Pump Court Chambers
pumpcourtchambers.com pumpcourtchambers.comBarristers
Andrew Bond is a specialist in the field of Family law, with experience and expertise across a wide range of cases.
Barrister specialising in the following: matrimonial finance; financial provision for children; Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act claims; Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims; contentious probate matters; Court of Protection.
Caroline Hartley specialises in representing parents, especially if they are vulnerable due to mental health problems, addictions or learning difficulties. She is also very experienced in representing children and local authorities. She has been instructed in many cases involving non-accidental injury (including the most serious cases in which a child has died, or has suffered permanent and significant injury). Caroline is also experienced in factitious or induced illness cases, salt poisoning and sexual abuse as well as neglect, physical and emotional abuse.
Courts MartialCriminalRegulatory & DisciplinaryTransport LawRoad Traffic Offences
Corinne Iten specialises in Children Law. She has a special interest in public law and is regularly instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents and children. She frequently deals with complex cases, both public and private, including those where there are allegations of domestic abuse, non-accidental injury, parental alienation, factitious induced illness or sexual abuse, and cases with an international element.
David Josty is a specialist family law practitioner with expertise in children law (public and private), family finance and Court of Protection. He has a particularly busy practice in the area of children law (public). Notably acting on a pro bono basis, David recently successfully represented the Appellant father in the matter of Re Y (Children in Care: Change of Nationality) [2020] EWCA Civ 1038 (see below). David has also developed an interest in the Court of Protection.David has acted in a broad range of public law cases on behalf of Local Authorities, lay parties (including parents, other relatives / intervenors) and children. Cases with which David has had considerable experience include those involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse, non-accidental injury, domestic violence, murder, neglect and substance misuse. David has a significant portfolio of cases in which he has acted for vulnerable parties with learning disabilities and / or mental health problems and also where the subject children share such presentation. David’s experience extends to cases involving the Official Solicitor.Selected cases: Wiltshire Council v M & Anor (gonorhheal infection in a child) [2021] EWFC B31 Re Y (Children in Care: Change of Nationality) [2020] EWCA Civ 1038 Kent County Council v A,B,C and D (Children : Weight to be attached to evidence of child after flawed ABE interviews) (Rev 1) [2017] EWFC B72 (01 March 2017) SM & Ors (Welfare) [2016] EWFC 15 (22 March 2016) Wiltshire Council v R & Ors [2014] EWFC B76 (30 April 2014) David is regularly instructed in complex children law matters involving child arrangement disputes, relocation cases (both internal and international) and change of name. He has experience of representing parties in proceedings involving parental alienation and where there are allegations of serious physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. He has considerable experience in finding of fact hearings and his practice in private law work has led to an increasing number of appearances in the High Court.David has developed a practice around his interest in applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and TOLATA. David also receives instruction in matrimonial finance matters. His experience in this area extends to cases involving businesses, foreign assets, pensions and intervening third party interests.
Frank Abbott has an extensive practice in criminal and civil law, including negligence fraud, landlord & tenant and animal welfare.
Imogen Robins is a barrister with over 25 years experience exclusively in family law, advising on both finance and children cases. Imogen is a public access qualified and accepts instructions direct from both public and professional clients.
James Byrne is a Barrister specialising in Family law, Housing & Property law and Personal Injury. As a Family law specialist practitioner, James regularly appears in the family court dealing with all private children matters, including cases involving allegations of domestic abuse and parental alienation. He frequently deals with Non-Molestation Orders in the family court and has undertaken work on occupation orders. James receives instructions in housing cases and has undertaken trials for possession orders, applications for anti-social behaviour injunctions and committal proceedings. He has also appeared in cases arguing points of public law, human rights and equality act defences. He has advised on homelessness appeals, unlawful eviction, business tenancies and forfeiture. James acts for both landlords and tenants. Dealing with Business & Property matters and other civil work, James undertakes small claims and fast track trials in the County Court and has received instructions for the multi-track. James has experience of Fast Track trials in personal injury claims where issues of fundamental dishonesty have been a live issue. James has appeared in the Magistrates’ Court dealing with regulatory matters ranging from environmental prosecutions, taxi licensing appeals and security licensing appeals.
