39 Essex Chambers

Adam Robb is a barrister specialising in construction law (including professional negligence), commercial law and insurance and re-insurance law. He is often instructed in technically, legally and factually complex infrastructure and contractual disputes. Adam’s practice includes arbitration (international and domestic), litigation, and adjudication. His recent cases include acting on behalf of a joint venture in Ireland in an arbitration concerning a major and politically sensitive road project, acting on behalf of designers in respect of a multi-million pound dispute arising out of a rail project, acting on behalf of a contractor in respect of a water treatment project in the Middle East, acting on behalf of a contractor in relation to a major Middle East port project, and representing a major firm of construction professionals in respect of a multi-million pound professional negligence claim.

Adam Boukraa

Public law and human rights, regulatory law, and environmental and planning.

Adam Fullwood

Barrister

Adrian Hughes KC

Barrister specialising in complex commercial contract work. Main areas of expertise lie within the construction/engineering and commercial fields and include also information technology, rail, energy, project finance, insurance, shipping, international trade and professional negligence cases. Much of his work involves international arbitration and dispute resolution with a particular focus on China and the Far East. He acts as Counsel and also as Arbitrator in many different jurisdictions and under all the main international institutional rules.

Alan Payne

Alan is recognised as a leading silk specialising in public law, police law, public inquiries, inquests, Data Protection & Information law and advisory work. He represents private clients, central government, public authorities, police forces, and corporations in complex, high-profile and sensitive investigations, inquiries, judicial reviews and civil claims. Before taking silk, Alan spent 14 years on the Attorney General’s panels, including five years on the A panel. Rory has acted in over twenty cases in the Court of Appeal, two in the Supreme Court and more than a hundred in the High Court. Recent and ongoing inquiries include the Jalal Uddin Inquiry heard in September 2024, the Under Cover Policy Inquiry (ongoing), the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (2023), and the Azelle Rodney Inquiry. Recent cases in include R (Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 604 (challenge to dissolution of PCC role), Hughes v Revenue and Customs Commissioners [2024] EWHC 1765 (misfeasance and malicious prosecution) Rennie v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 1794 (challenge to the failure to implement the Grenfell Inquiry recommendations), HM & Ors v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 695) (challenge to seizure/retention/data extraction from mobile phones), R (Tortoise Media Ltd v Conservative and Unionist Party [2023] EWHC 3088 (judicial review refusal by Conservative Party to provide data concerning internal election); G (A Child), Re [2021] UKSC 9 (Refugee Convention/Hague Convention; abducted children).

Alexander Ruck Keene KC

Alex's practice is focused on mental capacity, mental health law and medical ethics. He also writes extensively in the three areas, including leading textbooks. Appointed Honorary KC in 2022 in recognition of his policy, academic and law reform contribution to capacity and mental health law. Mental capacity cases include Re Maguire [2023] UKSC 20 (Article 2 ECHR and detention under DOLS); Re JB [2021] UKSC 35 (first Supreme Court analysis of mental capacity); Re D [2019] UKSC 42 (meaning of deprivation of liberty in relation to 16/17 year olds). Medical ethics cases include R (JJ) v Spectrum Community Healthcare CIC [2023] EWCA Civ 885 (risk feeding); AB v CD [2021] EWHC 741 (Fam) (interaction of parental responsibility and Gillick competence); Mental health cases include Munjaz v UK [2012] MHLR 351 (status of MHA Code of Practice).

Alexander Burrell

Alexander specialises in commercial and construction disputes, in both UK litigation and in international litigation and arbitration.

Alexis Hearnden

Andrew Kearney

Andrew is an experienced and highly regarded construction and engineering barrister. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator, has judicial experience, and is an experienced construction Adjudicator accredited by both TeCSA and TECBAR, and an accredited and active Civil Mediator. He acts nationally and internationally in a wide range of energy, construction and engineering disputes and has almost 30 years' experience advising developers, end users, national and international contractors, subcontractors and consultants and their insurers. He has acted for many household name main contractors. He also acts in commercial and property cases. Andrew originally qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and became a partner at Pinsent Masons, specialising in construction. He was called to the Bar in 2007.

Andrew Tabachnik KC

Areas of specialisation include: planning, environmental and compulsory purchase; commercial law, in particular financial services and fraud; employment law; public and administrative law. Recent cases include: Heaton v Axa Equity & Law [2002] 2 AC 329, Burkett v London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham [2002] 1 WLR 1593, Adlard v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions [2002] 1 WLR 2515, Earthline v Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions [2002] 46 EGCS 198, Papmichael v National Westminster Bank [2003] 1 Lloyd’s Rep 341, Constantine v Total Oil [2003] EWHC 428, Singer & Friedlander v Thomas [2003] EWHC 861, Friend v Civil Aviation Authority (no 2) [2001] 4 All ER 385, Desquenne et Giral (UK) Ltd v Richardson [2001] FSR 1.

Andrew Deakin

Andrew has a broad public law and human rights practice with a particular focus on national security, prisons, and immigration. He has experience of acting in politically sensitive public inquiries and inquests raising human rights issues. Andrew is regularly instructed to advise on matters involving data protection, freedom of information and freedom of expression. Andrew was appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel in 2018. He acts for both claimants and public authorities.

Angela Rainey

Personal Injury, Clinical negligence, Aviation and Commercial.

Anna Anna

Anna is a public lawyer who specialises in education law. Anna advises on all aspects of education law from admissions to exclusions, special educational needs, educational negligence, discrimination, academy conversion, higher education disciplinary matters. She regularly appears in the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and High Court on education matters.

Annabel Lee

Annabel has a particular interest in public, local government, human rights and commercial law. She has experience in a wide range of public law matters including local government, adult social care, education, immigration, civil liberties and human rights. She recently completed a three month placement at the European Court of Human Rights.

Anthony Edwards

Arianna Kelly

Barrister specialising in mental capacity, community care and mental health law and inquests.

Ashley Pratt

Barrister

Ben Olbourne

Commercial, international trade and commodities, and construction.

Benjamin Tankel

Areas of practice include: public and administrative, human rights, local government, commercial and employment. Notable recent cases include R(KM) v Cambridgeshire [2011] UKSC 145. Benjamin makes regular appearances in the High Court, usually on urgent judicial review applications, and at various Tribunals, the County Court and the Magistrates’ Court.

Bernard Doherty

Barrister specialising in clinical negligence, personal injury and professional negligence.

Boyd McCleary

Boyd McCleary CMG CVO, is an accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator and acts primarily as mediator in international and cross-border disputes. Boyd is based in London but regularly works internationally, particularly in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and across the rest of Asia. Boyd was Governor of the British Virgin Islands from 2010 to 2014, following a four year period as High Commissioner to Malaysia. Boyd’s distinguished diplomatic career has also included appointments as Director of Estates and Director of Oracle Implementation at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Director-General Trade & Investment for Germany / Consul-General Düsseldorf. During his 40 years as a senior diplomat, and in his work since, Boyd has gained a wealth of experience in dealing with complex international issues. In his career with HM Diplomatic Service, much of Boyd’s focus was in support of UK business and international businesses investing in Britain. He has served in Germany, Korea, Turkey and Canada in addition to his time in Malaysia and the BVI. Since leaving in 2014 he acted as an international business consultant at The Ambassador Partnership where he works with other former ambassadors helping businesses analyse and resolve problems they face around the world.

Brian Ash KC

Barrister whose work includes: appearances at a substantial number and variety of public inquiries including major planning, compulsory purchase and highways inquiries, parliamentary committees and proceedings before a District/Appointed Auditors representing a wide range of parties and interests including property developers, major retailers, statutory authorities, development corporations, county and district planning authorities and amenity groups; appearances in a substantial number and variety of High Court cases in the field of planning, environmental and administrative law; major inquiries include : Stansted/T4; T5; London Heliport; numerous regional and local airport aviation and other proposals; Manchester sub-regional shopping; many superstore, retail warehousing and other retail schemes including recent proposals in Northern Ireland; Westminster Designated Sales Auditor’s hearing; Cambridge new settlements; London Bridge City major office development on Thames frontage near Tower Bridge; new opera house at Tower Bridge; M25 line and compulsory purchase orders; M25; M20; M3 and M40 MSA’s; Royal Docks; Bristol Temple Meads and Trafford Park Village CPO; numerous town centre development CPOS; numerous subject plan, local plan and UDP inquiries representing the plan-making authority or objectors or supporters; parties represented include : Rolls-Royce, BP, Shell, Manchester Ship Canal Co/Peel Investments, Royal Opera House, London Bridge City, UK Waste, Safeway, Sainsbury, Boots, Costco UK, MEPC, Royal Insurance, BZW/Barclay’s Bank, Cowie Group, London Transport, Civil Aviation Authority, LDDC, Trafford Park Development Corporation, North West Water, Department of Transport, Local Government Commissioner, Snowdonia National Park Authority, many county and disctrict authorities and London boroughs; leading High Court cases include: Olivers/Thrasyvoulou in House of Lords establishing the application of the principal issue estoppel in planning matters, Bolton v Secretary of State in House of Lords representing MSCC and establishing the nature of the requirement to give reasons in planning decisions and the right of MSCC to develop the Trafford Centre after many years of public inquiry and litigation process (it also set out the principle upon which more than one set of costs may be awarded in statutory challenge/judicial review proceedings), De Rothschild v S of S and Royal Insurance v S of S establising guiding principles for decision makers and materiality of viability in CPO cases.

Camilla ter Haar

Camilla ter Haar has a broad practice which combines international and domestic, commercial and construction law. Camilla has a practice in public inquiry work and recently acted as junior counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Camilla has experience of and expertise in international arbitration, particularly in relation to disputes arising out of construction and infrastructure projects.

Camilla Church

Camilla specialises in personal injury and clinical negligence. She has acted both alone and as junior in high value claims involving the most serious injuries including cerebral palsy, brain injury, tetraplegia and amputation as well as cases involving chronic pain syndrome and complex regional pain disorder. Her clinical negligence practice has included numerous claims for missed diagnosis and surgical error. She is currently instructed as junior counsel on behalf of the NHSLA in the metal on metal hips litigation and is experienced in claims involving product liability.

Caroline Truscott

Barrister specialising in personal injury and costs.

Caroline Allen

General common law, especially personal injury. Costs, commercial and insurance work. Environmental, planning and some local government work.

