Treasury Counsel (Crime)

Introduction

Treasury Counsel are a team of specialist advocates who prosecute many of the most serious and complex cases in the country, and advise and appear on behalf of the Law Officers, and other government departments.

The title “Treasury Counsel” derives from the days when all Crown Counsel at the Central Criminal Court were instructed by the Treasury Solicitor. That procedure was changed in 1908 and today the Treasury Counsel team accept the majority of their instructions from the Crown Prosecution Service.

Latest News

Launch of the Treasury Counsel Statement of Expectations

The Crown Prosecution Service is proud to publish the Treasury Counsel Statement of Expectations.

The Statement outlines how ‘the Room’ operates and the role of Treasury Counsel individually and collectively.

Developed in close consultation with the Attorney General’s Office and the Treasury Counsel team, it reflects a shared commitment to excellence, transparency, and diversity in public service.

The Statement has been produced for the benefit of the Treasury Counsel team, those who work and interact with them, and anyone with an interest in their role and work – including those who aspire to become Treasury Counsel in the future.

Pathway and Pre-Application Mentor Scheme for Senior Treasury Counsel (PAMS)

New opportunities for Junior and Senior advocates interested in becoming Treasury Counsel (Crime)

On Wednesday 9 July 2025, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Attorney General’s Office launched two initiatives aimed at improving diversity within, and accessibility to, the Treasury Counsel team.

The first saw the launch of recruitment for the third Treasury Counsel Pathway, which is designed to identify and support talented advocates from underrepresented backgrounds who aspire to join the Treasury Counsel of the future. We are aiming to build on the success of the first two pathways, which have seen three participants go on to become Treasury Counsel Monitorees.

The second initiative is a new scheme, the Pre-Application Mentor Scheme for Senior Treasury Counsel (PAMS), which offers tailored support to experienced practitioners who may consider applying for Senior Treasury Counsel positions.

These schemes reflect a shared commitment to broadening access to the Room and ensuring that the recruitment process is open, inclusive, and transparent.

The Treasury Counsel team

The Treasury Counsel team comprises Senior and Junior advocates, and are led by First Senior Treasury Counsel. They are drawn predominantly from criminal sets of Chambers, although not all have previously been members of the CPS Advocate Panel.

Given the nature of their work, it is vitally important that the brightest and best applicants are attracted to this role, regardless of background or where they may be based.

There are currently 18 Treasury Counsel, as follows:

First Senior Treasury Counsel

• Tom Little KC, Deka Chambers

Senior Treasury Counsel

• Deanna Heer KC, 5 Paper Buildings
• Paul Jarvis KC, 6 King’s Bench Walk
• William Emlyn Jones KC, 3 Raymond Buildings
• Jocelyn Ledward KC, QEB Hollis Whiteman
• Louise Oakley, 5 King’s Bench Walk
• Jonathan Polnay KC, QEB Hollis Whiteman

Junior Treasury Counsel

• Kerry Broome, QEB Hollis Whiteman
• Julia Faure-Walker, 2 Hare Court
• Nicholas Hearn, 3 Raymond Buildings
• Ben Holt, 5 King's Bench Walk
• Ben Lloyd, 6 KBW College Hill
• Philip McGhee, QEB Hollis Whiteman
• Catherine Pattison, 5 King’s Bench Walk
• Sarah Przybylska, 2 Hare Court
• Peter Ratliff, 6 KBW College Hill
• Alistair Richardson, 6 KBW College Hill
• Fiona Robertson , 2 Hare Court

'The Room’

The Treasury Counsel team share office space at the Central Criminal Court (‘the Old Bailey’) where many of their cases are heard. This office space is called ‘the Room’, which is why advocates who are appointed Treasury Counsel are said to be ‘in the Room’.

The Room structure provides a training environment that allows Treasury Counsel to operate as a team, supporting one another, sharing knowledge, and enhancing their skills. Accordingly, members of the team are generally expected to operate from the Room.

Appointment as Treasury Counsel

Treasury Counsel are appointed by the Attorney General through fair and open competition, in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Junior Treasury Counsel are appointed following a three-year monitoring period (see below). Once appointed, Junior Treasury Counsel serve an initial period of three years, which can be renewed for a further three years. At the end of the second period of three years Junior Treasury Counsel are eligible to enter the open competition to become Senior Treasury Counsel.

Senior Treasury Counsel are similarly appointed for an initial three years, which can be extended for a further three years.

An open competition is normally held every three years to appoint new Senior Treasury Counsel. This involves a written application and an assessed interview. Applicants do not need to have been Junior Treasury Counsel in order to apply.

Limiting the periods Treasury Counsel serve ensures that ‘the Room’ is invigorated, and that those within it bring a range of skills and specialisms.

Treasury Counsel video interviews

First Senior Treasury Counsel Tom Little KC

Tom Little outlines what's expected of Treasury Counsel applicants, what inspired him to join, and the career progression within Treasury Counsel.

Play video: First Senior Treasury Counsel Tom Little KC - Full Interview

Junior Treasury Counsel member Fiona Robertson

Fiona Robertson shares her experiences and how she was able to balance her caring responsibilities with the duties of being a part of the Treasury Counsel.

Play video: Junior Treasury Counsel Fiona Robertson - Full Interview