• 'It attracts the most significant and substantial criminal instructions on both the prosecution and defence sides' Chambers UK 2017
  • 'Undoubtedly one of the elite group of top criminal sets' Legal 500 2017
  • 'The very talented barristers here are known for their superior advocacy skills and their approachability' Chambers UK 2017

Other Offences

Members of Chambers across all levels of call have experience of the full spectrum of offences; we are 'the go-to set for the full range of criminal practice'. 

Overview

QEB Hollis Whiteman's foundations are in General Crime. We have produced outstanding advocates through the early focus on the prosecution and defence of crime. As such, we have experience at all levels of Counsel, of all types of offence and at every stage in criminal proceedings.

Our Experience

Our experience of General Crime covers everything from the unusual to the more commonplace; no stone has been left unturned. We have a dedicated team of Junior Counsel committed to dealing with minor offences, progressing towards more Senior offences as they build their practice. Such is their skill and reputation, Junior Members are often instructed in cases that would ordinarily demand those more senior in call, whilst more Senior Members are instructed in cases that are higher-profile, heavy-weight and often multi-handed in their nature.

We have experience of all types of theft, burglary, criminal damage, arson, and drugs offences. We have experience of the full range of public order offences, including violent disorder and rioting and were a nominated specialised set selected to prosecute the London Riots in 2011. We have expertise across the spectrum of offences against the person, including common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and grievous bodily harm, both wounding with intent and unlawful wounding. We have experience of cases involving threats to kill, stalking and racially motivated crimes. We have experience of firearms offences, blackmail, kidnap, false imprisonment and offences relating to prostitution.

Our reputation in the field of General Crime means that we are often sought out to deal with unusual and sometimes new offences. These have included: administering poison; female genital mutilation (FGM); social media and cybercrime. We have written and taught extensively on the niche fields where we have developed a particular and unusual expertise, most recently in relation to FGM and cybercrime.

Our strength in depth across the board means that we are regularly sought out to represent professionals and high-profile individuals when they find themselves involved in the criminal process, whatever offence, stage or role. Our experience of trials means that we are well placed to advise from the outset, either to avoid charge and trial entirely or to help direct and control the process in order to place the client in the most advantageous position possible, once their case is in the Courtroom.

Recent Cases

R v YZ (2023)

Philip successfully defended a financial services professional accused of racially aggravated...

News

Jennifer Newcomb appointed as Treasury Counsel Monitoree

We are delighted to announce that as of the 1 st  April 2024 Jennifer Newcomb will be...

Philip McGhee to be appointed Treasury Counsel

We are delighted to announce that as of the 1 st April 2024 Philip McGhee will be Junior Treasury...

Articles

The GIR Guide to Compliance - Edition 3, is published. Fallon Alexis co-authors chapter.

The Guide to Compliance - Edition 3, is published by GIR, with Fallon Alexis contributing to Lessons to be learned from UK enforcement activity. The Guide to Compliance  aims to tackle the compliance side of the enforcement equation in a systematic...

A Briefing Note: R v Ng & R v O'Reilly Abuse of process and non-attendance

The Court of Appeal has recently given guidance on the options for the criminal courts when dealing with non-attendance of counsel, particularly prosecution counsel, at hearings and at trials. In this briefing note,  Philip Stott  and ...

When is the right time to be 'called to the Bar'? Fallon Alexis joins the debate in this article, co-authored with the Chair of the Bar 2023.

Fallon Alexis and Nick Vineall KC co-author the article ‘The Timing of Call’ Fallon Alexis and Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar 2023, have written an article published in the December 2023 issue of Counsel Magazine, wherein they express their...

The GIR Guide to Compliance - Edition 2 is published. Fallon Alexis co-authors chapter on UK Compliance Enforcement

The Guide to Compliance - Edition 2 , is published by GIR, with Fallon Alexis contributing to Part 1: Global Compliance Requirements and Enforcement. Fallon Alexis co-authored the chapter on UK Compliance Enforcement with Alison Pople of Cloth Fair...

Benefits & Brothels by Polly Dyer & HHJ Hopmeier

Polly Dyer co-authored an article with HHJ Hopmeier titled Benefit and Brothels. It can be found on pages 4-6 of Archbold Review issue 8. 

The Use of Drill Music in Criminal Trials Part IV - Racial Bias and the Future

This podcast forms part of a 4-part series on the use of drill music in criminal trials, in which Oliver speaks with senior and junior counsel about their experiences with drill music in court. In this final part,  Oliver Mosley  speaks with ...