Pump Court Chambers

Adam Gadd has a common law background and undertakes a wide range of civil litigation. His practice includes expertise in personal injury, business and commercial, property, building and construction and costs law. He is regularly instructed in these practice areas both in an advisory capacity and as an advocate in the civil courts and tribunals at all levels. He has appeared before a variety of courts and tribunals including Employment Tribunals, Land Registry and Property Tribunals, the High Court, Court of Appeal and Courts-Martial. Adam acts for a variety of small and medium-sized businesses and individuals as well as in high-value cases involving large multinational organisations and local authorities. He has particular expertise in personal injury fraud cases and has acted for both claimants and insurers in such cases. He regularly gives seminars and publishes articles on his areas of expertise.

Alejandra Llorente Tascon

Alejandra Llorente Tascon is a specialist Criminal practitioner. She has a busy criminal practise, frequently appearing in the Crown Court and the Courts Martial on behalf of the Defence and the Prosecution. Alejandra’s practice encompasses a wide range of offences including sexual offences, serious violence, offensive weapons, drugs, financial crime, dishonesty offences, regulatory matters, and POCA. Furthermore, she has experience in dealing with youth and vulnerable defendants and complainants, as well as those with mental health issues. Throughout all of her cases, Alejandra maintains a strong work ethic which, coupled with her meticulous case preparation, allows her to represent her clients with mastery of the law and the facts.

Alice Scott

Alice Scott joined Chambers in October 2019 following the successful completion of pupillage. She is building a broad common law practice and accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers’ work.

Amy Berry

Amy is a probate and property specialist on the Western Circuit. Her work extends to traditional chancery and related commercial fields. She is regularly instructed for freezing injunctions, in construction disputes, in professional negligence matters and in cross-border estates. Amy is skilled and down-to-earth. Over the years she has gained knowledge in diverse areas of law which she uses to ensure that lateral thinking and the application of principles from other areas of law are deployed when required. Moreover, her work requires a wide-ranging and contemporary knowledge of contract, tort and insolvency, as well as the law on the supply of services and sale of goods. Amy litigates in all forums and appears regularly in the High Court. She is an advocate for ADR and has advised, drafted pleadings for, and represented parties at adjudication, mediation and arbitration. Amy strives to achieve justice. She works pro bono on meritorious cases and will consider acting on deferred fee basis and under conditional fee agreements. She often prepares advices for insurance and insurers.

Amy Ephgrave

Andrew Grime

Andrew specialises in family law, trusts of land, inheritance, wills and probate, negligence and contractual disputes. He has represented celebrity clients in high-value asset financial remedy claims and Children Act 1989 disputes. Further, he regularly represents litigants in High Court applications seeking to permanently remove children from the jurisdiction. Andrew has considerable experience representing local authorities, parents and guardians in public law proceedings involving allegations of serious non-accidental injury, head trauma, sexual abuse and mentally disabled adults. He has a particular interest in cases concerning trusts of land, co-ownership of land and applications pursuant to the Trusts of Land and Appointments of Trustees Act 1996. He is regularly instructed in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and cases concerning testamentary capacity.

Andrew Houston

Criminal

Andrew Bond

Andrew Bond is a specialist in the field of Family law, with experience and expertise across a wide range of cases.

Andrew Stone

Andrew Stone joined Chambers after defending Death Row prisoners in Pakistan. He enjoys a busy Western Circuit practice with Criminal Law at its heart. Defending and prosecuting, Andrew has a broad portfolio that embraces Regulatory & Disciplinary Law as well as appearances in the Courts Martial. He is developing expertise at the Coroners Court and holds a long-term interest in Environmental Law. Andrew’s criminal practice encompasses serious offences including rape, GBH and ‘county lines’ drug conspiracies. He has recently been successful in a long and complex multi-defendant trial concerning the theft and manufacture of illegal firearms on MOD premises. Recently he successfully appealed against a manifestly excessive sentence in the Court of Appeal. Andrew has also appeared in an important case before the Administrative Court that clarified the extent to which public order offences can take place on private land (see DPP v JD [2017] EWHC 2244 (Admin)).A CPS Grade 2 prosecutor, Andrew has also been appointed to the List of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health and Safety and Environmental Law.

