History

Chambers was established in 1975 in South Square, Gray’s Inn, from which it quickly grew in size and reputation. In 1991, we moved to 3 Gray’s Inn Square before finally arriving at 25 Bedford Row in 2002.

Set up as a criminal defence set it is fitting that 25 Bedford Row was the address from which Sir William Garrow, arguably the greatest criminal advocate of all time, practised his art. Garrow (1760-1840) was a fearless defence advocate who almost single-handedly created the rules of the modern criminal trial, appearing almost daily at the Old Bailey.

Former members of chambers include three circuit judges: HHJ Philip Statman, HHJ Sylvia de Bertodano, and HHJ Geoffrey Payne.

For over 20 years, Chambers was led by the inspirational Rock Tansey KC and developed from a purely criminal defence set to one which specialises in advocacy across a wide range of specialist areas.

Rock Tansey QC was succeeded in 2009 by Paul Mendelle KC and George Carter-Stephenson KC who were then subsequently joined by Jeremy Dein KC in 2014. They led chambers for 9 years until the appointments of Tyrone Smith KC and Nicola Howard KC as Joint Heads of Chambers.

Their reputation for excellence is demonstrated by involvement in almost every recent major serious trial, whether in fraud, terrorism or general crime.

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