. Jeremy has worked on some of the largest fraud cases in the UK including Asil Nadir and the Tchenguiz brothers. He has also participated in the largest money laundering case that the NCA (then SOCA) had prosecuted in the UK at the time. Jeremy is well versed in asset forfeiture, POCA and prosecutions by the FCA and SFO. Given the experience Jeremy has an excellent appreciation of strategic considerations, media sensitivity, the importance of proactive case management and careful considered legal argument. Jeremy is instructed and advises regularly for ELS solicitors regarding private prosecutions. This is an interesting and growing area of criminal law. Having worked with one of the largest private prosecutions, Jeremy has gained a detailed understanding of the law and tactical considerations regarding private prosecutions. This also involves an appreciation of how criminal law dovetails with civil law and the various avenues available to an individual/company to pursue wrongdoing in the criminal and civil jurisdictions. Jeremy has developed a strong criminal practice acting at all levels of the justice system. Jeremy has recently been instructed in cases of serious violent crime including armed robbery, aggravated burglary and GBH. Jeremy has also acted as a junior in one of the largest conspiracies to import drugs into the UK in 2015. Jeremy regularly represents defendants and prosecutes in serious Crown Court matters and has developed a reputation for detailed preparation, thoughtful representation and persuasive argument to judge and jury alike. Jeremy was recently commended by a Crown Court judge in an armed robbery trial as being impressive beyond his call, persuasive both in law and to the jury and finding a way to connect to the jury which was both involving and sensitive. Jeremy is knowledgeable in regulatory matters and driving offences at all levels of seriousness. Jeremy is also an accredited level 2 Crown Court prosecutor.
‘Extremely capable and a very skilled cross-examiner.’ Legal 500, 2015 : Crime John Price QC both defends and prosecutes in all manner of serious criminal cases in courts throughout the country. He has acquired over the years particular experience in the conduct of criminal cases in the field of civil aviation, often involving corporate defendants, including major airlines, charged with regulatory offences, relating, for example to the carriage by air of dangerous goods. Since taking silk, he has appeared in a number of co-called cold-cases, including a case of murder from 1966 [R v David Burgess] and a retrial following the quashing of an acquittal by the Court of Appeal [R v Mark Weston]. John is regularly briefed on high profile historic sexual abuse cases involving public figures and public schools. He is also counsel of choice for cases involving offences of Corporate Manslaughter and Gross Negligence Manslaughter [R v Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Azeez & Cornish and R v Thomas and Rudling]. He appears regularly before special courts in the Court of Appeal, concerning appeals on cases of recognised public importance, for example: CPS v F [Abuse of process arising from delay] and R v H [sentencing in historic cases of sexual abuse].
John Riley has experience in all areas of criminal law, both prosecuting and defending including Murder, firearms offences and drugs cases. He is an acknowledged expert specialising in serious sexual offending involving children as defendants and witnesses and adult witnesses with significant vulnerabilities using special measures. For nearly ten years John was the Criminal Bar Association lead on vulnerable and child witnesses sitting on senior multi agency working groups and committees, responding to Government consultations and requests for assistance with relevant new legislation. John has contributed to publications and books on topics related to his specialisation. John is a grade 4 CPS prosecutor regularly acting as Leading Junior in complex and high profile cases, often appearing against Queens Counsel.
John Dye is regularly instructed to defend across the calendar of criminal offences with particular experience in defending those charged with involvement in serious and organised crime. He has a growing reputation in defending those charged with the most serious sexual offences and a growing practice in commercial fraud and financial crime. John is also a specialist in road traffic law and is therefore in very high demand by specialist motoring solicitors. He regularly defends those charged with the most serious road traffic offences involving fatalities. He continues to represent high profile clients in all road traffic matters; these have included professional sportsman; doctors; members of the legal profession; high ranking police officers and Members of Parliament. John has also advised and conducted judicial review claims in the High Court in this area.
Jonathan has a wide and varied chancery and commercial practice split evenly between contentious and advisory/drafting work. Following a traditional chancery pupillage he has acquired a reputation for dealing with significant matters relating to wills and trusts, probate and estate administration, court of protection and family provision, and regularly gives seminars on connected topics. He practises extensively in all aspects of property law, from matters as diverse as commercial landlord and tenant, neighbour disputes, claims for legal and beneficial interests, to agricultural partnerships, building disputes and statutory compensation. Jonathan has undertaken a significant number of claims against solicitors for professional negligence in connection with conveyancing transactions, the conduct of litigation and will preparation/execution.
Joseph has appeared in the Crown Court, the High Court and the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal. He has provided written advice in criminal matters to defendants, the Crown and others. Additionally, he has been seconded to the tax division of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (as was), to Stephen Platt & Associates, an offshore partnership that advises on financial regulation, and, in 2013-14, to Kingsley Napley LLP. The subjects of this work have ranged from small ‘evasion of duty’ cases to well-known investment companies and banks.
Kate Lumsdon KC defends and prosecutes a broad range of criminal and regulatory cases, from murder, rape and child abuse to corporate fraud. Recent cases include a series of murders, fraud, drug conspiracy, child abuse and people trafficking. As a Grade 4 prosecutor she prosecuted many multi-handed cases of murder, rape, systematic child abuse, armed robbery and drug importation and distribution. She is a vulnerable witness advocacy trainer on behalf of the Criminal Bar Association. Kate undertakes advisory work. She has recently advised a Government Department as to the viability of proposed criminal offences and potential alternative solutions. She has been asked to advise the CPS in respect of difficult charging decisions. .