Annie Ward

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.

Antonia Ford

Antonia Ford draws from over 18 years of experience as a lawyer, both as a solicitor and as a barrister. In her successful career as a solicitor, she was Head of Fraud at Clyde & Co and a partner within the Claims Validation Team at DAC Beachcroft before transferring to the Bar. Antonia has a varied practice covering all aspects of civil litigation, with particular expertise in personal injury, credit hire and fraud. Antonia has extensive experience of RTAs, highway claims, employer’s liability, occupier’s liability, travel claims and product liability. She regularly appears in the County Court and has acted in multi-track trials, fast track trials, small claims hearings, MOJ Stage 3 hearings and interlocutory applications. She has extensive experience in dealing with claims where fraud concerns have been raised including low speed, induced and staged road traffic accidents and fraudulent employers/public liability claims. Antonia has been able to use her knowledge of civil fraud to act for both Claimants and Defendants in cases where fundamental dishonesty has been alleged/intimated. Her understanding of intelligence data and surveillance is invaluable in understanding fraud strategy and evidence. Antonia also has experience of civil sanctions such as contempt of court and tort of deceit following successful findings of fraud. Her experience of road traffic accidents means that she has a wide knowledge of indemnity issues under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the MIB agreements. She has also achieved success in credit hire claims for Claimants and Defendants utilising both standard and novel arguments. Antonia has advised insurers, manufacturers and restaurants in respect to claims involving both foreign bodies in food and food poisoning. She has advised in respect to professional negligence claims which result in personal injury and/or property damage. She also has experience of claims involving the Package Travel, Package Holiday and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and the Montreal Convention. Antonia has extensive experience in drafting pleadings including defences, particulars of claim, requests for further information under CPR Part 18, schedules of special damages and applications. She has advised in conference in respect to quantum, liability and the content of witness evidence to maximise a party’s chances of success.She is a published author and her book ‘A Practical Guide to the Pre-Action RTA Claims Protocol for Personal Injury Lawyers; is available on both the publishers website and from Amazon. She has used her knowledge of the pre-action protocols to pursue the strike out of subsequent claims for credit hire commenced after settlement of protocol claims and the debarment of medical evidence for failure to comply with the rules on disclosure.

Caroline Hartley

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.

Catherine Breslin

Catherine has considerable expertise in complex and challenging matrimonial finance work. She is widely praised for her commercial approach, her skill as an advocate and her ability to negotiate an effective solution where that approach makes sense. Her preparation is always first-rate, her knowledge of any case in which she is instructed is comprehensive and her attention to detail is second to none. She receives repeated praise for her ability to remain a calm and reassuring presence for her client even in the most demanding and heated of cases. The main body of Catherine’s work is in cases involving companies and businesses, many with complex financial structures; cases where substantial issues exist relating to the treatment of matrimonial and non-matrimonial assets; cases involving substantial non-disclosure and those with pension issues. Catherine also undertakes private law work relating to children, with a particular emphasis on disputes relating to living arrangements for a child, contact and cases involving relocation or removal from the jurisdiction.