Catherine Dobson

Celina Colquhoun

Celina Colquhoun specialises in all aspects of Planning, Environmental and Compulsory Purchase Law; Highways, Local Government and Public and Administrative Law as well as Licensing Law. She has extensive experience appearing as an advocate in public inquiries and hearings as well as in the High Court and Court of Appeal. Celina acts for and advises a wide range of public bodies and private parties addressing planning consents, appeals as well as enforcement as well as Community Infrastructure Levy reviews and appeals. She has a depth of experience in handling environmental issues such as air quality; hydrology; ecology; Green Belt; AONB; heritage; and listed buildings and environmental impact assessment generally. Celina has advised and acted for Government bodies, developers and objectors in a number of major infrastructure projects consented by means of various processes including Town and Country Planning Act 1990; Highways Act 1980; Transport and Works Act 1992 Planning Act 2008 and hybrid bill. Of particular note was her early experience acting for the Highways Agency promoting the Highways Orders in relation to Heathrow Terminal 5 in the late 1990s and her appointment under s.101 of the Planning Act 2008 to provide legal advice and assistance to the Examining Authority appointed to examine the NSIP DCO for the cross- London Thames Tunnel Tideway (or ” Super Sewer”) application in 2013- 2014. She is currently acting for Portsmouth City Council in respect of the DCO application for AQUIND Interconnector Project due to be examined in 2020. Recent cases and projects of note include Essex County Council v UBB Waste (Essex) Ltd (No. 2) [2020] EWHC 1581 (Technology & Construction Court); UBB v Essex CC [2019] (Admin) )(Planning Court); Watford BC(Gateway, Watford Business Park) CPO 2020; Shirley-v- Canterbury City Council & SSCLG Claim No: CO/3841/2017 (settled March 2020); The County of Herefordshire (South Wye Transport Package– A4194 Southern Link Road) CPO and SRO; Binning Property Corp v SSCLG [2019] EWCA Civ 250 Thorpe-Smith v SSCLG [2017] EWHC 356; R(oaoMaynard) v Chiltern DC & Chalfont St Peter Parish Council [2015] EWHC 3817(Admin)She is an active member of Women in Planning and the Bar Council. In September 2019 she also addressed the European Circuit of the Bar’s annual conference in Rome on “Issues of judicial protection post-Brexit”; she also edits and contributes LEXIS on Transport & Works Act procedures and Water Industry Act 1991 - sewer and pipe connections

Charles Manzoni KC

Barrister specialising in international arbitration, commercial, construction, technology and telecommunications, professional negligence.

Charlie Cory-Wright KC

Charlie specialises in private law work including personal injury (in particular catastrophic spinal injuries and brain damage), clinical negligence, product liability, professional negligence and construction; public law work, in particular as a vetted special advocate in terrorist-related proceedings in the High Court, the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, the Security Vetting Appeal Panel, and Employment Tribunals. Charles is chair of the Personal Injuries Bar Association. He is also Quantum editor of Kemp & Kemp.

Chiara Cordone

Chiara accepts instructions across all chambers’ practice areas, and undertakes the full range of work from advisory and pleading to appearing in court. Chiara has appeared as sole counsel in the High Court; the Court of Protection; and in a range of county court matters. Chiara has a particular interest in public law acting both as sole and junior counsel in a range of domestic and international work. Chiara has assisted in editing chapters on local authority meetings, the structure of local government, and charities in Shackleton on the Law of Meetings (16th edition, forthcoming).

Christiaan Zwart

Barrister with an extensive practice in Planning & Infrastructure Law, Environmental & Energy Law, Public and Local Government Law.

Christian Du Cann

Barrister specialising in personal injury (either side), clinical negligence (either side) and health and safety.

Christopher Moss

Christopher accepts instructions across all Chambers’ practice areas and undertakes the full range of work from advisory and pleadings to appearing in court. Christopher has appeared in the High Court (Administrative division); in the Court of Protection; and in a range of county court matters including personal injury, road traffic accidents, credit hire and housing disrepair. Christopher has a particular interest in planning and environmental law having recently been led by Richard Wald KC, and Daniel Stedman Jones, in matters relating to asylum barges, environmental advertising and solar farms respectively. He is a headnoter for the Property, Planning and Compensation reports, a co-editor of Chambers’ Planning, Environment and Property Newsletter and frequently produces case analysis on planning and environmental matters for LexisNexis.

Christopher Staker

Barrister specialising in public international law, arbitration, administrative and public law, international criminal law, immigration and asylum, EU law and human rights. Regularly appears before courts and tribunals in England and Wales. At international level, has appeared as counsel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), European Court of Human Rights, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Has acted as counsel assisting annulment committees in ICSID international investment treaty arbitrations. Fee paid judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber) since 2009. Treasury C panel 2010; treasury B panel 2013; treasury public international law B panel 2014. Counsel in a number of prominent cases before the High Court of Australia (the highest Australian court) and other Australian courts involving issues of constitutional law, administrative law and public international law.

Colin Mccaul KC

Barrister specialising in clinical negligence (claimant); professional negligence; personal injury (claimant and defendant).

Colin Thomann KC

Barrister dealing with environmental, public law, personal injury, employment and planning matters, with a particular interest in EU law issues arising in these fields.

Colin Mackay

Barrister.

Daniel Laking

Daniel has a broad civil litigation and public law practice, specialising principally in the fields of personal injury and clinical negligence, insurance fraud, costs and litigation funding, inquests, inquiries and investigations, and health and safety. He is listed in the legal directories as a leading junior in costs, clinical negligence and inquests and inquiries. He is a proficient and experienced advocate, having appeared in tribunals, County Courts, the Crown Court, the Coroner’s Court, and in the High Court, both led and as sole counsel. Alongside his court work, he has a busy advisory and paperwork practice.

Daniel Kozelko

Daniel has a multi-disciplinary practice encompassing planning law, public law, environmental law and regulatory law. Daniel has appeared in a number of significant planning cases, most recently making oral submissions in the Supreme Court as junior counsel to Richard Harwood KC in R (on the application of Spitalfields Historic Building Trust) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Another (UKSC 2023/0121). He also acted as junior counsel to John Steel KC in the DCO examination of the largest combined solar farm and battery energy storage system in the UK (Sunnica Energy Farm), and is instructed unled in respect of two further DCO-level solar farms. More generally, Daniel has a busy practice as sole counsel, appearing regularly in the High Court and in inquiries for all sides. This work includes a 9-day inquiry concerning a 390-property development in the Metropolitan Green Belt, and other recent multi-day enforcement and rights of way inquiries. Daniel also has a strong public and regulatory practice. He was junior counsel to Charlie Cory-Wright acting for NHS Blood and Transplant in the Infected Blood Inquiry, and is regularly instructed by registrants and regulators to appear in medical and sports tribunals.

Daniel Stedman Jones

David Sawtell

Barrister specialising in substantial construction and property disputes, as well as commercial dispute resolution. Frequently instructed in cases involving the development and use of land, buildings and property, as well as matters involving serious commercial, insolvency and company law issues. His work frequently has an international edge, involving cross border and overseas transactions and disputes.

David Mitchell

Specialisation in Employment, Public and Defamation, Privacy and Information law. Current / recent work includes: Employment: Irwell Insurance Company Ltd v Watson & Ors, CA (jurisdiction of ET under Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010), PGA European Tour v Kelly, EAT (re-engagement order exceeding £450k), London Underground Ltd v Amissah & Ors, CA (group action under Agency Worker Regulations), Agarwal v Cardiff University, CA (jurisdiction of ET to determine contractual terms) and Thompson v Ark Schools, EAT (pregnancy / maternity discrimination time limits). Public: Alliance of Turkish Businesspeople v SSHD, CA (whether immigration guidance founded substantive legitimate expectation), Karagul v SSHD (changes to immigration rules re ECAA applicants did not breach principle of effectiveness) and Kotuk v ECO, Warsaw, CA (“standstill clause” in Ankara Agreement did not apply to right of establishment). Defamation, Privacy and Information law: Riley v Sivier (for defendant journalist), RPB v HMRC (transfer of misuse of private information and DPA claim to County Court), Dhir v Saddler (serious harm in context of slander) and Qureshi v IC & Home Office (FOIA appeal concerning s.24 national security exemption).

David Bradly KC

David Hopkins

David is a senior junior whose practice spans commercial, construction, and financial services disputes, professional discipline and regulation, and public law. David is regularly instructed in proceedings in the Commercial Court, the Chancery Division, the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) and the Administrative Court and before regulators’ disciplinary tribunals. A substantial proportion of David’s practice has an international element, particularly in the field of international arbitration, where he has acted in disputes subject to the Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA), and Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) rules. He is a Technology & Construction Bar Association (TECBAR) accredited adjudicator and accepts appointments via the TECBAR adjudication scheme. David is recommended as a leading junior in Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, Chambers Global, and The Legal 500 Asia Pacific. He was nominated for professional disciplinary junior of the year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards 2024. David is a contributing editor of the Auction, Bailment and Banking and Bills of Exchange volumes of Atkin’s Court Forms (2023 and 2018 issues), Dovar and Sawtell on the Building Safety Act (forthcoming), The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive (forthcoming), Making Lawful Decisions (2024) and Wilmot-Smith on Construction Contracts (5th edn, forthcoming; 4th edn, 2021). Prior to coming to the Bar, David worked in the City for five years as a foreign exchange and interest rates derivatives structurer.

David Bateson

An international arbitration specialist in all forms of dispute resolution including arbitration, litigation and alternative dispute resolution, David has been resident in Asia since 1980 and has over 35 years’ experience. He has extensive experience in disputes concerning construction, resources, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, and telecommunications. He is a practising arbitrator, with extensive experience in over 80 arbitrations in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America. He has acted as Chairman, party-appointed arbitrator, or sole arbitrator under the auspices of the HKIAC, KLRCA, SIAC, CIETAC, ICC, PCA, AAA and LCIA. David sits on the Panel of Arbitrators for the following: Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), CIETAC (China), Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), Kuala Lumpur Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA), FACT (India) and APRAG (Asia Pacific).

Denys Hickey

Barrister.

Deok Joo Rhee KC

EU law, public law and human rights law.

Derek O'Sullivan KC

Also an associate member of ST JOHN’S CHAMBERS, Bristol. Barrister specialising in personal injury, insurance litigation, common law and health and safety law.

Duncan Sinclair

Duncan has a well-established and diverse practice with clients ranging from large multinationals, through central and local government to the third sector. He has particular expertise in energy and sectoral regulation, renewable projects and climate change legislation, planning issues/disputes, procurement and competition law, and commercial or other contractual disputes (in particular those involving a regulated sector) and is known for his ability to handle complex disputes.. His work combines non-contentious advisory work, contentious (or other) representations before regulatory/decision making bodies, CAT litigation, and High Court litigation including in particular Judicial Reviews and cases in the TCC or contractual and other disputes in the King's Dench Division (including cases then considered by the appellate courts).

Edmund Townsend

Product liability, professional negligence, property damage, commercial, clinical negligence, personal injury, fraud.

Edwin Glasgow KC

Barrister specialising in commercial litigation: Svenska Bank v Sun Alliance (commercial mortgage indemnity); Capital Counties v Planned Maintenance; Ablitt v Norwich Union; Lancashire County Council v Municipal Mutual: commercial litigation: Sun Valley v Partspeed; Midland Expressway: personal injury (mainly defendant): clinical negligence: Morriss v Lewisham Health Authority; Kinnear v Falcon Films; sports law: public inquiries: Bradford; Hillsborough; Guildford Four; Piper Alpha; Bloody Sunday: sports law including disciplinary; mediation and arbitration.

Eleanor Grey KC

Barrister specialising in public and administrative law, especially public inquiries, healthcare regulation, mental health and community care, immigration and freedom of information / data protection. Clients include central and local government bodies, NHS and regulatory bodies (e.g. the Professional Standards Authority, the General Medical Council, General Dental Council), as well as private clients. Appointed Queen’s Counsel in April 2011. Formerly a member of the Attorney General’s ‘A’ Panel (Public Law) 2003-2011. Judge of the Mental Health Tribunal. Inquiries: Represented the former Healthcare Commission throughout the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Trust Public Inquiry. Previously; first junior counsel to the Bristol Royal Infirmary Inquiry (major healthcare inquiry); counsel for the House of Commons’ authorities, the Hutton Inquiry; counsel to the Ayling and Kerr/Haslam Inquiries (independent private inquiries investigating service failures in the NHS); advisory work in numerous other inquiries. Healthcare: Recently represented Ashworth Hospital in the 8-day public hearing of Ian Brady’s application to the Mental Health Tribunal for transfer back from hospital to prison. Numerous healthcare cases include R(Sailesh Patel) v GMC [2013] (legitimate expectations); R(Tosar) v Milton Keynes PCT [2012] EWHC 2334 (interpretation of the word ‘neighbourhood’ in the Pharmaceutical Services Regulations); British Pregnancy Advisory Service v Secretary of State for Health [2011] EWHC 235 (proper interpretation of the Abortion Act 1967). Appears in tribunals such as the Family Health Services Appeal Unit (FHSAU) as well as the High Court and Court of Appeal. Freedom of Information and Data Protection: Counsel for the House of Commons authority throughout the three ‘MPS expenses’ cases. Currently representing the council in East Sussex Council v ICO and others, a case regarding the proper calculation of charges under the Environmental information Regulations 2004 and which has been referred to the European Court of Justice by the Information Rights Tribunal.

