‘St John’s Buildings is a brilliant set.’

‘The set as a whole is strong.’

‘St John’s buildings is a large chambers with good strength in depth and a range of expertise.’

‘A very strong set with talent at all levels.’

– Legal 500 2024

Client service: “The clerks are brilliant and they keep me informed at every stage. They are perfect.”

“The clerks provide a seamless service.”

– Chambers UK Bar 2024

Our Criminal Law team comprises more than 80 junior counsel and six King’s Counsel, operating nationally out of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Chester. We provide specialist advisory and advocacy services in every aspect of criminal law, including:

  • Murder and manslaughter
  • Serious violent and sexual offences
  • Child abduction and sexual exploitation
  • Drug trafficking
  • Human trafficking
  • Serious and organised crime
  • Fraud and financial crime
  • Road traffic offences
  • Regulatory offences
  • Courts Martial

Members of Chambers regularly appear in some of the most serious and complex cases in the Crown Court,  whether prosecuting on behalf of the CPS,  HM Revenue and Customs or other prosecuting authorities, as well as undertaking similarly high profile and complex defence work.  Examples include:

  • Lucy Letby (Countess of Chester Hospital murders)
  • Levi Bellfield (murder of Milly Dowler)
  • Mark Bridger (murder of April Jones)
  • Ian Watkins and others (child abuse involving former Lostprophets singer)

The range of expertise and wealth of experience we offer is, in our view, unrivalled in the North of England. Whether the case is being heard in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court or Court of Appeal, members of our criminal team will combine thorough preparation with the very highest standards of oral and written advocacy to provide both instructing solicitors and clients with an exceptional service. In order to assist you in finding the right specialist, we have identified those members of our team who have particular expertise in fraud & financial crime, Magistrates Court Work, Crown Court & Appeals and Courts Martial & Service law and you can view those teams through the navigation bar on this page. If you are unsure which expert is best for your case you can call your local chambers at the telephone numbers below or you can email clerk@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk and we will call you back.

We have an extremely high standard of conferencing facilities within Chambers, including telephone and video-conferencing facilities and, but we are happy to travel to the offices of those instructing us for conferences.  Our modern facilities and our business standards are tailored to delivering a high quality, friendly, and flexible service to meet the demands of all our clients.