Catherine Ellis

Catherine has a wealth of experience in both public and private law family matters. She enjoys a varied practice – accepting instructions from parents, guardians and local authorities alike, which enables her to bring invaluable insight to every client’s case. Catherine is instructed in complex children act matters, such as those involving fabricated and induced illness, sexual abuse or those involving international issues. In 2012 Catherine spent a year as an in-house advocate for a London borough, representing the borough in child protection matters, as well as cases concerning education and judicial review. She also has experience of work in housing and property disputes, employment law, social welfare law and personal injury. Catherine displays good judgment, is pragmatic and is committed to delivering sound advice. Her people skills are excellent, as is her ability to understand her clients’ needs and present them effectively to the court. Catherine has experience in the appeal courts, but generally prefers to achieve success at first instance. Catherine also accepts instructions under the Bar Council Public Access scheme. Reported cases: RE B (CHILDREN) [2019] EWCA Civ 2265 (Successful defence of HHJ Simon Oliver’s welfare evaluation in care proceedings.) RE O (A CHILD) [2013] EWCA Civ 1773 (Appeal by a maternal grandmother against the making of a prohibited steps order alongside a special guardianship order preventing her return with the child to her country of residence). G v G [2006] EWCA Civ 1670 (Appeal against sentence following committal – 12 months excessive, reduced to 8. Judge had erred by failing to allow Counsel to mitigate.)

Charles Parry

Charles Parry is an experienced common law advocate, employment, criminal, administrative and appeal practitioner, specialising in associated areas of civil work, regulatory crime, and inquests. He regularly appears in employment tribunals in a range of cases.

Charles Gabb

Courts MartialCriminalRegulatory & DisciplinaryTransport LawRoad Traffic Offences

Charlotte Street

In family law Charlotte enjoys a broad practice encompassing all aspects of public and private law, children and money, injunctive relief and emergency applications. She appears at Family Proceedings Court, County Court and High Court levels. She regularly represents parents in care proceedings. She has been instructed in a number of lengthy and complex disputes, involving allegations of physical abuse. Charlotte has also been instructed by extended family members and prospective adopters regarding special guardianship and adoption applications. In respect of private late applications Charlotte has significant experience of residence and contact disputes. She has dealt with a number of complex cases involving s9.5 guardians. Issues have included allegations of abuse, personality disorders and hostile resident parents. Charlotte has dealt with applications for the removal from the jurisdiction.

Claire Fox

Claire is a family practitioner with a particular specialism in public law children and complex private law children proceedings in the FPC, County Court and High Court. She represents local authorities, parents, young parents, grandparents, applicants for special guardianship and guardians. Regularly instructed in multi-day final hearings in care proceedings, adoption cases, fact-finding hearings (both public and private) and leave to oppose adoption cases. Has also conducted appeals to the PRFD and the High Court from decisions at final hearings and refusals of part 25 applications to instruct an expert and applications for a stay and permission to appeal. She has also appeared in contact cases with an international element and applications for permission to permanently relocate a child abroad where there was a longstanding contact dispute. Has been instructed in Re W hearings one example being where she represented a local authority in a fact-finding hearing where a 15-year-old child has given evidence via video link regarding extensive physical abuse where findings were made against the alleged perpetrator. Claire is frequently instructed in public law cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury to a child. Also has particular experience in dealing with issues relating to special guardianship orders in private law proceedings, emergency protection orders, secure accommodation orders, private law contact and residence disputes, prohibited steps orders, and proceedings pursuant to the FLA 1996 and the DVCAVA 2004 (non-molestation and occupation orders). She also has a specialist interest in LGBT parenting and surrogacy.

Conor Mullan

Conor Mullan’s practice focuses on two main areas; Civil and Criminal law, with extensive experience in Inquests, Health & Safety and Employment.

Cordelia Williams

Cordelia is a specialist family practitioner with a particular interest in financial remedies and private law children matters. She has been instructed in complex disputes, often appearing against senior barristers of leading family law chambers. She has experience of all stages of proceedings in financial remedies, private children, care and injunctive proceedings. She has successfully acted in both children and finance appeals. She provides written advice in all areas of family law, including those with an international element.

Corinne Iten

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.

