Mary McCarthy

Criminal Barrister

Year of Call
1994

mary.mccarthy@walnuthouse.co.uk

Recent Recommendations

Handles all kinds of criminal matters, with commendable experience acting in serious cases involving sexual offences, drugs, violence and fraud. She primarily acts as defence counsel, though she is also a CPS Grade 4 prosecutor.

“She’s an extremely good advocate, brilliant at cross-examination and very good tactically; she knows how to destroy the opposition.”
Chambers and Partners 2018

Criminal Law

Murder, Manslaughter and Non-fatal Violence

Overview

Mary has vast experience of prosecuting and defending allegations of a serious and complex nature including allegations murder, manslaughter, kidnap and blackmail. She has acted alone for the prosecution and defence in cases of attempted murder and manslaughter and regularly acts as junior counsel in cases of murder.

R v R, W and M
Prosecution of those involved in robbery of a postmaster involving an ammonia attack.

R v B
Led Junior in murder case representing young defendant with low IQ.

R v R
Acted for defendant in case involving a single punch manslaughter

R v F
Acted for mother of child with multiple fractures/brain injury charged jointly with father of child.

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Serious Sexual Offences

Overview

Mary is a very experienced rape specialist who has conducted numerous cases for the prosecution and defence. She is particularly experienced in dealing with vulnerable victims and was a facilitator delivering training to other barristers for the vulnerable witness course. She is often instructed for the prosecution in cases with multiple defendants and/or multiple complainants. A number of her defence cases have explored issues of false early childhood memories. Her cases often involve complex bad character and hearsay arguments. She has a high level of client care and commitment to her cases.

R v W, W, S and W
Acted for prosecution in multi handed 4 defendant case where QCs represented two of the defendants. 13 complainants across 2 generations. Life imprisonment for main defendant.

R v W
Prosecuted stepfather for historic rapes on stepdaughter.

R v H
Defence for allegation of rape of girlfriend by defendant.

R v M
Defence for allegation of series of rapes by husband on wife during marriage.

R v B
Defence for allegation of rape of a learning disabled adult who had been falsely imprisoned and raped by another.

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Fraud, Commercial Crime, Confiscation and other Dishonesty Offences

Overview

Mary is well known for her detailed case preparation and has particular expertise in cases that require a command of technically complex material.

R v J and S
Prosecution of international money laundering conspiracy involving £1.5 million.

R v L
Defended an accountant accused of defrauding a client over a long period.

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Driving Deaths and Motor Manslaughter

Overview

Mary has conducted many cases involving causing death by dangerous driving. She has a sensitive approach with clients and families.

R v D
Prosecution of a HGV lorry driver who collided with a broken down vehicle on the M5.

R v F
Prosecution of driver who drove into school girls using a pedestrian crossing.

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Drugs offences

Overview

Mary has had considerable experience in the Prosecution of large drugs conspiracies involving complex telecommunications evidence. She is also regularly instructed to act on behalf of defendants in such cases and has an astute eye for the best tactical approach to the evidence.

Operation D
Instructed for the prosecution in this 9 defendant case involving conspiracy to class A drugs supply and child sexual exploitation. Conducted 2 successful trials involving multiple defendants resulting in lengthy terms of imprisonment

R v C
Defence of vulnerable addict used by others in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs

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Parole Board, Prison Adjudications, Inquests and Enquiries and Police Disciplinary

Overview

Mary McCarthy has received training in parole hearing advocacy and has conducted parole board and prison adjudications.

Biographical and Other Information

Memberships
Member of Criminal Bar Association. Member of Middle Temple
Academic
Attended Exeter University 1990-1993.

Criminal Law team members

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Lee Bremridge

Year Of Call : 2003; Head of Chambers

Lee Bremridge is Head of Chambers at Walnut House and a criminal barrister experienced in all areas of complex and serious crime. Lee is known for dealing with serious cases, defending and prosecuting in equal measure.

lee.bremridge@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Simon Laws KC

Year Of Call : 1991

In May 2021, Simon Laws KC was instructed to represent the victims in a trial in The Hague in which the former President of Kosovo and three others are being tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The proceedings are ongoing and Mr Laws is therefore currently unable to accept other instructions.

