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Stephen Wood KC

Head of Chambers - Call: 1991 | Silk: 2020


Stephen Wood KC

Qualifications: LL.B.(Hons)

 

Stephen Wood KC is renowned for his expertise in the prosecution and defence of cases involving homicide and organised crime.

Prior to his appointment to Silk in 2020, Stephen was widely acknowledged as being one of the foremost juniors on Circuit. He excels as a trial advocate and is a formidable cross-examiner.

Stephen possesses excellent judgment married with an acute tactical awareness for all stages of the prosecution process.

Stephen’s encyclopaedic knowledge of criminal law, the sentencing provisions and of the Criminal Procedure Rules is acknowledged by other legal professionals and the judiciary; one Judge remarking that Stephen was a “..walking talking Archbold”. Accordingly, Stephen acts in an advisory capacity pre-charge in cases involving prosecutions where there is a novel issue of law.

Stephen’s practice now encompasses all aspects of serious and organised crime and the most serious cases of sexual offending. Described by a High Court Judge as a “first rate prosecutor”, Stephen is dedicated and hard-working and instils great confidence in those who work with him.

Stephen also works with screenplay writers and directors on television and film productions depicting court scenes. He was with the director on set during filming of the Crown Court scenes in the acclaimed Channel 4 series ‘National Treasure’ and advised the writer and director of the Netflix Drama “I Came By”.

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Michelle Colborne KC

Call: 1993 | Silk: 2010


Michelle Colborne KC

LL.B (Hons), University of Wales

North Eastern Circuit

Gray’s Inn

 

Michelle was called to the Bar in 1993 and took Silk in 2010. Michelle is one of the leading criminal practitioners on the North Eastern Circuit for the prosecution and defence and has particular specialisms in homicide, baby death and serious sexual offences.

Michelle has a particular interest in representing vulnerable defendants and those charged with offences committed whilst mentally ill.


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Rodney Ferm

Call: 1972


Rodney Ferm

Head of Business, Property and Probate Team

North Eastern Circuit

B.A. (Oxon)

 

Rodney Ferm specialises in criminal law and is a respected presence in the Crown Court. His experience extends not only to defending serious fraud and sexual offences, including indecency and rape, but to over 100 murder cases. Rodney can be relied upon to provide an outstanding advocacy service in very difficult circumstances. Celebrating his 50th year at the Bar in 2022, Rodney’s diary remains busy with the highest quality work.


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David McGonigal

Call: 1982


David McGonigal

B.A. (Hons)
Gray’s Inn

Legal Aid Supplier Number 8555Z

 

David McGonigal has over 30 years’ experience acting for both the prosecution and defence at all levels of the criminal courts and in all offences regularly tried there.

He is a Grade 4 prosecutor. His experience allows him to adapt to the individual defendant or witness and decide the best approach to obtain the desired result. His familiarity with the use of expert evidence, whether for the prosecution or defence, allows him to extract the relevant material clearly and concisely for a jury to understand.

After 35 plus years at the Bar he still enjoys and looks forward to the next case.


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Ian Howard

Call: 1987


Ian Howard

Lincoln’s Inn

Legal Aid Supplier Number 1570G

 

Ian Howard is a senior member of the Criminal Team and is an established Grade 4 prosecutor, on the CPS RASSO Advocate panel.

Ian also defends on a range of matters including serious sexual offences, the supply of drugs and violence.


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Gerald Hendron

Call: 1992


Gerald Hendron

Criminal Bar Association

Legal Aid Supplier Number 7449X

 

Gerald Hendron prosecutes and defends in serious criminal cases.  He is an extremely experienced, providing sound advice to his clients.  His hard work and judgment assists in obtaining the outcome that he is instructed to achieve.  Regularly prosecutes multi-handed complex criminal matters.


