Criminal Law

Wilberforce Chambers has an impressive and widely experienced Criminal Team practising locally. Our team ranges from newly appointed junior members starting out in their careers to the formidable and vastly experienced Bernard Gateshill who was called in 1972.

The Criminal Team is well represented at all levels of practice and has been involved in many nationally publicised high profile cases with members of Chambers acting as both leading juniors and junior counsel.

Examples include two lengthy care home cases involving complicated regulatory issues and an infamous nation-wide brothel/people trafficking case in which leading junior members of the Criminal Team successfully defended all 5 defendants who were acquitted at the re-trial stage following unusual developments and abuse of process arguments.

For the most serious cases the Criminal Team is fortunate to have the highly skilled services of Malcolm Swift QC (Called 1970; Silk 1988) who has, with considerable success, prosecuted and defended many high profile murder cases in Hull in addition to his extensive practice around the country involving murder, serious drugs and complex fraud. He is described by Chambers UK 2010 as "a strong opponent known for his brilliant handling of cases" and by Chambers UK 2011 as "a force to be reckoned with".

The expertise of the Criminal Team has also been recognised by Chambers UK who have cited John Thackray and Anil Murray as 'Leaders in Crime' for many years. Chambers UK 2011 describes them as both "highly capable, inspirational
advocates".

Chambers specialises in providing locally based representation working closely with solicitors in Hull and the surrounding area and with the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Criminal Team strives continually to improve the quality of its services and provides continuing education in a variety of specialist areas of criminal law both for the members of the Criminal Team and for its instructing solicitors.