Daniela Gilbert

Daniella Gilbert is an experienced practitioner specialising in employment law and commercial litigation. She acts for both claimants and defendants / respondents. Her clients range from individuals, employees, sole traders and small businesses to large employers and Fortune 500 companies. Daniella’s precision and attention to detail has garnered her a reputation as an advocate well able to undertake particularly complex and high value cases. She appears in courts at many levels including the Court of Appeal, High Court, Employment Appeal Tribunal, Employment Tribunal and County Courts. Clients value her thorough preparation, ability to quickly grasp the complexities of a case and provide detailed and clear advice, and her commitment to robustly representing her client’s position.

David Josty

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.

Edward Boydell KC

Edward Boydell is highly experienced in all aspects of family law but particularly financial remedies (including civil partnerships). He has specific expertise in dealing with complex high-net-worth matters involving family businesses, farms, companies and trusts. He is also very experienced in equitable co-ownership. Particularly well known for his family finance work and recognised in The Legal 500 and by Chambers and Partners as one of the ‘Leaders at the Bar’, he also has a niche civil practice. Notable cases: GS v L [2011] EWHC 2116 (Fam); GS v L [2011] EWHC 1759 (Fam); S v S [2007] EWCA Civ 454; Hill v Hill [1998] 1 FLR 198, CA; Hill v Hill [1997] 1 FLR 730.

Ellie Fargin

Junior Tenant specialising in Criminal and Regulatory work.

Ezra Macdonald

Ezra MacDonald has a broad civil practice, with particular expertise in employment, commercial, and property law. His advocacy experience is extensive, including appearances before the Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the County Court, the High Court, the First-Tier Tribunal (War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber, Social Entitlement Chamber, Criminal Injuries Compensation Chamber; and Property Chamber); the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber, Immigration and Asylum Chamber, and Tax & Chancery Chamber); the Magistrates’ Courts, the Crown Court, and the Coroner’s Court. He is frequently instructed on behalf of both claimants and defendants in civil proceedings; on behalf of union- and privately-funded claimants in the Employment Tribunals; and by large respondent organisations, including the third sector.

Frank Abbott

Frank Abbott has an extensive practice in criminal and civil law, including negligence fraud, landlord & tenant and animal welfare.

Geoffrey Kelly

Geoffrey specialises in all areas of family finance litigation. He appears regularly in the Central Family Court (previously the Principal Registry of the Family Division) as well as on circuit. The following are examples of recent cases in which he has been involved: A v A – represented the wife of an internationally renowned composer in financial proceedings in the CFC. The husband is represented by Howard Kennedy. B v B – represented an eminent planning silk in both financial and children proceedings. The wife was represented by Charles Russell. C v C – represented the husband who had recently sold his stake in a software firm for a substantial sum and who planned to retire. D v D – represented the husband on a capitalisation/variation application where his considerable fortune arose from shares obtained during the course of the marriage and which were retained by him following the original consent order in the financial proceedings. E v E – represented the husband in financial proceedings where the wealth accrued as a result of the joint efforts of the parties who were the joint owners of a financial advice business. His opponent was a silk. F v F – represented an asset-rich dairy farmer in financial proceedings where the main issue was how to extract cash from illiquid assets. G v G – representing the wife in a case where the husband is seeking to reopen financial remedy proceedings years after they were concluded on the grounds that he is now facing bankruptcy. The Husband is represented by a silk. H v H – representing the husband who is one of many beneficiaries in a significant trust established in an EU country. Reported cases Bhura v Bhura [2015] 1 FLR 153; In Re B (A Child) [2011] EWCA Civ 1001; Fytche v Wincanton Logistics plc [2004] UKHL 31, [2004] ICR 975; I v N [2003] EWHC 327; A etc v Times Newspapers [2002] EWHC 2444, [2003] 1 FLR 689; R v Headley [1996] TRT 173.

