Ben Berkson

Call 2018

Photo of Ben Berkson

  • Beyond the Bar

    Ben is a keen golfer, illustrated by his victory in the Northern Circuit’s Carlisle Cup in 2021. Prior to pupillage, Ben worked as a paralegal in a commercial litigation / regulatory setting. Most of his caseload concerned the revocation / refusal of shotgun / firearm certificates.

  • Education

    • University of Liverpool: Geography (BA) – First Class
    • Liverpool John Moores University: GDL – Merit
    • Manchester Metropolitan University: BPTC – Very Competent

  • Appointments

    • Grade 1 CPS Panel Advocate

  • Memberships

    • The Honourable Society of Gray’s
    • Criminal Bar Association

Criminal

Ben became a tenant of Exchange Chambers in September 2021 following pupillage under the supervision of Martine Snowdon.

His criminal practice has developed since then and he has experience in the Crown Court in the following key working areas:

  • Serious violence
  • Drugs offences
  • Dishonesty offences including fraud, burglary and robbery
  • Motoring offences (including causing death by dangerous driving)
  • Sexual offences
  • Firearms and offensive weapons
  • Confiscation proceedings

Ben has experience as junior counsel in many multi-handed trials, including murder, both prosecuting and defending. His practice is fairly balanced across prosecution and defence instructions.

Ben is a Level 2 prosecutor.

Before joining Exchange Chambers, Ben worked for Brabners LLP in their Regulatory team, principally assisting with firearms licensing litigation.

He is a canny advocate with an approachable and measured approach which has garnered achieved success in both legally aided and private paying instructions.

Ben represents the Northern Circuit on the Gray’s Inn Barrister’s Committee and assists with a number of events and seminars organised by the Inn.