1The Bar - Regional Bar • Northern Circuit
Exchange Chambers
Exchange Chambers is praised as a ‘veritable Northern powerhouse’ with an ’array of highly-respected practitioners’. The crime team in chambers defends and prosecutes at all levels, covering the entire spectrum of serious crime, including murder, financial crime, alleged serious sexual offending and drug offences. The set is home to John Jones KC, who has a thriving practice working exclusively for the defence in serious crime, fraud, money laundering, and insider trading cases; he acted for the defendant in a gangland murder case concerning the execution-style murder of a rival drug dealer in a public street in broad daylight in Liverpool. Gordon Cole KC has a well-established and varied practice, having acted in murder and manslaughter cases, and Ben Myers KC has substantial expertise in high-value fraud and money laundering cases. The set also houses Richard Littler KC, who has significant experience in cases concerning terrorism, fraud, and organised crime – he is acting for a defendant in a drug importation case stemming from the interception of 350kg of cocaine, 90kg of heroin and 150kg of cannabis. Mark Rhind KC is strong in high-value MTIC and tax fraud cases. Imran Shafi KC also primarily defends in serious and high-profile cases regarding murder, terrorism, and drug conspiracies – he represented a woman who was acquitted on charges concerning her alleged membership of an extreme-right group planning violence using, among others, 3D-printed firearms. Turning to the set’s juniors, David Birrell was sole counsel for a defendant who played a leading role in a case concerning the supply of 180kg of Class A drugs, involving a significant amount of Encrochat evidence. James MacAdam was appointed to the circuit bench in September 2023 as was Ian Harris in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A large clerking team with bags of experience. Head criminal clerk Nick Buckley stands out as a great networker and a real asset.'
- 'Very professional and efficient. In Manchester, this is run by chambers director Nick Buckley, who is simply a legend. He cannot be praised highly enough.'
- 'There are an abundance of clerks at this set, and Kate Masher and Neil Wright stand out. You only have to raise an issue with them once and it gets done.'
- 'Chambers' clerks, particularly from the Liverpool branch, are second to none. Graeme Hipkiss is incredible, honest, hard working, and dedicated to the role. Nothing is too much trouble for him.'
- 'Proactive and helpful. Andy Leech in Manchester and Kate Masher in Liverpool have excellent knowledge of their team and provide good advice and assistance with regards to counsel selection.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is an extremely strong and well-managed set; a veritable Northern powerhouse. They have a strength in depth which is second to none and their can-do approach runs right through the organisation.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is a fantastic set as a whole. They will advise of counsel's availability honestly which is refreshing, and if preferred counsel are not available, there are always alternate counsel available who have significant expertise.'
- 'Great range of counsel across many areas and a number of excellent barristers with a good range of experience and expertise, allowing the right choice to be made for individual clients.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is one of the best sets of chambers on the Northern Circuit.'
- 'Exchange Chambers is a powerhouse in the North. They have an array of highly-respected practitioners.'
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.
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1Hall of fameExchange Chambers
‘John has the ability to put the client at ease from their very first meeting, which is no mean feat bearing in mind the seriousness of the allegations they may face. He has a down-to-earth approach and readily engages everyone present, he is never fearful of asking people their thoughts and views, his preparation of a case does not go without notice, and his eye for detail is phenomenal.’
1Hall of fameExchange Chambers
'Richard is a very hard working silk - his advocacy, both written and verbal, are excellent. He is an excellent advocate that juries warm to, and clients are delighted to have him on their side.'
1Hall of fameExchange Chambers
‘Ben is exceptionally hardworking and time and time again masters the most serious and complex technical information. In terms of advocacy, Ben is a true heavyweight of the Bar and with good reason, as he is able to bear the immense pressure of some of the most daunting and distressing cases brought before the courts with unwavering professionalism and integrity.'
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2Hall of fameExchange Chambers
'David is highly effective cross-examiner whose meticulous preparation is used to devastating effect. He has an affable and persuasive style of advocacy which is attractive to both juries and judges.'
Hall of fameExchange Chambers
'He is highly professional, an exceptionally good lawyer equally adept in written and oral work. He is an effective and fearless advocate who advances his client's case to the absolute maximum. If I was ever in trouble I'd want him to act for me!'
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.
