7HS are very pleased to advise that the following Barristers have been recognised in the newly published Chambers & Partners Guide to the World’s Best Lawyers.

Ranked Senior Barristers – Northern (Bar)

Richard Pratt QC – Head of chambers, Richard Pratt QC both prosecutes and defends in the most high-profile crime matters on the Northern Circuit. He handles cases concerning multimillion-pound money laundering, fraud and murder
Ian Unsworth QC – Recognised particularly for his expertise in heavyweight crime cases, including those concerning complex murder and serious fraud. He acts for both the prosecution and defence
Nicholas Johnson QC – Handles both prosecution and defence work across the full spectrum of criminal law issues. He is noted for his considerable expertise in murder, drugs and fraud work. Expertise: “His attention to detail is particularly impressive; he is passionate and his intellectual capacity is astonishing. The level of advocacy that he provides is outstanding.” Recent work: He acted in R v Harrison, successfully defending a teenager accused of murder in Liverpool
Nigel Power QC – Has an extensive practice covering all areas of serious crime. He is highly regarded for his expertise on complex and high-profile cases such as gangland murders. Recent work: He defended a woman accused of the contract killing of her partner in R v Smith
Stephen Riordan QC – Has an extensive practice covering the full spectrum of criminal law. He is regularly instructed in high-profile and complex cases. Expertise: “He has an exceptional reputation; he’s a very good advocate.” Recent work: He acted for the prosecution in R v Samuels & Ors, a murder case that generated significant media attention in Liverpool

Ranked Junior Barristers

Crime – Northern (Bar)

Henry Riding – Handles all areas of criminal law for both the prosecution and defence. Recent work: He acted for the prosecution in the case of R v Ahmed and Ahmed, in which a mother and father were accused of the murder of their daughter. This case generated extensive media coverage in Cheshire
Ian Whitehurst – Has a broad criminal practice that covers a range of cases, including homicide, fraud and serious sexual offences. Expertise: He was instructed in R v Samuels & Ors, a multi handed murder involving complex issues of joint enterprise
Jonathan Duffy – Has a wide-ranging practice covering every aspect of criminal law. He is principally noted for his work on behalf of defending solicitors. Recent work: Has acted as defence counsel in R v Joanne Gale, a case in which a mother was charged with conspiracy to rape her 11-year-old child as part of a paedophile ring. He was also instructed in R v Ryan Doran, the prosecution of a man charged with murder following an unprovoked attack with a glass bottle
Trevor Parry-Jones – Has a wide ranging practice covering the gamut of criminal law. He acts for both the prosecution and the defence, and is noted for his focus on serious sexual abuse cases

Family/Matrimonial – Northern (Bar)

Deirdre McGuire – Draws praise for her active family practice, receiving instructions on both financial disputes and children matters. Expertise: “She’s exceptional, absolutely exceptional. She can grasp stuff in no time at all.”
Kevin Reade – Concentrates his practice on financial proceedings, but is also active in contested care proceedings and private law children matters. He is praised for his skill in these areas and for his manner with clients. Expertise: “He is charming, funny, delightful and always on top of his case.”

Fraud – The Regions

Ian Whitehurst – A much-praised criminal fraud junior. His experience encompasses a range of fraud and money laundering issues. Expertise: “He is a talented and pragmatic defence counsel, tactically astute and very hard-working.” “He is very good with clients.” Recent work: He was instructed to act as junior defence counsel in an £8 million tax fraud case

Health & Safety – Northern (Bar)

James McKeon – Vast experience in all forms of health and safety, regulatory and corporate manslaughter work. Work involves major, complex and high profile health and safety, manslaughter and other regulatory prosecutions. Also acts on all forms of personal injury work and clinical negligence litigation – including claims of utmost severity and fatal accidents.
Nigel Lawrence – A respected junior counsel whose broad practice encompasses a range of civil and criminal work. He is regularly instructed to both prosecute and defend complex health and safety cases. Expertise: “He is a calm and pragmatic counsel who always has a firm grasp on the most important issues.”

Personal Injury – Northern (Bar)

Peter Gregory – Acts on personal injury focusing on employers liability, clinical negligence, catastrophic injury, industrial disease and road traffic accidents. Has extensive experience of trials in the High Court, Crown Court and County Courts. Represented trawler skipper in connection with prosecutions arising out of the sinking of the trawler Solway Harvester in Isle of Man territorial waters. Has also acted on a number of health and safety cases for employers. Also acts on civil fraud, civil actions against the police and professional negligence, (especially solicitors and clinical negligence), criminal fraud, confiscation proceedings, professional discipline and misconduct proceedings.
Steven Parker – Acts almost exclusively on claimant personal injury and clinical negligence with some defence work. Recent cases have involved complex brain injury cases and fatal accidents. Also acts on high-value ancillary relief on divorce, child care and private law and family cases involving children where there is contested medical evidence. Has acted on a number of reported cases including: K v M (Paternity:Contact) [1996]1 FLR 312. J v J (abduction)(2005) EWHC2998. McCarthy v Chief Constable South Yorkshire Police (1996) Lawtel, and McMinn v McMinn (2003) 2 FLR 839

ARTICLE SOURCE: CHAMBERS & PARTNERS