Eleanor Leydon

Eleanor's practice is focused on public, environmental and planning law. In Summer 2022 she was seconded to the High Court (QBD) (Admin Court) as a Judicial Assistant to Mr Justice Chamberlain.

Eliza Sharron

Barrister specialising in all fields of Court of Protection work, including property and affairs, health and welfare, serious medical treatment, and associated human rights matters.

Emily Formby KC

Emily, ranked for over 20 years in the Directories as a stand out practitioner and nominated for Legal 500 Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year in 2023, is renowned for her extensive personal injury and clinical negligence practice and is involved with the most complex cases of the highest value. She has wide experience acting for both claimant and defendant in all types of claims, both public and private, with clients appreciating her ability to think cases through in the round. She is adept at absorbing and understanding complicated clinical and factual issues which she subjects to an incisive forensic legal analysis. Praised for her keen intellect and ability to work with experts, she is also well known for her warm manner and ability to involve and engage her clients in the litigation process. She has particular expertise in fatal accident claims and complicated medical issues where her broad medical knowledge is particularly useful. Emily is known for her ability to incisively comprehend the most complicated situations and produce a clear analysis of the key issues. Her expertise in clinical matters leads to particular expertise in managing expert witnesses and means she is often sought out for complex inquests and difficult causation claims. She is a CEDR qualified Mediator and a Recorder sitting in the Crown and County Court for more than 10 years. She is Chair of the Personal Injuries Bar Association (PIBA) and sits on the Bar Council’s General Management Committee as PIBA representative.

Emily Wilsdon

Emily practices in administrative and public law, regulation, inquiries and inquests, and commercial and construction. An experienced public lawyer, she acts for claimants (individual and representative bodies), central and local government, regulators and other public bodies across all areas of public law. She regularly appears in a wide range of courts and tribunals, including the High Court and Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). She is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel, and was a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission ‘B’ Panel.She represents the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and the Home Office in the Brook House Inquiry. She advises and represents a range of interested parties at inquests, including Article 2 inquests with a jury. She is recognised by the Legal 500 in the areas of administrative law and human rights, inquests and inquiries, and immigration (including business immigration). Within commercial and construction disputes she has experience of arbitration, shipping disputes, construction adjudication and banking fraud. She has been admitted as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb). She has been instructed as a member of the legal team from 39 Essex Chambers offering legal advice and support to the Foskett Panel.

Emma Corkill

Personal injury and Fraud, Clinical negligence, Product liability and Property damage.

Fenella Morris KC

Barrister specialising in public law, professional discipline and regulation, education and local government. Cases include: Professional Standards Authority v NMC and Harry; R (Antoniou) v Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Others; R (LH) v Shropshire Council; R (Save our Surgery Ltd) v Joint Committee of PCTs; Saha Imperial College; P and Q v Surrey County Council; R v C [2009] 1 WLR 1786, HL; Pretty v UK [2002] UK HRR 97.

Fiona Paterson KC

Before coming to the Bar, Fiona practised for nine years as a solicitor in Scotland, advising in all aspects of medical and regulatory law. She initially acted for claimants and latterly for defendants through the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland. Since coming to the Bar, she has continued to develop her interest in medical law, representing both claimants and defendants. As a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel, she has represented the Ministry of Defence in relation to claims brought by former soldiers for alleged psychiatric negligence, following exposure to trauma in combat. She has also advised the Ministry of Justice on claims arising from prison healthcare. Fiona also regularly acts for the families of those who have died in custody, both at inquests and ensuing judicial reviews. She appeared as the appellant’s junior counsel before the Court of Appeal in (R (on the application of P) v HM Coroner for the District of Avon [2009] Civ 1367). Her advocacy has extended into the regulatory forum. She appears regularly before the GMC, GDC, NMC and HPC. Fiona recently appeared as junior counsel for the appellant in the first appeal from the GMC to the Northern Irish High Court (Casey v GMC [2011] NIQB 95). Fiona is also a CEDR accredited mediator who has mediated a wide variety of disputes both as a lead and assistant mediator.

Flora Curtis

Flora’s practice is focused on environmental, planning and public law. Flora has been ranked as one of the top planning barristers under the age of 35. She acts for a wide range of clients including NGOs, central and local government, developers and landowners, and local residents. She regularly appears in court, inquiries and hearings, both in her own right and as junior counsel. Flora has particular experience in cases involving complex environmental matters, and has acted in high profile climate change litigation. Between August 2023 and March 2024, she was seconded to the Office for Environmental Protection. In appropriate cases, Flora undertakes work on a pro-bono basis.

Geoffrey Brown

Barrister practising in professional negligence, insurance, personal injury, fire and flood damage etc.

Gethin Thomas

Gethin Thomas has a multidisciplinary practice, encompassing public law & human rights, environment & energy, planning, procurement, commercial, financial services and regulatory law.

Grace Cheng

Grace Cheng is an English barrister and qualified Hong Kong solicitor. She is a registered foreign lawyer at the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and has rights of audience before the DIFC Courts (Dubai) and the AIFC Court (Kazakhstan). Grace is a versatile advocate with experience in many different areas of the law with a particular focus on complex commercial matters involving an international element. She has worked for a wide range of clients including governments, FTSE 100 companies and high net worth individuals. In addition to her practice as counsel, Grace is a sought after neutral and has received over 30 appointments as arbitrator, adjudicator, expert, as well as being a member of various judicial panels, independent tribunals, disciplinary and regulatory commissions. She regularly deals with disputes in a diverse range of areas and involving a range of languages and governing laws, including the laws of England and Wales, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai. She has acted as arbitrator in matters administered under the rules of various institutions including the DIAC, HKIAC, SIAC as well as ad hoc arbitrations and those under UNCITRAL rules.

Gregory Treverton-jones KC

In recent years, the principal focus of Greg Treverton-Jones QC’s practice has been regulatory and disciplinary issues concerning solicitors and other professionals. He is co-author (with Andrew Hopper QC) of The Solicitors’ Handbook, the 6th edition, of which will be published during 2014. He has been in many of the leading cases involving solicitors, e.g. Sritharan v The Law Society [2005] 1 WLR 2708 and Sheikh v The Law Society [2006] EWCA 1577 (interventions); Bultitude v The Law Society [2004] EWCA Civ 1853 (dishonesty); and numerous statutory appeals, e.g. Tinkler [2012] EWHC 3645 (Admin), Andersons and others [2013] EWHC 4021 (Admin). He advises and represents solicitors in respect of all of the most pressing issues of the day. He also represents other legal professionals (barristers and legal executives) and non-legal professionals (surveyors; teachers; architects) and some sports tribunal work. He also has extensive experience of Public Inquiries (North Wales Child Abuse: Southall rail crash and Paddington rail crash); corruption; and costs (particularly wasted costs applications).

Hannah Fry

Hannah has a broad commercial, construction and public law practice. She has a particular interest in international litigation and arbitration. Hannah regularly appears as sole counsel in the County Court and High Court and has appeared (led) in the Privy Council and the Supreme Court. She also appears before international arbitral tribunals. Hannah is a member of the Government Legal Department’s Panel of Junior Junior Counsel.

Hannah Mccarthy

Ian Brownhill

Ian has a broad public law and human rights practice which focusses on mental capacity, education law, criminal justice, prison law and community care. Much of Ian’s regulatory practice complements his public law work and he is often instructed in cases which involve safeguarding, social care or healthcare. In recent times, Ian has increasingly advised on regulatory matters related to sport.

Jack Holborn

Barrister dealing with personal injury (both sides), property damage; administrative and public law – constitutional law (Belize Bark Ltd v AG of Belize [2011] UKPC 36); immigration (R (Bhagat) v SSHD); Court of Protection, local authority work (R (Earl) v Winchester City Council [2014] EWHC 195), Mutua v FCO [2012] EWHC 2678; commercial and construction including commercial arbitration; regulatory, including solicitors’ regulation; costs; discrimination – Cherfi v G4S Securicor [2012] Eq LR 825 successful claim for discrimination on the grounds of religion.

Jack Anderson

Barrister dealing with all areas of public law, education, planning, employment and local government law.

Jake Thorold

Jake accepts instructions across all of Chambers’ practice areas with a particular interest in public, planning and environmental law.

James Todd KC

Barrister specialising in personal injury, general insurance and contractual disputes.

James Strachan KC

Areas of practice include: public and administrative; planning and environment; commercial; financial services; local government; civil liberties and human rights; privacy and freedom of information. Notable recent cases include: Orabator v HMP Holloway [2010] EWHC 58 (repatriation of foreign prisoners); R (Smith) v Land Registry [2010] EWCA Civ 2000 (adverse possession of highways); R (U) v SIAC [2010] EWHC 813 (bail in SIAC); R (KB) v Secretary of State for Justice [2010] EWHC 15 (prisons and YOI); Guildford BC v Sec of State for Communities [2009] EWHC 3531 (greenbelt extensions); MetroConstruction v LB Barnet [2009] EWHC 2956 (conservation area designations); Brown v Carlisle City Council [2009] EWHC 2519 (EIA); S & Marper v UK [2008] ECHR 1581, ECtHR (retention of fingerprints and DNA);Capel Parish Council v Surrey County Council [2009] EWHC 350 (EU Waste Directive and waste incinerator); Home Secretary v AR [2008] EWHC 3164 (Prevention of Terrorism Act Control Order); WK v Home Secretary and A v Croydon [2009] EWHC (age assessments); Heffernan v Rent Service [2008] UKHL 58, [2008] 1 WLR 1702 (locality for housing benefit); South Cambridgeshire v First Secretary of State [2008] EWCA Civ 1010 (greenbelt and travellers); Jeffery v First Secretary of State [2007] EWCA Civ 584 (discontinuance orders); West Midlands International Airportv Secretary of State for Communities and LocalGovernment [2008] EWHC 2309 (airport expansion); Heather Moor & Edgecomb v Financial Ombudsman Service [2008] EWCA Civ 642 (ombudsmanand human rights); Burney v Burns Anderson [2007] 4 All ER 246 (ombudsman and pensions); R v London Borough of Bromley ex p Barker [2007] 1 AC 470, HL & ECJ (environmental impact assessments); R(IFG) v Financial Ombudsman Service [2005] EWHC 1153 (powers of ombudsman); R(X) v Chief Constable of West Midlands Police [2004] EWCA Civ 1068 (criminal record disclosure); A v West Yorkshire Police [2004] UKHL 21, [2004] 2 WLR 1209; Goodwin v UK [2002] 35 EHRR 18 (rights of transsexuals and Article 14); R (Adriano) v Surrey County Council [2003] Env LR 24 (incinerator permission); Evans v First Secretary of State [2004] Env LR 1523 (striking out of s288 proceedings); Associated Newspapers, News International, Guardian, Telegraph and BBC v Home Secretary, AD and LL (anonymity in control orders) [2005] EWHC Admin.

