1MCB Chambers is perhaps most renowned for its specialist criminal work. Members provide the highest quality representation at all levels of seniority: whether a particular case requires King’s Counsel, a senior junior, or a more junior barrister, 1MCB offers a friendly, practical and professional service.
As well as providing expert pre-trial advice on evidence, preparation, and trial strategy, and advocacy at trial, members of the crime team are regularly instructed to present appeals in the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, and the Privy Council. Some members also have experience of crime-related judicial review, such as challenges to decisions to caution or to prosecute youths.
Chambers’ crime team is widely recognised for its tenacious defence work. Indeed, although some members now prosecute, many exclusively defend. The crime team is resolutely committed to the principle of access to justice, and prides itself on its reputation for being professional yet approachable, whichever side it is instructed to represent. Continuity of representation is recognised as being of enormous importance, irrespective of the seriousness of the allegation faced by the lay client.
Members of the crime team are regularly instructed in cases of homicide, serious violence, organised crime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and terrorism. Cases involving allegations of sexual violence – particularly when such cases involve children – require expertise combined with sensitivity and impeccable judgment: many members of the crime team have considerable experience in this area.
The crime team can provide particular expertise in cases involving white-collar crime. The team has considerable experience in corporate and commercial fraud, insider-trading and cases with an international dimension. Members of the crime team at 1MCB Chambers also enjoy vast experience in cases involving confiscation and forfeiture proceedings.
Dangerous Dogs Law
1MCB Chambers boasts a dedicated team specialising in dangerous dogs legislation. Members of the team are experienced in working with experts to determine whether or not a particular dog is of a prohibited breed, or whether a dog was dangerously out of control or caused injury. They regularly oppose – frequently successfully – the imposition of immediate destruction orders and make applications for the return of beloved pets to their owners.
Members appear in such cases at all levels, from the Magistrates Court, through the Crown Court, to the Divisional Court (by way of judicial review or appeals by way of case stated) and the Court of Appeal. Some members also have experience of drafting submissions to the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Animal Welfare Law
Team members have a deep concern for the welfare of animals and have therefore developed recognised expertise in the law that protects them. At the same time, they are committed to ensuring that this law is fairly applied when defending.
Equine Law
Members provide advice and representation in all areas of equine law, including horse welfare, road traffic law, buying and selling, horse passports, professional and clinical negligence involving veterinary surgeons, lease and tenancy agreements, and regulatory law arising from the rules and disciplinary procedures of equestrian bodies.
Founded over 40 years ago with the aim of ensuring access to justice for all members of the community, 1MCB Chambers is proud of its longstanding commitment to have actions against the police, seeking redress for those who have fallen victim to abuses of police power, including the Guildford Four and parties to the Stephen Lawrence and Bloody Sunday inquiries.
The team has extensive experience across the full range of claims that can be brought following encounters with the police and other public and quasi-public bodies, and is recognised by Legal 500 (2014) for its “niche expertise” in this area. From initial advice, through devising a litigation strategy and drafting persuasive pleadings, to negotiating settlement, to advocacy in jury trials and before the appellate courts, the team prides itself on providing first-class representation at every stage.
The team recognises that there is often considerable overlap with other specialist areas of law, and is able to draw upon its collective expertise across related disciplines, including crime, public law, equality and discrimination, and personal injury. Many team members are also engaged in related judicial review work, including challenges to the issue and execution of search warrants, decisions to caution, refusals to prosecute, and refusals to refer complaints to the IOPC.
Whilst committed to representing legally aided claimants, team members are alive to the constraints of public funding, and as such, some of our practitioners are willing to accept instructions on a ‘conditional fee’ basis where appropriate.
The team is always happy to be approached in order to provide bespoke in-house training to law centres, citizens’ advice bureaux, solicitors’ firms, and charities.