The Crime Group comprises 16 Silks and 43 Juniors offering unrivalled strength in depth and exemplary client service, with specialists providing their expertise in the most complex criminal trials. Our Crime Barristers offer a nationwide service and is regarded as the pre-eminent criminal set on the Midland Circuit. We pride ourselves on our commitment to clients and excellent advocacy.
Our Queen’s Counsel have been instructed on behalf of both the prosecution and the defence in many of the leading criminal trials of the last decade. Our Junior counsel provide instructing solicitors and their clients with expertise at all levels, and at all stages of the criminal process.
Specialist Areas
Members of the group provide representation throughout the country are regularly involved in serious and high-profile cases. Examples include The News of the World phone hacking case, the MPs’ expenses scandal and the plot to smuggle drugs and phones into prisons.
Counsel prosecute and defend on both a legal aid basis, and on a privately funded basis.
Work is undertaken at all levels with a considerable increase in the amount of regulatory work undertaken over recent years.
We offer barristers with expertise across a range of specialist areas including:
- Assault / Violence
- Burglary / Robbery / Theft / Shop-lifting
- Child Abuse
- Criminal Fraud and Proceeds of Crime
- Dishonesty Offences
- Domestic Violence
- Drugs Offences
- Murder and Manslaughter cases
- Road Traffic Deaths
- Sexual Assault
- Terrorism, Firearms and Public Disorder Offences
- Vandalism
Our counsel are experienced in drafting both grounds of appeal and applications for judicial review.
Recommendations
Members are experienced in the handling of cases involving serious crimes such as homicides, sexual offences and corporate manslaughter. Additional areas of expertise for the team include criminal frauds and terrorism cases. Instructing solicitors praise No5 as "a top-quality set."
Client service: "The clerks are always totally organised and prepared to go the extra mile to assist." Practice Director of the Crime and Regulatory group Andrew Trotter is "an excellent clerk - always approachable, friendly and very clear about counsel's availability, fees and time frames. This makes for a very professional but friendly working relationship."
Chambers UK 2021
No5 Barristers Chambers remains a key player in Midlands criminal law, housing a large team at both the junior and senior end who 'provide excellent representation throughout the Midlands and beyond'.
Legal 500 2021
Members are regularly instructed in complex and high-profile criminal matters both in the Midlands and across the rest of the UK, and have experience acting for both the prosecution and the defence. The team is noted for it's handling of serious criminal cases relating to homicides, corporate manslaughter and large-scale frauds. Several of the set's tenants also field expertise in serious sexual offence cases and drug conspiracies. Instructing solicitors praise the set's "depth of experience," and note that it is "packed with talent from top to bottom."
Chambers UK 2020
No5 Barristers Chambers' large crime team is recommended by clients for the 'exceptional depth and calibre of counsel' available for instruction across the full spectrum of criminal cases, including serious violent crimes, sexual offences, terrorism, drug conspiracies and serious fraud cases.
Legal 500 2020
"The set is very efficiently run by chief executive Tony McDaid and has a team of clerks who are helpful and responsive."
Chambers UK 2019
No5 Barristers Chambers’ criminal team has a wealth of expertise in prosecuting and defending across a range of heavyweight criminal matters, including high-profile murders, historic and recent serious sexual offences, high-value fraud, multi-handed drugs conspiracies and gang violence. Recent work includes acting in Operation Falkenbach, regarding a 80m money laundering conspiracy, and successfully prosecuting in R v Leroy Sterling, where the defendant was convicted of the murder of his ex-partner and the attempted murder of his ex-partner’s new boyfriend.
Legal 500 2019
"The excellent clerks room" is led by director of clerking Tony McDaid and senior practice manager for crime and regulatory matters Andrew Trotter. "Their intent to offer a quality service is apparent and they will go the extra mile compared with other chambers."
Chambers UK 2018
