The Bar - Regional Bar • Western Circuit
Guildhall Chambers ‘has an unrivalled team of excellent criminal barristers’. Richard Smith KC, ‘a formidable trial advocate’, is well-known for handling murder cases and recently prosecuted a man who was convicted of murdering his ex-partner in the 1990s by setting her on fire; she died of her injuries more than two decades later, after the defendant had already served fifteen years of a life sentence for GBH. With a ‘beautiful advocacy style’ Andrew Langdon KC regularly defends and prosecutes in homicide and gang-related cases, among others. Christopher Quinlan KC, ‘with impeccable judgement and a formidable grasp of the law’ and Anna Vigars KC, whose ‘courtroom work is carried out with great skill and precision’, also both have broad experience in serious crimes cases, as well as in cases with several complicating factors, both evidential and medical. Ray Tully KC ‘understands every nuance of a case’ and recently acted for the defence in the case of a man who killed a stranger with a claw-hammer at a bus stop in Plymouth. Chloe Griggs, ‘a star in the making’, was recently involved in a murder trial involving a defence of diminished responsibility founded on evidence of long-term coercive control and domestic abuse.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
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.
‘Andrew is one of the most senior and impressive criminal silks in the country with a huge presence and authority in court. He has a charming style with witnesses which often wins blood out of the stoniest of them. He is outstanding and brilliant.'
‘Christopher leaves no stone unturned in his preparation and presentation of cases. He thinks through every point and this enables him to present in a sensible and highly cogent manner. His legal submissions on paper and in court are second-to-none. His attention to detail is astonishing.’
'Richard is a master of court craft. He is naturally and understatedly commanding and authoritative. He is a master of making the most difficult ideas sound straightforward and is strategically faultless.'
‘Anna is an exceptional advocate. She has a sharp and incisive mind and an ability to quickly grasp and retain large amounts of information. She also quickly builds a rapport with even the most difficult of clients.'
‘Ray is a true crime heavyweight who always has the trust of the jury. His preparation is meticulous and his knowledge of strategy and tactics is first-class.’
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.
1‘Mary is an outstanding advocate who is more than capable of handling the biggest cases. She is excellent at dealing with interventions from judges and charming with juries.'
1‘James is a first-class advocate who is always on top of his brief and presents his cases with great care and skill.’
1‘David is a robust advocate who shows no fear and is relentless in the fight. His preparation is meticulous and he grasps vast quantities of evidence and distils the salient points for lay clients, including those with significant vulnerabilities. His advocacy style draws in the jury and has them nodding along with every word.’
1‘She has extraordinary skills of organisation and so is suited to complex cases. She is also a compelling advocate and very good at managing difficult clients.'
1‘Mark is a high-class criminal barrister. He is a clever and persuasive advocate who thinks hard about the law and deploys it with fine judgement. He is probably the pre-eminent criminal junior in Bristol now.’
2‘Ramin is an outstanding advocate; highly original, compelling and extremely effective at bringing a clear perspective to a case with his unique powers of analysis. A very bright star.'
3‘Sam has a natural charisma which transmits itself to his style of advocacy. He has built up a practice which for his level of call is second to none.'
‘He is a very clever barrister whose relaxed manner and easy charm persuade judges and juries alike.'
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.
1‘Mary is an outstanding advocate who is more than capable of handling the biggest cases. She is excellent at dealing with interventions from judges and charming with juries.'
1‘James is a first-class advocate who is always on top of his brief and presents his cases with great care and skill.’
1‘David is a robust advocate who shows no fear and is relentless in the fight. His preparation is meticulous and he grasps vast quantities of evidence and distils the salient points for lay clients, including those with significant vulnerabilities. His advocacy style draws in the jury and has them nodding along with every word.’
1‘She has extraordinary skills of organisation and so is suited to complex cases. She is also a compelling advocate and very good at managing difficult clients.'
1‘Mark is a high-class criminal barrister. He is a clever and persuasive advocate who thinks hard about the law and deploys it with fine judgement. He is probably the pre-eminent criminal junior in Bristol now.’
2‘Ramin is an outstanding advocate; highly original, compelling and extremely effective at bringing a clear perspective to a case with his unique powers of analysis. A very bright star.'
3‘Sam has a natural charisma which transmits itself to his style of advocacy. He has built up a practice which for his level of call is second to none.'
‘He is a very clever barrister whose relaxed manner and easy charm persuade judges and juries alike.'