Profile
“A truly top level operator: he really is a proper silk.”
Chambers & Partners
“Jacob is an eloquent, skilled tactician who demonstrates impeccable judgement and is legally astute.”
Chambers & Partners
“Jacob is incredibly well respected by all. His knowledge of the law, analytical dexterity, and advocacy skills are unrivalled and his experience manifests in a calming and confidence-inspiring influence. He is highly intelligent and tactically supreme.”
Legal 500
“Always fair and on top of his cases.”
Chambers & Partners
“Excellent”; “a seriously good advocate”; “calm and devastating cross examination”; “an excellent drafter”; “a very very bright man”
Chambers & Partners
“A Greatly admired silk who has the facts of the case at his fingertips. A powerful advocate. A good lawyer commanding the confidence of the court. Considerable trial management skills. Fair but resolute.”
Legal 500
“Jacob is always across the detail of his cases. Judges trust him and his style and his style is very jury friendly in that is understated and always reasonable in a way which only serves to emphasise any good points he has to make.”
Legal 500
Jake is listed in “Chambers and Partners” and “The Legal 500” as one of London’s leading criminal barristers. He was appointed as Treasury Counsel in 2014, as a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2016 and as Queen’s Counsel in 2017. In 2024 he was appointed to the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee, and was elected as a Bencher of Gray’s Inn.
Jake is recognised as an expert in the conduct of substantial high-profile cases involving complex areas of fact, law and public interest in the Crown Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. His ability to take control of large amounts of complex material and craft it for the purposes of trial or other litigation is well-known, as are his talents for the presentation of such evidence in a way that is comprehensive and easily-accessible. His precise and measured courtroom manner makes him a persuasive advocate. He has developed a particular reputation for the presentation of legal arguments and for being an impressive cross-examiner.
He has appeared in many of the highest profile criminal trials in the country in recent years, involving homicide, corruption in public office, historic sexual abuse, diamond robbery, cybercrime and international criminal conspiracies.
In addition to his work in the criminal courts, Jake has developed an expanding practice in family law, advisory work, judicial review, extradition, and libel law. He brings the skills he has mastered in the preparation and presentation of complex criminal cases to these wider fields, helping lay and professional clients to focus on the core issues that concern them whether that be helping to redress the effects of identity takeover or online fraud, contesting a judicial review application, or representing individuals in fact-finding hearings in the Family Court.
Jake regularly assists TV production companies in their development of legal dramas. He provides guidance on projects at all stages of development from the initial plot concepts through script development and shooting. Shows on which he has worked include “Until I Kill You” (ITV), “Show Trial” (BBC), and “The Gathering” (Channel 4).”
He is the Chair of the Bar Council’s Education and Training Committee, a member of the Kalisher Trust and of the faculty of advocacy teachers of Gray’s Inn, and is a facilitator in vulnerable witness advocacy training.
Expertise
Criminal litigation has been at the core of Jake’s practice since he came to the Bar. In that time, his criminal practice has developed to the level that it now exclusively involves the most complex, serious and high-profile criminal cases which are reported on the national and international stage.
He is an acknowledged expert within his field at the preparation and presentation of such cases, of identifying the key issues to be litigated, and in oral and written advocacy at the Crown Court and Court of Appeal. In the appeal courts he has developed a practice conducting appeals against sentence and conviction in cases in which he did not appear at first instance.
Jake brings that experience, and the skills he brings to that field of expertise, to other aspects of litigation and advisory work beyond the criminal sphere.
Jake has detailed knowledge of both Part One and Part Two of the Extradition Act 2003. He acts for requesting judicial authorities and governments, as well as for requested persons. He has appeared in cases at first instance and before the Administrative Court, and has a broad knowledge of the appellate process.
Human rights law flows through all aspects of Jake’s work, from advising on the use that can be made of information contained in documents, to the review of decisions made by a prosecuting authority, or from the rights of a person whose extradition is sought, to the use of evidence in adversarial proceedings.
Jake’s work in criminal law has led to an increased involvement in international cases, and cross-border litigation. Examples include work involving law enforcement agencies in the USA, the West Indies, South America and the Middle-East, as well as with those in Europe.
Jake has worked with a number of media clients for many years. He regularly advises the entertainment industry on aspects of libel law. He worked as the legal consultant for the 2021 BBC drama “Showtrial”.
Jake has developed a practice which includes work in public and administrative law, advising on and appearing in case of judicial review, including decisions taken by prosecuting authorities and by tribunals.
Since taking silk, Jake has developed a practice in Family Law, bringing his skills in case analysis and cross-examination to this field. He has represented the principal party in a 2-year-long fact-finding hearing relating to an alleged paedophile ring. The case was the subject of an appeal, with leave being granted on all grounds, and a re-hearing. Ultimately no disputed findings were made against his client, and all allegations relating to child abuse were rejected by the court.
- Queen’s Counsel, 2017
- Recorder (Midland Circuit), January 2016
- Junior Treasury Counsel to the Crown at the Central Criminal Court, 2014
- Member of the Fraud Lawyers Association.
- Bencher of Gray’s Inn
University of Cambridge, MA (Hons) History.
To view Jacob Hallam KC’s Privacy Notice, please click here.
Notable cases
R v Ellis and Mcdonald
Prosecution for murder and conspiracy to rob of two psychology and criminology students who targeted their victim for his money and...
R v Streete
Prosecution for murder and rape of Keeley Bunker, and for multiple sexual offences against other young victims.
R v Pencille and Mitchell
Prosecution for murder of a man who stabbed his victim 18 times following an argument on a train, and of his girlfriend for assisting him...
R v Simpson -Scott
Prosecution for murder of a man who strangled and killed his wife, then told paramedics she “went limp” and collapsed during...
R v Wilsher
Prosecution for murder and conspiracy to rob of a man who raided the homes of the elderly, one of whom died of his injuries after he was...
R v Parker & Others
Prosecution of 4 members of a county lines drugs gang for murder and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
R v Sarker
Prosecution of a surgeon who lied about the number of operations he had carried out to get a lucrative job.
R v Anjum Dogar & Others
Defence of a man accused of being part of a historic child-grooming ring in Oxford.
R v Gaille Bola
Prosecuting defendant for killing by stabbing in an internal gang feud over drug supply in North London.
R v Mothen & Others
Defending the principle defendant in trial concerning alleged double attempted murder by shooting in a gang feud in Grand Cayman.
R v Grant-Murray and Others
For the respondent in conjoined multi-handed murder conviction appeals, before Lord Thomas CJ, Lady Justice Hallett VPCD and Mr Justice...
R (on the application of D) v DPP
For the respondent in a judicial review of a decision not to charge historic sexual offences.
R v Johnson and others
For the respondent in the decision by the Court of Appeal in a series of conjoined multi-handed murder conviction appeals about the impact...
Attorney General's Reference (R v W)
For the applicant in the case which reviewed the imposition of sentences of detention for very young offenders convicted of serious crimes.
Attorney General's Reference (No.115 of 2015) (R v Greenfield)
For the applicant in the case which reviewed the meaning of “exceptional circumstances” in the context of the imposition of...
R v Norman
The case concerned a prison officer selling stories to the press. He appealed his conviction on the basis his prosecution was in breach of...
R v Peter Ball; R v Vickery House
Instructed to prosecute these related cases involving historical sexual abuse by two senior Church of England clergymen of young men in...
R v Dempsey Nibbs
Trial at the Central Criminal Court of a man who murdered and decapitated his partner. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36072860
Related news
Cyclist jailed for life for murdering BMW driver who knocked over his bike.
A cyclist was found guilty of murder after fatally stabbing a BMW driver who knocked over his bike. Ahmed Chakile Gonladieu, 25, attacked Alexandros Josephs through an open car window on 10 May...
