18 St John Street Chambers continues to be at the forefront of high-profile criminal law on the Northern Circuit and nationally. Our members are regularly instructed in serious, high profile and complicated cases. We offer expertise at all levels of seniority.
We provide advice and advocacy at all stages of the criminal process from pre-charge to the appellate level. Our work includes homicide, terrorism, serious sexual and violent offences, fraud and serious organised crime. In addition we are instructed in regulatory offences; road traffic offences; confiscation hearings; Parole Board hearings; and forfeiture of cash and goods.
Members undertake prosecution work for the Crown Prosecution Service with advocates across the range of CPS levels/panels. Clients also include other bodies such as HMRC, the Serious Crime Agency and Local Authorities.
Members undertake defence work and regularly represent defendants in some of the most serious and complex cases. The Department provides clients with a full range of services also having experience of less serious cases such as road traffic offences in the Magistrates Court.
The Department includes Members who bring with them experience from outside the self-employed Bar including experience in forensic science, mediation, the Court of Appeal and the Crown Prosecution Service. A number of our senior Members sit as part-time judges in the Crown Court.
We pride ourselves on providing professional advocacy and advice, supported by our efficient and experienced dedicated criminal clerking team who provide a professional service and excellent client care. They are happy to accept instructions on a legal aid or privately funded basis.
Head of Department – Richard Vardon
Senior Clerk – James Hotchin
For all Department clerking contacts, please see: https://www.18sjs.com/contact/
Seminars
We offer in-house seminars, typically on a weekday at 5pm. All our speakers are accredited by the Bar Council and The Law Society.