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Paul Cavin KC

Year Of Call : 1995; Door Tenant

Paul is a Door Tenant of Walnut House, with family connections to the South West. He is also Head of Chambers at 2 Harcourt Buildings in London. Paul specialises in homicide, fraud, corporate crime – particularly bribery and corruption but also money laundering, cyber crime, and proceeds of crime.
He is regularly instructed by the CPS and the SFO and was on the Attorney General’s Criminal List for many years. Before his call to the bar he trained as a solicitor at a city firm (where he gained experience in all aspects of commercial law before qualifying in the commercial litigation/fraud group). He is a member of the Private Prosecutors’ Association and the Fraud Lawyers Association.

paul.cavin@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Adrian Chaplin

Year Of Call : 1990

Adrian is a highly effective and sought-after advocate with extensive experience of heavy-weight and sensitive cases before a broad range of courts and tribunals.
He advises in criminal, misconduct, regulatory and coroner’s court work. He is experienced in appeal cases and judicial review.

adrian.chaplin@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Simon Burns

Year Of Call : 1992

Simon Burns is a specialist in criminal law undertaking prosecution and defence work.

simon.burns@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Peter Coombe

Year Of Call : 1993

Peter is regularly instructed in cases of murder, manslaughter, attempted murder and other cases of serious violence.

peter.coombe@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Heather Hope

Year Of Call : 1993

Heather was called in 1993 and after having practiced in a leading criminal set in London for 22yrs, moved to the South West in 2015. Heather has prosecuted and defended in large-scale drug cases, gang violence and firearms cases along with rape and serious sexual offences. Heather has also defended and prosecuted as a led junior in murder trials at the Central Criminal Court and as leading junior counsel in numerous trials more recently. Grade 4 and RASSO panel Counsel.

heather.hope@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Mary McCarthy

Year Of Call : 1994

Mary is regularly instructed in cases of murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, rape and fraud.

“She’s an extremely good advocate, brilliant at cross-examination and very good tactically; she knows how to destroy the opposition.”
Chambers and Partners 2018

mary.mccarthy@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Kelly Scrivener

Year Of Call : 2001

Kelly appears for both the Prosecution and Defence in all matters before the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).

kelly.scrivener@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Bathsheba Cassel

Year Of Call : 2005

Bathsheba is a criminal barrister with a wealth of experience across all areas of complex and serious crime.

bathsheba.cassel@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Joss Ticehurst

Year Of Call : 2006

Joss Ticehurst is instructed to defend and prosecute in cases involving the most serious criminal offences in the Crown Court, particularly those relating to allegations of rape, attempted murder, multi-defendant cases involving drugs and murder, and multi-defendant cases of fraud and drug conspiracies.

joss.ticehurst@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Dan Pawson-Pounds

Year Of Call : 2007; Head of Crime / Deputy HoC

Dan has wide experience in all aspects of criminal law, quasi-criminal regulatory law, corporate investigations and international war crimes. He specialises in business crime, criminal law, terrorism and private prosecutions, both in court and in an advisory role.

Legal 500 2025 – Leading Junior Tier 1
Chambers & Partners 2025 – Band 3
Recorder (Crown Court) 2023

dan.pawson-pounds@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Will Parkhill

Year Of Call : 2015

Defends serious crime.

will.parkhill@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Brian FitzHerbert

Year Of Call : 2008

Brian prosecutes and defends in all areas of criminal law. His practice encompasses murder, manslaughter, sexual offences, serious violence and organised crime. He is a Grade Four advocate on the Crown Prosecution Service Advocate Panel and is also on the RASSO and Serious Crime Panels.

brian.fitzherbert@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Felicity Payne

Year Of Call : 2010

Felicity is a common law barrister with an established and varied practice in all aspects of criminal and civil law. Felicity is thorough, practical and robust in her approach, whilst remaining personable.

felicity.payne@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Frederick Hookway

Year Of Call : 2011; Door Tenant

Frederick is a door tenant at Walnut House and lives in the South West. We are happy to accept instructions on his behalf for any matters that are relevant to the Western Circuit. His main Chambers is 5 King’s Bench Walk in London and his full profile can be found through their site.

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Catherine Daly

Year Of Call : 2015; Door Tenant

Catherine is a 5* Google review rated Criminal Defence Barrister who became a Door Tenant at Walnut House after relocating to the Southwest.

She is also a member of MC Chambers in London.

catherine.daly@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Evie Dean

Year Of Call : 2019

Evie accepts instructions in both criminal and family law. She regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts where she prosecutes and defends in all stages of proceedings. She also acts for parents in both private and care proceedings from application stage through to contested interim and final hearings.

Since joining Walnut House after successfully completing a twelve-month pupillage in chambers, Evie has continued to enjoy a busy and varied practice. She has been complimented on her pragmatic and personable manner with her clients.

evie.dean@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Zoe Kuyken

Year Of Call : 2021

Zoe joined chambers after successfully completing a 12 month pupillage in 2022.

Zoe accepts instructions in criminal and family law.

zoe.kuyken@walnuthouse.co.uk View Profile

Azzam Bhatti

Year Of Call : 2017

Azzam has a mixed Civil, Criminal and Family practice at Walnut House.

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