Crime

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.

"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

6th December 2023

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...

5th December 2023

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...

21st November 2023

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...

10th November 2023

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...

25th September 2023

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)

5th September 2023

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...

16th August 2023