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Jo Shepherd

Call: 1993


Jo Shepherd

BA (Honours) History
[University College of North Wales (Bangor)

Post-graduate Diploma in Law (Common Professional Examination) [University of Huddersfield]

Bar Vocational Course
[Inns of Court School of Law, London]

Options: Landlord and Tenant (very competent) and Family Law (Competent)

Criminal Bar Association & Northern Circuit

 

Jo was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1993 having completed her BA (Hons) degree in History at the University of Wales.  Her pupillage was completed in London, and she has been instructed in Criminal Courts at all levels up to and including the High Court and the Court of Appeal. 

She has a wide experience in both Defence and Prosecution and is a Grade 3/RASSO Prosecutor; and was formerly a Grade B for the Health & Safety Executive and HM Revenue and Customs.   

Jo is an accredited pupil supervisor.

Her main areas of practice are Criminal Law and General Common Law including regulatory work. 

Jo works predominantly in Leeds, Bradford and Manchester Crown Courts – both Prosecuting and Defending cases from Murder and rape to burglary and robbery. 

Jo has a particular interest in Mental Health and its application to criminal law – both as a prosecution and defence advocate.

Jo has specialised in road traffic law, conducting cases at all levels -including before the High Court and Administrative Court:

  • R v B ex parte Preston Crown Court (Administrative Court - Road traffic appeal on costs from Central funds) [2002]

  • R v M (Case Stated Appeal in High Court - Road Traffic) [2003]


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Rebecca Young

Call: 1993


Rebecca Young

Qualifications & Memberships : LLB(Hons) 2:1 Honourable Society of the Inner Temple, Criminal Bar Association.

Prosecution Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Panel.

 

“Our client described your conduct as impeccable, kind and considerate and wishes to say that he will never forget what you did for him. May I add that you are an extraordinary advocate who has a natural gift when dealing with complex issues and an ability to make both instructed solicitors and the client feel at ease. Something that is often very difficult to achieve!” (Solicitor & Client Feedback)

Rebecca prosecutes and defends in all aspects of serious crime: drugs, people trafficking, fatal and non-fatal violence and has a particular specialism in sexual cases both recent and historic. She is often involved in cases involving complex expert evidence; medical forensic and cell site. She has recently been involved in a number of arson cases involving fire investigation experts  and also non-accidental head injury cases (“baby shaking cases”) involving extremely technical and specialist medical evidence.

She has experience of cases involving multiple defendants and/or multiple  complainants.

She is well known for being extremely thorough, paying attention to detail and being down to earth and patient especially when dealing with difficult or sensitive cases.

She is currently instructed to defend in an operation involving child exploitation and grooming in Leeds.


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Jayne Beckett

Call: 1995


Jayne Beckett

MA (Hons) (Cantab) Law
Middle Temple – Diplock Scholorship

Legal Aid Supplier Number 055WZ

 

Jayne Beckett practices in the field of criminal law and deals with both prosecution and defence cases of the utmost severity.

Other Information:
Jayne was brought up locally and attended local schools. As such she has a working understanding of the communities in the West Yorkshire area. Prior to entering Chambers Jayne worked briefly for a large Solicitors firm in London.


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Camille Morland

Call: 1996


Camille Morland

Interdisciplinary Human Studies BA (Hons)

Common Professional Examination

Bar Finals

Criminal Bar Association

Legal Aid Supplier Number 109QN

 

Camille conducts Crown Court trials on behalf of both prosecution and defence. She is an accomplished Grade 3 prosecutor, with Grade 4 experience. She is a member of the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel and has acquired significant expertise in such cases. She has a particular interest in such allegations which are historic in nature, and those which take place within a religious setting. She is adept at dealing with the diverse needs of witnesses and those involving child witnesses and vulnerable adults, including those via pre-recorded cross-examination.


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Emma Downing

Call: 2002


Emma Downing

Middle Temple

Legal Aid Supplier Number 872FN

 

Emma now combines her practice at the Bar alongside a part-time position of University lecturer in law. Throughout her career Emma has specialised in all aspects of both criminal and regulatory law together with prison/parole law and mental health work.

Languages: Chinese (Mandarin), French and German


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