Doughty Street Chambers’ five 2023 Silks sworn in at the King’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall

Doughty Street Chambers is immensely proud to congratulate our five 2023 Silks who were formally sworn in at the King’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall on Monday 27 March. Fiona Murphy, Joe Middleton, Jonathan Lennon, Garry Green and Benjamin Newton were appointed as King’s Counsel following the rigorous process for selection in demonstrating excellence in advocacy in the higher courts in England and Wales.

Fiona Murphy KC was one of the founders of leading police law specialist solicitors, Bhatt Murphy, and gained 20 years’ experience as a solicitor before transferring to the Bar in 2013. Fiona specialises in representing individuals who seek redress for violations of their human rights and has significant experience in both private and public law. Her practice is focused upon complex civil claims against public authorities, judicial review, and inquests and inquiries.

Joe Middleton KC is a versatile practitioner with crossover expertise in immigration, extradition, comparative and international law and human rights. Joe works on immigration, asylum and nationality cases and has led Doughty Street’s Immigration Team since 2016. His other main areas of practice include death penalty litigation and other complex constitutional and human rights cases, together with extradition work and challenges to INTERPOL red notices.

Jonathan Lennon KC is instructed in serious and complex crime and particularly in business crime.  His white collar practice encompasses serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption cases, financial, regulatory and corporate wrong-doing and serious criminal cases. Jonathan has a substantial experience in POCA/asset recovery litigation in the High Court as well as challenges to investigative orders such as search warrants, Production Orders etc. Jonathan is particularly in demand for criminal cases involving a cross-over with civil litigation.

Garry Green KC is consistently instructed to appear in serious complex crime and high-profile cases, perhaps most notably homicide trials at the Old Bailey.  His expert knowledge and brilliant advocacy has also resulted in his instruction in fraud, regulatory work and extradition. In addition to his advocacy work, Garry has advised extensively for the Howard League, Justice and several other criminal justice charities about fair representation of youths especially from Black and racialised communities. He is a trustee of the Kalisher Trust and a patron of Urban Synergy Mentoring.

Benjamin Newton KC has substantial experience across all areas of criminal law, and sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court. He is frequently instructed in relation to allegations of financial crime, serious sexual offences, and murder/manslaughter. In addition to criminal trials, he regularly advises on and conducts fresh criminal appeals, and has expertise in extradition, courts martial proceedings, and criminal-related public law.

Founding Head of Doughty Street Chambers. Edward Fitzgerald KC said:

“Doughty Street is proud to celebrate the appointment of our 5 new brilliant Silks. All of them are distinguished in their own fields, battle-hardened and destined to fly high as Silks. We will be celebrating their appointment with suitable festivities very soon. We warmly send them all our heartfelt congratulations as colleagues and friends.”

Chief Executive Officer, James Whiting said:

“Congratulations to Fiona, Joe, Jonathan, Garry and Benjamin on your appointment as King’s Counsel. This is a testament to your dedication and exceptional legal skills. It is a great milestone in your journeys at the Bar, earned through outstanding contributions to the law. It is a proud day for everyone at Doughty Street Chambers to see five of our finest members taking silk.”

The appointments to King's Counsel of Fiona, Joe, Jonathan, Garry and Benjamin, brings chambers’ complement to a total of 42 Silks with leading reputations both domestically and internationally, across the range of criminal, public and administrative law.