James Shaerf

James joined Chambers in 2022 having practised for more than a decade as a solicitor in major law firms in Paris and London, acting as counsel in more than 20 international arbitrations and in large-scale commercial litigation - particularly in relation to large energy, construction, and defence projects - including for and against state entities. Since coming to the Bar, James has appeared regularly in the High Court (both Commercial Court and Chancery Division), including unled on significant applications, and in international arbitrations.

James Burton

Specialises in planning, environmental and common law.

Jenni Richards KC

Jenni Richards QC has an extensive public law practice acting for individuals, public bodies and public interest groups in all areas affected by public law. She is recognised as being ‘as brilliant on her feet as she is on paper’ (Chambers and partners). Her expertise includes local and central government, financial services, human rights, healthcare, community care and mental health, education, prison law and immigration/asylum. She is frequently asked to advise local authorities, health bodies and regulatory bodies on a wide range of issues relating to their powers and duties, consultation processes and budgetary decision-making. Jenni acted for the claimants in the leading human rights cases of Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Rabone v Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust. Jenni’s regulatory and disciplinary work covers a wide range of areas, with particular emphasis on financial services regulation, the regulation of health care professionals , the regulation of fertility services by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the regulation of hospitals and care homes. She acts for regulators and for individual professionals facing fitness to practise or disciplinary allegations. Jenni has extensive experience in difficult and sensitive inquests and inquiries in which there is a public component such as the responsibility of the state in relation to the cause of death. She has been involved in numerous leading cases concerning the investigative and substantive obligations under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Jenni is often instructed in the most complex or novel cases under the Mental Capacity Act involving difficult decisions relating to capacity, medical treatment and deprivation of liberty. Jenni is an experienced, trained mediator. Cases include: Rabone v Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust [2012] UKSC 2; Wirral BC v Salisbury Independent Living [2012] EWCA Civ 84; Levinge v Health Professions Council [2012] EWHC 135 (Admin); Cheshire West and Chester Council v P [2011] EWCA Civ 1257; R (Canada Inc) v Financial Services Authority [2011] EWHC 2766 (Admin); R (AP) V HM Coroner for Worcestershire [2011] EWHC 1453 (Admin); AH v Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust & others [2011] EWHC (CoP); R (L) v Leeds City Council [2010] EWHC 3324 (Admin); R (Mwanza) v Greenwich London Borough Council [2010] EWHC 1462 (Admin); R (Lewis) v HM Coroner for the Mid & North Division of Shropshire & Secretary of State for Justice [2010] 1 WLR 1836; R (KS) v Croydon LBC [2010] EWHC 3391 (Admin); R (Manchester CC) v St Helens BC [2009] EWCA Civ 1348; Muscat v Health Professions Council [2009] EWCA Civ 1090; R (F) v Wirral BC [2009] EWHC 1626 (Admin); R (Calvert) v HM Coroner [2009] EWHC 661 (Admin); St Helens Borough Council v Manchester Primary Care Trust & anor [2008] EWCA Civ 931; Savage v South Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust & MIND [2009]1 AC 681; HK (Turkey) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 1357; AI v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 386; JE v DE, Surrey County Council and EW [2006] EWHC 3459 (Fam); Cavanagh, Bhatt & Redmond v Health Service Commissioner [2005] EWCA Civ 1578; ID & others v Home Office [2006] 1 WLR 1003; A Local Authority v Z (2005) 1 WLR 959; Uttley v Secretary of State for the Home Department (HL) [2004] 1 WLR 2278; R (A, B, X & Y) v East Sussex County Council and Disability Rights Commission [2003] LGR 529; R (Stennett) v Manchester City Council (HL); [2002] 3 WLR 584, ; R (Coughlan) v North and East Devon Health Authority (CA) [2000] 2 WLR 622.

Jennifer Thelen

Jennifer has a broad practice encompassing regulatory and disciplinary law, general commercial law, public law and local government law, and employment law.

Jess Connors

Barrister specialising in general commercial, construction and insurance and financial services.

Joe-han Ho

Joe-han is a commercial barrister who practises across the full spectrum of commercial and construction (including energy and infrastructure) disputes. He has a thriving arbitration practice and regularly appears before international arbitral tribunals as sole counsel or as part of a wider counsel team. He is frequently instructed on complex and high-value disputes with an international element, often involving civil fraud, insolvency, and/or company law dimensions. Many of his cases have an Asian connection, and he is regularly instructed by law firms in (for example) the PRC, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. For more details and for Joe-han’s Chinese CV, please see https://www.39essex.com/profile/joe-han-ho. In addition to his counsel practice, Joe-han has extensive experience in ADR, and accepts appointments as arbitrator, mediator, and adjudicator. He is a panel arbitrator, a CEDR-accredited mediator and is a TECBAR panel adjudicator. Joe-han’s advocacy has been the subject of judicial remarks, including: “as Mr Jory [QC] and Mr Joe-han Ho point out, in their lucid and concise post-hearing written submission…” Townley & Anor v Inter Export LLC [2018] EWCA Civ 2068 (Lady Justice Arden, as she then was) “This appeal was argued extremely skilfully by [Mr Ho].” Dubai First PJSC v Wright [2019] (unreported) (Mr Justice Barling) “… [Mr Ho’s] excellent written closing outline submissions.” The Sky’s The Limit Transformations Ltd v Dr Mohamed Mirza [2022] EWHC 29 (TCC) (HHJ Stephen Davies) “... excellent submissions” Bank of Baroda and Ors v GVK and Ors [2022] (Mrs Justice Cockerill)

John Tackaberry KC

Construction ie engineering, energy and natural resources, joint ventures, consortia co-operation, commercial arbitration, commercial shipping, commodity and international arbitration.

John Steel KC

Specialisms include: planning and environmental law, public law, judicial review, compulsory purchase and compensation, aviation and licensing. High Court litigation and public inquiries; CPOs and regeneration; cases of interest: Premier division Football Stadium developments, Birmingham International Airport expansion, Heathrow third runway, Coventry Airport, Farnborough TAG Airport expansion, Gatwick Airport, Bushell v Newcastle Living Justices [2006] HL, Luton TWA Guided Busway, R (Medway Council) v Sec of State for Transport, R (Mount Cook) v Westminster City Council, R (Jones) v Mansfield BC, R (Governors of Langley Park School) v Bromley LBC, Llanishen Reservoir development and JRs Cardiff, Ashford expansion, Telford opencast, waste and retail developments, Newcastle and Sunderland housing, Albert Court Residents v Westminster County Council (Albert Hall licensing).

John Pugh-smith

Barrister specialising in town and country planning, environmental, local government, highways law and parliamentary matters; CEDR-accredited mediator. Design Council / CABE Built Environment Expert (2012). Member of DCLG s106 mediator panel (2013).

John Denis-smith

John joined Thirty Nine Essex Street in 2006. His practice focuses primarily on construction and commercial disputes. He started his career at the bar with pupillage at 5 Bell Yard and Keating Chambers before moving to the litigation department at Herbert Smith and specialist construction firm Fenwick Elliott. John is dual-qualified as a barrister and solicitor and has returned to the Bar in 2006 where his practice has flourished both domestically and internationally. Due to his prior experience as a solicitor his advice is cost-effective and focused on results for his clients. He was advocate in a $1bn ICC international arbitration arising out of disputes concerning the construction of an oil pipeline in the Middle East and has advised in relation to the resolution of a dispute concerning the construction of a hotel in the UAE. He has considerable experience of construction and related professional negligence cases, including: (1) Tradebe Solvent Recycling Ltd (formerly Solvent Resource Management Ltd) v Coussens of Bexhill Ltd [2013] EWHC 3786 (QB), a claim for remedial costs arising out of the collapse of a crane at a refinery; (2) Berry Piling Systems v Sheer Projects [2012] EWHC 241 (TCC) 141 CON LR 225, successfully enforcing an adjudicator’s decision in the face of defence seeking to resist enforcement on natural justice grounds and the alleged insolvency of the claimant; (3) Aldersgate Estates Ltd v Ham Construction Ltd [2013] EWHC 104 (TCC) (31 January 2013), acting in a professional negligence action, in which the TCC has given the leading case on the appropriateness of ordering hearing of preliminary issues.

Jonathan Darby

Barrister

Jonathan Bellamy

Jonathan Bellamy has an established litigation, arbitration and advisory practice in commercial law. His sector experience includes commercial transactions, construction, infrastructure, energy, insurance and reinsurance, sale of goods and services, IT contracts, PFI, outsourcing, financial services, information law and data protection/GDPR, professional liability and professional sport. Jonathan has an expansive commercial practice in advisory and contentious matters in UK and internationally – endorsed in the Directories in UK, Asia-Pacific and EMEA as a commercial practitioner having “a highly astute legal mind” and as “a very experienced and skilful advocate.” He brings strong intellectual, analytical and numerical skills to simplify and explain complex material in a persuasive and effective manner for clients and before courts and arbitration tribunals. He is an experienced cross-examiner of factual and expert witnesses. He is focused on achieving the best possible commercial outcome for his clients. Jonathan’s sports law work covers a range of commercial and regulatory practice areas including commercial contracts and insurance. He is described in the legal directories as “a go-to counsel for sports regulatory work” and “a first-rate football litigator and a renowned arbitrator.” Jonathan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and a Chartered Arbitrator (C.Arb). He sits as a sole and panel arbitrator in domestic and international commercial, insurance, construction and sports arbitrations by institutional appointment (including ICC, DIAC and CIArb) or ad hoc. He is described in the directories as “prominent in commercial and sport arbitration.”

Juan Lopez

Barrister acting in all areas of major infrastructure (specialising in all aspects of energy and transportation infrastructure, DCOs and TWAOs), planning (including the promotion of large housing-led and mixed use regeneration schemes), energy and environmental law, real and commercial property, construction and commercial disputes (UK and international), compulsory purchase, land valuation/compensation, and highways (including rights of way). Cases include Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea [2021] Borough-wide digital fixed line infrastructure wayleave agreement; Thornhill Estates Ltd v SSCLG [2019] Development benefits and mitigations in planning.

Judith Ayling

Barrister specialising in personal injury, general common law, costs, insurance, professional negligence.

Karen Gough

Construction; professional negligence, domestic and international arbitration and ADR. Cases have included most standard forms of building and engineering contracts. Claims include interim and final account disputes, delay, loss and expense claims, defect claims, negligent design and workmanship issues. Significant cases include: Lanes Group plc adjudication and related leaked clauses 2011; ad hoc appointment as arbitrator in a dispute over a major infrastructure project in Botswana; ICC arbitration involving major infrastructure project in Trinidad & Tobago (2007-10); acting for The British Legion in proceedings concerning a substantial care home development in Norfolk (2009); acting for the Co-op in claims against consulting engineers for professional negligence (2009); Charles Church v Stuart Foundations (2007) [professional negligence]; Laurence Banks and Rachel Banks v DEFRA, [2004] EWHC 416 [administrative/public law & costs], DEFRA had failed to observe the requirements of procedural fairness in deciding to maintain a Movement Restriction Notice imposed on B’s herd of cattle – claimants’ application for indemnity costs against DEFRA succeeded; Trevor Wicketts & Patricia Sterndale v Brine Builders Ltd and HC Siederer, [2002] CILL 1805, application to remove arbitrator under section 24(1)(d) of the Arbitration Act 1996; Lindner Ceilings Floors Partitions plc v How Engineering Services Limited: How Engineering Services Limited v Lindner Ceilings Floors Partitions plc [2001] BLR 90 [appeal from arbitrators award on costs given in a construction arbitration], considered (a) evaluation of awards to offers on a ‘like for like’ basis and (b) the effect of a sealed offer which did not also include an offer to pay the costs of the offeree; Serck Controls Limited v Drake and Scull Engineerinq Limited [2001] QBD (TCC) (Judge Hicks QC) 12/5/2000, references: LTL 19/5/2000 : 73 Con LR 100: (2000) CILL 1643, claim for quantum meruit arising out of construction of research and development facility for BNF.

