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(020) 7440 8888Chambers Review
2 Bedford Row has long had a standing in the top rank of criminal sets. It is regularly involved in high-profile cases across the full spectrum of criminal law and has practitioners, instructed for both the prosecution and defence, who have particular expertise in dealing with complex defences including insanity. One client notes: "The set is extremely competent at handling complex and sophisticated matters and the expertise of counsel is very strong." Recent cases for the set include the defence of PC Wayne Couzens.
John Grimmer is the senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are a strong team that clearly communicate well with each other and are all on the same page."
"The clerks are excellent and provide a great service. They are always happy to help and liaise with the court."
"The clerking team is responsive and proactive and will accommodate their solicitors at the best of their ability to ensure the best counsel is matched."
"We are always confident that the clerks will assist and work with us to meet our requirements as best as possible."
"The clerks are a strong team that clearly communicate well with each other and are all on the same page."
"The clerks are excellent and provide a great service. They are always happy to help and liaise with the court."
"The clerking team is responsive and proactive and will accommodate their solicitors at the best of their ability to ensure the best counsel is matched."
"We are always confident that the clerks will assist and work with us to meet our requirements as best as possible."
Notable Practitioners
Jim Sturman KC specialises in defending both high-profile and lay individuals facing serious allegations such as sexual assault, stalking and conspiracy to produce classified drugs. Sturman has further experience of dealing with offences pertaining to the dark web and EncroChat.
"He is a phenomenal barrister and has very good client care skills."
"Jim is a very accomplished criminal barrister and can turn his hand to anything."
"He is a top silk and relentless in his pursuit of the best outcome for his clients.He has an instinct for what will stick with a jury and his courtroom craft is second to none."
Charles Langley is a well-regarded barrister praised for his advocacy skills and expert knowledge. He acts in serious crime cases and is often to be seen in the Court of Appeal. Cases relating to murder, child abuse and nationwide drugs conspiracies form part of his full caseload.
"He is a really smooth advocate who reads the room very well and has good judgement."
"Charles has a very natural flair in court and a lightness of touch too. He is a great junior."
"He is really charming and a careful negotiator. He is also very savvy and has a commanding presence in court."
Christine Agnew KC is a highly regarded silk with a vast criminal practice. She regularly defends the gravest criminal matters such as child abuse, murder, manslaughter and serious sexual offences.
"She is a highly respected and sought-after silk and outstanding in all aspects of her work."
"Christine is a phenomenal advocate and her acumen, ability and client care skills are fantastic. She is very diligent, hardworking and really understands clients."
"She is an all round exceptional King's Counsel."
"Christine's written advocacy is excellent. Her applications are made proactively and carefully."
Kieran Vaughan KC is a prominent defence barrister with expertise in major criminal matters including drug smuggling, firearms, murder and attempted murder cases. He also maintains an established practice acting in Northern Ireland.
"Kieran is top-notch. He is a smooth and calculated advocate and is just brilliant in dealing with clients."
"Kieran has an excellent manner and brilliant judgement. He has fantastic knowledge of the law and the ability to turn the most difficult points. He is a fantastic advocate and very well respected."
"Kieran is a top drawer silk with a formidable presence. His cross-examination is second to none and client care is fabulous."
Tracy Ayling KC is a focused criminal practitioner who both prosecutes and defends. In silk she has handled some of the highest-profile serious sex and murder cases in the UK. She is well-known for her specialist skill in the cross-examination of very young and vulnerable witnesses.
"Tracy has a quick legal mind and deals with some of the most high profile and complex cases."
"She is a very experienced and respected silk instructed in the most serious of cases that attracts national attention."
"She is an exceptional and extremely impressive barrister."
Joint head of chambers Brian Altman KC is known for his remarkable expertise in the mostsignificant criminal cases.His general crime practice comprises high-profile murder cases and terrorism work, as well as fraud matters. He also has particular expertise in dealing with police officer and misconduct cases.
"He is incredibly capable and knows his briefings in and out."
"Brian Altman is very hard-working, very considered and a complete fighter. He does the work."
Craig Rush is an acclaimed criminal junior with a strong history of defending complex cases. He is particularly adept at handling privately funded criminal matters such as those involving homicide or firearms. He is also highlighted for his expertise in domestic violence, blackmail and international gang-related cases.
"He is a ferocious defense advocate and one of the most impressive oral advocates in a criminal court room."
"He is a fearsome advocate who has excellent client care and gives robust advice. He is tactically very astute and has a keen eye for detail."
Dean George KC undertakes a variety of serious crime work and is often instructed to defend in homicides and cases related to organised crime groups. He has further strength in cyber-crime matters and is particularly noted for the strength of his advocacy.
"He is a superstar and has a real light touch. He is a phenomenal barrister, who is really hot on the law and argues persuasively."
"He commands the courtroom, has exactly the right approach for witnesses and he goes through the papers in extremely thorough detail."
"His arguments are succinct and concise and he thinks three steps ahead. You know he won't leave a stone unturned.."
Louise Sweet KC has a strong defence practice and is particularly well-known for representing vulnerable clients in a range of complex and sensitive cases. She has experience in proceedings involving child sex abuse and multi-handed gang-related murders, among other areas.
"Louiseis a brilliant jury advocate and paints a picture with words that makes a case simple and clear."
"She is very tenacious and effective and is a good defence advocate."
"Louise takes on cases that seem unwinnable and gets brilliant results."
"He is an all round excellent and gifted barrister with great strategic acumen."
"Alastair is a very approachable and an extremely capable barrister."
"He is a very safe pair of hands and is extremely intelligent and articulate in his written arguments."
"He has brilliant advocacy skills and is meticulous in calm and effective cross-examination."
"Ashraf has a highly skilled legal mind and meticulously plans his approach."
"Rhys has a brilliant mind and grasps issues effortlessly. He is excellent with clients and makes them feel at ease: a great advocate who achieves excellent results."
"He is very diligent, produces excellent paperwork and has persuasive advocacy skills."
"Rhys is hard working,diligent and excellent when dealing with clients."
"Rhys has a first-class brain combined with a capacity for work that is unrivalled. He can sum up the most difficult concept in a sentence and is really impressive."
"He is a wonderful silk who is detail oriented and thinks outside the box to ensure the best representation. He is a compelling advocate with a lovely manner and is experienced and knowledgeable."
"He is noted for his outstanding preparation and skill as an advocate. He always impresses."
"He is extremely knowledgeable and his advocacy is excellent, as are his legal arguments."
"He is patient and jury aware, with excellent advocacy."
"Chris is able to converse with clients at all levels, which is very important, and is a strong trial advocate."
"Andrew has exceptional attention to detail and his preparation is second to none."
"Ashley shows real acumen and affable skill."
"Ashley has a really reassuring nature and clients instantly warm to him. He's always extremely well prepared, his written work is exceptional and right from an early stage he's all over the detail."
"He is superb in Court and very client-friendly in his approach."
"Jacqueline is extremely thorough and plays close attention to detail as well as being a strong advocate."
"Nick is really brilliant on the law and has an easy and confident manner in court. He is always impressive."
"Nick is eloquent and articulate and clients love him."
"Stan is a very versatile practitioner and thinks outside the box. He is very reassuring to vulnerable clients and is a flawless jury advocate."