At New Park Court Chambers, we do things a little differently. With over 70 junior barristers and 19 King’s Counsel, our reach and influence stretches far beyond the bounds of our Circuit.
As a Tier 1 Set based in Leeds and Newcastle we are home to a number of high profile and nationally and internationally reputable Counsel.
Simon Kealey KC is a highly regarded and approachable silk, trusted in some of the most serious, sensitive and evidence-heavy criminal, regulatory and health and safety cases.
He is particularly known for calm strategic judgement, rigorous preparation and clear advocacy in cases involving serious crime, regulatory enforcement, workplace fatalities and complex expert evidence.
Clients value his calm judgement, meticulous preparation and ability to make complex issues clear. He is instructed by both prosecution and defence in serious criminal cases, including homicide, terrorism, serious fraud and sexual offences. His homicide practice ranges from multi-defendant gang-related murders to cases involving complex medical, psychological and toxicological evidence. He is particularly experienced in proceedings requiring sensitive handling of vulnerable witnesses and defendants.
In regulatory and health and safety matters, Simon brings clear analysis and steady advocacy to investigations and prosecutions arising from workplace fatalities. His serious fraud work includes trials involving HMRC and other government departments, as well as complex confiscation proceedings.
Simon has appeared in numerous high-profile cases attracting national media coverage, including by Crimewatch and the BBC. His experience includes gang-related murders in Sheffield and Manchester; the murder of a baby following a return to parental care by Social Services; a complex case involving infanticide; and proceedings concerning an alleged plot to bomb Christmas markets.
Those who instruct him describe him as “absolutely meticulous”, “thorough, calm and persuasive”, and “a top player in silk”. Simon is adept at mastering substantial volumes of material, testing complex expert evidence and presenting cases with clarity and force. He works effectively as part of wider teams of counsel, solicitors and investigators, while providing the assurance and leadership expected in demanding litigation.
Simon accepts privately funded instructions at trial and on appeal following conviction, particularly in sensitive cases requiring strategic judgement, discretion and robust advocacy.
Prosecution case based solely on hearsay evidence from a dead witness was successfully opposed.
Representing a very young and vulnerable defendant in a trial when knife crime by young people was prominent in the news.
A trial involving multiple teenage defendants which attracted local and national media attention.
Representing 17 year old boy accused of involvement in gangland drugs murder & torture who was a victim of human trafficking.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-66452962
High profile murder of a baby returned to parents by Social Services involving cross examination of multiple medical experts.
Representing father accused of involvement in the death of adopted child
Gangland drugs murder involving young defendants.
Multi defendant murder of man involving extensive torture of the victim .
Multi defendant murder of drug dealer in a gangland feud.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-48613715
Murder of new born baby by her mother in the immediate period after birth. Extensive psychiatric and psychological evidence.
Attempted murder of four children by their father who took his children from their mother, drove around the UK before hitting each of them around the head with a hammer and deliberately driving into a stone wall.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-43072412
Murder of Defendant’s own son by throwing him out of 6th floor window in a block of flats.
Gangland murder in drugs war in Manchester.
Prison murder of baby killer. Trial involved expert toxicological evidence relating to the ingestion of ‘spice’.
Gross negligence manslaughter trial involving starvation of family member.
Prosecution for manslaughter by gross negligence involving fatal accident on a farm.
Trial involving abusive shaking of a very young baby and involved multiple medical expert witnesses.
Trial involving a man with Cerebral Palsy, hearing and speech impairment charged with sexual offences involving multiple complainants over many decades.
Defendant who was a serving police officer charged with assault and strangulation of man during an arrest
Misconduct in public office involving prison officers at HMP Nottingham
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54364993
Defendant charged with preparing acts of terrorism involving the use of explosives in a driverless car.
Defendant charged with a firearms conspiracy following the shooting by police of a man on M62
Acting for the prosecution as Junior to Julian Goose KC in the case concerning the kidnap of the 9-year old Shannon Matthews by her mother Karen.
Highly unusual case involving conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial by two undertakers. The only modern reported case in this area cited in Archbold and raises important issues about the scope of the offence.
Lead prosecutor in large multi defendant fraud and money laundering across different jurisdictions and involving credit card fraud and the ‘dark web’.