Leila Tai joined Chambers in October 2022 after completion of 12 months pupillage. She is instructed to prosecute and defend in a range of criminal matters across the Magistrates, Youth and Crown Courts, including drug supply, violent and sexual offences, weapons offences, Public Order Act offences and fraud. Leila is experienced in lengthy and complex trials having acted as junior defence counsel in multi-million pound drug conspiracy trials involving contested cell site evidence and telephone material. She has also assisted in the prosecution of serious offences, including murder. Leila undertakes regulatory work and has acted in Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Dental Council and Social Work England cases and has completed work for the MET. Before being called to the Bar, Leila completed her Doctorate and Masters at the University of Oxford. Her doctoral research examined the sentencing models and the exercise of judicial discretion in Australia and England and Wales. Whilst completing her doctorate, Leila worked at the University of Oxford as a Stipendiary Lecturer in Criminal Law and Tort. Leila is also admitted to practise in Australia and previously worked as a judicial associate at the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory.
Lesley is a Grade 4 prosecutor and rape specialist who prosecutes and defends in all types of criminal cases, with an emphasis on serious and organized crime, sexual offences and fraud and financial crime. She frequently advises the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit on charging decisions. She appears before a number of disciplinary tribunals, including the General Dental Council and the General Chiropractic Council. Before coming to the Bar, Lesley trained as a nurse and worked for nearly 10 years at 2 large teaching hospitals in London. This experience has proved invaluable in her chosen fields of criminal and regulatory/disciplinary law. She brings to her cases a wealth of experience dealing with experts and young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She is equally adept at handling the tough, technical evidence of experts, and complex financial crime. Lesley was instrumental in the CBA-led production of a short film (‘A Question of Practice’) on the questioning of vulnerable and young witnesses and defendants launched in April 2013. She speaks at CBA Conferences on questioning young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants and pre-recorded cross-examination. Lesley is a member of the Advocacy Training Council Vulnerable Witness Training group, working closely with the NSPCC and other professionals leading the way in developing training materials in accordance with the recent recommendations by the Advocacy Training Council report “Raising the Bar: Handling Vulnerable Witnesses, Victims and Defendants in court”. She has spoken spoken on Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live on issues such as anonymity for suspects accused of rape and historical sexual abuse allegations. She is an Inner Temple advocacy trainer.
Mark is ranked as a leader at the bar in both crime and fraud in the last five editions of Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. He prosecutes and defends the most serious and complex criminal cases. In recent years he has been advising companies and individuals facing investigations of alleged regulatory and/or criminal misconduct relating to their business activities.Mark was Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association from September 2015 - September 2016.
Michael prosecutes and defends in all areas of crime with an emphasis on serious sexual offences, drugs, and serious violence, including murder. He has defended a number of ‘Operation Trident’ shooting and drug related offences in London. Michael has a predominantly defence practice with substantial experience in serious crime, in particular: serious sexual offences; importation and supply of drugs and associated kidnapping and blackmail offences; attempted murder and s18 wounding.
Nathan has experience in all areas of criminal law. He is a hard-working and effective trial advocate and has been instructed in cases involving organised crime, grave violent and sexual offences, and serious fraud. He combines thorough preparation with sound judgment, and is comfortable dealing with complex and sensitive cases. He is an incisive appellate lawyer who is available to provide specialist advice on criminal appeals, including to the Court of Appeal, the European Court of Human Rights and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. He has experience of judicial review and appeals in the High Court relating to insolvency and extradition. In addition to his domestic practice, Nathan has particular expertise in international human rights law and international criminal litigation. He has worked on a number of high profile cases involving military and political leaders charged before international criminal tribunals, and is available to advise on all areas of international criminal and humanitarian law.
Neil is much in demand as both a Prosecution and defence Advocate. Recent instructions include drugs offences for RARAT and SOCA and serious financial cases for the the Economic Crime Directorate. other recent instructions include supply to cultivation of drugs, Sex Crimes, crimes against banks from insiders, Land Registry Fraud, serious and gang-related violence and gun offences.
Oliver Dunkin has been a member of chambers since Pupillage. A Grade 4 prosecutor with considerable experience of serious defence work, he specialises in both prosecution and defence of the highest levels of sexual offences and offences of violence. He is regularly instructed as both sole and leading counsel in offences ranging from multiple and multi-handed rape and sexual offences against children through to murder, attempted murder and manslaughter. He has particular experience in relation to “cold case” rape and associated offences and the use of enhanced DNA techniques, cases often dating back to the early 1980s as both prosecution and defence counsel. His down to earth and calm approach to handling young or emotionally disturbed witnesses and defendants leads to him receiving instructions in some of the most serious and sensitive of cases in his field.
Patrick is an experienced defence barrister, whose instructing solicitors know to be a hardworking and approachable advocate. He specialises in defending complex fraud and sexual offences. He is also a grade 3 Crown prosecutor and is instructed in the most serious, high-profile cases either on his own or being led by Queen’s Counsel. In addition, as part of his practice he advises Governments on important criminal justice issues. Patrick also has vast experience dealing with regulatory matters and has worked for both offshore regulators on sensitive cases and corporate investigations based in the UK. Patrick’s other interests include civil liberties and human rights law. Previously, he worked abroad at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Holland, where he provided legal analysis on the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. In addition, he has worked at the Independent Jamaican Centre for Human Rights where he advised on the appeals of those on death row.
