Emma Downing
Call: 2002
Emma Downing
Middle Temple
Legal Aid Supplier Number 872FN
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
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
Reputation
Emma is recognised in the publication ‘Chambers and Partners 2022’ in the practice area of crime.
Expertise
Crime
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.
Notable Cases
R -v- Hussain EWCA Crim 1564
Substantial departure from the Sentencing Council Guidelines on ‘Assault and Other Offences Against the Person’ justified by an element of deterrence in the sentence
R -v- Cordingly EWCA Crim 2428
Legality of the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment for public protection upon an offender who had committed a specified and serious offence, whilst subject to licence conditions, in respect of which he had already been recalled administratively
R -v- Price EWCA Crim 1757
Guideline case on sentencing for the importation of offensive weapons
R -v- Slaven EWCA Crim 2967
Application of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, s.240
Clerks
Laura McBride
Call: 2012
Laura McBride
Deputy Head of the Criminal Law Team
LL.B (Hons), University of Newcastle (2010)
Bar Professional Training Course (2012)
Middle Temple
Legal Aid Supplier Number 02DNO
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Laura is the Deputy Head of the Criminal Team at Broadway House Chambers. Laura accepts instructions in all areas of criminal law as well as cases involving matrimonial assets and private children disputes.
L M McBride LTD trading as Laura McBride
Reputation
- Assistant Legal Advisor BBC National Treasure (2016)
- Disclosure seminars: CPS, South Yorkshire Police, Broadway House Chambers annual conference
Expertise
Crime
Laura is the Deputy Head of the Criminal team at Broadway House Chambers.
Laura is a sought-after trial advocate. Her attention to detail and in-depth understanding of disclosure in criminal cases are second to none. She is a persuasive jury advocate and her reputation means that she is often instructed in serious, complex and high-profile cases, for example, the Rotherham child sexual abuse trials and prosecutions relating to the Hillsborough disaster.
Laura has experience dealing with young and highly vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She has a wide range of experience and has been instructed in cases involving offences of murder, attempt murder, serious sexual offences, human trafficking and fraud.
Her outstanding ability is reflected in her level of experience and success.
L M McBride LTD trading as Laura McBride
Family
Laura accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in matrimonial finance and private family law proceedings from pre-issue to final hearings.
Notable Cases
R v K & ors (2022)
Laura is currently prosecuting a multi-handed robbery alone. Defendants accused of partaking in several robberies over the course of a matter of months.
R v Selby (2022)
Prosecution counsel - The defendant was convicted of aggravated burglary following trial.
R v K (February 2022)
Laura represented the defendant, an NHS employee, who was acquitted of all charges following trial.
R v Hussain & ors (Oct 2021)
Junior in a Rotherham historical child grooming case. Led by Jayne Beckett.
R v D 2020 (Defence)
Defendant was charged with Rape and was acquitted following trial. Use of unused material including telephone logs and medical evidence that had been disclosed in order to discredit witness. Use of vulnerable witness protocols including section 28 procedure.
R v H 2020 (Prosecution)
Prosecuted defendant who was charged with child cruelty against his 2 year old stepson. H was convicted after trial and the case involved use of medical evidence demonstrating causation of injuries
R v B (2020)
Defendant originally charged with attempted murder but was instead charged with Robbery and a Section 18. Defended and led by Rodney Ferm.
Operation Kavaic 1/2 (Sept 2018/July 2019)
Part of operation Stovewood. First operation led by Michelle Colborne KC and second operation led by Ann Cotcher KC. Laura was the disclosure Junior. High profile Rotherham CSE grooming Case.
https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/view,breaking-child-abuse-gang-jailed-for-a-total-of-101-years_29495.htm
R v Mohammed Nisar Khan & ors (2019)
Disclosure junior in high profile Bradford murder. As a result of the work undertaken, Laura received two awards from the Police.
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17610266.mohammed-nisar-meggy-khan-tony-grant-salman-ismail-sentenced-bradford-moor-murder-trial/
Operation Thunder – January 2017
Prosecution Junior led by Sophie Drake (Now HHJ McKone). This case formed part of the investigation into Child Sexual Exploitation in the Rotherham area: click here
Operation Clover 2 – September 2016
Prosecution Disclosure Junior in a high profile multi-handed trial regarding Child Sexual Exploitation in the Rotherham area in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s: click here
R v Hussain and Others [2016]
Disclosure junior in the high profile Rotherham abuse trial.
R v Halligan [2016]
Prosecuted a sentence in a s18 wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. The defendant was deemed dangerous and received an extended custodial sentence.
