The Bar - Regional Bar • Wales and Chester Circuit
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Crime (general and fraud)

Linenhall Chambers

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Linenhall Chambers is widely praised as an ‘excellent set’ and is ‘highly regarded for both the quality of its barristers and its clerking team’. Owen Edwards KC is often instructed by those charged with historic sexual offences and road traffic offences. Moreover, since taking silk last year he has acted in several high-profile murder trials, including for the prosecution in a case concerning a murder committed by an 85-year-old former solder at a sheltered housing complex in Sandbach, Cheshire. Simon Rogers, ‘the go-to barrister for serious and heavyweight cases on the circuit’, recently defended a father charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of his disabled teenage daughter, who died as a result of long-term neglect during lockdown. Ultimately, the defendant was sentenced to 10 years in prison in the first televised sentencing hearing in Welsh legal history. Anna Pope is well known for her expertise in cases involving rape and other serious sexual offences, particularly those with vulnerable witnesses. Having joined the group in December 2023 from Kenworthy’s Chambers in Manchester, Denise Fitzpatrick brings with her a broad practice covering sexual offences and fraud matters. James Coutts stands out for his ‘approachable manner when addressing juries.’

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Ryan Turner and Gareth Stickels provide great service. They are efficient and always contactable.'
  • 'Linenhall Chambers has good counsel for all types of cases.'
  • 'The most prominent set in North Wales and Chester. They have an excellent reputation and receive the lion’s share of instructions.'
  • 'Linenhall Chambers is a long-standing and well-established set of chambers offering a broad range of legal services. There are many distinguished members of the judiciary who practised from the chambers before going to the bench. The criminal team in particular is strong and favoured for serious prosecutions and defence cases in the local area.'
  • 'Linenhall Chambers has a good number of barristers who can provide cover. The clerks are most helpful.'
  • 'They are very efficient and approachable.'
  • 'The clerks are very capable do their very best to accommodate any request.'

Silks

2023 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.
Owen Edwards KC
Linenhall Chambers
‘Owen has an excellent grasp of the detail and is an excellent advocate able to put juries at ease in English or Welsh. As importantly, he has a very easy manner with defendants who are going through an incredibly stressful period. He puts them at ease, builds rapport and explains difficult concepts simply.’

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.
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Anna Pope
Linenhall Chambers
 'Anna is an excellent barrister. She is extremely bright, has an excellent grasp of the law, is quick to see the issue, and resolves matters in a pragmatic way. She is also very personable and relates to people very easily.'
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Simon Rogers
Linenhall Chambers
‘Criminal litigators must be quick off the mark to instruct Simon given his great popularity as a defence and prosecution advocate. He is the go-to barrister for serious and heavy weight cases on the circuit. He has a calm, approachable manner with the clients, is methodical and thorough in his preparations, and forceful and persuasive before judge and juries. Among the premier counsel for North Wales and Cheshire.’
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Denise Fitzpatrick
Linenhall Chambers
  'Denise is one of a kind. Her knowledge of the law is abundant, her service to clients is spectacular, and is a truly quick thinker in the courtroom. '
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Jade Tufail
Linenhall Chambers
‘Jade is always professional, diligent, thorough and exceptionally able. On every occasion, without exception, she completes tasks to a high standard and inspires the utmost faith in her ability. Without doubt she will reach the very top of her profession.’
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James Coutts
Linenhall Chambers
‘James has an excellent manner with clients, is very down to earth and personable. That approach is mirrored before juries.’
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Ryan Rothwell
Linenhall Chambers
‘Ryan is always well-prepared to deal with the cases that he has for that day and trials that are listed within a short time. He has a good rapport with victims and witnesses when they attend court.’
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Ember-Jade Wong
Linenhall Chambers
‘Ember is utterly fearless when defending clients. Her grasp of the subject matter and interactions with clients and courts is impeccable. Her advocacy is also skilled and persuasive.’
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Frances Willmott
Linenhall Chambers
‘Frances is clearly a barrister with a high intellect who approaches cases with detailed and thorough preparation, maintaining a strong sense of professionalism throughout. She is articulate in her advocacy and grasps the pertinent issues with a no-nonsense approach. Frances is not shy to argue her point vehemently.’  

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