Paul has particular expertise in white-collar crime cases (including company, business, revenue, market-related, advance fee, factoring, bribery and corruption, money laundering, confiscation and asset recovery). He is well placed to deal with the whole landscape of financial crime cases, with complementary expertise in regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, including financial regulatory proceedings. He is standing counsel in crime to BIS (Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (formerly Department of Trade and Industry)). In addition, he is instructed in cases prosecuted by other principal prosecutors of serious fraud cases: the Serious Fraud Office and the CPS Central Fraud Group. He has a wide practice in regulatory and disciplinary cases, including High Court public law challenges and statutory appeals. The core areas are healthcare, forensic pathology and police work. In addition, he is experienced in financial regulatory cases and has worked as seconded counsel at both Lloyd’s of London and the FSA (PIA). He appears for both regulators and those subject to proceedings. He advises regulators on the drafting of regulations and guidance, and legal guidance to regulated persons. He is the team leader of the 23 Essex Street healthcare regulatory and discipline team.
Paul Bogan acts exclusively for the defence in both serious fraud and general crime. He has been ranked for many years in legal directories who have described him as ‘an exceptional advocate and tactician’, ‘incredibly thorough and committed’ and ‘an excellent jury advocate’. He has long-standing experience of fraud in such challenging cases as the Polly Peck case (acting for a co-accused in the SFO prosecution of Asil Nadir), the Jubilee Line case (concerning public procurement contracts which became the longest ever the Old Bailey trial); and more recently in the Beijing Olympics Ticketing Fraud (SFO prosecution), Lexi Holdings (collapse of the bridging loan company, also SFO) and Entwistle & others (multi handed mortgage fraud leading to collapse of substantial firm of solicitors). His experience embraces MTIC, tax, VAT, mortgage, bank, company and insolvency fraud. He has also defended as leading junior in the more arcane areas of pharmaceutical fraud, involving EC and trademark legislation, and en primeur wine fraud. He is especially well regarded in money laundering cases and confiscation proceedings. He has defended in many murder trials. These include, in recent times, Dixon & others (Old Bailey) representing a young man who with 4 others was accused of a joint enterprise stabbing involving complex issues of fact and law; Davis (Old Bailey) representing one of two young women accused of abducting and killing a learning-disabled man; and The Victoria Station murder (Old Bailey) representing one of 20 defendants accused of murdering a schoolboy in the underground. He regularly receives instructions to review convictions and has appealed successfully a number, including recently Schulman and Leighton (CCRC reference). In the Privy Council he has represented several Caribbean prisoners in appeals against their convictions for murder including, in 2010, Kirk Gordon v The Queen, the last successful murder appeal from Belize prior to the cessation of the court’s appellate jurisdiction from that country. In 2011 he published the second edition of his book ‘Identification: investigation, trial and scientific evidence’ (Jordans), a comprehensive text on identification procedures and evidence in criminal trials. He was co-author of ‘Butterworth’s Guide to the Proceeds of Crime Act’ (3rd ed, OUP, 2008) and contributed the chapter on ‘Self Incrimination, the Right to Silence and the Reverse Burden of Proof’ in the text book ‘Human Rights in the Investigation and Prosecution of Crime’ (OUP 2009). He has written articles for legal journals and lectured on identification and bad character, hearsay evidence and restraint and receivership. He a member of the Law Reform Committee of the Bar Council for whom he regularly drafts responses to Government and Law Commission proposals for changes in Criminal Law. He was previously an elected council member and former Treasurer of Liberty.
Rashad has a national criminal and fraud practice appearing in major cases throughout the country. He is regularly instructed to represent clients charged with a variety of serious offences, including serious violence, firearms and sexual offences. He is regularly instructed to represent clients charged with offences of drug trafficking and all aspects of financial crime. Rashad was appointed to the AG’s Unified List of Criminal Counsel and has now been successfully appointed to the list of specialist regulatory advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.
Over the last year, Rhodri has acted in the following trials; attempted murder, advanced fee fraud, rape, a VAT fraud and GBH with intent. The client has been acquitted on each occasion. In the VAT fraud, heard at Woolwich Crown, after a trial lasting eight weeks, Rhodri’s client was unanimously acquitted. It was the first time that he had acted as leading junior. In a note written to Rhodri after the trial, the trial judge said the following: “In the best tradition of the Bar you put up a sterling flight for your client and deserved the result”. After the GBH with intent trial, heard at Snaresbrook Crown, following the client’s unanimous acquittal, his (experienced) solicitor, who had been present through much of the case, described the result as unbelievable and one of the best of his career. In an ensuing email to Rhodri, he added: “Thank you again for your work on this, it was an incredible result and it came from your advocacy” In the coming months, Rhodri will defend in two huge cases. A “copy-cat website” fraud in Teesside Crown and a conspiracy to rob at The Bailey.
