This is Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings for our Criminal Law team.

Kenworthy’s is thrilled that Chambers and Partners ranked our Crime department as well as four of our Senior Criminal Barristers in their 2026 listings.

Crime

Chambers and Partners said, “Kenworthy's Chambers offers Barristers who are excellent, down to earth and always able to deliver with expertise spanning a wide range of criminal matters.”

“The set's barristers are experienced in both the prosecution and defence of cases relating to homicides, high-value drugs conspiracies and serious violent and sexual offences.” 

“The team is routinely instructed to appear in trials in the Crown Courts and in appellate proceedings, and the Barristers undertake both private and publicly funded work.”

Martin McCarthy KC 

Chambers and Partners ranked Martin McCarthy KC (Door Tenant) in both Crime and Financial Crime, noting that he holds expertise in serious crime, including homicide, drugs, organised crime, terrorism, serious sexual offending, and fraud.

Financial crime respondents said, “Martin is on top of every aspect of his case.”

“Martin has always had a great analytical mind and is able to handle huge, complex cases.” 

“Martin is very persuasive, works tirelessly, and juries love his speeches.” 

Meanwhile, his crime respondents said, “He has a common touch. His skill set lies with clients and solicitors.” 

“Martin McCarthy KC has always been a great analytical mind and is always able to handle complex and huge cases.” 

“McCarthy is very persuasive, works tirelessly marshalling facts and juries love his speeches. He gets results.”

Andrew Selby KC 

Chambers and Partners described Andrew Selby KC (Door Tenant) as “A respected Silk with a strong defence practice. He is experienced in cases requiring a wide range of experts, boosted by his expertise handling matters in mental health tribunals. He accepts instructions across serious crime, including homicide and sexual offences.”

The leading legal directory provided him with further testimonials, saying, “Andrew has proved himself repeatedly to be a skilled advocate.”

“Andrew is a total class act. Clients love him, Solicitors love him. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

“Andrew Selby is a very safe pair of hands to tackle any case.”

Barry Grennan

“Barry Grennan is Head of Chambers and specialises as a Criminal Defence Advocate and is often instructed in serious and complex criminal cases.” 

“He is an expert on white-collar crime and is vastly knowledgeable on all areas of serious crime, including gang-related murders, sexual offences, people trafficking, and infanticide.” 

Chambers and Partners went on to add, “He also boasts a thriving fraud and regulatory practice.”

Patrick Cassidy

The Leading legal directory described Kenworthy’s Chambers Deputy Head of Chambers, saying, “Patrick Cassidy is a highly capable criminal defence advocate with a broad practice encompassing the full spectrum of serious general and financial crime.” 

“He has experience of the most complex and challenging cases, including sexual offences, child abuse and gangland crime.” 

They finished by adding, “He also handles cases concerning police misconduct and deaths in custody.” We will go on to detail his Inquests and Public Inquiries expertise in subsequent legal directory news articles.

Criminal Clerks

Special mention to our fantastic Criminal Clerks, Paul Mander and Greg Highton, who received praise in the chambers guide.

Chambers and Partners said, “There is excellent and prompt support from the Clerks.”

“The Clerking Team always responds efficiently and quickly.”

For further reading on our Crime department, see Kenworthy’s Chambers 2026 Legal 500 Criminal Law Rankings.

If you have a criminal case, you need advice or advocacy for, you can ring our Criminal Clerks, Paul Mander and Greg Highton on 0161 832 4036, or email them directly. Their emails are Paul@kenworthys.co.uk and Greg@kenwrothys.co.uk.