Karim Ghaly KC

Barrister.

Karishma Vora

Called to the bar: 2006 (India), 2011 (England & Wales), 2020 (DIFC)

Kate Grange KC

Kate has a broad practice which combines both public and commercial law. She was one of the lead counsel on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and took a principal role in all construction and technical aspects of the inquiry’s work. She is a former member of the Attorney General’s A-Panel of Counsel and appears on behalf of central government in high-profile public law proceedings with particular emphasis on national security, human rights, terrorism, prisons and immigration law. Her practice also includes substantial and complex litigation, arbitrations or mediations arising out of large-scale commercial, construction and engineering, insurance and professional negligence disputes. The nature of her practice means that she has particular experience of advising on the interface between public and commercial law issues.

Katharine Scott

Specialises in all aspects of costs work. Court of protection work with an emphasis on health and welfare cases. Public law with an emphasis on mental health and community care. Regulatory work. General common law with an emphasis on personal injury and professional negligence. All aspects of costs work.

Katherine Barnes

Katherine Apps KC

Barrister

Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho

Kelly specialises in EU law, public law, tax and commercial litigation. In practice prior to joining Chambers, Kelly was involved in litigation at every level of English Court, specialist tribunals and the CJEU. She is now instructed to appear in court regularly in the High Court, County Courts and Tribunals. Her clients are broad ranging and include multinationals, local authorities, individuals, SMEs, government bodies and major insurers. Her experience spans a variety of sectors, including Energy, Central and Local Government, Financial Services, Engineering, Retail, Aggregates, Insurance (including Life Assurance), Telecommunications, Computing and Medical Equipment. Her tax experience includes advising and litigating for clients from multinationals to high-net worth individuals on the full range of tax issues. In her practice prior to joining Chambers, Kelly was in the award winning team running the FII GLO , the CFC GLO , the Thin Cap GLO , the Loss Relief GLO and the prominent Marks & Spencer (final losses) cases. She has experience of advising on high value tax enquiries for multinationals dealing with cross border and domestic issues. Her tax disputes experience includes claims made under statutory claims procedure (CTSA), High Court litigation, Judicial Review, and settlements with HMRC. Her commercial litigation experience includes applications, case management hearings and matters in the High Court and County Court. She has experience of corporate disputes, insolvency (corporate and individual), as well as disputes as to shareholdings, misrepresentation, fraud and professional negligence.

Kerry Bretherton KC

Kerry Bretherton KC is recognised as an outstanding silk in property work. She has acted in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in a number of the leading property cases and was nominated for property litigation silk of the year by Legal 500 in 2022. Kerry litigates and advises in all aspects of property, property development and building safety. She also acts in commercial disputes often arising out of development or property transactions and associated professional negligence. Typically, her work involves high value and complex disputes and she has substantial experience in cases relating to fire safety and the Building Safety Act 2022. Kerry is “ferociously tenacious” and “excellent on her feet”. She is also “Fantastic to work with nothing is too much trouble and her response times are amazing”. Kerry is experienced in the full range of property disputes including options and overage, freehold covenants, restrictive covenants, easements, commercial and residential landlord and tenant, conveyancing disputes, mortgages, nuisance, public rights of way, trusts, and she has a particular interest in building safety work. Her commercial and professional negligence work involves disputes arising out of development/property matters. Kerry is co-author of “The Electronic Communications Code: A Practical Guide” the 2nd edition is due for publication in May 2023 and a contributor to “Service Charges and Management 5th Edition”.

Kristina Stern SC

Barrister.

Lindy Patterson KC

Full time arbitrator ; adjudicator and dispute board member

Lisa Giovannetti KC

Public law, asylum and immigration, human rights, local government. Cases include: Januzi v SSHD (HL) [2006] 2 WLR 397; Westminster City Council v Morris (CA) [2006] 1 WLR 505; GH (Iraq) v SSHD (CA) [2006] Imm AR 19; Gezer v SSHD [2005] HRLR7; R (Ullah) v SSHD (HL) [2006] 2 AC 323.

Loretta Malintoppi

International Arbitration, Public International Law.

Marion Smith KC

Matthew Horton KC

Matthias Kelly KC

Specialises in enquiries, personal injury and professional negligence work. Represents both claimants and defendants. Amongst his recent cases are Leta Almeda v Her Majesty’s Attorney General for Gibraltar, Privy Council, 24/11/2004 (challenge to State immunity claimed by the Government of Gibraltar); Pilar Aida Rojas v Brian Berllaque and Her Majesty’s Attorney General for Gibraltar, Privy Council, 10/11/2003 (whether all male juries in Gibraltar were constitutional). He has substantial experience of group actions: St George’s School, Liverpool, 2004-05, Springhill School Group Litigation, 2004 and Gower Chemicals 2002-03. Has appeared in many catastrophic injury cases: P Smith v I Childs, 2004, paraplegia £4.5m settlement; Ejvet v Aid Pallet (2002), 11/3/2002, Cooke J, RCJ (additional agreed award for broker’s fees, PGO and receiver costs). Acted in many cerebral palsy and gynaecological negligence claims: Howard v Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (2006) High Court, London, cerebral palsy; Corry v D & B Construction Ltd (2008) High Court, Belfast; O’B v Residential Institutions Redress Board (2009) High Court, Dublin [2009] IEHC 284; Ellie Challis v Barking, Havering & Redbridge Hospitals Trust, 2008/09 High Court, London (medical negligence, menlingococcal septicaemia); Adam Jones v BBC and others (2007) High Court, employer’s liability, occupier’s liability; Raymond Shanks v Swan Hunter Group PLC (2007) EWHC B4, mesothelioma claim; Jordan Fitton v Bury Primary Care Trust & others, judicial review, hospital closures, Administrative Court; Kampichler v Moore and Blatch, High Court Winchester, 18/4/02, solicitor’s negligence; Christine Perry v Post Office High Court, London, 2001 (whether trauma can cause MS); Cummings v Powney, 2000: Brain injury; appropriate deduction for non-use of seat belt; Dalton v Wright Hassall (a firm of solicitors); High Court, London, 2000 (whether solicitor’s negligence can give rise to a claim for psychiatric damage). Represented the Local Authority in Firth v Geo. Ackroyd Ltd and another (2000) Lloyds LR (medical) 312 (the recoverability of the cost of care provided by the local Authority acting under a statutory duty). Review of operation of section 19 of Companies Act 1990 (as amended) for Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Dublin) 2005-07.

Melissa Shipley

Construction, International Arbitration and Energy

Michael McParland KC

Michael Standing

Personal injury and clinical negligence, fraud, regulatory and disciplinary, employment and discrimination.

Michelle Pratley

Barrister with a broad administrative and public law practice and particular expertise in the areas of community care, mental capacity, mental health, regulation and education law. In these fields Michelle is instructed by a range of firms, public bodies, local authorities and regulators to undertake advocacy as well as advisory matters. Acts in judicial reviews including in relating to community care entitlements for adults and children. Particular experience in the Court of Protection, where she has acted in cases concerning deprivation of liberty, forced marriage, involuntary sedation and ‘best interests’ disputes concerning residence, care and contact. Recommended in Chambers and Partners in the areas of Court of Protection and education law (2013 and 2014); described as being ‘super-efficient and [able to] get straight to the crux of the matter’ and ‘a formidable presence in the Court of Protection’. Recommended in the field of education law in Legal 500 (2011-14), with expertise in complex special educational needs cases as well as university discipline, school admissions and exclusions, and all aspects of discrimination law. Regulatory practice includes providing advice to financial regulators, acting in disputes with regulators in the British Virgin Islands and acting in long-running fraud and money laundering proceedings that led one of the largest confiscation orders ever made in a common law jurisdiction.

Mungo Wenban-smith

Barrister dealing with a wide range of public law, including community care, Court of Protection, housing and homelessness, human rights, local government and mental health, employment law, and general commercial and common law.

Nael G Bunni

Barrister

Ned Helme

Barrister specialising in environmental, energy and planning law, administrative and public law, local government law, financial services law, and regulatory and disciplinary law.

Neil Block KC

Joint head of Chambers. Barrister specialising in professional negligence (including clinical negligence); personal injury and disease cases (including sport), insurance (policy construction and coverage disputes, non-disclosure and misrepresentations), product liability, jurisdiction, contract and commercial. Cases include: Pike v IHCL [2013] the claims arising out of the terrorist bombing of the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai; Stylianou v Toyoshima [2013] jurisdiction issues arising out of an accident in Australia; The Estate of Sir James Wilson Saville [2014] claims arising out of the sexual abuse of children by Jimmy Saville; Smolden v Nolan [1997] PIQR 133 (first case brought in which a referee is sued for failing to control the game resulting in injury to a player); McGregor v Prudential [1988] Lloyds LR (insurance fraud); O’Neil v Fashanu (player-on-player injury); North East, North West and Isle of Wight Shipyards litigation (multi-party asbestos related litigation); Watson v British Boxing Board of Control [2000] CA (liability of sports regulatory body); Gnitrow v Cope Plc [2000] CA (disclosability of confidential agreement); Re: ‘The Supertram Litigation’ [2003] EWCA Civ 1 (liability of highway authorities and tram operators – professional negligence of project manager); A v National Blood Authority (the Hepatitis C litigation); Skandia 4 Group Action – ergonomics of lorry cabs; Allport v Wilbrahim [2003] (successfully defended a claim by a rugby player against a referee in which the claimant alleged that catastrophic injuries sustained in a scrummage were the fault of the referee); Re Bondcare [2003] (a £20m claim alleging negligence against a project manager/quantity surveyor in relation to a hotel development); Miller & Gray v Shoreline [2003] (a claim alleging negligence of project manager and engineer in relation to a coastal protection scheme); ICF v Claims Advance (a claim involving thousands of cases in which insurance coverage issues arise); Whalley v Stoke DC [2006] CA (landmark case on withdrawal of pre-action admissions); the Northwick Park drug trial claims; Pollard v Tesco Stores [2006] EWCA Civ 393 (product liability – interaction of CPA 1987 and British Standards); Ash v Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (clinical negligence claim by well-known actress); Mughweni v Guys and St Thomas Hospital (paediatric cardiac surgery). The toxic sofa litigation: the claims arising out of the terrorist bombing of the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. Colchester Borough Council v Turner + Townsend (representing project managers in dispute about construction of iconic visual arts centre).

Neil Allen

Court of Protection, particularly deprivation of liberty issues. G v E and others [2010] EWHC 621, [2010] EWCA Civ 822; A County Council v MB [2010] EWHC 2508; Cheshire West and Chester Council v P [2011] EWCA Civ 1257; FP v GM [2011] 2 FLR 1375; A Local Authority v SY [2013] EWHC 3485.

