News - Dere Street Barristers

03/11/2025

Members of Chambers and staff extend a warm welcome to Ralph McMullen who begins his tenancy within Chambers today

Ralph is a highly experienced lawyer and advocate who spent 20 years as a solicitor before transferring to the Bar. He will be joining the Family and Civil Costs teams in Chambers John Elvidge KC – Head of Chambers said “we are delighted to welcome Ralph to chambers, he has a wealth of experience and […]

27/10/2025

Court of Appeal quashes sentence of immediate imprisonment

Calum McNicholas represented a 22-year-old who pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences. The Defendant was given an immediate custodial sentence. Calum successfully argued that the Crown Court erred in its application of the suspended sentence guidelines. Following submissions, the Court of Appeal replaced the immediate imprisonment with a suspended sentence. They also agreed with Calum’s […]

25/10/2025

HHJ Susan Boothroyd

Everyone at Dere Street joins in warmly congratulating our former colleague Susan Boothroyd upon her elevation to the Circuit Bench. The appointment was announced on the judiciary website on 24th October, The King has appointed Susan Boothroyd to be a Circuit Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable David Lammy MP, and […]

24/10/2025

Sexual Risk Orders

This Autumn’s podcast is brought to you by Michael Cahill who takes us through sexual risk orders. Michael prides himself on being a common law lawyer and accepting work across multiple disciplines. Michael believes that his knowledge across practice areas is often invaluable in providing informed advice for his clients. You can watch the episode […]

24/10/2025

Liam O’Brien Secures Further Acquittals

Liam O’Brien secured not guilty verdicts on all counts once again this week. Liam was instructed by Glenn Reardon of Yarwood Holmes Law to represent a young father stopped in a vehicle shortly before midnight while carrying an axe, a machete, a balaclava and gloves. He was charged with two offences of being in possession […]

23/10/2025

Richard Herrmann and Rachael Landin prosecuted members of a north-east based Organised Crime Group

Richard Herrmann and Rachael Landin prosecuted members of a north-east based Organised Crime Group headed by Shaun Monaghan. The group were involved in the supply of industrial scale quantities of cocaine, heroin and amphetamine as well as having access to an arsenal of lethal firearms including machine guns and other automatic weapons and an improvised […]

22/10/2025

Jordan Parkinson secures suspended sentence order for a woman who was subject to the third-strike provisions for class A drugs

Jordan Parkinson was instructed by Paul Armstrong of Armstrong Westgarth Law Ltd to represent a woman who was charged with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Jordan successfully advanced that there are particular circumstances which relate to both the offence and to the offender that would make it unjust to impose that statutory […]

16/10/2025

Members of Chambers ranked in Chambers and Partners 2026 Edition

Crime – North Eastern (Bar) What the Team is Known For Dere Street Barristers is noted for its team, which includes “experienced silks and juniors as well as an energetic group of talented younger barristers.” The set is noted for their expertise in a wide range of criminal matters, including serious crimes such as homicides […]

16/10/2025

Gateshead grooming gang found guilty

Anne Richardson recently finished prosecuting a six handed, seven week case involving a Gateshead grooming gang who sexually assaulted and raped young girls. Anne Richardson was leading Emma Dowling of the Crown Prosecution Service. You can view full media coverage here and here. If you would like to book Anne or any of the Criminal […]