About Criminal Law at 3 Paper Buildings
     

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Criminal law has been practised at 3 Paper Buildings for almost 100 years and during that time we have grown to be one of the country’s largest Criminal Law Groups, earning a reputation as being a leader in the field, particularly on the Western Circuit.

The Group is headed by 5 Silks all of whom have extensive knowledge of the intricacies and complexities of the criminal justice system. The team also includes 7 Recorders (part time Judges) and the Standing Counsel to HM Customs and Excise on the Western Circuit.

We can offer representation at every level of seniority. We undertake the entire range of defence cases for our professional clients and in prosecution work we are regularly instructed by the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the Department of Work and Pensions (formerly the Department of Social Security) and other authorities.

Within the Group we are able to offer expertise in:

  • Murder and Manslaughter
  • Rape and Sexual Offences
  • Offences against the person, including Grievous and Actual Bodily Harm
  • International Drug Trafficking and related Customs and Excise Offences
  • Human Rights
  • Criminal Damage
  • Driving Offences
  • Public Order Offences
  • Theft and Robbery
  • Fraud and Revenue

In addition Members of Chambers are able to advise on the following:

  • Evidence and Mitigation
  • Sentencing
  • Disclosure
  • Indictment Drafting
  • Bail
  • Police Codes of Conduct
  • Costs
  • Appeals

Members regularly appear in the higher courts, on appeal, and in judicial review cases related to criminal actions.

We pride ourselves on our reputation and have in the past been quoted in law directories as offering a "Rolls Royce" service.

We are committed to the following:

  • Legal aid work
  • Sympathetic representation
  • A professional approach
  • First-rate clerking
  • Quality advocacy

Consultations and conferences can take place at any of the four Chambers centres, at the professional client's office, at court or at prison, depending upon the requirements of the case.

Members of Chambers are regularly instructed to attend London Court Centres, and all of the main Western Circuit court centres, including Bristol, Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Salisbury, Exeter, Plymouth, Dorchester and Truro.

We are now building upon our good reputation on the Oxford and Midland Circuit, with our Oxford centre seeing a marked increase in the number and quality of criminal briefs it is receiving. In the past year members of Chambers have also appeared in courts further afield, including Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds, Chester and Cardiff.

All of our centres enjoy a computerised and linked diary system; an intranet; extensive library facilities; conference rooms and an internal information exchange.

Chambers is also accredited by the Law Society to offer Continuing Professional Development courses and we welcome enquiries about current courses we have to offer in any one of our practice group areas.