Nicholas Higgs

Nicholas is a dual-qualified barrister and chartered civil engineer having come to the Bar from a previous career with Ove Arup & Partners. He has a busy practice in construction and engineering disputes and international commercial arbitration. Nicholas acts as both junior and sole counsel in disputes in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), in domestic adjudication and in international arbitrations. He also undertakes instructions as tribunal secretary and in providing advice on construction contracts, in particular the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), and alternative dispute resolution such as mediation.

Nicola Kohn

Barrister.

Nicola Greaney KC

Barrister specialising in all areas of public and administrative law (including health, local government, community care, education, telecommunications, prisons, information law) professional discipline and regulatory law, clinical negligence, personal injury, costs incapacity cases. Appointed attorney general’s A panel 2012.

Nigel Pleming KC

Barrister specialising in administrative and public law, environmental law, human rights, regulation and tax, including VAT and C&E. Recent cases include: R v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry ex p Greenpeace [1999] Env LR, (environmental); Environment Agency v Empress Cars Limited [1999] 2 AC 22 (environment); Bournewood Community and Mental Health NHS Trust, ex parte L [1999] 1 AC 458 (human rights); Svenska International Plc v Customs and Excise [1999] 1 WLR 769 (VAT); R v Ashworth Hospital ex p Ian Brady [2000] Lloyd’s Rep Med 355 (human rights); R v Department of Health, ex parte Source Informatics [2000] 2 WLR 940 (regulation and human rights); R v North and East Devon Health Authority, ex parte Coughlan [2000] 2 WLR 622 (administrative and public law); R v The National Lottery Commission ex p Camelot plc [2001] EMLR 43 (administrative and public law); Wilson v South Kesteven DC [2001] 1 WLR 387 (administrative and public law); R v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex p Javed [2001] 3 WLR 323 (administrative and public law); R (Holub) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2001] 1 WLR 1359 (administrative and public law); R v Mental Health Act Commission, ex parte Wilkinson [2001] 419 CA (human rights); R v NASS, ex parte Westminster City Council [2002] 1 WLR 2956 (administrative and public law); Ashworth Hospital Authority v Mirror Group Ltd [2001] 1 WLR 2033 (administrative and public law); R v Secretary of State for the Home Department, ex parte Mullen [2004] UKHL 18 (human rights, and administrative and public law); Centralan Property Ltd v Customs and Excise [2002] STC 290 (VAT); R v Secretary of State for the Environment and Transport and the Regions ex p Edison First Power Limited [2001] 16 EG 101 (HL – administrative and public law); Trinity Mirror Group plc v Commissioners for Customs and Excise [2003] STC 518; Naim Ahmed [2002] 2 All ER 440 (administrative and public law); Humber Sea Terminal Ltd v Secretary of State for Transport (QBD) [2005] EWHC 1289 (environment); Ward v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis & ors (HL) [2006] 1 AC 23 (administrative and public law); R (Colonel Munjaz) v Ashworth Hospital and Secretary of State [2006] 2 AC 148 (human rights); R (Singapore Medical Council) v General Medical Council and Simon Shorvon (QBD) [2006] EWHC 3277 (administrative and public law); Shin Wing v Director of Environment, Hong Kong [2006] HC Court of Final Appeal (environment; R Crown Prosecution Service) v Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Samuel James and five ors (DC) [2007] 1 WLR 291 (administrative and public law); R (Edwards) v Environment Agency and others (CA) [2006] EWCA Civ 877 (environment): R [National Grid Gas plc) v Environment Agency (QBD) [2006] 1 WLR 3041 (administrative and public law, environment); R (Maile and Hardy) v Pembrokeshire County Council (QBD) [2005] EWHC 1872 (environment); Revenue & Customs v Zurich Insurance Co (ChD) [2006] EWHC 593 (VAT); R (Greenpeace) v Secretary of State for Trade and Industry [2007] EWHC Admin 15.2.2007 (administrative and public law/environment).

Nina Goolamali KC

Nina Goolamali KC is a highly regarded advocate in personal injury and sport. She is regularly instructed on behalf of Defendants in multi-million pound press sensitive cases especially when a new duty or standard of care is being advanced. Winner of the Legal 500 Sport Silk of the Year Award 2024, Nina has a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Law from King’s College, London. She is a member of the Sport Resolutions UK Pro Bono Legal Service and is part of the UK and Ireland Editorial Board of LawInSport, (a leading online international sports publication). She has been admitted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). This appointment reflects her extensive experience as an Advocate and Arbitrator in a wide range of disciplinary, governance and injury disputes within the sports industry. Nina is an arbitrator panellist for Sport Resolutions and also acts as a party appointed sole or panel arbitrator on an ad hoc basis.

Niraj Modha

Barrister specialising in commercial, construction, and property litigation and arbitration.

Nyasha Weinberg

Nyasha accepts instructions across all of our practice areas, with a particular focus on public law, commercial and construction law. Before coming to the Bar, Nyasha worked as a civil servant, political advisor and management consultant. She has been widely published on the rule of law, international trade policy, UK-EU relations, technology and the future of work, with her research cited by major UK and international newspapers.

Parishil Patel KC

Barrister specialising in personal injury (defendant and claimant), employment law, construction law, administrative and public law and professional negligence.

Patrick Hennessey

Commercial, construction, common, regulatory and disciplinary, and administration and public.

Patrick Lane Sc

Arbitration, banking, commercial law, construction, contract, insolvency, insurance, landlord and tenant, mining law, professional negligence.

Paul Stinchcombe KC

Paul was called to the Bar (1985), building up a substantial practice in Public, Environmental and Planning Law before becoming an MP (1997-2005), during which time he served on the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Joint Committee on House of Lords Reform. Since returning to the Bar in May 2005, Paul rapidly re-built his practice and was elevated to silk within six years. Paul acts for developers, Local Authorities and private clients, including local campaign groups. Paul’s recent cases include resisting major infrastructure proposals – including the expansion of Stansted, the first promoted eco-village, Strategic Rail Freight Interchanges; promoting large-scale development – including significant housing developments across the country; leading planning, local government and human rights cases – including ; multi-million pound compensation claims – including one worth £90m for the Welsh Ministers; and the first judicial review in respect of Neighbourhood Planning and the Localism Act 2011. Paul is regularly recommended in the Legal Directories and was named as the Times Lawyer of the week, following on from the successful challenge against a decision to redevelop the house in which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Paul Darling KC

Paul Hayes

Barrister

Peter Village KC

Peter Village QC continues to dominate high-profile cases in planning and environmental law and has a long history of advising and appearing in environmental law cases, particularly concerning waterways, airports and waste planning. He has been involved in one of the highest profile planning cases in recent years, R (Cala Homes) v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government [2010] 2866 (admin) (Nos 1 2 and 3), successfully challenging the coalition government’s abolition of regional strategies a part of its reforming agenda under the localism bill and thereafter acting on the planning inquiry and challenge to the S/S’s decision in respect of Barton Farm Winchester, which culminated in the eventual grant of planning permission for 2000 homes in September 2012. He was leading counsel for the Environment Agency in the leading case of Rowland v Environment Agency [2003] EWCA Civ 1885, which is the most modern consideration of the law relating to public rights of navigation, where it successfully defeated a claim to a stretch of the River Thames as private waters. In 2009 Peter acted for the successful claimants in Capel Parish Council v Surrey County Council, where he successfully quashed the Surrey Waste Plan (Core Strategy) in relation to its proposals for a new waste incinerator at Capel. In related proceedings he also successfully quashed the planning permission for that proposal: Capel Parish Council v Surrey County Council [2009] EWHC 350 (Admin). This was the second successful challenge to the grant of planning permission from an alleged energy from waste incinerator on the former brickworks site outside Capel, the previous challenge being in 2002. He continues to advise both residents groups and waste operators in relation to various forthcoming proposals up and down the country. His experience in aviation noise and the correct application of PPG 24 was invaluable in the recent case for Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon at North East Sector Crawley and the proposal for nearly 2,000 new dwellings adjacent to Gatwick Airport. After long-running litigation spanning ten years, the Secretary of State granted planning permission following two inquiries. Peter Village QC appeared for Lydd Airport where issues of ecology and the Habitats Directive dominated the six month inquiry. A decision is awaited. He has particular expertise with regard to the practical application of the Habitats Directive, having acted for Taylor Wimpey in respect of It’s proposals for 1,130 dwellings in Bracknell. The case involved careful analysis and application of the Habitats Directive and SANGS (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space). Peter also successfully acted in the major High Court odour nuisance trial relating to his client’s organic composting operations (Hinton Organics) near Bath: Morgan & Baker v Hinton Organics defeating the Claimants’ claim. The case is brought by two local residents and may have important ramifications for the future of such operations.

Peter Rees KC

Peter specialises in international commercial arbitration and litigation and is widely recognised as one of the leading arbitration and construction disputes lawyers in the world. He has been recommended as a leading expert in commercial arbitration and litigation by, amongst others, the Euromoney Guides to the World’s Leading Litigation Lawyers and Experts in commercial arbitration and in the Legal Business Report on Legal Experts as an expert in arbitration, commercial litigation and construction and in the Chambers ‘Leaders in their Field’ as an expert in construction.

Peter Hurst

Peter Hurst LLB MPhil ACIArb was the Senior Costs Judge of England & Wales, at the Royal Courts of Justice, from 1992 to 2014. During a judicial career which has spanned thirty years, he was also Judicial Taxing Officer of the House of Lords from 2002 to 2009 and of the United Kingdom Supreme Court from 2009 to 2014 and also of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council from 2002 to 2014. He sat not only as a costs judge in the SCCO but also as a recorder in civil and criminal matters, including costs appeals from District Judges. He was appointed Greffier substitute of the Royal Court of Jersey in 2005. He was elected an honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2007. He sat as an assessor with High Court Judges dealing with numerous costs appeals. He was invited to sit with the Court of Appeal as an assessor when that Court was dealing with difficult or complex costs appeals. He worked closely with Lord Woolf on the Access to Justice Reforms and was an assessor to Lord Justice Jackson’s Review of Costs and visited several overseas Jurisdictions in that capacity. He has been heavily involved in the implementation process with Lord Justice Jackson and Mr Justice Ramsay both in the CPRC and with MoJ officials. He chaired the sub-committee charged with redrafting the costs rules and practice directions.

Peter Mant

Barrister specialising in public law, professional discipline and regulation, and court of protection work

Peter Turner KC

Peter Turner KC has over 30 years' experience as an advocate, primarily in arbitrations but also in court. He also sits as an arbitrator. Peter's practice comprises investment-treaty arbitration (under the ICSID and UNCITRAL Rules and ad hoc, including administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration), other matters involving issues of public international law, and complex and high-value commercial disputes, including post-M&A disputes and construction and engineering cases. His industry experience covers a wide range, from energy (including nuclear and renewable energy) to financial services and banking, from ground-handling at airports to manufacturing. Peter takes matters under any governing law and conducts cases in English and French. Peter taught international arbitration at Sciences Po in Paris for many years and is the co-author of A Guide to LCIA Arbitration.

Philippa Jackson

Philippa has a broad practice encompassing public law, planning and environmental law, local government law, commercial and employment law.

Philippe Kuhn

Philippe has an international practice specialising in cross-border commercial and construction & energy disputes. He regularly appears as counsel in international commercial disputes in the Commercial Court and Chancery Division in London, international arbitration and offshore jurisdictions (including the BVI and Gibraltar). In particular, civil fraud, banking & financial services, award enforcement, jurisdiction, energy, construction, insolvency and company disputes. Notable current and recent instructions are from clients in India, Ukraine, Moldova, Singapore, China, the UK, Cyprus and Continental Europe. He regularly acts for high net worth individuals, private equity funds, asset management firms, banks, insurers and government bodies. Philippe has substantial experience in ICC, LCIA, SCC and HKIAC arbitration and award enforcement proceedings. Relevant cases include Stati & Ors v Republic of Kazakhstan, recently appearing in the BVI Commercial Court, Supreme Court of Gibraltar, Court of Appeal for Gibraltar and Privy Council. Philippe is also admitted to the BVI Bar and has been called ad hoc to the Gibraltar Bar.

