The Criminal Practice

It is 13 King’s Bench Walk’s policy to offer experience and expertise in criminal work at all levels. To that end, the team has more than doubled in numbers over the last 5 years and currently consists of some 25 members ranging in call dates from July 1967 to October 2006. All members of the team are available for both prosecution and defence work and are criminal law specialists. All practise from both Oxford and London.

13 KBW is an established set of chambers, with a considerable breadth of practice and advocacy experience. It is large enough to attract and retain high calibre practitioners, but sufficiently small to maintain personal contact with professional clients. We have wide and varied experience in all fields of litigation, and have over the last ten years developed and maintained a very successful criminal team.

We take a commercial approach by combining prompt action with practical advice. We recognise the problems facing those involved in criminal work and feel the best way to assist busy solicitors is to provide a team of barristers to cover the full range of criminal work from bail applications before magistrates to complex fraud and murder in the Crown Court.

Our members include Leading Counsel, senior Juniors and Juniors with experience in all fields, which will enable you to work with individuals you know and respect. This helps us to provide you with an efficient and cost effective service.

Many members of our team have appeared in the Court of Appeal, and a number in the House of Lords. We both prosecute and defend, which enables us to take a balanced approach to every case. Senior members try cases as Recorders, and a number have gone on to full tine Judicial appointments. A past head of chambers was the Recorder of Birmingham, the senior Crown Court judge in that city.

Five members of the team are members of the Attorney General list for the south eastern circuit to prosecute in cases brought by HM Revenue & Customs, DTI, and DEFRA. We also have an established team of specialists in Prison Law, having experience before High Court Judges on Judicial Reviews, Adjudicators and the Parole Board.

We are a London set with dedicated Oxford chambers, the largest criminal set in the Thames Valley. We practise predominantly throughout the new South Eastern circuit, but are happy to travel anywhere.

In any given year the criminal team is involved in about three hundred jury trials, including all major crimes such as murder, rape, child abuse, death by dangerous driving, drugs and fraud. We also conduct proceedings which are by their nature quasi-criminal before professional disciplinary tribunals.

You may know some of our Counsel; we understand the importance of selecting the right individual, both for you and your client. If you have queries, the initial points of contact are the senior clerk, Kevin Kelly (kkelly@13kbw.co.uk), or our criminal clerk in Oxford, James Leverett (jleverett@13kbw.co.uk). As a team, we aim to provide excellent service to all our clients.

