Members of Doughty Street Chambers, widely praised as one of the ‘premier’ sets in London, are regularly involved in complex and high-profile criminal cases across the country, primarily acting for the defence. Criminal appeals, including cases from Caribbean jurisdictions with appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, as well as protest law matters are notable areas of specialist expertise. Tim Moloney KC recently acted in a significant appeal concerning a murder trial, in which after the judge directed the jury that he would accept a minority verdict, the jury was shown an exhibit in the case without the knowledge of counsel from either side. Paul Taylor KC was successful in the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, overturning a sentence of fifty years imprisonment imposed for manslaughter by the Bahamian courts, after the convict's original death sentence for murder was overturned.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
‘Tim is a class act. Although he is intellectual in his approach he is naturally warm and so gets on with everyone and in particular his client and jurors. He is an excellent advocate and lawyer who combines those talents with hard work. He is a top silk in the field.'
‘David is an erudite barrister with an impressive command of the law, able to distill a lot of complex information quickly and easily. In court, he is a compelling and persuasive advocate whom juries warm to.'
‘James is an authoritative barrister who brings years of experience to the job. He is a fearless and forthright cross-examiner and a determined advocate.'
‘Kirsty is a powerful and thoughtful advocate. She is highly dedicated and provides excellent advice and strategic wisdom. She is also warm and empathetic with lay clients.'
‘Sarah is a brilliant cross-examiner, particularly of vulnerable, un-cooperative or reluctant witnesses. She is brilliant before a jury and makes truly exceptional speeches. She is also adept at presenting complex legal arguments in a persuasive and attractive manner.'
‘Edward is the most creative lawyer of our times, responsible for many key developments in jurisprudence. He uses his deep and wide ranging knowledge of the law, together with his keen sense of justice and humanity to utmost effect when representing his clients.'
3‘Melanie possesses a first class legal mind allied to a wonderful court presence. Her knowledge of the law is second to none and judges listen to her legal arguments with admiration. She is universally regarded by solicitors and judges alike as a top notch advocate. She also possesses the unique ability to making complex cases appear simple.’
3‘Katy is an exceptional barrister. She is tactically astute and intelligent and her knowledge of the law is second to none. Her written and oral advocacy is excellent and she is also charming, compassionate and builds fantastic relationships with clients.’
‘Emma is a highly intelligent and sophisticated barrister whose knowledge of the law is second to none.’
'Andrew has a very calm temperament as well as presence in the courtroom. His advocacy is well measured and tactically brilliant. Andrew has amazing client care skills and is able to communicate with anyone from all walks of life.'
4‘Paul is a leading expert in criminal appeals. He has exceptional intellect and is able to easily analyse complex issues and reach clear and reasoned decisions. He is also a very able advocate.’
2022 Silks
‘Richard is a standout silk of his generation in crime. He commands the respect of the highest courts through considered and carefully marshalled argument in the most difficult and novel cases.'
‘Sarah is a very serious player. She has a great courtroom presence, is a brilliant cross-examiner and a very humane and funny individual. She has served time defending in the most difficult and unpopular cases so she is as tough as they come and has seen it all.'
‘Liam is a true leader in every sense. He is a fantastic advocate and has excellent communication skills with vulnerable clients. Further, he is passionate and genuinely cares about the client.'
2023 Silks
‘Garry is exceptional. His dedication to his professional and lay client alike is outstanding. He takes every point and will fight all the way.’
‘Ben is just extraordinary. He is super bright with a forensic eye for detail. He is super efficient and organised, carefully managing and analysing material. However small and apparently inconsequential a detail or document may be, he will be able to identify and comment on it in an instant. He is the real deal.’
2024 Silks
‘Farrhat is cool, calm, composed and has a highly intellectual approach. She is an appeal specialist and is laser-like in identifying grounds to overturn a conviction.'
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Piers is a brilliant advocate with a fearless approach. He is an out-of-the-box thinker, great with strategy and an excellent cross-examiner. He is also excellent at constructing and presenting legal arguments, both in writing and orally.'
‘Kate has a superb legal mind - she incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent. She can turn her hand to a wide really range of cases and still bring the same tactical astuteness to bear. She fights every inch for her clients. She is fearless. She is one of the very best defence juniors around.'
‘David is extremely friendly and approachable. Clients really like him as he commands an air of knowledge and reassurance. He is bright, methodical and provides excellent written and oral legal arguments. He is a very persuasive advocate and jurors really like him.'
‘Peta-Louise is incredibly detailed and has an excellent recall of facts, which is often indispensable. She works incredibly hard. An impressive junior.'
‘Daniella is extremely knowledgeable in the area of criminal appeals. She is able to analyse complex issues and reach clear and well informed decisions. She is a very good communicator and her written work is exceptional.'
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
‘Piers is a brilliant advocate with a fearless approach. He is an out-of-the-box thinker, great with strategy and an excellent cross-examiner. He is also excellent at constructing and presenting legal arguments, both in writing and orally.'
‘Kate has a superb legal mind - she incredibly knowledgeable and intelligent. She can turn her hand to a wide really range of cases and still bring the same tactical astuteness to bear. She fights every inch for her clients. She is fearless. She is one of the very best defence juniors around.'
‘David is extremely friendly and approachable. Clients really like him as he commands an air of knowledge and reassurance. He is bright, methodical and provides excellent written and oral legal arguments. He is a very persuasive advocate and jurors really like him.'
‘Peta-Louise is incredibly detailed and has an excellent recall of facts, which is often indispensable. She works incredibly hard. An impressive junior.'
‘Daniella is extremely knowledgeable in the area of criminal appeals. She is able to analyse complex issues and reach clear and well informed decisions. She is a very good communicator and her written work is exceptional.'