Richard is a highly regarded and sought after practitioner with a busy advisory and court practice. He practises in both criminal and civil law with an emphasis on asset forfeiture and recovery. Richard is a compelling and persuasive advocate, combining an astute tactical analysis with clear, succinct submissions. He is known for his calm manner and practical approach, which wins the trust and confidence of all parties concerned. He both prosecutes and defends, and regularly accepts instructions on behalf of companies, individuals, and Government departments. He is also direct access qualified and can received instructions direct from members of the public. Much of Richard’s work involves an international element, and he routinely acts for those who operate and / or live in foreign jurisdictions. Richard was responsible for obtaining the UK’s first European Supervision Order, allowing an EU national to be bailed back to their member state pending trial, subject to conditions monitored by the local police force, rather than remain in custody. He continues to specialise in obtaining such orders on a private basis. Expertise: Restraint, Asset Forfeiture and Confiscation Richard has considerable experience of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and asset forfeiture. He has provided advice and represented parties in criminal confiscation cases under part 2 of the Act, High Court civil recovery under part 5 of the Act, and tax tribunals under part 5 of the Act. Also, Richard is currently instructed by the National Crime Agency as the junior advocate in the civil Court of Appeal case, which concerns the nature of Suspicious Activity Reports under Part 7 of the Act. Richard has benefited considerably from being a consultant barrister at the National Crime Agency’s Civil Recovery and Tax Department, where he is currently the lead lawyer on all of their high profile criminal confiscation cases, as well as conducting and being exposed to many of their high-value civil recovery and tax tribunal claims. He regularly lectures on this topic, and has provided training to the CPS, National Crime Agency, and also internationally, including to lawyers in foreign jurisdictions. Richard is happy to act in restraint, criminal confiscation, civil recovery, enforcement, tax and cash forfeiture proceedings. Criminal Litigation Richard, who prosecutes and defends in the Crown Court, has considerable experience of acting in a wide range of serious matters. Richard works tirelessly for his clients, and in 2015 obtained the EU’s first European Supervision Order in Criminal proceedings, which allowed his Spanish client to be bailed back to Spain pending trial, with the Spanish authorities agreeing to monitor his English bail conditions. He has defended those charged with a wide range of offences, including conspiracy, armed robbery, serious violence, the production and supply of drugs, sexual offences, and fraud. He is also regularly instructed to defend clients in cases brought by the RSPCA, the Department of Work and Pensions, and HMRC. Richard advises clients before any charges are brought, to consider whether and how prosecution can be avoided, and whether there are alternative disposals that may be appropriate. He has also helped to advise corporations on their criminal liability. Concerning prosecution, Richard is a Grade 2 CPS advocate and is routinely instructed to prosecute matters in the London and Thames Valley areas. His experience includes prosecuting serious matters for the CPS Serious Organised Crime Unit such as human trafficking and drugs cases that formed part of Operation Trident. Further, he has acted as prosecution junior in two murder trials. Richard also has considerable experience acting on behalf of private prosecutors, such as the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, HMRC, and the Health and Safety Executive. Further, Richard has advised the Government of Kazakhstan on the initiation of private prosecutions for a series of offences within England and Wales. Regulatory and Disciplinary Proceedings Richard advises clients within the financial services industry, including on criminal and civil liability. His approach to this type of advisory work recognises the importance of considering the commercial and practical implications for his clients.
Richard’s methodical but creative intellect, ensures him a steady flow of significant cases involving money laundering and banking, tax, VAT and NHS frauds. He is regularly instructed by the major prosecuting bodies, but also undertakes a significant amount of defence work. He has particular expertise in the fields of restraint and confiscation proceedings. Previous experience includes a two year secondment to the Financial Services Authority, where he prepared and presented cases on their behalf. He is also on the panel of the serious fraud office’s approved list of counsel. Richard has extensive experience of both prosecuting and defending in all areas of serious crime. He also has extensive experience of defending in Courts-Martial. He appears regularly for both the Crown and the defence in the Court of Appeal, and for the Crown in the Courts-Martial Appeal Court. Richard has an extensive practice involving regulatory and disciplinary proceedings. He appears regularly in police misconduct proceedings, appearing on behalf of the director of professional standards for both the Metropolitan Police Service and the Thames Valley Police, and also for the Independent Police Complaints Commission at such hearings. He has also lectured to and assisted in the training of the defending police federation representatives for Sussex Police. Richard was seconded full-time in 1998 for two years to the solicitors department of the Financial Services Authority (FSA), preparing and presenting cases on their behalf in disciplinary tribunals and appeal tribunals. Since his secondment he has appeared in a number of FSA disciplinary tribunals. An established practitioner, Richard is regularly instructed in cases which are of high value and complex in nature. Known for his meticulous attention to detail he undertakes advisory and advocatory roles across the breadth of the fraud practice area. R v Da Silva 2 Cr App R 35, is a leading case in which he was involved, concerning the meaning of suspicion in money laundering offences. Richard is regularly instructed by the General Medical Council to present disciplinary cases on their behalf.
Richard is a litigator whose practice encompasses both traditional Chancery matters, as well as more general commercial disputes. His Chancery practice covers disputes about rights of way and other easements, boundary disputes, and restrictive covenants. He also deals with professional negligence claims arising out of conveyancing. He also frequently advises and appears on claims under the Inheritance (Provisions for Family and Dependants) Act 1925 in addition to probate claims, and claims to remove executors. The field of landlord and tenant, both commercial and residential, is of particular interest to him. He regularly advises commercial clients in the field of dilapidations claims. His commercial practice includes disputes arising from the sale of goods and out of construction contracts. He often appears in the Technology and Construction Court. He regularly appears in the High Court as well as County Courts throughout the NorthWest.
