187 Chambers are delighted to have been recognised, once again, in the Legal 500 2023 rankings. Please see rankings below and via the Legal 500 website here.
SOUTH EASTERN CIRCUIT > CRIME (GENERAL AND FRAUD) TIER 2
‘A high-quality set’ 187 Chambers Chambers is well known for prosecuting and defending cases involving murders, fraud, rape, and serious sexual offences cases. Junior Neil Fitzgibbon successfully defended a railway guard prosecuted for endangering the lives of his passengers. In July 2021, Simon Mayo KC (as was) was appointed to the circuit bench at the Old Bailey.
Leading Silks
Richard Christie KC –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Richard is tenacious and unstoppable in seeking to unearth points in his client’s favour.’
Ranked: Tier 1
Leading Juniors
Matthew Bagnall –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Matthew works incredibly hard, is very diligent in his approach to the cases and is entirely reliable. He is particularly adept at dealing with any electronic evidence and presenting it in a very jury friendly fashion.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Neil FitzGibbon –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Neil is an excellent advocate, persuasive with juries and is thorough in preparation with a good manner with clients. He carries particular expertise in health and safety and gross negligence manslaughter cases.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Peter Guest –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Peter is highly attuned to the needs of his lay clients, is robust in his defence and is careful in strategic planning.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Christopher Kerr –187 Chambers Chambers
Ranked: Tier 3
Donal Lawler –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Donal is commercially minded and very good with clients.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Emma Nash –187 Chambers Chambers ‘Emma is very hardworking and highly efficient. She is a focused, diligent and intelligent advocate.’
Ranked: Tier 3
James Onalaja –187 Chambers Chambers
Ranked: Tier 3
Testimonials
Set
‘The set has a reputation for excellence in advocacy in offering first-class service.’
‘187 Chambers Chambers has a good range of counsel.’
‘Efficient and communicate well with instructing solicitors.’
‘The set has good strength in depth.’
Clerking
‘John Pyne is very good at his job and is always on the phone to help.’
‘John Pyne, the senior clerk, is very efficient and provides a service of a high standard. Steve Parr, the deputy clerk, together with the other clerks, works really hard in providing a good service in finding replacement counsels.’
LONDON BAR > CRIME TIER 4
‘A very high quality of barristers in the criminal section’, the criminal defence set at 187 Chambers specialises in complex cases involving multi handed gang murders, sexual offences, drugs conspiracies and human trafficking. Jason Bartfeld KC successfully defended a man accused of disposing of a weapon after the execution-style murder of two men found dead in a Range Rover on an industrial estate in Dudley. Mozammel Hossain KC achieved an acquittal in a 10-week long eight-handed murder trial involving two rival groups of armed men and a pre-arranged fight in a park. Greg Unwin is representing the lead defendant, who is accused of trafficking Czech nationals into the UK to work in factories, in a case stemming from “Operation Balleh”.
Leading Silks
Mozammel Hossain KC – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Mozammel’s advocacy skills are second to none. His dedication to his craft is a joy to see. His work ethic is inspiring, and his approach to his cross examinations are borne out of his hard work and attention to detail.’
Ranked: Tier 2
Richard Christie KC – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Richard is a work horse of a barrister, who leaves no stone unturned. He remains caring and compassionate while never taking his foot off the pedal.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Jason Bartfeld KC – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Jason is a formidable advocate of the old school. He is a real pugilist who cross-examines with devastating affect and with an effortless and consummate charm.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Leading Juniors
Rebecca Lee – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Rebecca is a cool and calm advocate delivering her advocacy in meticulous fashion, and creates a confident and trustworthy rapport with her clients, opposing counsel and judges.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Greg Unwin – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Greg’s abilities as a formidable advocate and tactician are being increasingly-recognised .’
Ranked: Tier 3
Neil Fitzgibbon – 187 Chambers Chambers
Ranked: Tier 3
Avirup Chaudhuri – 187 Chambers Chambers
Ranked: Tier 4
Testimonials
Set
‘187 Chambers has a very high quality of barristers in the criminal section. I have found these chambers impeccable.’
‘Strong set of chambers with a diverse range of expertise.’
‘187 Chambers is a prestigious and respected set with an array of heavyweight barristers.’
‘Good set with strength in depth.’
Clerking
‘Theresa Tyler is quick to respond to any query and will do her best to assist with finding the most suitable counsel and arranging conferences.’
‘John Pyne is one of the most experienced head clerks and will always go the extra mile to ensure any case is covered with appropriate counsel.’
LONDON BAR > BUSINESS AND REGULATORY CRIME (INCLUDING GLOBAL INVESTIGATIONS)
Leading Silks
Gideon Cammerman KC – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘ Gideon is extremely hardworking, client-focused and commercially-minded. He concentrates on both the detail and the bigger picture. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
LONDON BAR > FRAUD: CRIME
Leading Silks
Gideon Cammerman KC – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘An understated but highly-effective advocate who has excellent client care skills.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Richard Christie KC – 187 Chambers ‘Richard is a diligent, articulate advocate with a mind for detail and an ability to absorb huge amounts of information but nevertheless dilute the salient points into a coherent and effective defence strategy.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Leading Juniors
Henry Hughes – 187 Chambers ‘Henry is fiercely bright and incredibly hard working. He maintains a calm composure always and often during very stressful situations that arise inevitably during trial. He keeps everyone on track.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Greg Unwin – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Greg is an understated but highly-effective advocate who has excellent client care skills.’
Ranked: Tier 4
Peter Guest – 187 Chambers Chambers ‘Exceptional advocate with a huge amount of courtroom presence – respected by judges and peers alike. Brilliant legal mind and tactically astute.’
Ranked: Tier 4
LONDON BAR > PROCEEDS OF CRIME (POCA) AND ASSET FORFEITURE
Leading Juniors
Anna Keighley – 187 Chambers ‘A superb POCA lawyer. Brilliant on the law. Defends and prosecutes with equal alacrity. Has some significant higher court cases to her name. A star.’
Ranked: Tier 3