Members of chambers have appeared in a string of high-profile murder cases over the years, both prosecuting and defending, as juniors and as silks. Members appear in murder and manslaughter trials nationwide, but are frequently involved in major cases of this kind at the Old Bailey.

Cases of more historic renown undertaken by members include the trial of Baroness de Stemple, R v Jeremy Bamber and R v Harry Roberts and ors (1967), in which three police officers were shot dead outside Wormwood Scrubs prison. More recent cases are the Essex Range Rover gangland triple murder and R v Martin – a murder conviction later reduced to manslaughter, where a farmer shot intruders as they ran from his property

 

Other contemporary, high-profile cases in which members of 18 Red Lion Court have appeared include:

 

Members of chambers have long and substantial expertise in cases of homicide. These range from short trials of a week or less, to long trials involving multiple defendants, difficult evidential and technical issues, e.g. where death is caused by unusual or indirect routes. These require expert witness examination and strategic planning before and during trial. Members of 18 Red Lion Court are alert to such matters, and have undertaken many such cases. Examples include:

 

Members of chambers are sensitive to the special demands of a murder trial. These can require careful navigation. Members of chambers are sensitive to the needs of interested parties and, in particular, witnesses who may vulnerable for a wide variety of reasons, or have special needs during the trial. Murder allegations are particularly stressful for defendants: they are usually remanded in custody for long periods before trial (often in conditions of high security) and face the prospect of lengthy conviction if they are convicted. Members are accustomed to prosecuting or defending in homicide cases that have been complicated by additional issues, such as:

 

Murder allegations are many and various. Some, had not a foot connected with a neck artery or a knife penetrated a millimeter too far, would have been simple assaults or wounding. Others have a multitude of technical and legal complications. However, all have one thing in common – they will attract extremely high minimum terms of imprisonment alongside the mandatory sentence of Life Imprisonment. Twenty years ago, mitigation in a murder case was often confined to a few words: now the additional rights of family members and partners to express their reaction to the killing and the increasing body of statutory and case law on sentencing means that barristers have a vital role in assisting clients and the court on sentencing issues. Likewise, in the past, the prosecution had little or no role in sentencing: it also now plays a pro-active and vital role in assisting the court. Chambers prides itself on being able to present these issues carefully, attractively and accurately. This duty does not end at the door of the Crown Court. Members are frequently involved in sentencing appeals since both the prosecution and the defence have rights of appeal in this area.