Anthony Berry KC

Introduction

A heavy criminal practice with a predominance of defence work.  In recent years he has concentrated on murder and fraud although he has undertaken cases involving serious sexual crime, drug importations and conspiracies as well as election fraud. He is experienced in conducting high profile cases.

Background and expertise

Since taking silk in 1994, he has established a heavyweight criminal practice, mainly in London. He appeared for one of the hijackers in the Stansted hijacking case (Old Bailey) as well as the two-year trial known as the Jubilee Line Extension Fraud (Old Bailey).

He appeared in the High Court of Malawi, instructed by the DPP,  to prosecute the Vice President for Conspiracy to Murder the President as well as Treason by planning to overthrow the Government by murdering members of the Cabinet.

Anthony is also a tenant at 7 Harrington Street Chambers (Liverpool)

Notable cases

R v J, 2021

Representing one of three defendants charged with murder and arson following drugs feud. The victim was doused in petrol and set alight. Trial lasted 10 weeks. Preston Crown Court.

News report here.

R v A & Others 2021

Conducted the re-trial between January and April 2021 of the alleged murder of robbery victim who fought back. Victim, who was a rapper from Manchester, was shot at close range. Liverpool Crown Court.

R v S, 2020

Represented one of five defendants charged with murder. Defendants travelled from Southampton to Wakefield to retrieve property from deceased. Leeds Crown Court.

News report here.

R v F, 2019

Defended man for strangling his partner and then stabbing her twenty times in heart and neck. Wolverhampton Crown Court.

News report here

R v U, 2019

Client acquitted of Murder of a boy at a Brixton youth club.  Convicted of Manslaughter as alternative. Central Criminal Court.

News report here

R v A, 2019

Defended youth for murder of a drug dealer who had been lured to his girlfriend’s home. St. Albans Crown Court.

News report here

R v BW, 2018 & 2019

Defended a head gamekeeper of a shooting estate in North Wales who was tried for manslaughter by reason of gross negligence. A semi automatic shotgun that was carried in his vehicle went off, killing another gamekeeper seated in the rear. The jury were unable to agree on the first trial. Caernarfon Crown Court.

News report here

R v LM, 2018

Defended a young man charged with murder. He was said to be a member of a Manchester gang which hunted down members of a Moss Side gang and attacked them with knives. Serious injuries were sustained and one young man was killed. LM ran the defence of alibi. Manchester Crown Court

R v L, 2018

Client faced charge of Conspiracy to cause GBH along with several others said to be members of a travellers’ community. A drugs deal with another such group went badly wrong which, late at night, led to an invasion of the second group’s camp where there were many women and children. It was claimed that L and his associates arrived brandishing and firing shotguns. One young man was shot at point blank range. Northampton Crown Court.

News report here

R v O, February 2018

A dispute between Liverpool drugs gangs in relation to a substantial importation led to the victim being beaten, extensively tortured over several hours and then murdered. His mutilated body was found in a burnt out car in the city. Convicted of assisting an offender, the client was acquitted of murder and manslaughter. Liverpool Crown Court.

R v M, December 2017

M acquitted of murder after a two week trial following the stabbing of a man on the streets of Manchester. Manchester Crown Court.

R v J & Others

Murder of an NHS worker during the Covid lockdown. Central Criminal Court.

Read more Notable cases

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

Golf, tennis, real tennis, Harlequins FC and Surrey CC

Professional commentary and attribution

"A superb advocate, who is mesmerising to listen to in court. His judgement in criminal cases is so finely tuned that he never ever puts a foot wrong." (Chambers UK, 2024)
"An impressive silk with vast experience."
"A delightful opponent who always builds up a good rapport with the jury." (Chambers UK, 2023)
"Anthony is a brilliant advocate who can, with charm, destroy the credibility of witnesses and win over juries with eloquent advocacy." (Legal 500, 2023)
"A classic old school advocate who knows his stuff backwards." (Chambers UK, 2022)
"A powerful advocate-he is everything juries expect a QC to be. Articulate and a real presence. Juries love him." (Legal 500, 2022)
"Great at getting on with juries, he knows how to build a rapport with them." (Chambers UK, 2021)
"A very impressive and eloquent trial advocate. His advocacy is first class and he has a wonderful manner with the jury. He is a very commanding presence in court and his ability to distil complex legal and factual issues rapidly, succinctly and persuasively is one of his very best attributes." (Legal 500, 2021)
"A superb defence silk at the top of his game" (Legal 500, 2020)
"He has a wealth of experience and is strategic, savvy and has a very pleasing manner in front of the jury." (Chambers UK, 2020)
"His ability enables him to make the job look easy.’"(Legal 500, 2018)
"He has a devastating technique in cross-examination and disarming charm."
(Legal 500, 2017)
"A veteran of murder cases." (Legal 500, 2016)
"Offers pragmatic legal advice and demonstrates prowess in defending individuals faced with serious criminal charges including murder."
Strengths:"A doyen of the Criminal Bar who is loved by solicitors and who is able to charm jurors with his easy style" ... "He works incredibly hard and is really effective in court."(Chambers UK, 2016)
"Regularly instructed in murder trials ... he is also experienced in fraud and corruption cases."
"He is a really polished performer. He has got many years of experience, and it shows. He gets to his feet and people sit up and listen."
"He is just brilliant at cross-examination and fantastic with clients."
(Chambers UK, 2015)
"Recommended for defending murder charges." (Legal 500 2015)
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PROFILE: Anthony Berry KC

Legal 500, 2024 Chambers UK, 2024

Year called

1976

Silk

1994

Specialisms

Crime

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Confiscation / POCA

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Corporate Offences

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Financial Crime

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Fraud, Bribery & Corruption

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Serious Crime

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Sexual offences

Disciplinary

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Corporate Offences

International

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International Terrorism

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Inquests / public inquiries

Military

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Military

Direct access

Yes

Contact

020 7489 2727

Education

Downside School

Lincoln College, Oxford

College of Law, London

Memberships

Criminal Bar Association

International Bar Association

European Criminal Bar Association

Fraud Lawyers Association

Association of Commonwealth Lawyers

Association of Military Court Advocates

Appointments

Member of the Panel of Advocates at the International Criminal Court

Head of Chambers from 1999 to 2016

Head of Head of Chambers Committee, England and Wales, 2005 -2012

Recorder of Crown Court, 1995-2005

Master of the Bench, Gray's Inn

Former member of the General Council of The Bar

Former Secretary, Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales

Recognition

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