‘Carving out a niche for himself in cell site analysis’. Legal 500, 2015 : Crime Richard Bentwood is a leading junior specialising in serious crime and fraud. He has a reputation for being fearless in promoting his clients interests, having faced the threat of custody when a Judge ordered him to advise his client to amend his defence statement. His refusal to do so, as it could harm his clients’ case, led to matters going before the Court of Appeal in the leading case on defence statements R -v- Rochford [2010] EWCA Crim 1928. In recent years, Mr Bentwood has specialised in serious crime, frauds and cases involving mobile phone analysis, where his eye for detail proves invaluable in securing acquittals in the most difficult of cases. Mr Bentwood also has expertise in dealing with sex offences and especially in those cases involving vulnerable and/or young witnesses. Mr Bentwood is heavily involved in the Criminal Bar Association, was the secretary for the year 2015-2016 and remains on the CBA executive.
Rina is instructed in the most demanding, complex and high profile cases and is frequently asked to represent individuals charged with serious sexual offences. Since being called to the bar in 2002 she has established herself as a highly regarded criminal practitioner who conducts cases diligently and sensitively. Rina is recognised by lay and professional clients, her colleagues at the bar and the judiciary as a trusted and extremely hardworking advocate who can be relied upon to conduct cases expeditiously and passionately. She is a very busy practitioner on the South East and Western Circuits with a reputation for robust cross-examination and persuasive speeches. Although Rina predominantly defends, she has been instructed on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Probation Service, the Department for Trade and Industry, the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Customs and Excise.
With a reputation for sound judgment, thorough preparation and fearless advocacy, Rossano is instructed to defend and prosecute in the most serious criminal cases. Whether it be as a leading junior, led junior or junior alone, Rossano has built a reputation for handling difficult cases particularly those involving serious violence, sexual offences and offences of drug importation, production and supply. Rossano has a reputation for outstanding trial strategy and tactics and his handling of difficult, vulnerable and hostile witnesses has led to instructions in complex and high-profile cases. A solid, dependable performer across the entire spectrum of criminal cases, whose incisive cross-examination and powerful closing speeches make Rossano a very popular choice for defence solicitors and prosecuting agencies. In addition to the emphasis on general crime, Rossano has recently been instructed to advise on trading standards and health and safety prosecutions.
Rupert is a criminal barrister with substantial expertise in related public law and human rights matters. He is a tenacious and committed advocate with particular skill in identifying and employing subtle points of law in order to succeed in his client’s case. As well as being an accomplished trial advocate, he has been instructed in numerous cases before the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and the High Court (Queen’s Bench Division). Rupert has represented clients charged with the whole range of serious criminal offences. His recent trials include armed robbery, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and aggravated arson. Rupert also has significant experience in financial crime cases and the related confiscation, forfeiture and asset recovery proceedings. In addition to traditional criminal law, Rupert regularly advises on and litigates judicial review and civil claims arising from criminal litigation. His dedication and eye for detail have led to recent successful claims against the Ministry of Justice, the police and the lower courts. Rupert has a strong interest in international criminal law. He recently assisted a defence team at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the Hague. He has a wide knowledge of international human rights issues and is a member of the Executive of the Bar Human Rights Committee. Outside of daily practice, Rupert regularly contributes to legal journals and publications. He is the co-editor of “Confiscation” for Butterworths’ Money Laundering Law.
Sam prosecutes and defends in all areas of criminal law, including sexual offences, offences of violence and dishonesty, and drug offences. He has successfully represented clients in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). He is particularly adept at dealing with clients who are suffering from mental health problems and is praised for his strong communication skills when dealing with people of all backgrounds. Sam is on the CPS advocate panel at Grade 2, but has been instructed by other prosecuting authorities, such as HM Revenue & Customs, the police and the Financial Conduct Authority to act in an advisory capacity. He is also experienced at dealing with ancillary orders, such as Proceeds Of Crime Act matters and Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (formerly Sexual Offences Prevention Orders). He is regularly privately instructed to defend in road traffic cases. Before joining 23 Essex Street Sam worked for a well-known North London solicitors’ firm. Whilst there he assisted in the representation of a man accused of Britain’s largest mortgage fraud. He also represented suspects at the police station for a range of criminal offences including robbery, perjury and grievous bodily harm. He is therefore alive to the needs of solicitors and understands their relationship with the lay client.
Sarah Thorne has been in practice for over 25 years. Over the last decade she has been employed in-house exclusively defending. She is in the process of applying for CPS grading. She has built up an excellent reputation in Sussex as counsel who is always well prepared and able to efficiently and expeditiously conduct cases at the highest level. Sarah routinely deals with cases of the utmost seriousness. Sarah is well known as counsel who is excellent at sensitively handling clients and witnesses in cases involving allegations of sexual assault and rape. She has many years of experience in questioning child and vulnerable witnesses and has dealt with s.28 cases. She has conducted a number of murder trials as a junior, the most recent of which involved dealing with one of the largest phone downloads seen by either the OIC or the trial judge. Sarah is regularly instructed in complex drugs cases and the resulting POCA disposals and has recent experience dealing with Civil Asset Freezing Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Sarah has been described by a senior Judge as: ‘a highly practical and effective advocate’ as well as ‘energetic and forceful, perfectly capable of dealing with the most truculent of clients’ and able to ‘cross-examine with both subtlety and vigour’. Sarah is not afraid of giving straight advice where necessary but will passionately fight for her client without fear. Another senior Judge has commented that Sarah is: ‘always well prepared and clearly has a great rapport with clients and opponents alike. She is able to assist on procedural issues and makes realistic and persuasive arguments. Sarah comes across as hardworking and a team player’. Sarah is very proficient in dealing with the technology necessary for a successful practice in the 21st century. She is fully computer literate and able to quickly learn the necessary skills to deal with new technological developments as they arise.