Representing director accused of involvement in fraudulent sales of estate planning products
Director of ‘scam’ will writing firm finally set to appear in court
Fraud trial involving directors of solar energy companies
Leading counsel in a multi handed conspiracy to defraud the Legal Aid Agency by a firm of Solicitors in Bradford.
Leading counsel in multi handed conspiracy to defraud the Government of monies obtained by grants to fund a Bradford Free School.
Lead advocate in multi handed people trafficking trial.
Acted for lead Defendant in multi handed people trafficking & fraud trial.
International fraud and money laundering trial involving ‘cuckoo smurfing’ to transfer money out of the UK.
Commercial fraud involving £10m land transfers.
Inquest into workplace death involving multiple expert evidence.
Health and Safety Executive prosecution of the workplace death.
Presenting officer for the UK Council of Psychotherapists in respect of complex disciplinary offences involving sexual misconduct with a former patient
Representing a director of series of care homes accused of involvement in deaths of residents
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-69052962
Historic sexual allegations within the family.
Appeal against conviction and sentence for multiple sexual offences.
HGV driver charged with death by dangerous driving where potential issue over state of vehicle & funded by employer’s insurance. Negotiated plea with prosecution to offence of death by careless driving.
Senior NHS manager charged with historic child sex offences & child cruelty. After trial, defendant was acquitted of all charges save one.
Successful appeal against conviction for murder of new born baby. Issues raised in respect of infanticide as alternative verdict to murder where the Accused relies upon pre-existing mental condition.
Appeal against conviction involving fresh evidence and expert evidence relating to the effects of Autism on offending behaviour.
Appeal against sentence involving theft by a barrister from his Chambers.
Appeal relating to pressure of time upon a jury in the lead up to a public holiday.
Highly unusual case involving conspiracy to prevent a lawful burial by two undertakers. The only modern reported case in this area cited in Archbold and raises important issues about the scope of the offence.
Appeal against sentence involving fatal accident at a power station.
Appeal involving sexual offences.
Appeal involving propriety of questions asked by Judge during trial.
Case stated in respect of alibi evidence.
Appeal against refusal to discharge a jury following plea of co-accused.
Appeal involving refusal to disclose sensitive material.
Appeal against sentence involving indication of sentence by Judge in chambers.
Appeal against inconsistent verdicts of jury.
Appeal against life sentence for second s18 offence.
“Simon has a lovely, soothing manner in court and is a superb operator...He is robust but mild-mannered and he takes good points. His advocacy is effective and clear, not showy.”
Chambers and Partners 2026 (Crime)
“He is well prepared and has an advocacy style that appeals to a jury. He is a strong, capable advocate.”
Chambers and Partners 2025 [Crime]
“He is able to present complex issues effectively and persuasively with a confidence achieved through solid preparation and mastery of the evidence.”
Chambers and Partners 2025 [Crime]
“He is robust but mild-mannered, and he takes good points. His advocacy is effective and clear, not showy.”
Chambers & Partners 2026 (Crime)
“Simon is an impressive and polished advocate.”
Chambers and Partners 2025 [Crime]
“Simon's advocacy is first class - a smiling assassin.”
Legal 500 2025 [Crime]
“Simon Kealey was well prepared, knew the case inside out and has an advocacy style that appeals to a jury. He is a strong, capable advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2024
“Simon is an impressive and polished advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2023
“He is able to present complex issues effectively and persuasively with a confidence achieved through solid preparation and mastery of the evidence.”
Chambers & Partners 2023
“A respected practitioner who is highly regarded for his advocacy in serious criminal cases. He is especially familiar with cases involving drugs conspiracy and people trafficking.”
Chambers & Partners 2022
“Simon prepares thoroughly, and has a manner that puts the clients and their families at ease. His advocacy is of the highest standard, commanding respect from opponents and the judiciary.”
Legal 500 2022
“Respected and liked by the judiciary.”
Chambers & Partners 2021 (Crime)
“He is absolutely meticulous and really gets his points across.”
Chambers & Partners 2020 (Crime)
“Very hard working and a great barrister.”
Legal 500 2019 (Crime)
“Respected practitioner who is highly regarded for his advocacy in serious criminal cases. He is especially familiar with cases involving drugs conspiracy and people trafficking.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“He will be a top player in silk - he is the complete package.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“A very thorough, calm and persuasive advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2019
“His practice includes multi-defendant heavyweight criminal cases.”
Legal 500 2018
New Park Court Chambers is pleased to be awarded Band status across…
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