TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2025 LEGAL 500
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 17 of its members (in 3 different categories) have been ranked within the Legal 500 UK 2025 publication.
LONDON BAR – CRIME – TIER 4
2 Harcourt Buildings is described as ‘an excellent set that conducts high-end prosecution and defence work’ and another client testimonial states ‘this set is outstanding in all respects; calibre of counsel, top-flight individuals with clerks who 'are unmatchable in service and client care’.
'Keith Poynter is a great clerk and Gary Wright is also very personable and easy to work with.'
'Senior clerk Keith Poynter is first rate in his client care and ability to provide the perfect counsel for each case.'
'Gary Wright and Keith Poynter are utterly client focused, extremely responsive, and know the market inside out. They are also very adept at encouraging and nurturing new and existing streams of work.'
'The clerks are superb - they have a lovely ethos and work hard to make sure that chambers is run efficiently and well. They are a joy to deal with.'
'2 Harcourt Buildings is an excellent set that conducts high-end prosecution and defence work. They have a range of seniority of counsel who are suitable for a wide breadth of matter types.'
'They are a good set with good counsel.'
'One of the best sets of chambers in London with barristers of the highest quality.'
'2 Harcourt Buildings has real strength in depth when it comes to prosecution. They never disappoint.'
INDIVIDUALS
CRIME
SILKS
Leading Silks
Jane Osborne KC ‘Jane is tactically astute and skilled at handling young clients. She holds the respect of the court and her judgement is spot on every time.' (Tier 3)
James Dawes KC 'James is never underprepared. He is direct and determined. His cross-examination is forceful and effective and his legal submissions are uncompromising. Despite his strong approach to prosecution he is delightful company and has a great sense of humour.' (Tier 4)
Paul Cavin KC ‘Paul is calm under pressure, able to assimilate vast amounts of information quickly, a smooth communicator, and clever.’ (Tier 4)
2024 Silks
Kate Blumgart KC ‘Kate is charming to have as an opponent but is always thoroughly prepared and completely on top of the case. She is a really persuasive advocate who juries warm to. Her cross-examination of defendants is usually devastating because she is well prepared and extremely sharp.’
JUNIORS
Leading Juniors
Catherine Donnelly ‘Catherine is an extremely capable barrister. She works extremely hard, has fabulous judgement and is brilliant with both the jury and the judge. Catherine can go toe-to-toe with silks and come out on top.’ (Tier 2)
Tom Nicholson ‘Tom's written advocacy and oral advocacy is very good; he is clear, to the point and covers all legal issues. He is able to present complex cases to a very high standard and is confident when dealing with tricky issues. Tom quickly gains the trust and respect of all present in the courtroom due to his legally sound judgement, his experience, confidence and calm nature.' (Tier 2)
Sam Barker ‘Sam is an exceptional advocate for his call. He combines excellent knowledge with common sense practical application.’ (Tier 3)
Jenny Burgess ‘Jenny is an excellent advocate. Her meticulous attention to detail is obvious from the ease with which she takes the jury through large volumes of evidence. Her sound judgement and confidence means that she knows which points to take and which to leave.' (Tier 4)
Edward Franklin ‘Edward's organisation and legal knowledge is impressive. He has a close attention to detail and excellent judgement. In relation to advocacy, he makes detailed submissions which has the court spellbound.' (Tier 4)
Natalia Constantine ‘Natalia combines razor-sharp intellect with an ability to deal robustly, but still courteously, with multiple experienced defence counsel. She takes responsibility for her aspect of the work without unnecessarily troubling others in the team. Natalia is an incisive advocate who gets to the real issue very quickly.’ (Tier 4)
Toby Fitzgerald (Tier 4)
Rising Stars
William Goss ‘William is an outstanding advocate. He has great flair in court, cross-examines beautifully, and has the ability to deal with opponents with courtesy but firmness. His instincts are superb, and his work is always of the absolute highest quality. He is quite obviously a star in the making.’
FRAUD: CRIME
SILKS
Leading Silks
JUNIORS
Leading Juniors
John Ojakovoh ‘A junior with a highly analytical approach to cases.' (Tier 3)
Dominic Hockley ‘Dominic is charismatic, responsive, charming and effective in court. He goes above and beyond to ensure any prosecution is presented in the most polished and perfected manner for the jury to understand. He is dogged and tenacious in ensuring a just result.' (Tier 3)
Tom Nicholson ‘Tom is very responsive and hard-working. He is able to engage the jury and judge with great ease and is a pleasure to watch on his feet.’ (Tier 4)
PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINARY AND REGULATORY LAW
JUNIORS
Leading Juniors
Charles Drinnan (Tier 4)
ON OTHER CIRCUITS:
Sarah Gaunt is ranked as a Leading Junior (Tier 2) in Crime (General and Fraud) - Regional Bar (Midland Circuit) and Regional Bar (South Eastern Circuit).
Julian Jones is ranked as a Leading Junior (Tier 3) in Crime (General and Fraud) Regional Bar – North Eastern Circuit. 'A diligent junior with an authoritative court presence.'
Chambers would like to express their gratitude to all of their clients who took the time to act as referees.
To read the full set overview please click here