R v Baron [2016]
Represented a man who pleaded guilty to converting criminal property in a multi-handed fraud trial.
R v Madden [2016]
Represented a man who pleaded guilty to possession of a high number of indecent images.
R v Egan [2015]
Successfully prosecuted a trial of sexual assault on a female and assault.
R v H [2015]
Laura secured a conviction in a racially aggravated public order offence involving the use of an intermediary.
R v P [2015]
Laura successfully defended a private ambulance driver charged with driving through a red light. The case was dismissed.
R v D [2015]
Laura prosecuted a serving Police Officer who was convicted both at the Magistrates’ Court and following an Appeal, a case reported by the National press.
Clerks
Syam Soni
Call: 2015
Syam Soni
Honourable Society of Lincolns Inn
Criminal Bar Association (CBA)
Society of Asian Lawyers
Mentor at Queer Lawyers of Tomorrow
Amicus ALJ
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 / 0113 246 2600
A dedicated criminal defence specialist with a nationwide practice, Syam has developed a reputation for consistently delivering excellence for clients across the spectrum of criminal allegations. From conspiracy to murder to burglary, Syam is fearless in his representation of all clients.
Syam has represented those accused of some of the most serious offences, as well as leading business professionals, CEOs and even nobility.
Syam had a successful career in the banking industry prior to the Bar. He also volunteered on Death Row in Houston, Texas, following which he studied Astronomy and Philosophy in Boston, MA.
Syam is multilingual- fluent in Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi- and authorised to accept instructions from members of the public.
Reputation
Syam has provided training to solicitors, local authorities and universities on a range of legal matters including:
- advocacy/case presentation
- the rules of evidence (bad character, hearsay etc.)
- the disclosure regime and best practices
Syam is part of the South-Eastern Circuit (SEC) delegation due to visit Gainesville, Florida, in 2022 to assist with the training of US lawyers.
Expertise
Syam is experienced both as a led junior and junior alone and is regularly instructed in complex and heavyweight cases including:
- conspiracy to murder
- serious violence (offences up to and including attempted murder)
- rape and serious sexual offences
- serious firearms allegations
- multi-million pound drugs supply conspiracies
Notable Cases
Operation M (Birmingham CC, ongoing): prosecuted by KC in case concerning drugs supply conspiracy worth hundreds of thousands of Pounds
Operation D (Teesside CC, ongoing): representing defendant accused of large-scale fraud targeting vulnerable customers
York CC,2023: represented at retrial a man accused of raping his former partner. Syam succeeded in making targeted and focused submissions as well as robustly challenging the fairness of the prosecution. The jury acquitted within an hour.
Operation S (Central Criminal Court, 2022): led junior in conspiracy to murder, possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, possession of Class A drugs etc. Cross-examined the leading Prosecution EncroChat expert
Operation M (Manchester CC, 2022): defended man charged with multi-million Pound drugs importation conspiracy involving EncroChat
R v G (Leeds CC, ongoing): defending man accused of serious sexual offences against a child
R v C (Basildon CC, 2021): represented defendant charged with possessing indecent and extreme images. Avoided Newton Hearing and secured community order where custody otherwise inevitable
R v B (Kingston CC, 2021): s.18- defended woman with complex mental health difficulties accused of throwing boiling water in the face of a care worker
R v S (Isleworth CC, 2021): acquittal in serious violent disorder (later affray) involving 25 people armed with swords in a residential neighbourhood
R v M (Snaresbrook CC, 2021): secured suspended sentence for PWITS Class A where the expectation was that D would receive a sentence of immediate custody of significant length
Clerks
Fen Greatley-Hirsch
Call: 2018
Fen Greatley-Hirsch
LLM Legal Practice (Barristers) – BPP Law School
Adv. LLM Public International Law – Leiden University
LLB Law with French Law – University of Warwick
ADM-ODR International Qualified Civil Commercial Mediator
Baron Dr ver Heyden de Lancey Prize (Middle Temple)
The Queen Mother Scholarship (Middle Temple)
White Rose (WRoCAH) Doctoral Scholarship (Arts and Humanities Research Council)
Contact
T: 0113 246 2600
Fen joined Chambers in December 2020 after completing a common law pupillage under the supervision of Giles Bridge and Paul Smith.
He accepts instructions in family and criminal cases and is available for consultation in conference or written advice.
Fen’s practice is shaped by his experiences in academia and working in client-facing roles with a several national and international charitable organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureau, the Free Representation Unit, and Nightline.