1Exchange Chambers
'Paul is both highly experienced and a very able advocate. He has a particularly good manner in dealing with lay clients and is able to explain often complex legal issues clearly. He is also an extremely personable character which means that he can readily engage with a jury at trial.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Andrew is very calm and controlled at all times, which keeps the client focused on the points in issue at all times, and his calm manner of presentation before the jury provides to them a confidence the case he is presenting to them is the account they should accept as a factual one.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Charlotte is an exceptional barrister. She commands the court room and she is an excellent advocate.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Damian is a barrister that fights your corner leaving no stone unturned. He is unflappable during the trial process, and his ability to withstand intense pressure from the prosecution is second to none.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘David is a dedicated barrister and a great advocate. He always masters his case, is extremely well regarded by the judiciary, and he commands the respect of his clients and solicitors through his measured and thorough approach.'
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2Exchange Chambers
‘Richard is an incredible advocate and is able to bring passion and compassion to his advocacy. He is brilliant with vulnerable defendants and has the capacity to make them feel at ease and to trust him in a very short space of time.'
2Exchange Chambers
'Michael is an extremely competent and charismatic barrister. He puts clients at ease but at the same time gives them realistic and forthright advice, he is well respected by all in the criminal justice system as a highly-experienced, first-class barrister, and he has an impressive court presence and judges really listen to him.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Charlotte is extremely well-organised, she knows the cases inside out, and is extremely good with clients. She is a superb trial advocate, and she is a tough examiner of witnesses but always maintains a fair attitude.’
3Exchange Chambers
‘David can master a case immediately upon instruction and is always fully prepared in advance of conference, having digested all evidence in the case and having identified the issues immediately. He is always available to deal with issues on a case or to provide advice, his preparation of his cases lead to successful legal argument, and his advocacy is incredible.'
3Exchange Chambers
'A fierce advocate who has honed her skills and has a real presence in court.'
3Exchange Chambers
'Huw has an excellent grasp of complex and voluminous material and is particularly skilful at cross-examining expert witnesses.'
Exchange Chambers
'Jane is tenacious and fierce in her defence advocacy. She is hard working and gets to grips with the case quickly and effectively, she is supportive of her clients and has a very easy approach with a different and sometimes difficult client base, and she is stylish in court and has an innate ability to reach a jury.'
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.
1Exchange Chambers
'Paul is both highly experienced and a very able advocate. He has a particularly good manner in dealing with lay clients and is able to explain often complex legal issues clearly. He is also an extremely personable character which means that he can readily engage with a jury at trial.'
Exchange Chambers
‘Andrew is very calm and controlled at all times, which keeps the client focused on the points in issue at all times, and his calm manner of presentation before the jury provides to them a confidence the case he is presenting to them is the account they should accept as a factual one.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Charlotte is an exceptional barrister. She commands the court room and she is an excellent advocate.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘Damian is a barrister that fights your corner leaving no stone unturned. He is unflappable during the trial process, and his ability to withstand intense pressure from the prosecution is second to none.'
1Exchange Chambers
‘David is a dedicated barrister and a great advocate. He always masters his case, is extremely well regarded by the judiciary, and he commands the respect of his clients and solicitors through his measured and thorough approach.'
12Exchange Chambers
‘Richard is an incredible advocate and is able to bring passion and compassion to his advocacy. He is brilliant with vulnerable defendants and has the capacity to make them feel at ease and to trust him in a very short space of time.'
2Exchange Chambers
'Michael is an extremely competent and charismatic barrister. He puts clients at ease but at the same time gives them realistic and forthright advice, he is well respected by all in the criminal justice system as a highly-experienced, first-class barrister, and he has an impressive court presence and judges really listen to him.'
2Exchange Chambers
‘Charlotte is extremely well-organised, she knows the cases inside out, and is extremely good with clients. She is a superb trial advocate, and she is a tough examiner of witnesses but always maintains a fair attitude.’
3Exchange Chambers
‘David can master a case immediately upon instruction and is always fully prepared in advance of conference, having digested all evidence in the case and having identified the issues immediately. He is always available to deal with issues on a case or to provide advice, his preparation of his cases lead to successful legal argument, and his advocacy is incredible.'
3Exchange Chambers
'A fierce advocate who has honed her skills and has a real presence in court.'
3Exchange Chambers
'Huw has an excellent grasp of complex and voluminous material and is particularly skilful at cross-examining expert witnesses.'
Exchange Chambers
'Jane is tenacious and fierce in her defence advocacy. She is hard working and gets to grips with the case quickly and effectively, she is supportive of her clients and has a very easy approach with a different and sometimes difficult client base, and she is stylish in court and has an innate ability to reach a jury.'