Orla O'Sullivan

Chambers Administrator at Mountford Chambers, London. Formerly Carmelite Chambers.

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

We are pleased to share that Alejandra Tascon has been appointed to the List of Prosecutors for the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Faculty Office, which operates under the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, is one of the oldest legal institutions in England and Wales. Through the Court of Faculties, it oversees the regulation of notaries public and carries out a range of legal and regulatory functions within the ecclesiastical and notarial framework.

https://t.co/YcOuZ5R0J7

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Following a 4 month multi-handed trial in Winchester Crown Court, Alan Kent KC’s client was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.

The case arose from an incident in Plymouth in 2023 in which Danny Cahalane died following a planned acid attack involving multiple defendants.

Alan led Matheos Lefteris of Rose Court Chambers. Alan and Matheos were instructed and supported throughout by the crime team at Stuart Miller Solicitors.

https://t.co/zDWcZnqAV2 @RoseCourtLaw @StuartMillerLaw

[Kalisher Trust @KalisherTrust]

You can read the winning essay in Kalisher’s 2026 competition here:

https://t.co/vt1P2CvTaz

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Fiona Clegg secured an acquittal on a charge of s.18 wounding with intent, following a successful submission of no case to answer.

The Crown’s case relied largely on CCTV footage, after Fiona successfully opposed a hearsay application when the complainant could not be located.

At the close of the Crown’s case, Fiona successfully argued that the CCTV evidence was insufficient to demonstrate the defendant had an intention to cause serious harm.

Fiona was instructed and assisted by Sarah Smith and Sam Blackwell of Tildens Ltd.

https://t.co/Ud2J1tW0Sr

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

On Thursday 23rd April, members of Mountford Chambers were proud to participate in the MD Communications Legal 5K run, helping to raise funds for Skylarks Charity.

We extend our thanks to MD Communications for organising an event that brings the legal community together in support of such an important cause, we are grateful for the opportunity to be involved.

Thank you to our fantastic team of runners Chris Henley KC, Ben Brown, Tom Edwards, Georgia-Mae Chung and Iain Sheridan for representing Chambers.

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

We are proud to announce that Joseph Sinclair, Martyn Hynes and Anjelica Smerin have been included in the Pro Bono Recognition List 2026, honoured by The Lady Chief Justice, The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill.

The initiative is supported by the Law Society, the Bar Council, CILEX and all the major pro bono organisations under the aegis of the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee.

Congratulations to Joseph, Martyn and Anjelica.

https://t.co/b8Sw0f1fa2

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

We are delighted to share that two members of Mountford Chambers have been featured in the latest edition of The Barrister Magazine.

Alejandra Tascon contributes an insightful piece on anti-money laundering obligations, ‘A Brief Guide to Barristers’ Obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations’.

James Lloyd explores the evolving role of generative AI in pupillage applications, ‘The Quiet Retreat from a Pupillage Application AI Ban’.

Read the full issue here: https://t.co/zP6yKKANSn

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Mountford Chambers in pleased to announce that Alexander Calder, James Miller and Sofia Napolitano have started their second six and are available to take instructions from today, Monday 30th March 2026.

https://t.co/aqvUI3zWBh

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

We had a wonderful evening at our Chambers yesterday celebrating the launch of James Lloyd’s book, 'A Practical Guide to Proceedings Before the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)'.

Congratulations to James on this impressive publication. The book provides an overview of the statutory fitness to practise framework, how case law shapes its various stages, and how the system operates in practice. It will serve as both a helpful aide memoire for experienced practitioners and an accessible starting point for those new to the area.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success, and to Law Brief Publishing for their support in bringing the book to publication.

The book is available for purchase here: https://t.co/OzlnkZRRD4

[Joe Robertson MP @JoePJRobertson]

"I don't blame jury trials at all." That's the verdict of Sir Brian Leveson - Chair of the Independent Review of Courts - when I asked why trials are taking so long.

So why is David Lammy and the Government scrapping jury trials for so many?

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

James Lloyd successful in Taxation Disciplinary Board appeal.

James Lloyd of Mountford Chambers successfully appeared for the appellant. The Appeal Tribunal overturned findings of the lawfulness of an alleged share transfer and associated findings of dishonesty and lack of integrity.

