With a ‘fantastic array of talent from top to bottom’ 5KBW has a strong reputation for its criminal law offering. Sarah Forshaw KC is an ’outstanding silk’ with considerable experience defending in serious sexual offences cases. Mark Heywood KC, ‘a master advocate at the height of his powers’, after prosecuting at first instance, successfully represented the CPS in an appeal against sentence in R v Stanciu, a case setting out further guidance on sentencing for homicides by arson. Jonathan Polnay KC is regularly involved in high-profile cases and recently prosecuted the man charged with the killing of MP Sir David Amess. Jonathan Higgs KC prosecuted a teenager who killed another teenager in a robbery over a mobile phone in a park in Tottenham. Charlotte Newell KC and Frederick Hookway successfully prosecuted a boy, who was fourteen at the time of the offence, for the murder of twelve-year-old Ava White, who was stabbed to death in a row over a Snapchat video - reportedly the youngest victim of knife violence in England and Wales since Damilola Taylor.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Lee Hughes-Gage and Matt Harper run an efficient business.'
'Lee Hughes-Gage and Matt Harper are among the best in the industry, they go above and beyond. They are totally trustworthy and are always trying to make life easier.'
'5KBW is a very good set.'
'5KBW has a fantastic array of talent from top to bottom. They all come prepared and are ready to get the right result for clients.'
'5KBW is a trusted set that never fails to impress.'
'The clerks' room excels in case management, effectively coordinating schedules, liaising with courts, and handling administrative tasks to ensure the smooth progression of cases. Their attention to detail and organisational skills contribute significantly to the overall efficiency and success of the set.'

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.

Sarah Forshaw KC

‘She is an outstanding silk with a complete mastery of the details of a case. She is a big gun to bring out to blast prosecution cases out of the water. Sarah is a master tactician, an expert in the persuasion of a jury, and terrier like in her pursuit of disclosure.'

Mark Heywood QC

‘Mark is a master advocate at the height of his powers. He is simply one of the best criminal advocates practicing at the Bar. He works incredibly hard to prepare cases whilst managing to make complex advocacy look effortless. His advice is always focused and clear delivered in an friendly and accessible style.’

Natasha Wong QC

‘Natasha is one of the finest barristers of her generation. She has a dazzling court presence; persuasive and courageous where necessary. She is also builds excellent relationships with other counsel, instructing solicitors and defendants alike.'

Charlotte Newell KC

‘Charlotte rightly made the progression from junior to silk as a consequence of her excellent advocacy, mastery of the details of briefs, tactical prowess and ability to charm jurors.'

Anthony Orchard KC

'Anthony is universally acclaimed, tremendously effective and a real heavyweight in the court room. He is highly intelligent and meticulous and diligent in his preparation. His tactical acumen is first rate, he is always in control, and he has a calming influence which instils confidence.'

Danny Robinson KC

‘Danny is fair-minded without being in any way a soft touch. Juries are able to see that, and they trust him.'

Jonathan Higgs KC

2024 Silks

Jonathan Polnay KC

‘Jonathan is at the very top of the profession, an excellent advocate and lawyer. He is a class act: fair, hardworking, and clever. He is in so many ways just an ordinary bloke but he has an extraordinary talent.'

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.

Louise Oakley

‘Louise is exceptional. She is hard working, intelligent, articulate and utterly charming. She is universally respected and liked. She is destined for the very top.'

Jeffrey Israel

‘Jeffrey's jury-craft is superb. He grips your attention with sabre-like cross-examination and layers questions building to the skillful demolition of witness evidence.'

William Davis

‘William is a star in the making. He is always calm, collected and in control and he is a first class advocate and lawyer. He is able to deal with multiple issues at once and always in a professional and courteous manner.'

Leading Juniors

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.

Louise Oakley

‘Louise is exceptional. She is hard working, intelligent, articulate and utterly charming. She is universally respected and liked. She is destined for the very top.'

Jeffrey Israel

‘Jeffrey's jury-craft is superb. He grips your attention with sabre-like cross-examination and layers questions building to the skillful demolition of witness evidence.'

William Davis

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Crime

Chambers of Sarah Forshaw KC & Mark Heywood KC