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
Emin Kandola secures acquittals in neighbour stalking and voyeurism case.
After an 8 day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Emin secured acquittals on all four counts on the indictment; one count of voyeurism and...
Congratulations to Danny Moore KC
Danny Moore was sworn in as King's Counsel at Westminster Hall on 24th March 2025 - Silks' Day. Congratulations to all those who took...
Mark Watson KC prosecutes as paddleboard tour guide pleads guilty to four counts of manslaughter
At a hearing today at Swansea Crown Court before Mrs Justice Stacey, paddleborad tour guide and ex-police officer Nerys Lloyd pleaded guilty to four...
Danny Moore appointed King’s Counsel
Six Pump court chambers are delighted to announce that Danny Moore will be appointed King’s Counsel in the Silks appointments announced by the Lord...
Emin Kandola secures Class A drugs acquittal in Birmingham Crown Court
Emin represented JA charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. The case was listed at Birmingham Crown...
The Legal 500 UK Bar Guide 2025 rankings
The Legal 500 2025 rankings have been released, and we’re proud to share Chamber’s rankings across multiple practice areas, and the individual members recognised...
Suzanne Fewins is appointed RASSO Counsel
Six Pump Court excited to announce that Suzanne Fewins has been appointed as RASSO Counsel for the Crown Prosecution Service. This well-deserved achievement reflects...
Ellitts sentence increased by the Court of Appeal
The case of ELLITTS who was convicted of a series of robberies, rapes of two victims and murder prosecuted by RICHARD BARRACLOUGH KC leading...
Peter Cruickshank secures acquittal of prison officer charged with s.18 GBH on a prisoner
This case concerned an incident that took place in May 2020 at HMP Thameside, during the service of food at dinner, a prisoner threw...
Emin Kandola secures suspended sentence in Court of Appeal, resulting in release of mother, whose youngest child accompanied her to prison
On 7 April 2021, in the Crown Court at Woolwich Leah Jones and her co defendant pleaded guilty to counts relating to fraud. On 3...
Richard Barraclough KC prosecuted man with charges of Rape and Murder
Richard Barraclough KC, leading Howard Searle, instructed by CPS West Midlands, prosecuted in the case of R v Ellitts. After changing his pleas to guilty...
Richard Barraclough KC prosecutes complicated Gross Negligence Manslaughter in Stafford
Richard Barraclough KC, leading Robert Price, prosecuted in the case of R v Clowes in Stafford Crown Court. On 29th November a jury sitting at...
Richard Barraclough KC delivers presentation at Royal Society of Medicine Conference
On 20th January RB KC delivered a presentation entitled “R v Rebelo: The complexities and ramifications of the case” at the Royal Society of...
Thomas Stern secures not guilty verdict at Old Bailey for driver accused of causing death by dangerous driving
The trial of a Polish man indicted for causing death by dangerous driving has concluded with his acquittal on the charge. Marek Perkowski was...
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)
Events
Pupillage Application Virtual Event – Meet the Team
The 6PC Crime Team will be holding a virtual ‘Meet the Team’ event on Tuesday 30th January 2024 at 6pm. The event is for...