The appeal raised important issues concerning the interaction between company law and regulatory proceedings, the lawful framing of disciplinary allegations and dangers of pleading breaches overlapping with other statutory regimes, and the care required when tribunals determine serious allegations of dishonesty.

James was instructed by Lui Asquith of Russell-Cooke Solicitors.

https://t.co/wBUqyG4Zyb

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Join us on Wednesday 29th April at Mountford Chambers for the next Aggrieved panel session, chaired by Georgia-Mae Chung.

Georgia-Mae and the panellists will discuss how experiences of grief can shape and influence the work of legal professionals.

The session begins at 6:00pm, and will be followed by a drinks reception.

Panellists include:

- Michelle Clarke - Barrister at The 36 Group
- Olivia Beach - Barrister at One Pump Court Chambers
- Cyrianne Michel-Doyen - Senior County Court Advocate at Quest Legal Advocates Ltd

If you would like to register for this event, please contact Sahar Attarian [email protected]

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

On Thursday 12th March, Mountford Chambers participated in the annual pupillage advocacy evening at Inner London Crown Court. The event was organised by 5 King's Bench Walk and attended by pupils from 5KBW, Red Lion Chambers, 2 Bedford Row, 5 Paper Buildings, 2 Harcourt Buildings and Mountford Chambers.

The evening took place across two courtrooms, where a range of hearings took place, including PTPHs and sentences. Mountford’s pupils appeared in front of HHJ Cottage KC.

The event was an invaluable experience for our pupils, navigating last minute changes of instructions and wayward clients. They all rose to the challenge.

Our thanks go to Inner London Crown Court, 5KBW and members of Chambers involved for their support and contributions in making this event such a success.

Alexander-James Calder, James Miller, and Sofia Napolitano will commence their second six on 30th March. Lily Martin will commence her second six on 13th July.

We wish them all the best of luck.

https://t.co/q15oY1gMPf

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Ahead of International Women’s Day, Head of Chambers Chris Henley KC writes for Counsel Magazine, discussing examples of positive change amid the significant systemic challenges that remain and underlining the importance of being an ally to women at the criminal Bar.

Read the full article here: https://t.co/Lxp7i3vPP6

#IWD2026 #Internationalwomensday #GiveToGain

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Abigail Penny successfully defended an assistant headmaster who was accused of rape and assisting his co-defendant to rape a young man in a basement stairwell in Central Brighton.

After an 8 day trial the jury acquitted both defendants of all charges in less than an hour.

Abigail was instructed by Josie Sonnessa of Horsman Solicitors.

https://t.co/JCSBgbiQBt

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Anthony James reviews the Sentencing Act 2026 and considers the key pending developments.

https://t.co/SmHGenE9HG

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

We were delighted to host @ABTamilLawyers at Mountford Chambers for their Mock First Round Pupillage Interviews.

Thank you to the interviewers who gave their time, and every success to all participants.

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Edward Henry KC and James Lloyd appear in murder appeal.

Edward and James act on behalf of the Appellant in a significant appeal commencing today before the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

The appeal arises from a reference by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The CCRC has referred the conviction to the Court on the basis that there is a real possibility the Court will find the conviction unsafe.

The case, relating to a conviction of murder in 2011, concerns complex issues surrounding diminished responsibility, fresh expert psychiatric evidence and the impact of that material on the safety of the original conviction. The hearing is expected to last two days.

Edward and James are instructed by Luke Gittos of Murray Hughman, through the Registrar of Criminal Appeals.

https://t.co/qhX505TF5j

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Edward Henry KC is instructed in the case of Omar Benguit, which concerns the murder of student Jong-Ok Shin.

A major investigation by Panorama has uncovered compelling new evidence suggesting that Omar may have spent more than two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. The findings raise serious questions about the conduct of the original police investigation and the fairness of Omar’s three trials.

https://t.co/8FKcgoXzOR

[Mountford Chambers @mountforduk]

Edward Henry KC and Bozzie Sheffi have begun a sensitive 6 week trial involving rape allegations concerning children.

Edward and Bozzie are instructed by Maria Haywood of Wannops LLP.