The Bar - London Bar

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

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6KBW College Hill is regarded by many as the leading prosecuting set in London, hosting a wide range of outstanding barristers regularly involved in complex and high-profile cases, often but not exclusively for the prosecution. Annabel Darlow KC prosecuted a conspiracy theorist telecommunications engineer who received a sentence of six and a half years for preparing attacks on radio, phone, and TV masts as well as major roadways. Louis Mably KC prosecuted a man who, after learning his bed bound grandfather was accused of sexually abusing girls, stabbed him to death – the defendant admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and received a discretionary life sentence in the first case in which the judge’s sentencing remarks were broadcast. Alison Morgan KC and Alistair Richardson prosecuted a British Embassy security guard in Berlin charged with passing on sensitive information, including classified intelligence material, to Russia, contrary to the Official Secrets Act 1911. The set also handles defence work – Alex Du Sautoy  represented an IPP prisoner who was acquitted on four counts of administering a noxious substance by throwing urine and faeces over prison officers, also known as “potting”.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Both Andrew Barnes and Mark Essex are fantastic clerks: they are commercially minded, responsive and a pleasure to work with.'
  • 'The service and the clerks' room are both exceptional. Richard Summerscales and Lizzie Labrum are consummate professionals with really good personal qualities.'
  • 'Lizzie Labrum is incredibly efficient. She is a magician at juggling matters so preferred counsel can deal. This efficiency is particularly notable when chambers is briefed at the same time on multiple cases, in multiple locations for the same defendant.'
  • '6KBW College Hill is an excellent set.'
  • '6KBW is the pinnacle of the prosecuting criminal chambers. The strength in depth seems never-ending at every level.'
  • 'An exceptional set with a galaxy of superlative advocates.'

Silks

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.

Sasha Wass1

Sasha Wass

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

'Sasha is really great with clients, really calm and reassuring. Her judgement is first class and in court she is commanding and unflappable. She is one of the most experienced criminal silks about.' 

Duncan Atkinson2

Duncan Atkinson

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Duncan is at the very top of the profession in terms of prosecuting. He is an excellent lawyer and a first class advocate. He is steely and very knowledgeable.' 

Annabel Darlow2

Annabel Darlow

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Annabel is extremely clever and exceptionally hard working. Her tactical ability is impressive and her jury speeches are great. Overall a very impressive barrister.'

Simon Denison2

Simon Denison

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

‘Simon is one of the Bar’s class acts. He prosecutes cases of the utmost gravity with a fairness that makes him an extremely difficult opponent. His advocacy is also second-to-none.’

Jacob Hallam3

Jacob Hallam

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Jacob is incredibly well respected by all. His knowledge of the law, analytical dexterity, and advocacy skills are unrivalled and his experience manifests in a calming and confidence-inspiring influence. He is highly intelligent and tactically supreme.' 

Aftab Jafferjee3

Aftab Jafferjee

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

'He is excellent at seeing good legal points and using them to optimum effect. He is a particularly effective cross-examiner of expert witnesses and of the most contentious witnesses. His skill is impressive to watch.'

Louis Mably3

Louis Mably

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Louis is highly sought-after. He is always on top of the legal or factual issues in a case and is balanced in his approach. He presents in a clear and structured manner which allows juries to identify issues from the start and follow the evidence with ease.' 

Gareth Patterson3

Gareth Patterson

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

‘He is a first rate prosecutor who has an impressive knowledge of the law and an easy and persuasive manner with the jury. A charming but formidable advocate.' 

Duncan Penny3

Duncan Penny

Hall of fameChambers of Simon Denison KC

'Duncan's clarity of thought and his ability to see and assess the strength of evidence and its implications is outstanding. He has a rational approach that gets straight to the point as well as a clear advocacy style.'

Juniors

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.

Denis Barry2

Denis Barry

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

‘Denis is a brilliant jury advocate: he is highly articulate, amusing and quick on his feet. His style of advocacy calms and concentrates a jury taking them by the hand and leading them over what can be exceptionally difficult areas of law. He is one of the best juniors at the criminal Bar.’ 

Paul Jarvis2

Paul Jarvis

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Paul is a highly respected practitioner who thinks with pure clarity. He is a fountain of knowledge and knows the law inside out. He is a true expert in defending sexual offences and is a master of tactical decision making. He is silk quality and clients are in total awe of him.' 

Ben Lloyd2

Ben Lloyd

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

‘Ben presents evidence with skill and confidence. He is always calm, approachable, sensible and has a great sense of humour. A quality advocate.’ 

Peter Ratliff2

Peter Ratliff

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Peter's advocacy is excellent: to the point, crystal clear, well thought out, always presented with the utmost reasonableness - and therefore very engaging and persuasive. He has great skill in addressing both juries and trial judges and defendants are justly worried at the prospect of being cross-examined by him.' 

Adam Payter3

Adam Payter

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

'Adam is a very bright and hard working advocate. He is extremely client friendly and can also steer witnesses and the jury through material, including technical details, in an attractive and careful way. He is a very safe pair of hands on a legal argument, with mastery of the relevant law.' 

Simon Ray3

Simon Ray

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Simon is a first class brief, who is a silk in all but name. He picks up the details of a case quickly, and understands what matters. He fights his corner fiercely but fairly and his cross-examination is well-prepared and effective.’

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.

Denis Barry2

Denis Barry

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

‘Denis is a brilliant jury advocate: he is highly articulate, amusing and quick on his feet. His style of advocacy calms and concentrates a jury taking them by the hand and leading them over what can be exceptionally difficult areas of law. He is one of the best juniors at the criminal Bar.’ 

Paul Jarvis2

Paul Jarvis

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Paul is a highly respected practitioner who thinks with pure clarity. He is a fountain of knowledge and knows the law inside out. He is a true expert in defending sexual offences and is a master of tactical decision making. He is silk quality and clients are in total awe of him.' 

Ben Lloyd2

Ben Lloyd

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

‘Ben presents evidence with skill and confidence. He is always calm, approachable, sensible and has a great sense of humour. A quality advocate.’ 

Peter Ratliff2

Peter Ratliff

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Peter's advocacy is excellent: to the point, crystal clear, well thought out, always presented with the utmost reasonableness - and therefore very engaging and persuasive. He has great skill in addressing both juries and trial judges and defendants are justly worried at the prospect of being cross-examined by him.' 

Adam Payter3

Adam Payter

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

'Adam is a very bright and hard working advocate. He is extremely client friendly and can also steer witnesses and the jury through material, including technical details, in an attractive and careful way. He is a very safe pair of hands on a legal argument, with mastery of the relevant law.' 

Simon Ray3

Simon Ray

Chambers of Simon Denison KC

 ‘Simon is a first class brief, who is a silk in all but name. He picks up the details of a case quickly, and understands what matters. He fights his corner fiercely but fairly and his cross-examination is well-prepared and effective.’