We recognise that clients demand specialist knowledge from barristers who are technically astute, excellent in court and aware of wider commercial issues and personable.
The St Philips Chambers Criminal Group is one of the leading criminal barrister teams in the country for criminal law. We boast a team of 7 King’s Counsel and 36 juniors allowing us to provide both strength and depth of representation and, of course, the highest levels of advocacy.
Our members appear in all types of criminal Courts in the Country from the Magistrates’ Court to the Supreme Court (formerly the House of Lords). The cases in which members of the group are instructed regularly feature in the law reports and in the press. Members of the team are also regularly listed in the Legal 500 and Chambers Directories as being “leaders in their field.”
We are both criminal defence barristers and prosecution barristers. Our caseload includes cases of murder, manslaughter (including corporate manslaughter), terrorism, serious sexual offences, fraud, business crime and large-scale drug conspiracies. Members of the group also appear in many matters of lesser criminality which nevertheless have devastating consequences for those facing such charges. Our sub-group headings give more detail about the cases we deal with and the services we offer.
Many members of the Group are listed as preferred counsel by key national defence firms as well as the Attorney General, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office.
The team is well represented in the judiciary with a significant number of members sitting part-time as either Recorders in the Crown Court or Deputy District Judges in the Magistrates’ Court.
We are committed to the profession and the development of necessary skills. Individual members of the group have roles on the Bar Council and within the Criminal Bar Association. The group also has a substantial number of advocacy trainers for the Midland Circuit and the Inns of Court.
We deal with publicly funded and privately funded cases. Many of our group are Public Access and Direct Access trained. This allows for direct instruction by members of the public in appropriate cases without the need for the instruction of a solicitor as well, or direct instruction from another professional.
‘The strongest spread of counsel at all levels in criminal work, including the best selection of silks in the Midlands.’ Legal 500 2023
“The premier set for crime in Birmingham. Many of its members go to the bench or take silk. It is a breeding ground for high-quality advocates.” Legal 500 2023
“The clerking is brilliant. They are absolutely on top of their game.” Chambers & Partners 2022
“St. Philips Chambers is a large set of chambers, offering enormous depth in the criminal department. Their training programmes are well presented, informative and hugely popular.” Legal 500 2022
“Strength in depth in all areas of practice. Strongest criminal team in the Midlands.” Legal 500 2022
Andrew Rourke, Su Turner Gilbert, Hannah Rae, Somaya Shaikh and Megan Shorney.
The Defendant had driven his car into a crowd of young adults on the pavement outside a takeaway in Oswestry. The Crown’s case was that he had done so deliberately...
We are delighted to confirm that Clare Rennie has joined St Philips Chambers as a tenant following the successful completion of her pupillage. Clare joins our Criminal and Regulatory Groups,...
Kevin Hegarty KC and Ben Williams prosecute a high profile murder trial at Stafford Crown Court. The Defendant drove a car into a crowd of young adults gathered on the...
Following an 8-week trial at Stafford Crown Court, Christopher Millington KC, leading Tom Walkling, and instructed by Eddowes Waldron Solicitors, secured the unanimous acquittal of their client, charged with murder...
Following a trial at Warwick Crown Court, Carl Templar-Vasey’s client is acquitted of attempted murder. Carl was instructed by David Latham of Penmans law https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-65040623
Jennifer Josephs, led by Kevin Hegarty KC, prosecuted Jay Gallier at Wolverhampton Crown Court for the murder of pensioner Barry Johnson from Brierley Hill. Please see the links below for...
We are delighted to advise that Kiran Pourawal has accepted tenancy within our Criminal Group. A Grade 3 panel advocate, Kiran prosecutes and defends in serious criminal offences including murder, grievous bodily...
Ben Close leading Matthew Cullen successfully prosecuted the trial of a courier of 107kg of high-purity cocaine, in what is believed to be amongst Leicestershire’s largest ever drug seizures. The...
Ben Close leading Catherine Ravenscroft have secured convictions of all 5 defendants who carried out an audacious armed robbery of a jewellers, the footage of which went ‘viral’. The robbers...
Following a 6-day trial, Blondel Thompson instructed by Ian Larkin of Mann and Co Solicitors secured an acquittal for her client charged with historical sexual offences of Rape and Indecent...
St Philips Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board.
55 Temple Row
Birmingham
B2 5LS
0121 246 7000
DX 723240 Birmingham 56
29 Park Square
Leeds
LS1 2PQ
© 2023 St Philips Chambers. All Rights Reserved.
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