Crime

Our reputation is built upon some of the best talent at the criminal bar. Quality at all levels and in each discipline is supported by stellar clerking and case management, making us one of the most sought-after sets in the country.

5PB prosecutes and defends cases at all levels, both domestically and internationally. Our barristers are a natural choice for cases of large-scale drug importation, corruption of public servants, firearms offences, historic sexual offences, blackmail and serious violence. Members of chambers at all levels appear on the Attorney-General’s list of prosecutors and prosecute on behalf of local authorities and other government departments.

Our barristers have huge experience in cases involving vulnerable witnesses, public interest immunity and sensitive disclosure issues, parallel proceedings and technology crime. Our expertise in the related areas of business crime, proceeds of crime and extradition has cemented our leading reputation.

Increasingly, serious criminal cases involve evidence derived from or stored on computers, mobile telephones or other complex technological devices. Understanding the use of technology in crime is a vital part of criminal practice. Our expertise in this area is unrivalled, with members prosecuting and defending a wealth of cases involving difficult technological evidence, relating to offences from software piracy and fraud to child pornography.

Members regularly lecture on crime and publish as authors, contributing editors and editors in Archbold and other journals and practitioners’ guides.