Jason Nickless is experienced in commercial and civil litigation. He can be relied upon to provide carefully considered advice and robust representation in contentious disputes. He was particularly involved in considering the impact of the EC provisions on competition and free movement upon social systems such as health care and pensions. He has given presentations at conferences and lectures at universities throughout Central and Western Europe including Barcelona, Brno, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Genève, Graz, Helsinki, Kiev, Ljubljana, Luxembourg, Maastricht, Mangalia, Moscow, Ostend, Prague, Sarajevo, Strasbourg and Tallinn. He has undertaken consultancy work for the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and the European Commission in Brussels as well as government ministries and NGO’s.
John Dyer’s practice is principally in criminal defence. He now appears regularly in the Crown Court at the eastern end of the Western Circuit, having previously enjoyed a practice focusing on Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester. The majority of defence instructions are for serious violence, serious sexual offences (particularly difficult matters, e.g., historic, rape while asleep), drug production/supply, weapons and fraud, also in cases in which the evidence features forensic material, telephone analysis (messages, cellsite), psychiatric or psychological assessments, accounts, etc. Recent defence appearances included: in CACD a reduction in sentence in a case of causing/inciting sexual activity (child) from 14 years’ imprisonment to five; in Bournemouth Crown Court an armed robbery acquittal in which DNA evidence allegedly linked the client to the scene.
Lucy Davis enjoys a busy practice specialising in Family Finance and Private Children. Lucy has experience in all aspects of family law, with a particular emphasis on cases involving allegations of emotional abuse and cultural issues. Lucy accepts instructions on a Direct Public Access basis in appropriate cases, and is happy to advise in writing, on the telephone or in person. She appears at Family Proceedings Court, County Court and High Court levels. Lucy also has a wealth of experience in injunctive relief and emergency applications.Lucy has expertise in all aspects of matrimonial finance ranging from needs-based matters to high net worth cases. She has a great deal of experience in dealing with cases involving pre-marital assets, non-disclosure, companies and pension issues. She has also dealt with numerous cases concerning financial provision in accordance with Schedule 1 of the Children Act.Lucy’s practice extends to acting for parents, grandparents and Guardians. She has particular experience in matters containing emotional abuse and those with an international element, including abduction and leave to remove proceedings. Lucy has expertly dealt with cases involving parental alienation, sexual abuse, FGM, learning difficulties and personality disorders
Mark Ruffell is a very experienced leading junior. His expertise covers three main areas: regulatory and disciplinary work; fraud and complex crime; and ecclesiastical law. Mark Ruffell is head of chambers Regulatory & Disciplinary team. Mark’s broad regulatory expertise includes cases of director disqualification, planning enforcement, breaches of environmental legislation, licensing appeals, public inquiries before Traffic Commissioners and cases involving care homes before the Care Standards Tribunal. Mark’s broad disciplinary expertise includes appearing before major regulators of professional discipline and conduct. He is a legal adviser to the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CiLEX). He is a Disciplinary Panel member of the Taxation and Disciplinary Board. He is regularly instructed in heavy weight criminal defence work and is also regularly instructed by the CPS as a grade 4 advocate. He has been instructed as Independent Counsel by the Serious Fraud Office. Mark is instructed to represent Petitioners and Parties Opponent in Ecclesiastical Law cases. Mark is Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Winchester.
Mark Ashley has over 20 years experience as a common law advocate. His practice encompasses regulatory, civil and criminal work. His experience across different disciplines of law gives him a breadth of knowledge in matters that complement each other. He is involved in all stages of the legal process, from early advice to promote resolution of disputes, to the preparation of pleadings and advising on evidence, negotiating settlements where possible and conducting trials in court and where necessary providing advice on appeal.