Quintin Fraser

Rachel Sullivan

Administrative and public, regulatory, planning and environment, commercial and construction, civil.

Rebecca Drake

Rebecca has been described as “absolutely phenomenal and so is her work rate”; “energetic and efficient, with a razor-sharp mind. She is capable of thinking on her feet and gets to grips with complex technical issues very quickly.” and “a very sharp junior punching above her call”. Rebecca specialises in high value commercial and construction disputes, both domestic and international. She represents a diverse clientele of businesses, representing FTSE-rated companies, property professionals, offshore investors, private developers, SMEs, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Rebecca is also a TECBAR Adjudicator.

Richard Wilmot-smith KC

Barrister specialising in construction and engineering (contentious); cases include Lanes Group PLC v Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd (T/A Galliford Try Rail) [2011] EWCA Civ 1617; AE3-3C Maritza East 1 Eood v (1) Credit Agricote Corporate Investment Bank (Previously known as Calyan Corporate + Investment Bank), (2) Alstom Power System Gmbh [2011] EWHC 123 (TCC); Linklaters Business Services (claimant) v (1) Sir Robert McAlpine ( Holdings) Ltd (defendant) + (1) How Engineering Services Ltd (2) How Goup Ltd (3) Southern Insulation (Medway) Ltd (third bais) [2010] EWHC 2931 (TCC).

Richard Spearman KC

Specialisation: general commercial and common law practice, including commercial fraud, media and entertainment (contracts, copyright, breach of confidence/privacy, data protection, arbitration), defamation, music industry (contracts, copyright, Copyright Tribunal), sports law (including disciplinary proceedings, arbitration), insurance and reinsurance, sale of goods, restraint of trade, professional negligence. Reported cases concerning restraint of trade, freezing injunctions, letters of credit, civil fraud, tracing, judicial review, discovery, insurance, defamation, copyright and confidence/privacy, including: Warren v Mendy (boxing); Istel v Tully (privilege against self-incrimination); R v Jockey Club ex p Aga Khan (Jockey Club/judicial review); Alltrans v Interdom; Mannesman v Kaunlaran; HIB v Guardian Insurance; Formica v ECGD; C v S; Kazakhstan Wool Producers v NCM; Papamichael v National Westminster Bank (commercial); AIRC v PPL (Copyright Tribunal/licensing scheme); Brinks v Abu Saleh; Independent Trustee Services v GP Noble (tracing); Athletic Union of Constantinople v NBA (basketball/arbitration/award/jurisdiction); EMI v CD Specialists; Chater v Rose; Hyde Park Residence v Yelland; Ashdown v Telegraph; Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust v News Group; Sony v Easyinternet Cafe; Sawkins v Hyperion; Independiente v Music Trading Online; Twentieth Century Fox v BT; Twentieth Century Fox v Harris (copyright); Grobbelaar v News Group; Loutchansky v Times; Chase v News Group; Collins Stewart v Financial Times; Greene v Associated; Armstrong v Times; Polanski v Conde Nast; ZAM v CFW (defamation); Mills v News Group; Theakston v MGN; A v B; Jockey Club v Buffham; Campbell v MGN; AG v Parry; Cream Holdings v Banerjee; Green Corns v Claverley; X and Y v Persons Unknown; Murray v Express Newspapers; WER v REW; Re X (A Child); Terry v Persons Unknown; Lykiardopulo v Lykiardopulo; Ambrosiadou v Coward; Goodwin v News Group; JIH v News Group; Giggs v News Group; McLaren v NGN (confidence/privacy).

Richard Harwood OBE KC

Barrister specialising in planning, environmental, local government, public law, parliamentary and art law. Significant cases include in the Supreme Court, Dill (listed buildings and art), Symmetry (planning conditions), Finch (Environmental Impact Assessment) and Spitalfields Trust (councillors’ voting). Other major planning and environmental cases in court include the Stonehenge road tunnel, Thames Tideway Tunnel, R(SAVE Britain’s Heritage) v SoS, Peires v Bickerton's Aerodrome, Dale Farm injunction, Mellor, Goodman, Lebus, Holder and Holborn Studios. He acts on major infrastructure, including High Speed 2, Crossrail Bill, Littlebrook Power Station, underground gas storage, incinerators and wind farms, major development projects, Wisley and Lotmead new settlements, urban extensions in Ashford and the Chiswick Curve tower. , retail, housing, enforcement and waste inquiries, compulsory purchase and compensation. He has extensive Environmental permitting experience including judicial reviews and inquiries; appeared in commons, village green and access proceedings; considerable rights of way/road traffic order experience. Richard also acts on energy regulation, appearing in the Green Belt (NI) and Dennison Commercials cases. Additionally, Richard has drafted over 1,500 tabled amendments to Public Bills and acts on art market matters, particularly regulatory controls including exports, treasure and listed buildings.

Richard Wald

Barrister specialising in all areas of environmental, planning, compulsory purchase, administrative and local government law. Key reported cases include: R (Hillingdon) v SSfT [2010] EWCH 626 (Admin) (JR of the government’s support for a third runway at Heathrow); Morgan v Hinton Organics [2009] EWCA Civ 107 (Aarhus Convention and apparent bias); Sumption v Greenwich LBC [2007] EWHC 2776 (Admin) (JR of decision to certify as lawful development within the curtilage of a listed building); Sole v SSTI [2007] 1527 (Admin) (challenge to the Olympics CPO); National Anti-vivisection Society v FSS [2004] EWHC 2074 (Admin) (challenge to consent for a non-human primate research facility in the green belt). Key public enquiries include: Admiral Nelson Public House, Falmouth (HSE objection to redevelopment on ammonium nitrate safety grounds; Baumber, Langham, Triton Knoll and Enifer Downs windfarm Inquiries (Appeals against refusals re 7, 5, 333 and 6 turbine windfarm proposals in Lincolnshire and Kent).

Romilly Cummerson

Romilly is an established insurance practitioner, specialising in clinical negligence, personal injury, and related insurance issues. She has developed an extensive practice acting for both claimants and defendants in all types of injury-related litigation, including professional indemnity claims arising out of the negligent handling of injury litigation. Romilly has wide experience of claims concerning all branches of the medical professions. She has represented claimants and defendants in cases involving allegations of negligence against GPs, general surgeons, cardio-thoracic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, district nurses, care assistants, opticians, and opthalmologists and has advised on a wide range of issues. Romilly is recognised in the Legal500 directory as a leading practitioner in injury law. She has extensive knowledge of injury-related litigation. Her expertise covers employers’ liability, public liability, occupiers’ liability, product liability, fatal accident claims, occupational disease litigation and motor-related claims. She provides substantive, procedural and tactical advice on liability issues and quantum and regularly handles multi-party actions. As well as being an experienced and highly regarded advocate, she is often instructed to conduct round table settlement conferences and to represent parties in mediation.

Rory Dunlop KC

Barrister specialising in public law, human rights, immigration and employment law. He is currently writing the OUP textbook on immigration detention, due to be published at the end of 2014.

Rose Grogan

Commercial: Rose’s practice includes commercial and construction disputes; international arbitration; planning and environmental law; public law and healthcare law. Recent cases include: R (Antoniou) v Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Others (Article 2 ECHR claim arising out of self-harm in a psychiatric ward); R (on the application of SAVE Britain’s heritage and the Victorian Society) v Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield [2013] EWHC 2456 (Admin) (concerning the demolition of a listed building, costs protection under the Aarhus Convention and interpretation of the NPPF); MoD v TES [2014] EWHC 244 (TCC) (A claim under s.68 Arbitration Act 1996 arising out of a construction arbitration). Rose is currently instructed by the Ministry of Defence in a multi-million pound construction dispute. She also has experience in International Arbitration with a particular focus on energy and infrastructure matters in SE Asia. In the field of planning and environmental law, Rose regularly acts for developers, local authorities and objectors. Her recent experience includes the proposed building of a tarmac runway in the green belt; gypsy and traveller sites in the green belt, and the change of use of a historic cinema in Walthamstow. Rose is particularly interested in enforcement work and has acted as prosecution and defence counsel in criminal matters. In 2013, Rose was seconded to the Attorney General’s Chambers of Singapore, where she assisted with public law matters and delivered a three day Public Law Masterclass. In the field of health law, Rose has acted for NHS England in a high-profile article 2 ECHR claim. She has also been instructed in disputes relating to NHS contracts before the FHSAU. In 2014, she assisted with the high-profile case of Warren, where a widow successfully prevented the destruction of her husband’s sperm.

Ruth Keating

Ruth Keating has a broad practice across all areas of chambers’ specialisms, with a particular interest in energy and construction disputes, commercial, environmental and public law. She has acted as junior counsel in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and appears regularly as sole counsel in the High Court and County Court. In addition, she undertakes pleading and advisory work. View Ruth's full profile at: https://www.39essex.com/profile/ruth-keating

Sadie Crapper

Sadie Crapper is an outstanding senior junior practising in personal injury, clinical negligence and police law. She regularly acts as sole Counsel in complex liability and quantum disputes concerning catastrophic and life-changing injuries. She is regularly pitted against senior Silks and is described as a Silk in waiting by many commentators. Since her role as second junior in the seminal fraud case of Summers v Fairclough Homes, Sadie has been in the vanguard of the law on fundamental dishonesty and contempt specialising in dishonest exaggeration of injuries/loss. She secured the first strike out for fraud in Fari v Haringay Homes and acted for the NHSLA in Atwal v Calderdale NHS Trust. In addition to her injury practice, Sadie continues to act for the Police Federation in the Police Overtimes Claim Litigation working with Martin Westgate KC and leading a team of juniors within Chambers. After a successful trip to the Court of Appeal and in the lead claim of KSO v CPS Met, Sadie’s team continue to manage the litigation.

Samantha Jones

Samantha has a broad civil litigation and public law practice, with particular expertise in inquests and inquiries, court of protection, clinical negligence and personal injury, professional discipline and regulatory law. She is currently instructed as Junior Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Samantha is a strong and experienced Court and tribunal advocate having appeared in tribunals, county courts, the crown court, the coroner’s court and in the High Court on her own. She has a keen focus on client care, negotiation, and costs. She regularly drafts advices and pleadings and holds conferences with clients and experts. Samantha undertakes pro bono work with an interest in special educational needs and disability law. Samantha is regularly instructed on a direct access basis and happy to consider instructions on this basis. Before joining the Bar, Samantha most notably undertook a Judicial Assistantship at the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

Scarlett Milligan

Scarlett Milligan is a sought-after junior barrister who is regularly praised for being skilled beyond her level of call, for her diligence and commitment to her cases and clients, and for her “meticulous” approach to case preparation and analysis. Her broad practice spans civil liability, public law, inquests and public inquiries. She has been recognised by the legal directories as a leading junior in all these areas. She has acted in a number of the most high-profile public inquiries, with particularly significant roles in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (junior counsel to Inquiry) and the Infected Blood Inquiry (junior counsel representing victims who had campaigned for the Inquiry for over 40 years). Scarlett brings particular expertise in cases where practice areas and principles overlap, including: public law challenges in ‘private’ law environments such as financial services, regulatory action and procurement; fatal accidents and unlawful killings; civil claims for breaches of human rights; and health and safety litigation (civil and criminal). She is repeatedly described by those who instruct and work with her as “determined”, “exceptional” and “bright”, her legal work as “meticulous” and “invariably flawless”, and highlighted for her personable manner with clients.

