Criminal

We are committed to providing excellence in legal advice and advocacy for all our clients and in all areas of the criminal law. There are now 22 members of the Criminal Group including four silks.

We provide a comprehensive service from the earliest stage of proceedings (including pre-charge advice) right through to Appeals in the House of Lords. Members of chambers appear in all areas of the Northern Circuit and beyond in Magistrates and Crown Courts, at Inquests and Inquiries.

Members of chambers are instructed by most of the major defence solicitors in the North West as well as by the Crown Prosecution Service, HM Revenue and Customs, The Asset Recovery Agency and Serious Organised Crime Agency. We also have members who specialise in such areas as cash seizure and other ancillary orders such as Anti Social Behaviour Orders and Sex Offender Orders.

Two members of the group act as victim advocates in the Crown Court.

We have published defence service standards, which represent the minimum standards which should be met by barristers in the team.

We offer modern IT and video-conferencing facilities in our newly refurbished conference suite. We are able to offer facilities for video-conferences with prisons with the co-operation of the prison service.

We are authorised by the Law Society to give accredited seminars for CPD purposes and provide training for defence solicitors on topics connected with the criminal law.

If you are interested in receiving such training please contact our Senior Criminal Clerk, Chris Swann.

Nicholas Clarke QC
Head of Criminal Group

Said about us

“We have used the Criminal Group in this Chambers for over 20 years; they leave no stone unturned to help us to help our clients.”
Guy Rogers, Partner, Pluck Andrew & Co Solicitors

“A no-nonsense, highly experienced and skilful Criminal Team supported by adept and proficient clerks. I would have no hesitation in recommending 9 St John Street to colleagues and associates.”
Shane Parkin, Solicitor, Maidments

“Quality Counsel working with quality Clerks at the vanguard of the legal profession.”
Isaac Mirza, Partner, JMW Solicitors

“We have been associated with 9 St John Street for over 25 years. That sort of relationship speaks for itself. They have strength in numbers within their criminal set coupled with excellent organisation.”
Mike Rainford, Partner, Burton Copeland Solicitors

“A B Marsh Solicitors have been instructing counsel at 9 St John Street Chambers for over twelve years. We have received a consistently high quality service and representation for our clients. We have formed a strong working relationship over that time and consider that as a result we have achieved exceptionally good outcomes for clients... It's all about the team”
Andrew Marsh, A B Marsh Solicitors

"In our view Nine St John Street are one of the leading Criminal Chambers in the region. They have a strong line-up with expertise in all areas, and a very responsive and helpful clerical team, which we are happy to recommend."
Daniel King, Forbes