Heather Platt

During over a decade at the Bar, Heather has built an impressive reputation in employment law, discrimination law and commercial law. Heather represents a wide cross-section of businesses, from multinational corporations to SMEs, as well as public bodies and individuals. She has handled numerous cases before the employment tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, the High Court and the Court of Appeal; Heather is particularly in-demand for her expertise in disability, sex and race discrimination, sexual orientation, unfair dismissal, redundancy, stress at work, bullying and harassment, whistleblowing and TUPE. She has acted in several high-value cases for and against large organisations and public bodies, including primary care trusts, schools and colleges, local authorities, housing associations, police forces and major airlines. She has acted in high-value post-termination disputes involving restrictive covenants and injunctive relief and also undertakes professional regulatory work. Her cases of interest are: Merlin Financial Consultants Ltd v Cooper (2014): action to enforce restrictive covenants in the High Court against a dyslexic IFA; Okee v Nursing and Midwifery Council [2014] All ER (D) 07 (Mar); Oni v NHS Leicester City (formerly Leicester City Primary Care Trust) (Practice and Procedure: Costs) [2012] UKEAT 0144_12_1209: appearance of bias and costs in the employment tribunal; Warner v Armfield Retail & Leisure Ltd (2012) UKEAT/0376/12/SM: concerns a disabled employee and whether the doctrine of frustration can apply when the Equality Act 2010 is engaged; Richards v Tavistock and Summerhill School & Anor (2013): involves the argument that no redundancy payments should be made given the alternative offers of employment which were made after the notice period had expired or the day before its expiry.

Helen Brander

Helen Brander has extensive experience in all aspects of family law and specialises in family finance, inheritance and probate disputes, and disputes concerning children. She is able to advise, assist and provide representation at any stage of proceedings and welcomes requests for initial advice. She is a firm believer in the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and early neutral evaluations / non-court dispute resolution appointments, and is a trained arbitrator under the IFLA (Children) scheme. Clients have described Helen as well-prepared, articulate, firm, incisive and yet approachable, sensitive and considerate. She is qualified to accept instructions on a direct public access basis. Helen has a professional interest in the application of family law in Italy and Germany, the experience of expatriate Britons in those countries, and their nationals living in England and Wales

Helen Khan

Child AbductionChildren Law (Private)Children Law (Public)Court of ProtectionDomestic Violence

Henry Hawkesworth

Henry joined Pump Court after a period of tenancy in a leading set of chambers in the North East of England. He is building a predominantly Civil practice with an emphasis on personal injury.

Hugh Travers

Child AbductionChildren Law (Private)Direct AccessFamily Finance

Imogen Robins

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 Newton-Price KC

James Newton-Price QC has a busy practice with particular experience in cases of murder, child abuse and sexual offences. Since taking silk in 2018, he has been instructed in a series of high profile murder trials. He defended in R v Nicholson (2019), acting for the defendant in a difficult and sensitive case concerning the sexual abuse and murder of a 13 year old girl. His closing speech featured in Channel 4 documentary. In 2020, he secured the acquittal of a 15 year old who was charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 17 year old boy. He defended in a drugs related firearms murder trial in early 2021. He is regularly instructed by the Prosecution and has secured convictions in cases concerning the death of a baby (R v Davies 2018) and the sadistic murder of a 16 year old girl in horrific circumstances (R v Mays 2020) both of which attracted extensive media coverage. He has expertise in presenting complex mobile telephone, forensic scientific and medical evidence. He defends in Court-Martial trials.

James Byrne

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

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.

Jennifer Lee

Jennifer is a specialist family law practitioner. She has a thriving practice in family finance, and has successfully represented high-net-worth clients in complex cases involving inherited wealth, family businesses, significant pensions, trusts, and nuptial agreements. Many of her cases involve tax complications, foreign assets and cross-jurisdictional issues, and the validity or otherwise of an overseas marriage/ divorce (including those relating to jurisdictions in Asia and Africa). Jennifer has appeared in high-profile reported cases, notably in Veluppillai v Veluppillai & Ors [2015] EWHC 3095 (Fam) (High Court), in LFL v LSL (McKenzie Friends & Breach of Court Orders) [2017] EWFC B62, and in N v N (Afghanistan: Validity of an overseas marriage: Procedure)[2020] EWFC B55. Jennifer also has an interest in Court of Protection matters, particularly where there are overlaps with divorce/financial remedies, and retains a niche practice in surrogacy/modern families, having acted for commissioning parents in the UK and abroad in HFEA cases. Jennifer is regularly instructed in arbitrations, private FDRs and mediations. She sits as a private FDR judge. She has been consistently top-ranked in the directories as a leading junior in her field, and has been highly commended for her attention to detail and her robust approach.

