Matthew Edwards
Before being called to Bar Matthew was in the British Army, and he has only recently finished serving in the Reserve.
He returned to the Bar in 2018 after five years (including time in employed practice) as a bursar and fellow of a Cambridge college and the chair of the Bursars’ Legal and Employment committee.
Matthew has re-established his criminal practice, appearing in magistrates’ courts, the Crown Court and the High Court. He welcomes instructions in both the magistrates’ and Crown Courts, particularly in relation to drugs, violence and motoring matters, including youths. He also welcomes instructions on regulatory matters conducted in the criminal courts, especially DVLA, trading standards, food safety and licensing matters.
Matthew has also recently widened his practice. He regularly represents Local Authorities in Special Educational Needs appeals in the First-Tier Tribunal and over the pandemic represented both employers and employees in unfair and wrongful dismissal cases and in claims for unlawful deductions of earnings in the Employment Tribunal.
Oliver Haswell
After securing an overall grade of ‘Outstanding’ in his Bar Exams, Oliver undertook his pupillage with the Crown Prosecution Service where he quickly became known for his advocacy skills and attention to detail.
Oliver joined Chambers in 2022 after spending his first ten years of practice with the CPS and five years thereafter with Drystone Chambers, London.
Oliver accepts instruction across all aspects of criminal defence and prosecution work and has a particular interest in violent crime and drugs offences.
Oliver is well regarded for his manner with lay clients and his interpersonal skills. He has extensive experience of working with vulnerable people and has represented clients with learning impairment, physical disabilities and mental disorders.
Oliver is a Grade 3 Prosecutor and undertakes a cross-section of criminal work for the CPS.
Oliver is an accredited Advocacy Trainer at Gray’s Inn
Danielle O’Donovan
Danielle joined Chambers in March 2016 from Chambers in London.
She was called to the Bar in 2002 having undertaken a degree in Law with Politics before moving on to an LL.M at the University of Edinburgh.
Danielle has a vibrant practice across East Anglia undertaking a wide range of cases. Currently she is instructed in a number of cases involving violence, firearms and has a specialism in Rape and sexual offences generally.
Danielle has been led many times in cases of murder as well as an extensive “peadophile ring” trial and most recently a lengthy fraud trial. She has an eye for detail and is extremely thorough in preparation.
Danielle is particularly good with clients and is frequently selected by solicitors to represent young or vulnerable clients.
Simon English (Clerk)
Simon joined Octagon Legal in May 2016 following the best part of 20 years employment in two leading law firms in Norfolk and Suffolk specialising in Criminal Law.
The switch to the role of a barristers clerk is the fulfilment of a long held ambition for Simon who has always held close links to Octagon Chambers and many local law firms.
While having a wealth of experience that he brings to the criminal practice within Chambers, Simon also deals with family and civil work.
In his personal life, Simon is a keen runner and regularly takes part in Marathons both in the UK and abroad.
John Morgans (Head of Chambers)
John Morgans deals with all areas of criminal law, for both defence and prosecution. He specialises in dealing with Firearm Appeals.
Martin Ivory
Martin joined Chambers in early 2024.
He appears for the prosecution and the defence in a range of criminal cases in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Jude Durr
Jude Durr covers all areas of criminal law for both prosecution and defence.
Ian James
In his career at the Bar spanning well over 30 years, Ian James has conducted cases for both prosecution and defence at the very highest levels.
As a crucial member of Octagon Legal’s Criminal Law team, Ian has been involved in a number of high-profile cases. He has recently successfully prosecuted the boxer, Herbie Hide, and the son of Abu Hamsa for armed robbery.
Ian has been Leading Junior in cases of murder for prosecution and defence, and his experience extends to all aspects of criminal advocacy including serious fraud.
Ian’s specialism is in cases involving firearms, extending back to the case of Norfolk farmer, Tony Martin, in which he dealt with the ballistics evidence as a junior for the prosecution. As an adjunct to this, he now additionally practices in the field of firearms licensing.
Andrew Oliver
Andrew Oliver read law at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was called to the Bar in 1993. Since joining Chambers in 1995, he has specialised in Criminal Law.