Child AbductionChildren Law (Private)Children Law (Public)Direct AccessDomestic ViolenceFamily Finance
Nigel is a specialist practitioner in criminal jury advocacy. He undertakes courts martial, and some civil work, including serious abuse and baby shaking cases, defamation, planning and licensing. He is the senior member of chambers and has been one of the top jury advocates in the country since taking silk in 1988. He has considerable experience of mental health issues, notably in murder cases. Formerly leader of the Western Circuit, he prosecutes and defends equally in high-profile murder cases. To date, he has been briefed in well over 100 murder cases, including many of the major cases of the last 25 years. He specialises in jury speeches and believes passionately in trial by jury. He takes particular pleasure in opening his cases to the jury. Nigel undertakes courts martial work and has represented a senior army officer charged with extensive fraud. Recorder of the Crown Court for 34 years. President of Mental Health Restricted Tribunals for over ten years. Legal assessor to the Nursing and Midwifery Council. He has a specific interest in public inquiries, mental health issues and disciplinary hearings. He has recently completed an inquiry into Mike Hancock MP. Nigel Pascoe sits as a legal assessor in the NMC where his long experience in very serious crime and mental health is valuable. He has also prosecuted in corporate manslaughter cases.
Oliver is an experienced and highly regard family practitioner who has specialised in financial remedies and private law children cases for over 20 years. He has earned a reputation for detailed preparation, effective advocacy, robust but sensible negotiation and practical, realistic advice.Family Finance Oliver receives instructions in medium to big money cases. He has extensive experience of cases involving: Businesses Farms Trusts Inherited and other non-matrimonial assets Pre-nuptial agreements Undisclosed and dissipated assets Pensions Applications under Schedule of the Children Act 1989 Applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1989 Oliver appears in courts at all levels and in arbitrations. He can advise on and draft pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.Children Law Oliver specialises in high conflict disputes relating to children. He has considerable experience of cases involving: Alienation Applications for leave to remove children from the jurisdiction Domestic violence Abuse Drug and alcohol abuse Rule 16.4 Guardians Selected Cases Re S (A Child) [2010] EWCA Civ 219 Re S (A Child) [2010] EWCA Civ 325 Re S (Transfer of Residence) [2010] 1 FLR 1785 Warwickshire County Council v TE v SH v S (A Child) [2010] EWHC B19 Warwickshire County Council v TE v SH v S (A Child) [2010] EWHC B2 C v C Six day High Court hearing before Mostyn J. representing Isle of Man trust settled by high profile, very high net worth individual, where the wife was alleging that the trust was a sham.T v T: Representing wife of high profile T v T Representing wife of high profile politician. M v M Case involving a pre-nuptial agreement signed in South Africa.
Peter undertakes all areas of general crime, but specialises in serious sex cases, drug conspiracies, honour crime and serious violence. He has an excellent reputation for dealing with sensitive sex cases and particularly cases where the defendant has mental or psychological problems. In addition, Peter is rapidly developing considerable expertise in regulatory crime including road traffic commissioners’ inquiries and offences under environmental law. He is in high demand, his most notable recent cases including the first prosecution in Hampshire for an honour crime which was widely reported: R v Akhtar, Akhtar & Mohammed-Abdul. In 2014 he led the prosecution team in R v Hanif and others, which involved the prosecution of a police officer for misconduct in a public office. In the case of R v Boylan et al, Peter secured the only acquittal in a multi-handed aggravated burglary of a jeweller’s premises. He was also leading prosecution counsel in huge cannabis factory trial resulting in recovery of over £250,000 under POCA. Amongst his busy practice, he has regular appearances in the Court of Appeal including responding to a Criminal Cases Review Commission Appeal.
