Mr Goddard comes to the bar as a highly respected senior counsel, having practised as a solicitor advocate in the High Court for 11 years before an appointment as advocate depute in 2012. He took silk in 2018, and in 2022 was appointed deputy principal crown counsel, a role which gave him responsibility for conducting some of the most serious and complex criminal trials and appeals.

Mr Keenan was a criminal defence solicitor for many years before coming to the bar and at his firm was responsible for solemn cases, which led to him conducting their jury trials concerning serious crime. As a solicitor, he instructed counsel in High Court cases and so was part of defence teams for trials at the highest level of prosecution, including murder.

Mr Bendle graduated in 2021 and qualified as a solicitor in 2023. At his law firm, he was regularly involved in court work, instructing counsel at all levels, including the Supreme Court. Louis has retained a keen interest in criminal law during his career and education, culminating in a decision to join Black Chambers once calling to the bar.

Details for all Black Chambers members can be found on the stable’s website.