Dere Street ranked in the Legal 500 2025 across several disciplines

Criminal Law

At Dere Street Barristers, the ‘very thorough and keen’ team continues to handle a high volume of serious criminal cases, and the set reports an uptick in instructions concerning serious sexual offences. Richard Herrmann, who is ‘extremely attentive to detail’, heads up the group and has expertise in defending and prosecuting in cases involving large-scale drugs conspiracies and serious violence. John Elvidge KC is a highly regarded practitioner in the space, and Peter Makepeace KC has ‘excellent communication skills’. David Lamb KC‘s recent workload includes multi-defendant murder cases. Anne Richardson ’is formidable yet professional‘.

‘The clerks are helpful and able.’
‘A great set, highly regarded and professionally managed.’

Ranked Silks

 John Elvidge KC; Peter Makepeace; KC; David Lamb KC

Ranked Juniors

Anne Richardson ‘Anne has the ear of the court. She absorbs the facts of cases and has the end game in sight from the beginning.’ Daniel Cordey ‘A very assured and able junior.’ Anthony Davis ‘Anthony is a highly accomplished advocate.’ Richard Herrmann ‘He is a superb jury advocate and strikes the perfect balance between personable and impartial. A cool operator in court.’ Jane Waugh ‘She prepares well and has great communication skills.’

Family

Dere Street Barristers is ‘a well respected set’ with a team of ‘highly experienced family law barristers’. ‘The ’very thorough‘ and ’logical‘ Tim Donnelly specialises in children law matters, with cases involving allegations of fabricated/induced illness and serious child injuries prominent in his recent workload. Pauline Moulder is ’a formidable advocate‘, with an established track record in advising on complex public children law cases. The ’compelling‘ Christopher McKee represents parents, local authorities, guardians and intervenors in cases involving allegations of severe sexual abuse and child injuries, and Ravinder Randhawa’s workload includes forced marriage issues and FGM cases.

‘Kevin Mordue goes from strength to strength.’
‘Liam Johnson is friendly, helpful and always gets back to me.’

Ranked Juniors

Family: children and domestic abuse

Pauline Moulder ‘Pauline is a premier league counsel.’ Elizabeth Callaghan ‘A stellar advocate with the ability to put clients at ease.’ Tim Donnelly ‘Tim is a master of his craft.’ Elizabeth Lugg ‘She is a formidable advocate, fearless and exercises good judgement.’ Christopher McKee ‘Christopher is an exceptional and highly skilled advocate. He is able to deal with very complex and niche issues and advocate those in a manner that is persuasive, consistent, comprehensive and also very calm and clear.’ Ravinder Randhawa ‘She is extremely confident in her approach. Her cross-examination style has great poise and professionalism.’ Andrew Pike ‘A very diligent, thorough and skilled advocate. His preparation is second to none. He is able to give pragmatic advice to clients in difficult circumstances.’ Jennie Smith ‘Jennie is an extremely well-prepared and knowledgeable advocate. She has a friendly manner with clients, offering support and guidance as well as realistic and robust advice.’

Family: divorce and financial remedy

Crispin Oliver ‘Crispin always puts across his arguments to the court in a forceful yet respectable manner, and clients always feel that their case is put forward in the strongest possible way by him.’

Civil

Chancery, probate, and tax

Stephen Fletcher ‘Stephen is a highly effective cross-examiner. He is a master at controlling hearings and keeping judges focused on the issues at hand.’

Personal injury

Daniel Edwards ‘He has great tactical awareness and the quality of his work is superb. James Robinson ‘James is thorough and able to relate to clients; his manner means that they take to him almost immediately.’