Jennifer Swan

She specialises in all aspects of children law with particular emphasis on public, private and international work. Jennie acts for Local Authorities, parents, children and intervenors in public law matters, including cases with an international element and where there are allegations of non-accidental injury, sexual abuse and neglect. She has been instructed in connection with the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). In private law matters she is regularly instructed in serious and complex cases, including those on the ‘cusp’ of the public law jurisdiction, cases in which there are concurrent criminal proceedings and cases involving parental alienation. Jennie has particular experience representing vulnerable clients, including victims of domestic violence, people with current or previous drugs/alcohol misuse issues, poor mental health and learning difficulties. She has experience working with adults who require specialist advocates to help them participate fully int he Court process. She accepts direct access instructions.Notable cases include: Re D (children) [2011] EWCA Civ 1743 -

Jesse Cook

Jesse Cook is known for his personable, down to earth style and his ability to put clients at ease in uncomfortable and stressful situations, which makes him popular with professional and lay clients alike. Whether appearing in the county or family court, or a Tribunal, Jesse provides practical advice on complex legal matters in a simple, straightforward way. He is a robust and able advocate. FamilyJesse regularly appears in the family court and has gained experience across a broad range of family proceedings including family finance and private and public law children matters. He accepts instructions at all stages of proceedings, from first hearing to final hearing. Jesse has also recently been instructed by the Directorate of Legal Services for the Metropolitan Police in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse.CommercialJesse acts in a wide range of business and contractual disputes, including those involving the sale of goods, the provision of services, unfair terms and debt recovery. He represents private individuals, as well as businesses ranging from SMEs to household names.EmploymentJesse appears in Employment Tribunals and Disciplinary hearings across a wide range of industries and sectors.Sports LawIn addition to accepting instructions in Chambers’ core areas of work, Jesse has a strong interest in sports law and football matters in particular. He is building his practice in this area.

John Chapman

John’s specialises in resolving financial disputes upon the breakdown of relationships. He has practised in this area of law for the best part of two decades. He regularly deals with complex cases, including those involving high net worth and high profile individuals. John’s cases routinely include the consideration of businesses, family trusts and assets outside of the jurisdiction. Whether the case includes significant wealth and complexity, or is more straightforward, he is the first choice for many top solicitors. John is always relied upon for his calm and sensible approach. John receives instructions in cohabitee disputes under TLATA 1996 and those involving financial provision for children under schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. John maintains a private law children practice, often acting for a party that he has helped with their financial remedy proceedings. John is described by his instructing solicitors as providing advice and advocacy of “the highest standard”. The attention to detail he affords to all aspects of his cases is of particular note. Central to John’s approach is his understanding of the need to work as part of a team with his instructing solicitors. In doing so, he achieves consistently excellent results for his clients.

John Ker-Reid

Child AbductionChildren Law Public & Private

John Dyer

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.

