Mountford Chambers Legal 500 directory rankings 2022

The 2022 Legal 500 directory recommendations identify Mountford Chambers as a leading London set for both Crime and Fraud. Described as a “very impressive” chambers that “boasts a number of extremely capable counsel at all levels”, Chambers now has 14 ranked barristers across three practice areas: Crime, Fraud, and Proceeds of Crime and Asset Forfeiture.

Chambers’ clerking team also receive praise for “an incredible work ethic and provide an exceptional level of service and client care” and who are “efficient, hardworking and reliable.”

Commenting on the Legal 500 rankings and recommendations, Head of Chambers, Chris Henley KC said, “We are enormously proud that this year our very junior barristers have received special recognition as being ‘particularly talented’ and noted for ‘making a big impression in the market’. Nurturing internal talent is a key chambers objective, and part of a longer-term strategy to grow chambers and develop new practice areas. We are making some very exciting changes and announcements over the coming weeks which we’re very much looking forward to sharing.”

CRIME [Tier 3 London Bar]

Mountford Chambers is ‘a fantastic set‘, housing a team of ‘highly skilled and dedicated barristers‘ with established expertise in handling the gamut of serious criminal work; recent instructions include murders, violent crime, terrorism and drugs conspiracies. Individuals recommended include:

Christopher Henley KC – ‘thorough and dedicated, with a sensitive approach to vulnerable clients‘ and ‘He fights hard for his client and his witness handling skills are extremely impressive. In court, he is calm, tenacious, skillful and highly persuasive, which makes for a very effective combination.’

Alan Kent KC – ‘a class act – meticulously prepared and unflappable in his presentation‘ and ‘A very smooth advocate, who is calm under pressure and extremely jury friendly.’

Charles Bott KC – ‘An excellent silk.” and ‘well known for acting in terrorism and homicide cases.’ 

Richard Furlong – ‘a fierce and hugely bright advocate. He excels in the most challenging of cases.’ And ‘well versed in advising on private prosecutions.’

Tom Edwards – ‘Tom is intelligent and articulate, able to communicate with the most difficult of clients. He provides robust advice and advocacy in the most challenging of cases. ’

Joe Hingston – ‘A fluent, charming and committed junior. He puts clients at ease and commands the confidence and trust of juries.’

Alexandra Scott – ‘Alexandra is determined and has great judgement. She is always very well prepared and indomitably determined to fight her client’s corner.’

FRAUD: CRIME [Tier 3 London Bar]

“Mountford Chambers is highly experienced in fraud relating to tax evasion, money laundering, and insider dealing and investment fraud. While it is known primarily for defence work, members of the set also frequently act for prosecuting bodies, including the SFO.”

Recommended individuals include:

Colin Aylott KC – ‘Colin is an intelligent, knowledgeable counsel and an excellent strategist. Clients respect him, peers admire him and judges find it difficult not to agree with him.’

Charles Bott KC – ‘Charles is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks.’

Matthew Buckland – ‘Matthew is extremely bright and shrewd. He has a phenomenal work ethic. Clients appreciate his direct, smart approach.’

William England – ‘William provides a commanding performance every time. The court listens when he speaks, such is his delivery.’

Joe Hingston

Alexandra Scott – ‘Alexandra has excellent judgement, relates well to clients, and demonstrates very good and detailed knowledge of the law.’

PROCEEDS OF CRIME (POCA) AND ASSET FORFEITURE

Charles Bott KC – ‘ He is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is very patient and caring towards all his lay clients. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks. Anyone who instructs him would agree he is a truly outstanding barrister.’