2 Hare Court

Described by The Legal 500 2024 as "one of the leading chambers in criminal law, with barristers who are well prepared and highly professional in their advice, advocacy and dealings with clients" and "2 Hare Court is one of a small cohort of elite chambers; with advocates working on some of the most high-profile, serious and complex cases". "An outstanding set of chambers with a sophisticated and commercially-minded clerking team. One of only a very small number of chambers where one knows clients will get the best possible representation regardless of which barrister is dealing with the case" and "leading set for white-collar work" offering "the cream of the crop of criminal barristers". "A great set of chambers, with experienced barristers in regulatory and professional disciplinary law" and "No question that they are one of the best sets around. Quality all over. Their counsel are always in demand".

The set: Chambers comprises 73 tenants including 23 King’s Counsel and 12 members who sit as recorders. Many former members of chambers have become High Court and District Judges. Chambers provides counsel of first choice to leading defence firms as well as principal prosecuting authorities in London, nationwide and abroad. It has a proven track record of delivering the highest standards of service to clients, together with excellence in advocacy and trial management in cases of the utmost gravity and complexity.

2 Hare Court has been recognised consistently as one of the UK's leading chambers specialising in crime, business crime, private prosecution, financial services, tax, professional discipline, health and safety, regulatory law, inquests and inquiries, sports law and other related fields. Our members and set alike have been shortlisted for numerous awards in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK and are previous winners of Chambers UK Crime Set of the Year. 

The set's barristers provide early and strategic analysis and advice, as well as advocacy of the highest quality where cases cannot be resolved at an early stage and need to progress to trial. Other quotes in Chambers UK 2023 Guide say "The set is loaded with exceptional silks and senior juniors at the top of their game and diligent juniors with qualities above their call." and "they have a formidable array of talent".  Other sources say "Counsel at 2 Hare Court are incredible at digesting complex matters".

"Julian Campbell is one of the best senior clerks around – he really takes the time to get to know you and how you operate and who your clients are and is great at matching barristers to the work" and "the clerking service is excellent – they provide prompt responses in requests and regularly help with sorting listings". Director of Clerking Julian Campbell “is particularly impressive." and leads the clerking team supported by Jack Shah, the Senior Practice Clerk "a standout clerk who is always willing to assist" and "Jack Shah has in-depth knowledge of his barristers. He targets their strengths when making suggestions to solicitors. It is easy to trust his recommendations at 2 Hare Court because their barristers are in a league of their own". Other quotes for the clerking team include: "Louis Lockwood is always very responsive and deals with any issues very promptly" and "Louis Lockwood is one of the most efficient clerks I have ever come across. He is attentive, responsive and an asset to 2 Hare Court". "Chloe Tennent is a top rate clerk. She is trustworthy and efficient. Her knowledge of the market is exceptional".

More information on its barristers and work can be found at www.2harecourt.com.

Types of work undertaken
Crime: the strength and depth of experience among 2 Hare Court’s specialist advocates sees them advising, defending and prosecuting in all forms of criminal work, particularly in serious and complex cases of terrorism (including special advocate work), murder, honour killings, international drug and human trafficking, serious organised crime and sexual offences (especially historic). Recent cases include: National action terrorism matters, the murder of PC Andrew Harper, Dr Agnes Taylor torture case (wife of former leader of Liberia Charles Taylor), Charles Riddington Double K Gym murder, Alex King hoax Novichok poisoning in Salisbury (whilst on the run for a large scale drugs supply case), career conman Mark Acklom, prosecuting tube bomb plotter Damon Smith, murdered French nanny Sophie Lionnet, Finsbury Park attacker Darren Osbourne, the Rolf Harris appeal, prosecuting Britain’s ‘worst ever paedophile’ Richard Huckle, Grindr serial killer Stephen Port, Honey Rose (the first optometrist to be convicted of gross negligence manslaughter), Brooks (phone hacking), Lee Rigby Murder and Operation Yew Tree.

Business crime and financial services: members of chambers are routinely instructed in the largest and most complex financial crime cases. Its experience includes all forms of fraud, MTIC/VAT tribunal hearings, market abuse (insider dealing, LIBOR and manipulation of other benchmark rates), asset recovery/forfeiture and restraint/confiscation proceedings. Recent cases include: ICO v Cambridge Analytica, Operation Amazon, the SFO’s investigation into Rolls Royce,  FOREX, ‘Blue Index’, BA price fixing case, Operation Tabernula,  the HBOS corruption trial, Turks and Caicos corruption cases, SFO v Tchenguiz, lnnospec, and MP/Lords’ expenses.

Private prosecution: 2 Hare Court is a pioneering set in the area of private prosecution and their private prosecution team have considerable experience of advising and representing clients on both sides of private prosecutions. Numerous members are senior former and current prosecutors, including those who have acted as First Senior, Senior and Junior Treasury Counsel. Recent cases: Swiss oil company Allseas Group  (largest privately prosecuted fraud to have ever been brought), R v K (private prosecution brought following long running civil fraud proceedings, R v G, H & A (defence of a privately prosecuted fraud).

Professional discipline: members have extensive expertise in this field, appearing, in particular, before all healthcare regulators, primarily defending members of all the major MDOs as well as other professionals. The set also appears in proceedings involving the police, accountants and actuaries, tax advisers, solicitors, sports professionals, telecommunications and others.

Regulatory crime: Members of 2 Hare Court advise and represent corporate and individual clients facing proceedings brought by regulators including the Health & Safety Executive, Environment Agency, Trading Standards and local authorities. The team advises at every stage of an investigation pre-charge on issues such as the approach to take in interview, evidence gathering and legal privilege. Recent cases: Grenfell, Chevron, Topcon, Monovan, Hillsborough, Essar Oil, Princes Sporting Club, Lion Steel, Cavendish Masonry and Hugo Boss.

Inquests: 2 Hare Court has a team of specialists with extensive experience of advocacy. Members of the Inquest & Public Inquiry team have acted in the most complex and high profile cases of recent times, including; the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, the In Amenas hostage crisis, the London 7/7 bombings, the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the London Bridge and Westminster terrorist attacks, acting for the family of Lance Corporal Craig Roberts one of three soldiers who died of heat illness on an SAS selection test in the Brecon Beacons and representing the family of Alexander Perepilichny, who died in unexplained circumstances. Public inquiries have included the Grenfell fire, Manchester arena bombing, inquiry into the death of Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian FSB agent allegedly poisoned by Polonium 210 in London, as well as various members instructed on the long running Hillsborough inquest.

Tax: With a long established background in tax litigation, the team at 2 Hare Court have established a formidable reputation in cases involving disputes in direct and indirect tax appeals. The disputes span the full spectrum of tax litigation before the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) and Court of Appeal, where members are instructed both by Taxpayers and by the Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs.

Sports law: Members of 2 Hare Court are instructed in cases involving gambling regulation, corruption, inquests and public inquiries, anti-doping, licensing, On-field and off-field violence, disorder by athletes. Members of the sports team regularly appear before the Football Association, the British Horse Racing Authority, International Association of Athletics Federations, National Anti-Doping Panel, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Recent cases:  FA v Tony Henry, BHA v Jim & Suzie Best, BHA v Jim Best, FA v Joey Barton, IAAF v Valentin Balakhnichev & Ors and Hillsborough.