Apex is delighted to announce that Elin Morgan, Ben Jones and Aliyah Hussain have begun their pupillage today.

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We wish them the best of luck!

Chambers is pleased to announce that Alex Williams has joined our clerking team. 

Apex are delighted to announce that Hannah Friedman, Emily Jermin and Ross McQuillan-Johnson will be commencing pupillage later this year.

We look forward to welcoming them to chambers in due course.

Apex Chambers invites anyone interested in a career at the criminal bar or contemplating applying to Apex for pupillage to attend a virtual Q&A session on Monday 1st February 2021 at 6pm.

There will be a brief talk from members of chambers of chambers on what to expect during pupillage followed by a Q&A session. The session should take no longer than 1 hour in total.

If you would like to attend, please e-mail clerks@apexchambers.net. You will then be sent a link to enable you to attend.

We are delighted to be ranked as a "top tier" chambers for criminal law in the new edition of #Legal500. Congratulations to Jonathan Rees QC for his ranking as a Leading Silk and to all of our members ranked as Leading Juniors.

Apex continues to be involved in some of the most high profile, complex and serious matters across England and Wales, both prosecuting and defending.

If you would like to discuss instructing any member of chambers or wish to arrange a training session then please do not hesitate to contact the clerks. #accesstoexcellence

Barrister Alexander Greenwood gives a first-hand account of the first trial to take place in the UK during lockdown and offers some thoughts on how the ‘new normal’ of courtroom procedures could affect trading standards cases.

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The Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP has been officially sworn in as the new Lord Chancellor.

Mr Buckland is a barrister, having been called in 1991. The Member of Parliament for Swindon South, he previously served as Solicitor General between 2014 and 2019.

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He is a member of Apex Chambers.

Chambers has joined Facebook and Twitter. Follow us to keep up to date.

Chambers congratulates Lucy Crowther on her appointment as Circuit Judge.

HHJ Lucy Crowther will be sorely missed by all in Chambers but will be an excellent addition to the bench. We wish her every success for the future.

Chambers is pleased to announce that Ben Douglas-Jones QC has been appointed a Deputy High Court Judge. His appointment takes effect on 1st October 2021.

The appointment followed an open competition by the Judicial Appointments Commission. 

Ben is ranked in Chambers and Partners in Consumer Law, Crime and Financial Crime.  Ben is the author of several key legal texts. He was named The Times Lawyer of the Week for successfully prosecuting Ieuan Harley in 2019 for the murder of David Gaut, who had been convicted of murdering a 15-month-old baby in 1985.

Alexander Greenwood's new article "CPRs vs. the Fraud Act" in the Journal of Trading Standards.

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Chambers is delighted to announce that Rebecca Griffiths has been selected for the inaugural Bar Council Leadership Programme. Rebecca is proud to be representing Wales, the Criminal Bar and barristers with a disability in this important new initiative.
“Society is constantly changing, and perhaps now more than ever,” Rebecca says. “If the Bar is to continue to be relevant, and maintain the respect that is essential to the discharge of its duties, it has to reflect on its own belief systems, and ensure that these are aligned with those of the society we serve. This is a significant nationwide initiative by the Bar Council that will help us to develop an inclusive approach to shaping the environment within the profession, for the benefit of all. I am delighted to have been selected to participate in this inaugural programme.”
The Bar Council Leadership Programme aims to engage barristers across all geographical and practice areas to build a shared and robust cultural model for the future. The programme will create a network of leaders and through them provide an opportunity for barristers to consider the role they can play within their practice areas, chambers, the Bar and wider profession, and to contribute positively to society in general.
 

In July 2020 the National Crime Agency and police, together with European partners infiltrated an encrypted communication platform known as Encrochat . According to Europol this has led to the seizure of in excess of 10,000 kilos of cocaine alone. The number of arrests in the UK is increasing and the National Crime Agency has already reported nearly 750 arrests. 

The Western Mail reported the impact of the EncroChat infiltration in South Wales:

"Police in Wales have joined colleagues from around Europe in a major operation targeting serious organised crime gangs after the criminals' communications were secretly monitored.

The huge international operation has seen 30 arrests in Wales while more than £2.5m in cash along with in excess of 60kg of cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin with an estimated street value of £6m being seized across the south of the country alone."

Apex Chambers have been instructed in early cases coming before the courts and are able to offer advice if you are effected by the EncroChat hack.  

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Well done to all members of Apex who participated in a charity poker night this month hosted by Susan Ferrier. They donated £140 to Crisis to support those in  need this Christmas.

Apex Chambers warmly welcomes Hashim Salmman, Andrew Taylor, Lowri Wynn Morgan and Marian Lewis.

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Congratulations also to Abigail Jackson and Martha Smith-Higgins who have both accepted offers of tenancy following their pupillage.

Congratulations to Jonathan Elystan Rees QC who took silk in March 2019.

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(Pictured with Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit Paul Hopkins QC)