This work put him in regular contact with individuals from all walks of life and particularly vulnerable populations, young people, persons with disabilities and mental health conditions, and non-native English speakers. As a result, Fen understands and responds to a wide range of client needs. He approaches all matters with the utmost commitment to client care and is often praised for taking the time to ensure clients’ questions and concerns are addressed and that they feel fully represented.
Fen’s academic research focuses on issues of mental and legal capacity in criminal law using vulnerability theory. He has served on the editorial board of academic journals, worked as a research assistant for an NGO conducting strategic human rights litigation, and delivered papers at academic conferences around the world. As such, he is is able to build and present complex information and arguments in a clear and accessible way.
Reputation
Expertise
FAMILY
Fen accepts instructions in private and public Children Act proceedings at all stages, from first hearings to final hearings. A well-rounded practice sees him represent parents, Local Authorities and intervenors alike.
He has a real strength in client care and is often commended for ensuring his clients fully understand the developments in and prospects of their case and leave hearings feeling heard and fully represented.
Fen has gained particular expertise in contested and fact-finding hearings, assisted by a keen eye for detail and a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.
He regularly deals with cases involving allegations of a very serious nature – such as domestic violence, non-accidental injuries, and sexual harm – and does so with sensitivity and tact.
Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English. He welcomes instructions in cases involving non-traditional families and those with international or intercultural elements.
CRIME
Fen both prosecutes and defends at all stages – pre-trial, trial, sentence, and appeal.
He regularly appears in courts across the North Eastern and Northern Circuits in relation to the following types of offences:
- Assaults (up to and including s18);
- Road traffic;
- Public order (affrays);
- Dishonesty (handling stolen goods; burglary; robbery);
- Drugs offences (possession with intent to supply; production);
- Sexual offences (sexual assault; indecent images)
Fen is a member of the CPS General Crime Panel at Grade 2.
For the last couple of years he has been building his Crown Court trial practice and welcomes defence instructions.
He has completed the vulnerable witness training and, particularly given his experience dealing with similar matters in the family courts, is well-equipped to defend in rape, sexual assault and other such sensitive matters.
More generally, Fen’s background in academia has equipped him with the ability to quickly process and familiarise himself with large volumes of documents, as well as to make complex information accessible to a lay audience. It has also given him the research skills to locate useful case law that sometimes makes all the difference.
He has been praised by solicitors, benches and clients themselves for his skilled and sensitive witness handling and an ability to resonate with juries.
Fen builds rapports with clients easily, which quickly allows him to elicit the information needed both to build the strongest case and to address the opposing one effectively.
He has a keen eye for detail and in evidential hearings is particularly adept at witness handling, cross-examining with a forensic approach honed through criminal practice.
Fen has considerable experience representing vulnerable clients, including young persons, persons with disabilities, those with mental health issues, and those who do not speak English.
Notable Cases
R v Shaw - Leeds Crown Court (Prosecution 2023)
Prosecuted 'professional burglar' who was sentenced to 32 months imprisonment. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/career-criminal-rammed-police-car-as-he-drove-professional-burglary-team-around-leeds-4422603
R v Ndokajwas - Bradford Crown Court (Prosecution 2023)
Prosecuted man after cannabis farm worth £670k found. Marsel Ndokajwas was sentenced to two years imprisonment for the production of cannabis. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67571625
R v X - Youth Court (Defence 2023)
Fen defended in the Youth Court in a serious sexual assault trial.The trial involved child witnesses and implementing the s28 procedure. Fen made a successful submission of no case to answer, which prevented the need for the defendant to give evidence. https://www.broadwayhouse.co.uk/news/fen-greatley-hirsch-youth-court-2023
R v X - Leeds Crown Court (Defence 2023)
Fen Greatley-Hirsch Secures Suspended Sentence for his Client in a Serious Three-handed Affray. https://www.broadwayhouse.co.uk/news/fen-greatley-hirsch-secures-suspended-sentence
Clerks
Frances Hertzog
Door Tenant - Call: 2001
Frances Hertzog (Door Tenant)
Manchester Metropolitan University
Bar Vocational Course
University of Liverpool LLB (Hons)
Contact
T: 01274 722 560 or 0113 246 2600
Frances is a member of Broadway House Chambers’ Criminal Team. She is very experienced in all areas of criminal practise, particularly fraud, white collar crime and matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Expertise
Criminal
Frances very experienced in all areas of criminal practise, particularly fraud, white collar crime and matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Clerks