Crime

 

             

 

“St John’s Buildings is a wholly professional and reliable set, and has a solid foundation of excellent tenants equipped to deal with the most complex of criminal cases.”

 

“A wonderful set that will always make counsel available even at short notice. One of the greatest strength is that they rarely let you down replacing counsel.” Legal 500 2023

 

“An impressive set for serious criminal matters housing a dedicated bench of barristers operating out of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Chester. Members are highly regarded for their handling of cases relating to murder and manslaughter, drug trafficking, serious violence and sexual offences. The set is also regularly instructed in matters involving organised crime and high-value frauds, and its barristers act for both the prosecution and the defence.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

Our Criminal Law team comprises more than 100 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:

• Levi Bellfield (murder of Milly Dowler)
• Mark Bridger (murder of April Jones)
• Razaq and others (child sexual exploitation in Rotherham)
• 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.

“The clerks at St John’s Buildings are excellent. They communicate effectively. They are also accommodating and will go the extra mile.” Chambers UK Bar 2023

 

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.

Directory recommendations

“St John’s Buildings has ‘experienced barristers‘ in its crime practice group. Members of the set have expertise handling cases involving murder and manslaughter, serious violent and sexual offences, child abduction and sexual exploitation, and drug trafficking.” Legal 500 2022

“Sports a strong criminal team of barristers who are regularly instructed across the full spectrum of cases. Practitioners regularly handle complex and serious criminal matters such as homicide offences, drug trafficking and organised crime. The team act as prosecution for a number of prosecuting authorities including the CPS and HMRC as well as undertaking criminal defence work.” Chambers & Partners 2019

“Past work for St John’s Buildings’ crime team includes attempted murder and manslaughter, organised crime and drug trafficking cases.” Legal 500 2019

“The criminal group at St John’s Buildings is well versed in cases of serious sexual offences, homicide, large-scale drugs conspiracies and fraud.” Legal 500 2017

“The range and depth of expertise that its barristers have to offer means they are frequently instructed in high-profile and serious cases on the Northern Circuit and across the UK.” Chambers and Partners 2016

“St John’s Buildings is one of the Northern Circuit’s pre-eminent sets. Its members regularly act on some of the most serious cases in the Crown Court for both the Crown and the defence. Its members are particularly noted for their expertise in high-profile murder cases.” Chambers & Partners 2015