MEMBERS OF THE CRIMINAL TEAM

  • Nicholas Syfret QC (1979) has practised exclusively in the criminal courts for over 20 years defending and prosecuting in a full range of serious crime from murder to fraud.  He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in April 2008.  He successfully defended in a gangland murder at the Old Bailey.  Subsequent cases have included several murders, including a mother child case, alleged incestuous child abuse, and the defence of a soldier accused of stealing army explosives; all of these cases have attracted local and some national publicity.  He continues to take instructions in private road traffic cases where his four cases since April 2008 have all resulted in acquittals. 
  • Adrian Redgrave QC (1968) has 40 years' experience covering all aspects of criminal law. He has conducted numerous murder trials including multiple murders. He has acted for the defence in rape and child sexual abuse cases and certain high-profile cases such as the Hackney vote rigging conspiracy, and the "Who wants to be a Millionaire" coughing trial. He prosecuted the Birmingham Riots trials. He has appeared both for and against the Health and Safety Executive in fatal cases.
  • Anthony McGeorge (1969) has extensive experience defending and prosecuting in cases across the whole spectrum of crime. He was recently involved, as a leading junior in a trial, successfully defending a young Irish man for conspiracy to commit armed robbery, which lasted 158 days (including a 43 day voire dire) on the Western Circuit.
  • David Bright (1976) 
    is a Recorder of many years’ standing. He has extensive experience in all fields of criminal law, both prosecuting and defending.  He has particular expertise relating to serious frauds and sensitive sexual offences and, further, has a considerable interest in and knowledge of forensic matters, particularly DNA, questioned documents and fingerprints. His most recent cases (2010-2011) have included the successful defence (twice) of an alleged arsonist and, also, the successful prosecution of a complex fraud involving four defendants. Current cases (2011) include a major fraud (prosecuting), an alleged rape (defending) and an alleged excess-alcohol offence (private defence).
  • Nigel Daly (1979) prosecutes and defends in many serious criminal cases including drugs, fraud, sexual offences, murder and causing death by dangerous driving. He has recently specialised in white collar and serious fraud cases.
  • Paul Harrison (2006) was admitted as a solicitor in 1980 and called to the Bar in 2006. Paul joined 13 KBW from the CPS in 2010. He has extensive experience as an advocate in both Magistrates and Crown courts and is a well known figure in the Thames Valley courts.
  • Andrew Pote (1983) has developed a significant practice, both prosecuting and defending, in specialised areas such as trading standards, food safety, pollution, and secondary legislation. He also prosecutes and defends in general crime, and defends especially in privately funded road traffic and Courts Martial cases.
  • Jonathan Coode (1984) has specialised in criminal work, both prosecution and defence, throughout his time at the Bar.  Latterly he has dealt with areas of crime including murder, rape, tax and other fraud, drugs, armed robbery, child abuse and all manner of other matters involving violence and dishonesty.   Recently as leading junior defended an insider in £1.6 million bank fraud, a dentist in a high value NHS fraud and one of 12 defendants in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs trial which lasted 10 months leading to his client’s acquittal.
  • Hugh Williams (1992) previously qualified as a solicitor in 1987, and became a barrister in 1992.  He specialises in criminal law and has a wide experience in all levels of criminal work, both prosecuting and defending including offences involving serious violence, sexual offences, drugs, theft and associated offences; road traffic offences, particularly those arising out of fatal accidents; health and safety prosecutions; and court martial and related proceedings.
  • Arthur Blake (1988) practices mainly in the major London courts where he undertakes Prison Law and immigration work, he has extensive experience in the Divisional Court in the area of Judicial Review.
  • Edmund Walters (1991) has extensive experience of defending and prosecuting criminal cases in both the crown court and the magistrates’ court.  He undertakes a wide range of regulatory work for local authorities and for defendants and appellants, in areas such as fraud, environmental law and licensing. He is also experienced in Court Martial. 
  • Jennifer Edwards (1992) joined 13 KBW in 2005. Her experience covers all aspects of criminal litigation. She appears for both Prosecution and Defence and has conducted a large number of serious cases many of which involve vulnerable witnesses. She became a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Court) in March 2003.
  • Peter Coombe (1993) practised from 2 Harcourt Buildings for 8 years working in London and on the Western Circuit.  Since moving to 13 KBW in 2002, he has continued to prosecute and defend in the full range of criminal cases including the most serious such as fraud, murder, manslaughter, large scale drug supply, rape and child abuse
  • Nikki Duncan (1994) 
    practiced in London and on this Circuit before joining 13 KBW in 2000. She has considerable criminal experience, both defending and prosecuting. Amongst the more serious cases she has conducted recently are matters of attempted murder, manslaughter, rape, multi-handed conspiracies to rob and frauds.
  • Rachel Drake (1995) has prosecuted and defended in a wide variety of serious criminal cases, demonstrating a sensitive and thorough approach in her advocacy and developing a strong practice within the Thames Valley area. Her recent instructions have included serious sexual allegations, dishonesty and violence. She has particular expertise in cases involving children, both as witnesses and defendants.
  • Alice Robert son (1996) practiced from 6 Pump Court for 7 years, working predominantly in London. Since moving to 13KBW in 2003, she has prosecuted and defended in a wide variety of serious criminal cases.
  • Alistair Grainger (1998) joined Chambers in 2005. He is instructed in matters of serious crime. He appears for both the prosecution and defence. He has recently appeared in matters of large scale drug conspiracy, rape, murder and fraud to name but a few.  He has defended in Courts Martial and appeared in parole board hearings and prison disciplinary matters.
  • Henry James (1999) joined 13 KBW in September 2006.  His practice is almost exclusively criminal, undertaking a wide variety of cases for both the prosecution and the defence.  His experience includes murder, serious sexual and violent assaults, fraud and large scale drugs conspiracies. 
  • Jane Brady (2001) joined chambers in 2005 following pupillage and 3 years' practice at St Paul's chambers in Leeds.  Jane quickly built up a very busy criminal practice on the Thames Valley, acting for both the defence and prosecution and has been briefed in murder cases, white collar crime, serious violence, arson, drugs conspiracies and serious sexual offences. In 2008, together with Nigel Daly, she represented an Animal Rights' Campaigner in a 3 month Conspiracy to Blackmail trial and was the only Defendant to be acquitted by the jury.
  • Joanne Sear (2004) joined Chambers in 2005 and practises in criminal and civil law. She prosecutes and defends all areas of crime, from violence and sexual assaults to fraud and business related offences. She has experience of starting cases in the Divisional Court, the Courts Martial system, and the Coroners Court.
  • Timothy Boswell (2004) became a tenant in Chambers in October 2005. He covers the whole range of criminal law, dealing with matters ranging from theft to more complex frauds and violent matters, including s18 and s20. He also has particular expertise in road traffic law.
  • Jane Malcolm (2005) became a member of Chambers in October 2006, following her successful pupillage. Jane is a criminal specialist building up substantial experience in the Magistrates' Court and in the Crown Court.  She is also building up experience in Prison Law, with a particular interest in Parole Board hearings and in the Coroner’s Court.
  • Matthew Corrie (2006) became a member of Chambers in October 2007 His practice involves prosecuting and defending criminal matters primarily in the Crown Court but also in the Magistrates' Court. He also has particular expertise in road traffic law and experience of the Courts Martial system
  • Trudi Yeatman (2006) became a member of Chambers in October 2008 following her successful completion of pupillage. Her practice is predominantly criminal, acting for both the defence and prosecution, but she is also available for civil law matters.
  • Steve Molloy (2008) became a member of Chambers in October 2010.  His practice involves prosecuting and defending criminal matters in the Crown Court, Youth Court and the Magistrates' Court.  He has particular experience with clients and witnesses with disabilities and other special needs.