Julian Reed

Julian Reed practices in the areas of family and civil law, specialising in areas where the two disciplines overlap.Specialist Areas: Court of ProtectionFamily FinanceTrusts of LandInheritance, Wills & Probate

Julie McKenzie

Alternative Dispute ResolutionCivil MediationInheritance MediationChild AbductionChildren Law (Private)Children Law (Public)Direct AccessEquestrian LawFamily Finance

Justin Gau

Justin Gau has practiced in Ecclesiastical law for many years. He is Chancellor of the Diocese of Bristol and Deputy Chancellor of the Dioceses of Lincoln and Bath and Wells. He occasionally sits as Deputy Chancellor of London. He is a former case notes editor of the Ecclesiastical Law Journal. He has long experience in Consistory Court hearings and appeals to the Court of Arches. As an ordained Priest in the Stepney area of the Diocese of London he brings invaluable practical insights into Clergy Disciplinary matters and contested Faculty applications. He has wide experience in the fields of Employment and Disciplinary and Regulatory law involving professionals, both lay and ordained.

Kevin Haven

Previously a solicitor and partner in a central London firm, Kevin subsequently headed up the southern area litigation department of a national firm before returning to the Bar in 1996. He has developed a specialist practice in personal injury and clinical negligence matters with a particular interest in motorcycle and yachting accidents. To complement this practice, with his in-depth knowledge and interest of maritime matters, he undertakes numerous marine-related cases encompassing yacht surveyors professional negligence to insurance disputes. Clinical negligence: multi-track disputes involving significant injury; personal injury: claimant and defendant multi-track disputes involving significant injury, with particular expertise in motorcycle and yacht racing accidents. Marine law: a general marine practice, including yacht surveyors professional negligence, insurance disputes, building/construction disputes and cases where a good understanding of navigation and seamanship is required. Cases of interest: personal injury claims arising out of Herald of Free Enterprise and Piper Alpha; the ‘Holidays from Hell’ cases concerning MV Victoria, a cruise ship which caught fire from which school parties had to be evacuated off the coast of Cyprus; and the Turkish coach crash. Kevin is also an associate at Pallant Chambers.

Leonorah Smith

eonorah Smith is a family practitioner, who specialises in Children Act matters and in particular care proceedings, representing parents, children’s guardians and local authorities.She has dealt with cases involving both physical and emotional abuse. This includes serious non-accidental injuries such as multiple fractures, shake and impact head injuries, sexual abuse, neglect and fictitious illness syndrome. She is particularly skilled at dealing with ethnic minorities and those with mental ill-health, personality disorders and learning difficulties.Her expertise includes dealing with cases involving domestic violence, applying and resisting injunctions and occupation orders as well as contact and residence disputes.She regularly acts for parents who wish to relocate overseas and apply for leave to permanently remove their children from the jurisdiction and for those who wish to resist such applications as well as international child abduction, wardship and forced marriage cases

Leslie Samuels KC

Children public law: Leslie undertakes complex and high-profile public law children cases for parents, local authorities and children’s guardians both at fact-finding and at welfare hearings. He also represents parties at appellate level in the High Court, Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court. Recent cases include: alleged murder of a child; serious non-accidental head injuries to a child including widespread brain damage; multiple fractures including skull, rib and limb fractures; alleged sexual abuse of children; alleged fictitious or induced illness; serious neglect, drug and alcohol issues; complex immigration issues; cases where local authorities have failed to perform their statutory duties to support families. Financial remedies: he has a substantial financial remedies practice at all levels of court including cases before district judges, High Court judges and the Court of Appeal. Recent cases include: ‘big money’ cases where the assets values have exceeded £10m; cases where there are substantial business assets requiring an analysis of company accounts and expert valuation evidence; cases where the assets include substantial farm land or other inherited wealth; cases where one or both parties have significant trust assets; cases where there are high-value pensions on one or both sides; situations where urgent applications are required including freezing injunctions and search (Anton Pillar) orders. Children private law: he represents parents and sometimes children in a range of private law disputes including residence, contact, removal from the jurisdiction, other specific issue applications and child abduction cases. Recent cases include: cases involving residence and contact disputes including issues over shared or joint residence and parenting; specific issue applications, including disputes over schooling and medical care; allegations of sexual abuse by a parent; applications to remove children from the jurisdiction; child abduction cases.

