British Legal Awards 2026: RLC shortlisted for Chambers of the Year 

Now in their 17th year, the British Legal Awards, hosted by Law.com, recognise outstanding achievement across the UK legal profession, celebrating the law firms, chambers, in-house teams and individuals making a significant contribution to the sector.

The shortlisting follows another exceptional year for Chambers, with members instructed in some of the most significant and complex criminal, financial crime, regulatory, environmental and international matters of the day, alongside an expanding contribution to law reform, public policy, education and the wider profession.

Highlights from the past year include:

• Gillian Jones KC and Max Baines concluded the Zhimin Qian cryptocurrency prosecution, involving the recovery of Bitcoin valued at more than £5 billion following a seven-year international investigation. The case led to the recovery of Bitcoin assets valued at over £5 billion and is believed to represent the largest cryptocurrency seizure in history: https://redlionchambers.co.uk/sentences-handed-down-in-historic-bitcoin-case/

• Jonathan Fisher KC concluded the Government-commissioned Independent Review of Fraud, demonstrating Chambers’ contribution beyond individual cases and into national policy and law reform:https://redlionchambers.co.uk/fraud-in-the-digital-age-report-released/

• Christopher Paxton KC and Steven Ball prosecuted former funeral director Robert Bush, who was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in a highly unusual serious crime case: https://redlionchambers.co.uk/34917-2/

• Nina Tavakoli and David Young have been involved in proceedings in The Hague concerning allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, with Nina Tavakoli representing former President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi and David Young representing former Kosovo Liberation Army soldier Fadil Fazliu.

• Andrew Marshall leads for the Environment Agency in the landmark prosecution of former Southern Water Chief Executive and three others, concerning alleged manipulation of water-quality testing data. The case marks the first criminal prosecution of a senior executive for environmental offending: https://redlionchambers.co.uk/andrew-marshall-leads-in-landmark-ea-prosecution-against-former-southern-water-ceo/

Joint Heads of Chambers, Gillian Jones KC and Tom Forster KC commented: “For the second consecutive year, we are delighted to see Red Lion Chambers recognised for the collective strength and breadth of work undertaken across the set. From major criminal and financial crime cases to environmental and international matters, the past year reflects the depth of expertise, commitment and excellence of our members. Congratulations and our thanks goes to all our members, staff and clients who have contributed to this recognition”

The British Legal Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday 25 November 2026 at City Central at the HAC, London.

Full shortlist here: https://www.event.law.com/legalweek-british-legal-awards/2026-shortlist