The Bar - Regional Bar • Midland Circuit
No5 Barristers’ Chambers has expertise in handling high-profile criminal cases, including murder, financial crime, sexual abuse and drug offences, and is praised as one of the ‘leading chambers of barristers in the Midland Circuit’. Michael Duck KC has an established criminal practice and recently successfully prosecuted two young adults and a teenager who were convicted of the attempted murder of a thirteen-year-old boy in Birmingham’s Hockley Circus using an improvised firearm modified to fire shotgun cartridges; the case involved issues as to cell site analysis and the naming of the seventeen-year-old convicted. Michelle Heeley KC, who is regularly instructed for both the defence and the prosecution, prosecuted an eighteen-year-old who was convicted of killing a seventeen-year-old in Smethwick with what was referred to in the press as a “Rambo knife”; the matter involved issues of rap lyrics evidence. Ian Bridge specialises in criminal defence and has appeared in cases involving death by dangerous driving, while John O’Higgins advises on cases concerning terrorism and sexual offences.
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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.
1'Michael is calm and courteous in court, makes the complex accessible without being condescending but has immense authority. He is liked and respected by his opponents, judges and juries. He is a well-prepared prosecutor and tenacious but also sensible and reasonable.'
'Michelle is incredibly hard-working and very responsive. She has a wonderful manner with clients and strong advocacy.'
2‘Michael is one of the best prosecutors in the Midlands. His preparation is second-to-none, and his charm in court ensures he gets results where others wouldn’t.’
‘Jonas is an exceptional and skilful barrister who is meticulous in his preparation.’
'Mark is an extremely polished advocate with a calm, measured and careful approach to all aspects of his work. He has high professional standards.'
‘Adrian can distil considerable amounts of complex information simply and succinctly and, most importantly, in a way in which it makes sense to a lay jury is particularly impressive. He is fiercely bright and wins the unwinnable.’
2022 Silks
‘Harpreet is extremely responsive to his professional clients and has impeccable communication skills with lay clients, often explaining technical and complex areas of law. The delivery of his advocacy in the court is second to none, and his preparation of written submissions is outstanding.’
2023 Silks
'Philip has a good ability to engage with the issues. He is alive to the weaknesses and addresses them with the client, and while when dealing with opponents, his argument is well formulated and often novel.'
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.
‘John is very thorough and approachable. His attention to detail is remarkable. When he speaks, he ensures the entire court notices.’
‘Sharon is hard-working, knowledgeable and tenacious.’
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.
‘John is very thorough and approachable. His attention to detail is remarkable. When he speaks, he ensures the entire court notices.’
‘Sharon is hard-working, knowledgeable and tenacious.’