Criminal Law

View Team Members »
View Cases »  Appellate Extradition Homicide International Criminal Law Regulatory and Financial Crime Terrorism & Political Crime Other Serious Crime
View What the Directories Say »

The Criminal Team is the largest practice team at Doughty Street Chambers. The Team comprises 38 dedicated specialist criminal practitioners, including 13 Queen's Counsel. For twenty years the DSC Criminal Team has provided specialist advice and advocacy of the highest quality in every aspect of criminal law. We have represented defendants in the most difficult and demanding cases, appearing at every level of the domestic courts throughout the country and in all of the International tribunals. The breadth and diversity of the team, and the quality and commitment of individual members, is second to none. We combine substantial forensic expertise with specialist knowledge of human rights in the context of every category of national and international crime. These include terrorism, homicide, fraud, financial and regulatory crime, courts martial, serious drugs trafficking, money laundering, sexual offences, political crime, extradition and international criminal and humanitarian law. To illustrate the range and depth of experience, further details of such categories of work are provided under 'Specialist Areas' below.

2010 was a highly successful year for the Criminal Team at Doughty Street Chambers. Members of the team were instructed in a substantial percentage of the major criminal trials and appeals of the year. By way of illustration, members of the Team have represented two former MPs David Chaytor and Jim Devine for fraudulent accounting in relation to parliamentary expenses, Julian Assange (Wikileaks) and the environmental activists whose case collapsed as a result of the involvement of an undercover police officer, Mark Kennedy. This is a testament to the first class service provided by the DSC Criminal Team.

The DSC Criminal Team also has a particularly high reputation in appellate work both here and abroad, and also in the international tribunals. Members appear regularly in high profile, complex and important criminal appeals, including capital appeals, in the Privy Council, Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. We are frequently instructed in criminal related civil cases and public enquiries as a result of the breadth of skills and experience within the team. Many of our practitioners have written, broadcast and lectured on criminal law and human rights in the UK and overseas. Several are the authors or editors of seminal text books on the criminal law, evidence and procedure, or regular contributors to the professional journals.

The breadth of experience, talent and commitment within the Doughty Street Criminal Team is exceptional and bears comparison with any other crime set in the country. There are other criminal chambers with strong and talented general crime teams. But few if any offer the range and consistent quality of legal expertise in key specialist areas that run from terrorism, homicide and serious fraud and other serious crime through to international and humanitarian law. And all of this is set against the human rights approach that characterises the whole of Doughty Street Chambers.

Members of the DSC Criminal Team are supported in their research by first rate informational technology and knowledge resources, and by a panel of academic experts who are associate tenants at Doughty Street. We have a dedicated clerking team to offer a prompt, proactive and responsive service to solicitors.

Team Members

Seminars & CPD

 

• Murder: New Versus Old Diminished Responsibility: Legal and Psychiatric Perspectives - THIS EVENT IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

  Thursday 9 February 2012 from 18:00 to 19:30

  Speakers: Edward Fitzgerald QC , Doughty Street Chambers Professor Nigel Eastman, Venue: 53-54 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LS Cost: Free CPD: 1.5 Points The Coroners and Justice …

  
  

• Community care issues for children in the criminal justice system

  Wednesday 22 February 2012 from 18:30 to 20:00

  Chair: Isabella Forshall QC , Doughty Street Chambers Speakers: Paul Bowen & Caoilfhionn Gallagher , Doughty Street Chambers Venue: 53-54 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LS Cost: …

  
  

• Milestones in International Criminal Justice

  

  Tuesday 28 February 2012 from 18:00 to 20:00

  Venue: Doughty Street Chambers, 54 Doughty Street, London, WC1N 2LS Cost: Free This seminar, part of a series co-hosted by Doughty Street Chambers and Chatham House, will focus on two issues …

  
  

Cases

To view an up to date list of cases, please click on the relevant area:

• Appellate
• Extradition
• Homicide
• International Crime
• Regulatory and Financial Crime
• Terrorism and Political Crime
• Other Serious Crime

What the Directories say

Chambers & Partners, 2011

"Organised, friendly and accessible," the team at Doughty Street Chambers is widely known for doing the most pro bono hours out of any criminal set. Although members are able to handle any serious criminal case, the set is particularly geared towards murder, terrorism and human rights matters. It also houses a number of excellent extradition lawyers who are collectively noted for "going from strength to strength."

