General Crime

We are one of the leading criminal sets in the UK, with a stellar reputation in our field. Our barristers specialise in all types of serious and general crime, financial crime and criminal regulatory work.

We receive instructions to prosecute and defend at every level, and accept both publicly-funded and privately-funded work.

We provide specialist representation and astute, strategic advice at all stages of a case, including pre-charge, trial and appeal. Key areas of practice include:

• Cyber crime
• Drug trafficking
• Fraud
• Human trafficking
• International crime
• Money laundering
• Murder and manslaughter
• Private prosecutions
• Road traffic offences
• Robbery
• Serious and organised crime, including corruption and bribery
• Serious sexual offences including historic abuse
• Terrorism
• Violent offences

We have 40 Category 4 Prosecutors – more than any other barristers’ chambers in the UK. We receive instructions from the CPS and other prosecuting authorities / specialist agencies including the Serious Fraud Office, the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, CAA, SOCA, HMRC, BIS, DWP, HSE and the Environment Agency.

Members appear in all levels of court and in quasi-criminal jurisdictions such as The General Medical Council, the Coroner’s Court and in all forms of judicial inquiry. Many members also specialise in regulatory and professional disciplinary hearings, where their experience from the criminal courts brings distinct advantage.

Our barristers are regularly invited to provide training to local authorities, solicitors, police and other professional bodies.

What the Directories Say

“Exchange Chambers continues to enjoy a formidable reputation on the Northern Circuit. The set houses a number of top-quality advocates who handle the full gamut of serious criminal work, garnering frequent instructions in cases relating to murder, sexual abuse, drug conspiracies and financial crime. Instructing solicitors praise the set as “a very professional, effective chambers.”
Band 1 Leading Set – Crime (Northern Circuit), Chambers and Partners 2020

“Exchange Chambers is home to one of the strongest criminal teams in the region, with barristers regularly appearing in serious and complex cases. According to one client, the set ‘has some real quality barristers and great strength in depth‘, a sentiment which was echoed by several others, who praised the sets ‘great ability to provide alternative counsel‘ even at short notice.”
Leading Set – Crime (Northern and North Eastern Circuit), The Legal 500 2020