Sarah-Kate Prosecutes and Defends daily in the Crown Court in all areas of crime. She has an expanding Regulatory and Prison Law practice and has also practiced in Family Law, which enables her to fully advise those who face dual criminal and family legal proceedings. Prior to coming to the Bar, Sarah-Kate trained and worked as an actress in New York City, USA. She was inspired whilst marshalling a judge in the Supreme Court there. On her return to London, Sarah-Kate worked for a large commercial investment bank and at criminal defence firms as a paralegal before fully qualifying as a barrister. Sarah-Kate has recently gained particular expertise in relation to the variation and discharge of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders (now Sexual Harm Prevention Orders). Sarah-Kate accepts instruction on a Public Access basis in all of her practice areas.
Sasha regularly appears in Magistrates’ Courts, Youth Courts and Crown Court. She has experience of handling vulnerable witnesses and has acted for defendants charged with a range offences including fraud, witness intimidation and arson with intent to endanger life. Before joining 23 Essex Street, Sasha worked at Kingsley Napley as part of the teams which successfully defended Rebekah Brooks and her husband in the ‘Phone Hacking’ trial. Whilst studying at BPP Law School, Sasha was the Student Director of StreetLaw Prisons project.
Highly regarded, experienced, meticulous and incisive, he is instructed on behalf of the CPS (Grade 3), and the Defence, in criminal cases of considerable gravity and complexity, providing a first-rate service to his professional and lay clients. Noted for his careful and comprehensive case preparation, sound judgment, and skilful advocacy, he has built a busy and successful practice at the criminal bar. He has represented clients in cases across the entire range of criminal offences, including grave offences of violence, rape and other sexual offences, riot and other public order offences, large scale drugs importation and supply offences, conspiracies to kidnap, armed robberies, firearms offences, money laundering offences, and serious fraud.
Sonya Saul is a junior of 12 years call, who prosecutes and defends in a wide range of criminal cases, including multi-handed violence, arson, robbery, rape and serious sexual offences. She has significant experience of dealing with vulnerable witnesses and defendants. Sonya is a Grade 3 Prosecutor for CPS London and South-East, prosecuting serious general crime. Sonya is a member of the Specialist Rape List and is regularly instructed by the RASSO Unit. Sonya regularly prosecutes multi-handed cases as sole counsel, and has prosecuted silks instructed by the defence. She has prosecuted Special Casework trials and represented the crown in the Appeal Court and the Administrative Court, dealing with Judicial Reviews. She has prosecuted cases involving undercover operations and PII applications. Sonya’s defence practice includes firearms, rape, Affray, Violent Disorder (as leading counsel), and historical sexual abuse.
Stephen Shay is a senior junior called in 1984, who is regularly instructed both for the prosecution and defence in serious cases. Stephen is experienced in all areas of serious, organised, complex and sensitive crime, such as homicide (including non-accidental head injury), causing death by dangerous driving, organised crime, rape and other serious sexual offences, domestic extremism, complex fraud and large-scale drugs offences. He is also experienced in crime-related judicial review and appellate work, and civil pleadings (having had a mixed practice some years ago). Stephen is a Grade 4 CPS prosecutor in London and the South East, who has also been appointed to the CPS Headquarters Serious Crime Group Specialist Panel and to the Specialist Rape Panel. His recent cases include the prosecution of a drug importation conspiracy involving £2m worth of cocaine, the prosecution of a Latvian defendant charged with allegations of marital rape and threats to kill, and the prosecution of an optician accused of systematically defrauding the NHS. His recent defence work includes defending an Afghan refugee on allegation of anal rape, defending a Lithuanian national on a charge of murder, and defending an alleged armed robber.
Tim Clark KC is an experienced and highly sought-after criminal law specialist. As a KC, Tim is regularly instructed in multi-handed murder and serious fraud matters. He is regularly in demand for cases of complexity and weight, including MTIC and corporate fraud. He is also frequently instructed in a number of cases involving representing professionals charged with criminal offences, including solicitors and accountants. Tim secured acquittals of murder in six consecutive murder trials as King’s Counsel, all of which occurred in 2018-19. In 2020 Tim was briefed in several high profile multi-handed murders including R v Jamie Chandler, where he represented a 15-year-old accused of a double murder at a house party in Milton Keynes, he has also achieved an acquittal on all counts for a Romanian businessman in a two month multi-handed modern slavery trial. In 2021 Tim continued to be involved in high profile multi-handed murders and received instructions to defend one of ten defendants (a chartered accountant) in Operation Centrum, involving alleged excise duty and VAT fraud involving a loss to the Revenue of at least £20m. In 2022, Tim was instructed in two of the longest and most high profile multihanded murder trials that year. He continued to receive private instructions to defend both in the Court of Appeal and in a rape trial in North Wales. Prior to taking silk in 2017, Tim was instructed to prosecute Operations Kernow & Fustuscaro – complex multi-handed cash for crash matters. He was also instructed to represent a number of solicitors charged with conveyancing fraud – all of whom were acquitted. Prior to taking silk, Tim was instructed in over twenty murder trials as leading junior, junior or junior alone as well as in cases involving serious fraud and sexual offences.