When a case "requires something extra," instructing solicitors go for Edward Fitzgerald QC, the set's leading player for both general crime and extradition. Recent extradition cases for him include Serbia v Ganic, which concerned a former member of the Bosnian presidency fighting extradition to Serbia. One particularly impressed source highlighted Fitzgerald's "unrivalled ability in the Court of Appeal when it comes to delivering forceful and complex arguments in a committed and skilled manner." Also a favourite with solicitors, Michael Grieve QC specialises in criminal law with a particular focus on corruption and commercial fraud. Applauded for his "extremely hard work and impressive advocacy skills," Grieve has recently been involved in a number of money-laundering cases. Christopher Sallon QC is a "brilliant trial lawyer with a lovely court manner." In addition to his involvement in several murder trials in the past year he has also prosecuted on behalf of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in a political corruption case.

"Fantastic junior" Rebecca Trowler is regularly instructed in the most serious and complex criminal cases, often handling matters with a significant human rights dimension. Her "excellent judgement and fine analytical skills" were commented on, as was the fact that she recently represented two defendants in one of the largest and most complex animal rights protestor cases ever. Of the sets junior extradition experts, John Jones is admitted to practise law in the District of Columbia, USA and the Kingdom of Cambodia, as well as the UK. He is noted for being "extremely hard-working and diligent." Ben Cooper has been in a number of important extradition cases recently. These include a case concerning an alleged plot to bomb New York and India v Patel, a matter relating to the terrorist bombing of railway stations.

Legal 500, 2010

Doughty Street Chambers provides a 'consistently high level of service'. Edward Fitzgerald QC is 'a true intellectual giant - a top-class extradition and appellate lawyer ', and Christopher Sallon QC is 'an incisive cross-examiner and a fantastic jury advocate'. Jill Evans 'is organised, knowledgeable, thorough and committed'. Ben Cooper is 'an up-and-coming extradition barrister'. Paul Taylor is the leading junior authority on criminal appeals. Sarah Elliott, Peter Lownds, and Rebecca Trowler are also recommended.

Chambers & Partners, 2010

Specialising in murder, terrorism and human rights cases, this "very user-friendly" set holds its own amongst London's specialist crime outfits, and is often seen in cases with an international angle. In recent years, it has had a significant role in Islamic terrorism cases, as well as animal rights work of a very serious kind. The set's dedication to police law also sets it apart from the pack. Christopher Sallon QC's "quick mind and excellent communication skills" make him a favoured choice. This past year has seen him concentrating on advisory work and appeals. Joint head of the chambers and leader of the set's extradition team, Edward Fitzgerald QC is "top-class and a guarantee of excellence." He has recently been acting in the McKinnon case and in Rwanda v Ugirashebuja and Others, concerning an individual who is wanted in Rwanda for genocide. Solicitors note that he has "a huge knowledge base and great attention to detail." He is also known for applying the "utmost dedication" to his cases. "Gifted advocate" Michael Grieve QC is a criminal defence specialist, who has particular expertise in cases involving fraud and corruption. He is popular as he "can master voluminous information quickly, is tight in cross-examination and instils confidence in judge, jury and client alike." He recently represented the main defendant in a gang-related execution. Rebecca Trowler upholds Doughty Street Chambers' reputation for producing barristers with great minds: "She is meticulous in preparation, and has a cool tactical approach." She is also "very good with clients, extremely bright and respected by judges." The recently recruited Ben Cooper further strengthens this set. He has established himself as a leading junior in extradition matters.Finally, in an interesting move Farrhat Arshad has moved from Garden Court North to Doughty Street Chambers, a set that has recently set up new premises in Manchester. "Incisive and personable," she is "great at dealing with defendants in a sensitive but assertive way."

Chambers & Partners, 2009

Doughty Street houses a number of practitioners who are regularly instructed to defend in criminal cases, the majority of which are serious in nature. The set has a fine name in the human rights field; unsurprisingly, many of its cases touch on HRA issues. A number also have an international angle. Edward Fitzgerald QC is described as "a gentleman who approaches everything he does with good grace." "Very creative and imaginative in his arguments," there is "nothing stale about him." Solicitors praise his advocacy skills, commenting that "he has a style all of his own; anyone who comes to listen to him will be spellbound by his dazzling delivery." He recently appeared in such significant cases as USA v Tollman and USA v Raissi. Christopher Sallon QC is another standout silk at Doughty Street. Specialising in heavy crime, with an emphasis on fraud, regulatory work and cases involving medicine and forensic science, he recently represented the Forensic Science Service in the independent Home Office review into forensic work carried out during the Damilola Taylor investigation.