Rebecca has a dual criminal and family law practice which has evolved organically since she was called in 2000. She was formerly a member of One Paper Buildings before joining Drystone Chambers. Her Criminal practice consists predominantly of rape and serious sexual offences on behalf of the prosecution and defence. She is a grade 4 RASSO prosecutor and experienced in prosecuting and defending the most serious allegations, including multi-complainant cases, those involving fitness to plead and expert evidence (medical and technology).
Richard Hall practises almost exclusively in the areas of Financial Remedies, Schedule 1 claims and co-habitee property disputes. Richard regularly writes and delivers seminars, both in-house and externally on many aspects of Family Law and cohabitation disputes.Richard is often instructed in complex high value claims, involving businesses, pensions and where there has been dissipation of assets. He is well regarded for his extensive preparation and mastery of the detail in complex financial cases.
Richard Wayman is a specialist civil and criminal barrister, with a particular focus on employment law and court martial work.
Sarah made her mark in prosecuting and defending in cases involving multiple allegations of historic sexual abuse and other serious sexual allegations. Having taken silk, she now undertakes the most serious and complex of cases and is routinely instructed by both prosecution and defence in cases of fatal violence, complex child cruelty and neglect, serious sexual violence and fraud. She accepts publicly and privately funded work and can in suitable cases be instructed on a direct access basis.She is expert in the questioning or representation of those considered vulnerable either by reason of their extreme youth or age, capabilities, health or the nature of the offences with which the case is concerned. She is often instructed for challenging clients – those requiring careful handling due to psychiatric or other reasons. She has an approachable manner but can be firm or authoritative as required.
Stuart is frequently instructed in financial matters following the breakdown of marriage and civil partnerships, with unusual features. In the past those have included ‘adult children’ under a disability and ‘hidden asset’ cases where a thorough forensic analysis is required. He also has experience in complex matters involving foreign asset disputes, third-party claims and cases involving farming businesses and other inherited wealth. The economic downturn has seen an increase in cases involving s37 protective injunctions, enforcement or variation of ancillary relief orders. When a robust approach is required in these matters Stuart is frequently instructed. This includes cases involving the breakdown of relationship between cohabitants or the recovery of monies otherwise invested in property and are often complex. Stuart ensures that he remains apprised of the developments and clarifications under case-law, which now more than ever are subject to regular change. Notable cases: Court of Appeal case Re A (a child) (international travel) (2012) 22/6/2012; J v J (2006) adult child under a disability; V v V (2008) distribution of company assets; F v F (2007) farming inherited wealth.
Tim’s specialist area of practice is employment law. He has built a strong client base in this field. He is regularly instructed to act for claimants and respondents in complex and multi-day employment tribunal cases. Tim advises on and appears in all types of employment litigation ranging from unfair dismissal, discrimination and equal pay claims in the tribunal, through to employment contract, restrictive covenant/restraint of trade and work reference disputes in the County Court and High Court. In addition, he has considerable experience before the EAT. Clients have commented on Tim’s technical expertise and good cross-examination skills, alongside a thorough knowledge of each case and a reassuring manner. Recent cases of interest include: Flemons & anor v Leepeck Group Ltd & ors: instructed to represent one of the respondent companies in a complex multi-party TUPE case following the liquidation of a PR/advertising company and the formation of two new companies. Successfully argued that there was no relevant TUPE transfer to his client and all claims brought against them were dismissed. Elgar & ors v Millbrook Furnishings Ltd & anor: acted on behalf of ten claimants in a multi-claimant action against their former employers regarding their dismissals following an alleged TUPE transfer (service provision change). Preliminary hearing lasted two days and involved detailed witness and documentary evidence. One of the respondents was represented by a silk. Tribunal found that all but one of his clients’ employment had transferred to the second respondent (decision is now under appeal by second respondent).
