Crime Team
Welcome to the Crime Team at 1 Pump Court. We specialise in criminal defence and appeal.
Senior Criminal Clerk – Mycal Thomas
First Junior Criminal Clerk – John Collins
Junior Clerk – Sam Windle
Telephone 0207 842 7070
Out of hours emergency telephone 0777 423 8444 (solicitors only)
Email clerks@1pumpcourt.co.uk
Specialist Criminal Defence Barristers
1 Pump Court Crime Team spans all levels of call and we are instructed in all areas of criminal work. We are regularly instructed in the appellate and administrative courts, often in high-profile matters. Our experienced counsel represent defendants charged with the most serious and sensitive offences in the Crown Court. In addition, our junior practitioners have a demonstrated record for providing fearless defence, including in the Magistrates' and Youth courts.
Our commitment to the vulnerable and persecuted has led many members to develop specialist practices working with specific client groups. This includes, for example, victims of human trafficking, gypsies and travellers and those involved in political or animal rights protest.
Examples of the diverse expertise within the team include confiscation proceedings, international criminal law and representing defendants accused of football related crime. We have a number of human rights experts and barristers experienced in regulatory crime (including MHRA proceedings) licensing, extradition matters and satellite litigation including civil actions against the police.
Chambers also specialises in other areas of work, including housing, immigration, prison and family law. Clients with multiple legal problems benefit from the diverse experience of our members.
Criminal judicial review and representing the victims of miscarriages of justice are expanding areas of expertise within the team.
The Highest Standards of Client Care
Our service is modern and professional. Client care is our priority throughout.
We understand the importance of being available. Once instructed we can always be contacted by solicitors. This includes offering an out of hours service for emergency judicial review and weekend and holiday court cover.
We are based in the Temple, and provide excellent conferencing facilities in Chambers or we are willing to travel for the convenience of our solicitors and lay clients.
Our Criminal Clerking Team: Modern and Professional
Mycal Thomas, our senior criminal clerk, has been with us for over twenty years. Mycal is very popular with solicitors and has considerable expertise, delivering first class criminal clerking with a particular emphasis on professionalism and client care. He is ably supported by John Collins, who also has a wealth of experience, and Sam Windle, our junior clerk.
Our clerks are always happy to meet with solicitors to discuss their requirements and how best to provide a service suited to the particular needs of each firm. For example, Mycal holds training sessions with some of our instructing solicitor’s firms on the criminal graduated fee scheme. He is always happy to discuss the friendly and efficient clerking service that we provide.
Our clerksroom is open Monday to Friday 8.30am – 6.30pm and our criminal clerks are available throughout the day. Our out of hours phone number (0777 423 84440) is for use by solicitors only and for the purpose of arranging emergency representation.
CPD Accredited Seminars
We offer CPD accredited seminars free of charge, at a time and place convenient for our instructing solicitors. We have provided in house seminars at the offices of a number of firms around London and the South East on topics covering all aspects of the criminal litigation process, including the niche areas of expertise of individuals within the team.
Our annual seminar series takes place every autumn at St. Brides Institute, just off Fleet Street. The details can be found on our website at www.1pumpcourt.co.uk/seminars
We are always happy to discuss tailoring our seminars to suit the requirements and interests of our instructing solicitors. Please contact our clerking team for further details.
Private Client and Legal Aid Work
We accept instructions in both private client and legal aid work. We offer discounted rates for block contracting of private fee work and competitive rates for individual cases.
Our barristers are committed to publicly funded work, and believe that legal aid for the disadvantaged is a fundamental right in a fair society. Consequently our legally aided clients receive the same service as those who can afford to instruct a barrister privately. We pride ourselves on being friendly, professional and approachable. All of our barristers are always willing to discuss any case with instructing solicitors, no matter how big or small the query.