Criminal Law Barristers

Legal 500 2011 - "Trinity Chambers has ‘strength in depth in the area of crime’, and is regarded by many as ‘the strongest set in Newcastle’, with ‘great organisation and clerking that attracts the leaders in many fields’".

The Criminal Law group, with two Queens’ Counsel, Mr Toby Hedworth Q.C and Mr Eric Elliott Q.C, as well as over 20 juniors, has an exemplary reputation for criminal advocacy in the North East covering both defence and prosecution work. 11 members of the group are CPS Grade 4 prosecutors who also defend and 7 of whom are Recorders. Whilst the group is geographically focused in Newcastle, Teesside and Durham, barristers from the group regularly represent clients throughout the North Eastern Circuit and beyond with cases frequently being dealt with in London and the Court of Appeal.

Given the size of the group there is a wide spectrum of experience and specialisation. Senior members of the group have dealt with terrorism cases, gangland murder, extradition, internet crime and large scale conspiracy cases. Members of the group are able to conduct cases at all levels of the Appellate Courts where appropriate.

The majority of the criminal barristers are highly experienced in dealing with motor offences from death caused by dangerous driving through to offences relating to using mobile phones, excess alcohol and speeding.

Within the group there are barristers with expertise in regulatory and financial crime including money laundering, proceeds of crime and criminal confiscation. Barristers in the group also receive instructions relating to private prosecutions. Members of the criminal law group have been instructed in road traffic accident insurance fraud "cash for crash" cases as well as all aspects of the "supply chain" in relation to metal thefts including cases involving the British Transport Police.

Criminal cases have been dealt with by the criminal teams in appeals at the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords and the Privy Council.

In appropriate cases and where necessary cases can be taken on at the pre-charge stage.

The Trinity criminal team recognise the need to provide ongoing support to lay clients and in response have developed a substantial prison law contingent covering parole hearings, adjudication hearings, prisons ombudsmen representations and Judicial Review related to prison issues.

Trinity Chambers have several specialist Courts Martial advocates some of whom themselves have military backgrounds. They can travel to wherever the relevant Courts Martial is to be heard, they have experience of representing soldiers in Germany, Cyprus as well as throughout the UK, in particular Catterick. Trinity Chambers' Courts Martial advocates have dealt with cases funded by the Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority.

The barristers in the Criminal group frequently provide training events, including workshops and seminars attracting CPD accreditation.

Members of the criminal group are consistently mentioned in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories.