The set was established in 1983 by Daniel Hollis QC. It was named after their former premises at Queen Elizabeth Building in the Temple which it left in 2010, moving to the City of London.
The chambers are considered "the go-to place" for criminal defence as well as for prosecution.
Notable members
Members of chambers have prosecuted and defended in many widely publicised criminal cases.
Mark Ellison QC, Head of Chambers, defended Hogan Lovells solicitor Chris Grierson when he was accused of £1.27 million expenses fraud, as well as prosecuting on behalf of FCA in £7.4m gains insider dealing case. He also undertook a review of undercover policing in connection to Stephen Lawrence murder for the Home Office.
Adrian Darbishire QC successfully defended Ryan Reich who was prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office for manipulating the London LIBOR during the Libor scandal.
Zoe Johnson QC is a former Senior Treasury Counsel and the founding member of the Bar Disability Panel.
Eleanor Laws QC is a Recorder and has been described as the "go-to Silk" for sexual offences.
Tom Kark QC is a Crown Court Recorder and former standing counsel to Customs and Excise. He was a leading Counsel to the Francis Inquiry that examined the causes of the failings in care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust between 2005–2009. and conducted a review of the fit and proper person test for the Minister for Health published in 2019. He also sits as a legal assessor in the Osteopathic Council.
Sean Larkin QC successfully prosecuted alleged Daesh sympathiser in a terrorism case which could have long lasting implications on the definition of terrorism and the impact of public international law on domestic legislation.
Former members include Daniel Hollis QC, the founding member of the set, and judge Ian Paton QC, criminal prosecutor who prosecuted in major criminal trials as well as sitting as a Recorder in Southwark Crown Court. Heather Norton practised at the chambers for 23 years, until 2012 when she was appointed a Circuit Judge sitting at Canterbury Crown Court.
Rankings and Honours
In 2016, Chambers and Partners named QEB Hollis Whiteman "Crime Set of The Year".
In 2017, Who‘s Who Legal listed QEB Hollis Whiteman as one of their “leading sets” for crime.
In 2018, Legal 500 named QEB Hollis Whiteman as “Crime Set of the Year”.