Shaman Kapoor

Shaman is a Barrister at 39 Essex Chambers where he is joint-head of the Costs & Litigation Funding Group and a member of the Management Board. He specialises in costs litigation, litigation funding, arbitration, group actions, common law and commercial litigation. He is currently instructed in the group actions relating to claims for head injury in sport against regulatory bodies in Rugby Union, Rugby League and Associated Football. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Mediator, a Deputy District Judge, a Lead Advocacy Tutor for Lincoln’s Inn and a School Governor. He serves the Committee at the London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association. He is a contributing author to the Thomson Reuters’ ‘The White Book Supplement: Costs & Litigation Funding following the Civil Justice Reforms: Questions & Answers”. He is a regular speaker at the leading seminars on costs.

Sian Davies

Simon Browne KC

Simon is a leading silk in the fields of commercial costs and litigation funding, catastrophic brain and spinal injury, and related areas of sports law, clinical negligence, insurance, and professional negligence and professional regulation. In addition, he is at the forefront of the development of law and civil procedure and is regularly instructed in the Court of Appeal and High Court in cases concerning procedure. He is also qualified as an Arbitrator and Mediator

Simon Edwards

Specialises in general commercial, costs, personal injury, and professional negligence.

Stephanie David

Planning and environmental law, public law and human rights, commercial and construction, and clinical negligence and civil liability.

Stephen Tromans KC

Barrister specialising in environmental, planning and public law; significant cases include: R (Edwards) v Environment Agency [2006]; Humber Sea Terminal v Secretary of State [2005]; R (Hardy) v Pembrokeshire County Council [2006]; R (Transco plc) v Environment Agency [2007]; R (OSS Group Ltd) v Environment Agency [2007]; R (Horner) v Lancashire County Council [2007]; R (Pallikaropoulos) v Environment Agency [2008]; R (Akester) v DEFRA (2010); R (Walker) v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (2011); Barr v Biffa (2012). Publications: ‘Planning Law, Practice & Precedents’; ‘Commercial Leases’; ‘Encyclopedia of Environmental Law’; ‘ Nuclear Law’; ‘Contaminated Land’; ‘Environmental Impact Assessment’.

Steve Broach KC

Steve is a specialist public lawyer with a particular interest in disability and children’s rights cases. His practice focuses on cases concerning health, education and social care issues, involving both complex individual cases and challenges to policies and legislation. As well as appearing in judicial reviews in the Administrative Court and onwards appeals, Steve also frequently acts in the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal on special educational needs and disability discrimination cases. He also has a broad public law practice spanning regulatory and commercial challenges, as well as acting in the Court of Protection, frequently instructed on behalf of the Official Solicitor. Steve is co-author of Disabled Children: A Legal Handbook (Legal Action Group, 3rd edition, 2020) and an editor of the Community Care Law Reports.

Steven Kovats KC

Barrister specialising in administrative and public law.

Steven Lim

International Arbitration - as arbitrator and counselCommercial / Corporate DisputesConstruction (Onshore & Offshore)Energy & Natural Resources

Susan Rodway KC

With regard to clinical negligence work, Susan specialises in high-value claims and complex medical and scientific issues, including cerebral palsy and other birth injuries as well as acquired brain damage, failures to diagnose and serious spinal injuries. She also acts in related medical matters arising out of inquiries or inquests, disciplinary proceedings and pharmaceutical product liability. She also acts in related medical matters arising out of inquiries or inquests, disciplinary proceedings and pharmaceutical product liability. She was involved in the LSD and ECT group litigation. Her expertise in this area has seen her advice sought from solicitors in overseas jurisdictions. Notable cases: Dymott v Southampton University NHS Trust; Neame v Kent and Medway NHS; Breeze v Ahmad. Furthermore, Susan has extensive experience in catastrophic injuries in every aspect of personal injury litigation. This includes carbon monoxide poisoning, overseas road traffic accidents to UK nationals, paraplegia and tetraplegia, catastrophic brain injury, occupational disease; including stress from harassment. She has been instructed in several very high-profile cases recently which have drawn a lot of media attention and all will involve damages calculated in excess of £5m. Notable cases: Dawson and others v The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police; Phethean-Hubble v Mr S Coles; Gibbons v Telford. Within the area of sports law, Susan acts for claimants and defendants in all cases arising out of equine arena. Notable cases: Camila Milbank v Luca Cumani; Kinane v Belstane and others.

The Rt. Hon. Sir David Keene ACIArb

Barrister.

Thomas Hill KC

Barrister whose principal area of practice is administrative law, with particular emphasis on town and country planning, environmental and compulsory purchase law; has been involved in a series of technically complex public inquiries examining the potential environmental impact of major development proposals; appeared for the (successful) applicants at the Manchester Airport Second Runway Inquiry; has also represented promoters of private Bills. Regularly advises and appears in respect of proposals for all types of development, including housing, business, leisure, retail, airport and port infrastructure, minerals and waste.

Timothy Lyons KC

Direct and indirect tax arbitration. Timothy has a broad practice which includes VAT appeals, EU anti-dumping duty, public procurement, WTO law, the impact of the EU fundamental freedoms on direct tax, and EU state aid law. His interest in international matters has led to him advising on international as well as EU law, and his clients have included foreign governments as well as businesses and high-net-worth individuals. He represents in court, and advises, trustees of both domestic and international trusts on a wide range of issues, and is a member of STEP’s Cross-Border Estates group and its EU committee. He is a member of the EU Savings Directive group assisting the European Commission in the review of the EU Savings Directive. His book ‘EC Customs Law’ (OUP second edition 2008) has been called ‘simply the most up to date and comprehensive handbook on customs matters currently available in the English language’ and ‘a standard reference work for practitioners in the field of trade and customs legislation’. He is also the general editor of ‘European Cross-Border Estate Planning’ (Sweet & Maxwell), a contributor to ‘Value Added Tax: Commentary and Analysis’ (Sweet & Maxwell), and joint editor of the ‘International Guide to the Taxation of Trusts’ (IBFD).

Tom Tabori

Tom is a specialist public law barrister, with expertise in human rights law, education law, electoral law, immigration law, equalities law, information rights, and regulatory law. He is a judicial review and statutory appeal specialist, but also acts and advises in damages claims against public bodies. He is currently appointed to the Attorney General’s London A Panel. He is listed by The Legal 500 as a Leading Junior. He is Band 1 ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Election Law.

Vaughan Jacob

Vaughan represents both claimants and defendants in a range of civil courts, including the Court of Appeal, High Court Queen’s Bench and Chancery Divisions and County Courts all over the country. He is routinely instructed in complex, high value litigation. He frequently appears as sole counsel against QCs and senior juniors. Vaughan offers commercially sound and concise advice and representation at every stage of the litigation process, including pre-trial applications, interim injunctions, interlocutory hearings, costs and case management hearings and multi-track trials. He provides detailed and authoritative guidance on liability, causation and quantum and is able to respond to instructions quickly. Vaughan regularly attends mediation, round table and joint settlement meetings and engages with alternative dispute resolution at every stage of the litigation process.

Victoria Butler-cole KC

Victoria Hutton

Victoria is rated as one of the top ten planning barristers under 35 (Planning Magazine, 2015). She acts in a wide range of planning and environmental law matters and is happy to accept instructions from developers, local authorities or other interested parties. She is also a qualified mediator (ADR Group) and is able to mediate between parties on any planning/environmental dispute which is suitable for such. Victoria also acts as a consultant barrister to Farrer & Co’s planning team. Victoria also acts in regulatory matters and is happy to accept instructions from both prosecuting authorities and for the defence. Victoria has gained considerable experience of public and administrative law in cases touching on a range of subject matters. She has been involved in cases across various different courts and tribunals including at the European Court of Human Rights. This experience includes immigration and asylum law. She regularly appears in the First Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. Victoria graduated from Oxford University with an MA in Modern History before completing her law conversion course and bar exams. She then went on to be graded outstanding in her LLM in public international law from the London School of Economics.

Vikram Sachdeva KC

Barrister specialising in n Administrative & Public Law, Civil Liberties & Human Rights, Healthcare, Commercial Law, Regulatory & Disciplinary, Tax, Media Law, and Costs & Litigation Funding. He is known for creatively pushing the boundaries of the law, and has appeared in a number of important cases in all of these fields up to the Supreme Court. He is often brought in for high profile cases outside his primary fields such as the divorce of the Ruler of Dubai. Cases include: he Supreme Court cases of Tigere (student loans and the right to education), Aintree v James (definition of "futile" medical treatment), NHS v Y (whether court application needed to withdraw CANH if family agrees); and JB v A Local Authority (whether capacity to engage in sexual relations requires an understanding that the other person must consent throughout). He also acted in the Skripal case (whether blood samples could be taken for the OPCW); the Interchange Fee Litigation (whether parties had settled after expiry of the relevant period); advice during the VW and Mercedes Emissions litigation; Smith v Lancashire (declaration of incompatibility against the Fatal Accidents Act leading to a change in the legislation in causing the right to bereavement damages to be extended to cohabitees of 2 years); Ashya King (whether proton radiotherapy should be performed in Czech Republic); Tafida Raqeeb (whether breach of TFEU article 56 not to permit travel to Italy for medical treatment); and the reinterpretation of the Mitchell principles concerning relief against sanction in Denton v White.

Vivek Kapoor

Vivek Kapoor is an experienced advocate and arbitrator specialising in complex commercial disputes and investor-state disputes. He has particular expertise in multi-jurisdictional disputes arising from energy and natural resources, infrastructure and construction, banking and financial services, and technology sectors. He is recognised by independent legal directories in the field of International Arbitration and Public International Law. Vivek featured in the inaugural Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist, which listed 200 of the UK’s leading arbitration practitioners working in law firms and at the Bar. Vivek has full rights of audience in England & Wales, India, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Abu Dhabi Global Market. His substantial practice is as counsel in international arbitration and before the English and Indian Courts.

William Norris KC

Barrister specialising in personal injury, product liability, sport and environmental claims (particularly wind farm related) and Judicial Review on renewable energy matters. Handles contract and tort claims, acting in the cases of Albright & Wilson v Berk & Biachem (HL) (contract/independent contractors) and Morris v Network Rail (CA) (noise/electrical nuisance); Davis v Tinsley (noise nuisance from wind farm) and Poppleton v Peter Ashley Centre (sports centre’s duty of care), Geary v Wetherspoon (CA 2008), Grimes v Hawkins, Yates v NT (all duty of care cases). Has appeared on a regular basis in sports cases, particularly racing and bloodstock and in the Welsh rugby cases, Jones & Ebbw Vale RFC v Welsh Rugby Union. Sits regularly as a chairman/arbitrator for Sports Resolutions and NADP (and other sports bodies). Has appeared in many major wind farm inquiries (e.g. Clyde and Northumberland/Ray) and in the judicial review/statutory appeals re Little Cheyne Court, Teeside Offshore and Goresedd Bran wind farms as well as Akester v Wightlink (Habitats Regulations) and several other projects for renewal energy development both onshore and offshore.

Zane Malik

Immigration, Asylum & Human RightsNationality & EURegulatory & Professional DisciplineAdministrative & Public

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