DOOR TENANT

  • Julian Baughan QC (1967) has considerable experience of all aspects of serious and particularly commercial crime. He has appeared in many substantial fraud cases, involving fraudulent trading, insider dealing etc. From 1982-1990 he was standing Junior Counsel to the Department of Trade & Industry at the Central Criminal Court. He has prosecuted and defended in many murder and other serious trials in the Thames Valley and elsewhere.
  • Paul W Reid (1975) has 30 years' experience, covering all aspects of common law, criminal and civil, including personal injury, contract, sale of goods, matrimonial finance, child care and professional negligence. He now practises entirely in serious crime, with advisory work in Club Law. He has appeared in all division of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the House of Lords.
  • Colin Tapper (1961) is a barrister, a Fellow of Magdalen College and Emeritus Professor of Law in the University of Oxford. He is author of Computers and the Law and Computer Law, and editor of Crime, Proof and Punishment and Handbook of European Software Law. He was a pupil of Sir Rupert Cross, and agreed to co-operate with him in the editing of the sixth edition of Cross on Evidence. He has edited the last four editions of this work.

We operate as a team, covering for each other when listing officers are unable to accommodate counsel’s commitments. Thorny legal problems receive the benefit of discussion and research by other members of the team, unless, as sometimes happens, we are instructed on the same case on both sides, when no quarter is asked or given.

Our Chambers’ policy is to carry out our daily business without direct or indirect discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, religion or political persuasion.

THE CRIMINAL TEAM

Practice Leader: Jennifer Edwards 1992

SILKS

JUNIORS OVER 20 YEARS' CALL

JUNIORS OVER 10 YEARS' CALL 

JUNIORS UNDER 10 YEARS' CALL

DOOR TENANT

  • Professor Colin Tapper
  • Julian Baughan QC 1967
  • Paul Reid 1975