Overview
The Six Pump Court Criminal Law Team has universally recognised and long-established excellence at all levels in all aspects of advisory and advocacy work within the broad context of criminal practice. As a leading set in this area, its members are regularly instructed both to prosecute and defend, a feature ensuring a balanced, informed and incisive approach.
Areas with which our criminal law barristers are particularly associated include homicide, complex fraud and serious sexual offences, together with regulatory, inquest, disciplinary and other tribunal work, and the more varied assistance often required by private clients.
The Criminal Law Team was established and took deep and proud root almost one hundred years ago in Kent and Sussex where it established a reputation second to none and from which emerged eminent Silks, Circuit, High Court and Court of Appeal Judges. The reputation and practice of the criminal law barristers in the Team has now expanded throughout England and Wales, and offshore. With 4 King’s Counsel and 22 highly rated Juniors, the Team offers the depth and breadth of experience that ensures efficient, imaginative and robust representation in any case, irrespective of gravity or complexity. Furthermore, as an integral part of a true ‘mixed set’, the Team has a proven track record beyond mainstream crime dating back many decades, something of particular relevance in the context of quasi-criminal/criminal-civil litigation, advice and representation.
Our Criminal Law Barristers are also members of other Teams within Chambers and operate in the narrower fields of Environmental, Health and Safety and Regulatory prosecutions by the CPS and other agencies. Senior Members of the Team act in the most sensitive of cases and are often brought in to lead in the Court of Appeal.
Our Criminal Law Barristers are expertly managed by a dedicated Clerks’ Room which insists in each case that the client’s expectations are understood and advanced. The Clerks have built up ‘second to none relationships’ with the list offices at the many court centres where members of the Team appear and are well positioned to overcome listing difficulties should they arise.
Criminal Law Barristers at Six Pump Court accept publicly or privately funded and direct access work.
Testimonials
"Six Pump Court has an ‘extremely experienced and skilled criminal team’ that is ‘versatile and prosecute and defend in the most serious cases’."
"A fantastic set, offering a first-rate service across the sphere of serious crime, particularly in the South East."
― Legal 500 [2023] - Leading Set (Crime)
"Six Pump Court is ‘an excellent set’ with a notable presence in Kent, where members of the team prosecute and defend in a range of high-profile criminal cases"
― Legal 500 [2022] – Leading Set (Crime)
"A popular set with an impressive profile in Kent and a strong bench of silks and juniors. Its barristers regularly prosecute and defend a range of serious criminal cases, including murders, drug conspiracies and sexual assault. They win praise from interviewees for their advocacy skills as well as their client care."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide [2021] – Leading Set (Crime)
"…a strong practice across the full spectrum of criminal law, and is particularly well recognised for its expertise in homicide and sexual offence cases. Its team of highly qualified silks and juniors are experienced in both prosecution and defence work and also regularly take on major cases relating to drug trafficking, fraud and animal cruelty. The set wins high praise overall from instructing solicitors, with one remarking: “The quality of the advocacy is very high, but their client manner is also excellent and the clerks will go out of their way to help you if they can."
― Chambers UK Bar Guide
Latest news
Richard Barraclough KC was instructed by West Midlands CPS and led Robert Price for the prosecution.
Richard Barraclough KC was instructed by West Midlands CPS and led Robert Price for the prosecution. On 29th November a jury sitting at Stafford...
Richard Barraclough and Matthew Harding secure the acquittal of Brendan Paradzai of murder
On 30th November the jury in Leeds Crown Court returned verdicts in the case of Belinga, Mbwasse, Ogie and Paradzai.  Richard Barraclough KC instructed by...
Nina Ellin KC, leading John FitzGerald, successfully defends a young man charged with the murder of a homeless man in Canterbury
Nina Ellin KC, leading John FitzGerald, successfully defends a young man charged with the murder of a homeless man in Canterbury. Their client was...
Pascal Bates prosecuted owner of inflatable that killed toddler
Pascal Bates has prosecuted fairground operations manager Curt Johnson and company, Johnsons Funfair Limited, for charges arising out of the death of a 3...
Daniel Stevenson prosecutes Defendant charged with manslaughter for killing a rival over a perceived drugs debt
Albanian man facing jail after killing rival in Strood over £20k debt (kentonline.co.uk)
Richard Barraclough KC leading Max Reeves represented Mohammed Osman who was acquitted of murder at Snaresbrook Crown Court
Richard Barraclough KC leading Max Reeves represented Mohammed Osman who together with Solomon Bamidele was tried for murder in the Snaresbrook Crown Court before...
Legal 500 Bar Awards 2023 – Six Pump Court Receives Nominations in Three Categories
Chambers is delighted to announce three nominations at the Legal 500 UK Bar Awards 2023. Chambers has received two nominations for Set of the...
Richard Barraclough KC leading Ben Irwin prosecuted in relation to a death of a 5 month old baby
Richard Barraclough KC leading Ben Irwin prosecuted GROCOTT and COLLARD before Cotter J in the Stafford Crown Court in relation to the death of...
John FitzGerald secures acquittal of Hip Hop artist in Attempted Murder Trial
John was defending Hip Hop Artist, ‘Ratlin’, at the Central Criminal Court, who was accused of a revenge shooting. John was able to secure a not guilty verdict on two counts of attempted murder and the related firearms offences.
New tenant Peter Cruickshank has secured acquittals after two jury trials in July 2023
In the first case, the Defendant was charged with s.18 grievous bodily harm with intent. It was alleged that he had approached the complainant's...
HGV driver cleared of death by dangerous driving – defended by Thomas Stern
On 4th November 2020, a pensioner was killed when she crossed the A219 at Brook Green, London in front of an HGV Ford Iveco....
Richard Barraclough KC and Tanya Robinson secure convictions for manslaughter and conspiracy to rob
Richard Barraclough KC leading Tanya Robinson have secured convictions following a six week trial in the Birmingham Crown Court of two defendants for conspiracy to...
Richard Barraclough KC and Daniel Stevenson prosecute homicide and campaign to rob drug dealers
Richard Barraclough KC leading Daniel Stevenson has concluded the prosecution of a number of individuals who were involved in a campaign to rob drug...
Court of Appeal allow appeal against sentence
Douglas Scott successfully reduced his client’s sentence in the Court of Appeal last week.
Young man cleared of manslaughter – Nina Ellin KC defending
A young man who was aged 18 at the time of the incident was cleared of manslaughter following a submission of no case to answer in relation to a fatal assault on a man in the street.
Rochester man represented by Thomas Stern cleared by jury of rapes
A Rochester man accused of a campaign of rapes has been acquitted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.
Thomas Stern gains acquittal for man accused of knife-point dwelling house robbery
The case of Samuel Hardiman has concluded with his acquittal by unanimous verdicts.
Tanya Robinson and Emin Kandola act in case of woman who staged robbery and attempted rape and framed lover
Tanya Robinson prosecuted and Emin Kandola defended woman who staged her own robbery, attempted rape and stalking, and then framed her former lover.
Permission to appeal to Supreme Court in local authority illegal money lending prosecution refused
The Court of Appeal has refused to grant a a certificate of general public interest and leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in the authority to prosecute case City of York/ Birmingham City Council.
Chambers congratulates Nina Ellin on her appointment to King’s Counsel today
Chambers is delighted that Nina Ellin has officially been appointed King's Counsel at the silk ceremony which has taken place today.