Tom Godfrey has built up an impressive Crown Court practice and recent instructions include murder, attempted murder and conspiracies to defraud. His practice is wide-ranging and diverse with particular focus on fraud, homicide and serious organised crime. Tom defends mainly in London and the South East and is instructed by leading firms of solicitors. He has also been graded a level three prosecutor by the CPS and is on the Attorney General’s list of prosecution counsel. Tom meticulously prepares his cases and is renowned for his hard working and methodical approach. He has an enviable track record in front of juries and is personable and well liked by both lay and professional clients.
"A great advocate, concise and thorough in all his work."Legal 500, 2020 Commercial, Banking, Insolvency and Chancery Law"Experienced in shareholder disputes."Legal 500, 2019 Commercial, Banking, Insolvency and Chancery LawTom's practice encompasses all areas of commercial and chancery litigation before the Business and Property Courts of the High Court including; - Company litigation- Shareholder and partnership disputes- Commercial contract disputes- Banking and finance- Real property- Wills, Trust and Probate. He has an in-depth understanding and particular exoperience of shareholder disputes and unfair prejudice petitions under s.994 Companies Act 2006. Tom has a wealth of experience in advising and acting in contentious probate and trusts matters. This includes challenges to the validity of wills, Inheritance Act claims, the removal of trustees/personal representatives and asset recovery. He frequently acts in estates and trusts valued at £1m+ and has been instructed in high-value estate matters exceeding £5m. He has a particular interest in estates and trusts involving companies and partnerships. Tom is an expert in ratings law and practice. He is instructed exclusively on behalf of numerous billing authorities across England and Wales in respect of rating matters before the Magistrates Courts, High Court, First- tier Tribunal and VTE, including National Non-Domestic Rates, Council Tax, Local Government Finance and related property and insolvency matters. In addition, Tom has vast experience of employment law. He is regularly instructed to advise and represent parties before the Employment Tribunal and High Court, in respect of matters concerning contracts and pay, restrictive covenants, dismissal, redundancy, discrmination and TUPE.
Tom Crowther KC has a unique perspective having been appointed a circuit judge in 2013, shortly after taking Silk, trying serious sexual offences and fraud cases until his return to the bar in 2018. From 2019 to 2022, in parallel with his criminal practice, he chaired the Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation. This experience means he has an unparalleled sense of what “works” with a jury in a criminal trial, and sensitivity to the needs of the client, and as such is well placed to guide clients through the trial process. He is regularly instructed on behalf of vulnerable clients including children and young people accused of gang related offences and those who have been victims of modern slavery. Tom ‘s detail focus shows not only in his instructions to chair a public Inquiry but also in his recent conduct of VHCC cases and other very long cases involving fraud and drugs offences. He has a forensic approach and has been noted to be particularly effective in his cross examination of scientific expert witnesses including pathologists. Tom has a busy private criminal practice which has seen him advise very large multinationals as well as nationally known sports figures, business people visiting the UK, and solicitors. He has successfully represented doctors and senior police officers in courts and tribunals. In his private work he has Tom has secured acquittals in cases where individuals have faced charges including attempted murder, wounding with intent, harassment and rape. Tom’s recent non-criminal work has included drafting guidance for the then National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team as to ways to ensure transparency of referral fees; acting in Directors’ Disqualification proceedings arising from an alleged multi-million pound VAT fraud; advising on judicial review in respect of HMRC and CPS investigations and of planning matters; advising on freezing orders in respect of multi million pound cash seizures relating to international currency transfers; successfully resisting (at very short notice) the issue of stop notices in respect of a large development. He has also advised local authorities on highly sensitive safeguarding disclosures in respect of nationally prominent figures. Tom has been a guest speaker and consultant in Kenya for international agencies including CIVIPOL and UNODC on topics including money laundering, human trafficking, and disclosure. Tom is a member of the CBA, and he has twice served terms as an elected member of the Bar Council. Tom is licensed for public access.
