KBG Chambers > Exeter, England > Set Profile

Chambers of Deni Mathews
KBG Chambers
THE SENATE, THIRD FLOOR, SOUTHERNHAY GARDENS
EXETER
EX1 1UG
England

Email firm Visit website 01392 690551

Western Circuit > Family: children and domestic abuse Tier 2

KBG Chambers is a ‘strong set of skilled and pragmatic family barristers’ offering advice on the full range of family and children law matters. Charlotte Ash is ‘a safe pair of hands with impressive knowledge of the law and professionalism’ who handles both public and private law cases. The ‘skilful and robust’ William Higginson, and ‘expert cross-examiner’ Daniel Swan, specialise in public law children work, representing local authorities, parents, and guardians in fact-finding hearings and care proceedings.

Rising stars

Jade Corden – KBG Chambers ‘Jade is always incredibly well-prepared and articulate. In court, she has a steely determination and confidence. With clients, she has a wonderful manner, kind and thoughtful.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Samuel Castlehouse – KBG Chambers ‘Samuel is always well-prepared and knows the details of his case thoroughly. He is a pleasant, articulate, thoughtful negotiator who can see all points of view. He is a clear, concise and fair advocate.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Charlotte Ash – KBG Chambers ‘Charlotte is very well prepared and knows her case and her law. She is formidable when required and has great empathy and understanding when representing parents who are in very difficult circumstances.’

Ranked: Tier 2

William Higginson – KBG Chambers ‘Bill is an extraordinary advocate. He is compelling, assured, and empathetic. He is composed in difficult circumstances and is a dream to instruct.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Daniel Swan – KBG Chambers ‘Daniel is an exceptionally compelling advocate and is always well-prepared. He is calm in every situation and delivers skilled cross-examination of even the most challenging witnesses.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Emma Pearce –KBG Chambers ‘Emma is very thorough in her work. Her advocacy skills are concise and persuasive, often obtaining the outcome sought.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Emma Favata -KBG Chambers 'Emma has meticulous attention to detail. She has a very nice, reassuring manner with clients, providing realistic advice about the likely outcome.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

‘Yvonne Simmons is amazing. Her attention to detail is first-class.’

‘Yvonne Simmons is committed, helpful, friendly and always goes the extra mile to support.’

‘Yvonne Simmons and Lizzie Crothers are stand-out clerks who know their barrister’s strengths and weaknesses and how best to match a case with the council. Ryan Ferguson is quickly learning the ropes and is a good addition to the team with a legal background.’

‘The clerks are good overall. The senior family clerk, Yvonne Simmonds, is strong and always appears to be on top of counsel’s availability and how that may change with ongoing cases.’

‘KBG Chambers is a very competent set.’

‘KBG Chambers is a go-to set, always friendly and helpful.’

‘KBG Chambers has an excellent reputation for highly capable barristers.’

‘KBG Chambers offers a variety of counsel with various specialisms. The clerks are always friendly and helpful to enquiries.’

Work highlights

Western Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 3

‘A brilliant set with an array of talent’, KBG Chambers handles a broad range of criminal cases. Michael Brown is representing a defendant accused of multiple rape and sexual offences and is known for his ‘unrivalled attention to detail and always goes above and beyond’. Ali Rafati is ‘a highly skilled and tenacious trial advocate’ and represented a defendant in a case related to conspiracy to supply class A drugs from Liverpool to the South West. Katie Churcher defended a man charged with attempting a robbery along with two other defendants outside a nightclub and maintains ‘an excellent rapport with clients’. ‘Talented trial advocate’ Francesca Whebell is another notable member of the set.

Leading Juniors

Michael Brown – KBG Chambers ‘Michael is exceptionally meticulous in preparing the case and confident in every brief. He gives strong advice and confidence to clients.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Ali Rafati – KBG Chambers ‘Ali is one of the most sought-after criminal barristers. He has an excellent manner with clients but is also thorough and adept in his approach to cases. His approach to cross-examination is excellent.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Katie Churcher – KBG Chambers ‘Katie is an excellent, highly regarded trial advocate. She is always well-prepared and is tenacious in court.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Nicholas Lewin – KBG Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Francesca Whebell – KBG Chambers 'Francesca is a capable, strong and persuasive advocate. She has a good rapport with clients and can communicate excellently at all levels.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Hollie Gilbery – KBG Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

‘The clerks are good. Colin Palmer is strong.’

‘Colin Palmer is excellent and always available to assist.’

‘The clerks in every department provide an excellent service. In particular, Colin Palmer and Rebecca Shephard are helpful and approachable. Rebecca Shephard will go out of her way to assist with the availability of counsel.’

‘KBG Chambers always goes above and beyond to meet the needs of instructing solicitors punctually and professionally. They respond quickly and always do their utmost to facilitate the smooth running and rigorous defence.’

‘KBG Chambers is very efficient, and the clerks are quick to respond to emails and queries. It has a good team of barristers and always does its best to ensure that instructed counsel is available.’

‘KBG Chambers is a good chambers with a wide breadth of members.’

Work highlights

Western Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax

Leading Juniors

Andrew Willetts – KBG Chambers ‘Andrew has an immense depth of knowledge and experience, combined with extensive technical expertise and a collected manner.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Western Circuit > Family: divorce and financial remedy

Leading Juniors

Jonathon Bosanko – KBG Chambers ‘Jonathon is highly capable, well prepared and communicates well with both clients and solicitors. He always calls to go through his plans regarding what he is going to say in court.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Western Circuit > Personal injury

Leading Juniors

Thomas Challacombe – KBG Chambers ‘Thomas is a safe pair of hands. He provides excellent and practical advice. He is available to answer additional questions at any stage.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Western Circuit > Planning

Leading Juniors

Sancho Brett – KBG Chambers 'Sancho is proactive and thorough in his advice and drafting work. His in-court advocacy is calm, measured and intensively prepared.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Western Circuit > Property and construction

Leading Juniors

Rawdon Crozier – KBG Chambers ‘Rawdon is very knowledgeable and speaks well, which comes across very well in court.’

Ranked: Tier 1

KBG Chambers has 45 members and offers a wide range of specialist advice and representation within its criminal, family and civil groups. Formed as a result of the merger between King’s Bench Chambers, Plymouth and Godolphin Chambers Truro, both well-established sets on the Western Circuit.

Chambers has branches in Plymouth, Exeter and Truro and covers all courts within Devon , Somerset and Cornwall including Plymouth, Exeter, Barnstaple,Taunton and Truro, as well as other parts of the United Kingdom.

Chambers is forward-looking, with a policy of expansion, and aims to offer a service comparable with the best that can be obtained in London or the other major urban centres, across a broad spectrum of disciplines.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Senior Clerk	Colin Palmer	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head family Clerk	Yvonne Simmons	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head Civil Clerk	Jamie Kyte	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head Criminal Clerk	Lewis Gunn-Colling	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head of Chambers	Deni Mathews	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head of Family Team	William Higginson	[email protected]	0845 308 1551
Head of Civil Team	Rawdon Croier	[email protected]	0845 308 1551