TWO HARCOURT BUILDINGS AND ITS MEMBERS RANKED IN 2026 CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
We are delighted to announce that 2 Harcourt Buildings and 8 members individually have been ranked in the Crime and Financial Crime categories within the 2026 edition of Chambers and Partners UK.
Crime – 2 Harcourt Buildings - Band 4 London (Bar)
2 Harcourt Buildings is a recognised set for general crime with members of chambers prosecuting and defending the full range of criminal cases. Barristers at the set frequently take instruction in serious proceedings, many of them involving homicide, terrorism, sexual offences, drugs and child abuse. Recent examples of work include R v Thomas Huang, involving an attack at Blundell's Public school by a pupil, who claimed he was sleepwalking.
“The clerks are exceptionally professional, forward-thinking and fast. They anticipate in advance what needs to be done and have already thought about it before the solicitor or counsel contacts them.”
“Senior clerk Keith Poynter and his team are exceptional.”
“The clerking team are immediately responsive and their level of service is extremely high. “
“The clerks are responsive and agile enough to deal with specific needs.”
Individually Ranked Barristers London (Bar):
CRIME
"James is an extremely competent and hard-working KC, who always wants to achieve the best for his client.”
“James Dawes KC has a very strong prosecution practice. He displayed very strong tactical judgement and compassionate client skills.”
“He is extremely thorough, very able and very pleasant. He is direct, forceful and comprehensive on his feet." [Band 4]
"Paul Cavin KC always wants to achieve the best for his client, and therefore sets out so to do from the outset of any instruction.”
“Juries and judges love his style, and his cross-examination is devastatingly good. On his feet, taking on a defendant, it is absolutely edge-of-the-seat stuff." [Band 5]
"Dominic is an extremely competent and hard-working advocate, who always wants to achieve the best for his client.”
“Hockley is absolutely superb, incredibly clever, very hard-working and has excellent judgement. He reads the room really well.”
“He has got the drive you require to win a case. He can get complex situations over to juries and judges.”
“He is trusted to do some very serious work, which is not a surprise given that he works hard, thinks clearly and is one of the best advocates.”
“Dominic is outstanding and well-advanced of his call.”
“He is absolutely superb. He is incredibly clever, very hard-working and has excellent judgement. He is a star in the making.”
“Dominic is a great advocate, calm and extremely eloquent. He performs well beyond his call.” [Band 3]
"Catherine Donnelly is an extremely competent and hard-working advocate, who always wants to achieve the best for her client.”
“She does brilliant advocacy.”
“She is hard-working, tenacious and dedicated to delivering a good result. She understands the needs of the firm and lay client.”
“She is exceptional, very focused and presents the case with real clarity and impact. She showed fabulous judgement.” [Band 4]
"Christopher Stimpson is a very good jury advocate.”
“He bonds very well with the lay client and is very popular.”
“Stimpson gets excellent results for a client. He is a really excellent advocate and sensitive to client needs."[Band 5]
“Burgess has excellent preparation and advocacy.”
“She has a calm and controlled manner which is extremely effective, and which has juries completely onside right from the start.”
“Her advocacy was clear, concise and she dealt with experts so well.”
“Her advocacy in court was very good and well measured.”
“She is highly versatile and keenly aware as to the challenges firms in our sector face. She is highly trusted counsel.” [Band 6]
FINANCIAL CRIME
"Her client care is phenomenal on defence and when she is prosecuting she leaves no stone unturned."
"Jane is able to present extremely complicated and complex matters in a simple and persuasive manner that resonates with juries."
"She is top notch and extremely personable." [Band 4]
“Dominic is an extremely competent and hard-working advocate, who always wants to achieve the best for his client.”
“Hockley is absolutely superb, incredibly clever, very hard-working and has excellent judgement. He reads the room really well.”
“He has got the drive you require to win a case. He can get complex situations over to juries and judges.”
“He is trusted to do some very serious work, which is not a surprise given that he works hard, thinks clearly and is one of the best advocates.”
“Dominic is outstanding and well-advanced of his call.”
“He is absolutely superb. He is incredibly clever, very hard-working and has excellent judgement. He is a star in the making.”
“Dominic is a great advocate, calm and extremely eloquent. He performs well beyond his call.” [Band 4]
Individually Ranked Barristers North Eastern (Bar):
CRIME
“Julian fights relentlessly for the best possible outcome. He has attention to detail, excellent legal knowledge and client care.”
“He is highly impressive.” [Band 3]
We would like to thank those who took the time to act as referees for this process.