Victoria is a conscientious and skilled advocate, whose main areas of interest are fraud, financial crime and complex criminal litigation. She has quickly developed a practice beyond her call and is regularly led in cases of considerable gravity and complexity. She both prosecutes and defends in all areas of her practice and has been appointed as a Level 2 Prosecutor on the CPS General Advocate Panel List. Fraud and serious/complex crime Victoria is developing a specialist Fraud practice and is also particularly interested in the litigation of organised or multi-handed serious crime. Since May 2015, Victoria has been instructed by the Financial Conduct Authority as Disclosure Junior in a case involving the suspected operation of a number of successive boiler room companies by several individuals, which is currently at the pre-charge investigation stage. The library of electronic material already contains in excess of a million documents and Victoria’s involvement from an early stage has provided her with invaluable insight into the investigation of cases of this nature. In 2014, Victoria was instructed as junior counsel for the second defendant in a four-handed VHCC trial at Southwark Crown Court, which related to an alleged Ponzi scheme that resulted in cumulative losses of £23m to unsophisticated investors. Victoria demonstrated an ability to master complex financial evidence and personally conducted the cross-examination of the partner at Price Waterhouse Coopers who had acted as the company’s auditor during the indictment period. In 2013, she acted as junior counsel for the first defendant in a seven-handed case concerning conspiracies to cause explosions likely to endanger life. The case involved detailed telephonic and cell site evidence, as well as unusually complex legal argument regarding the admissibility of hearsay, bad character and incriminating conversations recorded during prison visits. Prior to pupillage, Victoria worked as a paralegal for a freelance solicitor with a heavyweight crime practice and was responsible for the preparation of the defence in serious cases, including the 20-handed Victoria Station murder and a 23-handed VHCC case involving an Organised Criminal Network and a UK-wide conspiracy to import, cultivate and distribute drugs on an industrial scale. During pupillage, Victoria had continuous exposure to complex Fraud cases, including a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud three high–street banks (resulting in losses of approximately £7.6 million) and an FCA prosecution for conspiracy to mislead markets by officials of a former FTSE 250 company. General Crime Victoria’s Crown Court practice encompasses the full range of criminal offences. She is also regularly instructed to deal with all manner of quasi-criminal matters, including confiscation proceedings. She has considerable experience in dealing with cases of serious violence; she has defended in a number of section 20 GBH trials and is currently instructed to prosecute a section 18 GBH trial involving the use of a Stanley knife as a weapon. Victoria has particular interest in cases involving young or vulnerable defendants and witnesses. Inquests and Public Inquiries Victoria has worked on high-profile public Inquests and Inquiries and is well-versed in the relevant procedural and evidential legal principles. In late 2013, Victoria completed a ten-week secondment at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, the solicitors to the Hillsborough Inquests. She assisted with the review and disclosure of voluminous amounts of evidence, which often engaged complex legal issues. Victoria was also instructed in a ten-week secondment in late 2012 as assistant counsel to the Al-Sweady Inquiry, which concerned allegations of unlawful killing and mistreatment of Iraqi nationals detained by the British Army in 2004. Public/ Direct Access Victoria is authorised to accept instructions directly from members of the public in accordance with the Public/Direct Access scheme. She accepts instructions in all of her areas of practice and is experienced in representing professional clients or individuals of good character.
Walton has both prosecuted and defended major crime for a number of years, often as a leading junior against Queen’s Counsel. He was called in 1980 and has a wide experience of jury trials, and of appellate advocacy. He has experience of all types of criminal cases including murder, major public order, sexual offences, fraud, confiscation, and organised crime (including firearms and drugs). For the last 10 years his practice has been focused in Sussex where he has been involved in many complex and high profile cases. Since joining 23 Essex Street his practice has become more diverse, concentrated now in London and the Home Counties.
Wayne is experienced in all areas of criminal law, both for the prosecution and defence, including murder, rape, serious assaults, firearms offences, drugs and robberies. Wayne also has experience of police disciplinary proceedings. He also maintains a practice on the Midlands and Oxford Circuit, defending cases at Leicester, Nottingham, Wolverhampton, Birmingham and Doncaster.
William Eaglestone is a criminal and regulatory lawyer, whose practice extends to health and safety, trading standards, police discipline and civil actions involving the police. A persuasive trial advocate with several years experience in criminal law before coming to the Bar, William is a CPS Grade 3 prosecutor and a member of the CPS Rape List. He has a particular interest in cases with vulnerable witnesses and defendants. He has recently been instructed in a number of sexual offence cases where both the complainants and defendants are young people and children. William defends before the Fitness to Practice Panel of the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He is a Middle Temple Advocacy trainer.
Zafar Ali QC is a highly experienced defence advocate, international arbitrator and mediator with a military background. Recently instructed to defend the leader of a north London mosque charged with Murder and separately with possession of Explosives and Ammunition. Trials due to start early 2016. The cases have already attracted high-profile national media attention due to the defendant’s family connection with a celebrity pop star. Described by the Legal 500 as a barrister who ‘stands out’, a ‘well-prepared and meticulous advocate’ who is a ‘flawless courtroom performer’. He specialises in grave criminal allegations including: terrorism, homicide, international drugs conspiracies, money laundering and complex fraud including commercial tax fraud against HMRC. He is regularly instructed in High Court and appellate work, including appeals against conviction, civil asset recovery and appeals on points of law e.g. developing the law on confiscation (R v Allpress et al). He recently secured the rare intervention of the Court of Appeal (presided over by Hallett LJ the Vice-President of the Criminal Division), via substitution of a lower charge and early release of a young defendant who had wrongly pleaded to s.18 Wounding under the misapprehension he was pleading to s.20, further to former Counsel’s advice (R v McCarthy). Zafar is on the list of Defence Counsel at the International Criminal Court. He has also been selected as Lead Defence Counsel at the UN Special Tribunal for Lebanon in The Hague. Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) having completed the International Commercial Arbitration Course at the University of Oxford and a successful peer interview with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Lead Counsel in numerous international arbitrations across a multi-disciplinary range of commercial disputes. Currently instructed as Lead Counsel in a mining dispute between a German and a Sierra-Leonian company, to be held at the London Court of International Arbitration Zafar’s appointments include: – Appointed to the Special Controls Review Panel of the Legal Aid Agency – CIArB Diploma in International Arbitration – Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Member of the Bar of Northern Ireland – Accredited Mediator to International Standards (LSM) – Visiting Lecturer at Leiden University, the Hague – Rights of audience in the DIFC Courts, Dubai