Timothy Akers is a specialist criminal and regulatory lawyer. He is regularly instructed in serious, sensitive and complex cases involving sexual offences, offences of dishonesty, drugs and violence, and financial crime. Tim prosecutes businesses and individuals for breaches of the Data Protection Act and The Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations for the Information Commissioner’s Office. Tim is an experienced military law practitioner who regularly represents members of the Armed Forces in the UK and abroad.
Tom Wilkins has over 20 years experience dealing with criminal and motoring matters. He has developed a growing niche in Court Martial work and is happy to take instructions both here and overseas to represent service personnel. He is a pupil supervisor and this year was involved as an advocacy trainer for Circuit in respect of vulnerable witnesses.CriminalTom both prosecutes and defends the whole spectrum of criminal cases across the Circuit. He has previously defended and prosecuted serving Police officers, as well as other professionals e.g. medical doctors. He is accredited as a Grade 4 prosecutor for London, the Western and South Eastern Circuits. He is also instructed by the RASSO unit to prosecute sex offence cases within these circuits.Courts MartialHe has developed a growing niche in Court Martial work and is happy to take instructions both here and overseas to represent service personnel. Road Traffic OffencesTom extensive experience dealing with motoring matters at all levels, in cases ranging from drink driving to fatalities. He has appeared in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal on numerous occasions in relation to causing death by dangerous driving. Those cases have often involved complex expert evidence relating to drink, drugs, speed or roadworthiness and sometimes very technical defences. His professional clients include a doctor successfully acquitted of being drunk in charge of a motorcycle and a Police officer, also in relation to drink driving (where the main concern was the loss of pension). He has experience of tachographs and the evidence obtained from them. Formerly practicing in London, he was instructed by the CPS there to prosecute fatal road traffic incidents e.g. an HGV driver killing a pedestrian. He now brings that experience to bear in his defence practice and is currently instructed as leading counsel to defend a Royal Engineer in respect of gross negligence manslaughter in Camp Bastion involving a Caterpillar 938 wheel loader. The case raises health and safety issues relating to the MOD’s system of work and where responsibility lies within a team.
Zoe Rudd is a family practitioner, with a particular interest in both private and public law. Although her approach towards clients is relaxed she has built a reputation as a tenacious advocate. She accepts instructions in applications under section 8 and enforcement proceedings and also undertakes fact finding hearings and matters of preliminary issue. Zoe has undertaken many hearings involving physical, emotional and sexual abuse representing victims, perpetrators and children. Zoe has also been involved in numerous cases that involve parental alienation and complex expert evidence. She regularly acts in cases that involve assessments of mental health, drug and alcohol dependency and risk. She has worked on a number of cases where the Official Solicitor is involved. Zoe has also worked on cases involving cultural considerations. She will accept instructions involving issues of removal from the jurisdiction and the Hague Convention.Zoe’s has experience in all areas of public law children work including care, adoption, Special Guardianship and contact with a child in care. She has undertaken work on behalf of the parents, local authorities, interveners, additional family members and the children, either through their Guardians or when separately represented. She has a particular interest in cases involving non-accidental injury including skull, ribs and limb fractures and burns. Zoe has worked on cases involving allegations of fabricated and induced illness. She has experience in difficult perpetrator hearings, which include issues such as conflicting medical expert evidence. She has a particular interest in matters involving mental health, personality disorders and learning difficulties. Her work has also included cases involving immigration issues and allegations of international child abduction.Zoe has expertise in litigation involving financial settlements following the breakdown of marriage or civil partnership from the First Directions Appointment through to final hearing. She often advises in cases prior to commencement of proceedings in order to assist in facilitating an early resolution. Her practice involves cases at all levels from debt and transfer of tenancies to big money cases. She has experience in disputes involving personal property, business interests and those including third party interests. She has been instructed in cases concerning foreign assets and division of pensions. Her practice includes civil partnership disputes and Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 applications. In addition Zoe has experience of successfully bringing and defending applications for enforcement and variation of ancillary relief orders.