Lucy Davis

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

Lucy Morrell

Lucy is a specialist criminal barrister. She undertakes all areas of criminal work, both prosecuting and defending. Lucy has appeared in the Court of Appeal (CMAC), Crown Courts, Magistrates’ Courts and Youth Courts. She has a busy criminal practice, and is instructed in the full range of offences (sexual offences, offences of violence, traffic offences, drugs, and dishonesty). She is regularly instructed in the Courts Martial. Lucy is analytical, persuasive, and robust. She combines this with an empathetic, down-to-Earth approach which puts lay clients at ease.

Lucy Plumpton

Lucy Plumpton enjoys a busy practice across the spectrum of Chambers’ work, with particular expertise in civil law.

Margaret Pine-Coffin

Child AbductionChildren Law (Private)Children Law (Public)Court of ProtectionDomestic Violence

Maria Gallagher

Maria Gallagher is a family law specialist, having practised in this area throughout her professional career and specialised since 2003. Her practice spans all areas of family law with a particular emphasis on children work. In public law Maria represents parents, children, local authorities and extended family members. She has expertise in cases which involve death and non-accidental injuries, serious sexual abuse and factitious illness often with complex and competing expert medical evidence. She also regularly acts in cases involving domestic abuse and neglect, parents with learning disabilities, In private law Maria is regularly instructed in residence, contact and specific issue applications. She has particular experience in cases of intractable conflict, of implacable hostility / parental alienation, cases involving domestic abuse and applications for internal and international relocation. Maria has expertise in litigation involving financial settlements following the breakdown of marriage or civil partnership from First Directions Appointment through to final hearing. She often advises in cases prior to the commencement of proceedings in order to assist in facilitating the earliest resolution for her client.

Maria Henty

Maria Henty is building a practice in all areas of family law, with a particular interest in family finance. Maria read social and political sciences at Girton College, Cambridge before converting to law. Prior to coming to the bar, Maria worked for two years as a solicitors’ agent, attending the County Court on a daily basis on a variety of civil matters.

Mark Dubbery

Inheritance, wills and probate, real property particularly constructive and resulting trusts, undue influence, financial remedy proceedings, Court of Protection, costs, mediation. Notable cases include: Stoker v Rose (Re Krzystofowicz (deceased) [2001] WTLR 883; McMeekin v Long [2003] 29 EG 120; Brown & Ors v Russell Young & Co (a firm) [2006] EWHC 90055 (Costs); Soulsbury v Soulsbury [2007] EWCA Civ 938; Broadway v Fernandez [2007] EWHC 684 (Ch); Parris v Williams [2008] EWCA Civ 1147; Kentfield v Wright [2010] EWHC 1607 (Ch).

Mark Ruffell

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

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.

Mark Ablett

Mark Ablett has a specialist practice in family law, appearing at all levels of the Family Court and High Court having completed pupillage in October 2017. His background as the senior paralegal at a leading family law solicitors firm lends an experience of working on big money divorce cases. He is frequently instructed on family finance cases with a complex element, often involving asset-protection structures, as well as private law children cases. He also handles Family Law Act injunctions and is building a practice in TOLATA claims. In all practice areas, Mark is sensitive to the benefits of settlement where achievable but does not hesitate in taking a robust approach where necessary. Profiling his expertise, Mark regularly provides talks and case updates to leading law firms as well as writing articles for key publications (both online and in print), and has been published in the Guardian. Mark was also proud to achieve recognition when awarded the IBA Family Law Committee scholarship in 2017, enabling him to attend and talk at the IBA annual conference in Sydney (2017).Mark is the co-host and co-founder of ’The Family Law Podcast’.

Martin Blount

Child AbductionChildren Law (Private)Children Law (Public)Direct AccessDomestic ViolenceFamily Finance

Matthew Scott

Courts MartialCriminalRegulatory & Disciplinary

Naima Asif

Naima specialises in children law, public law and human rights. She has a keen interest in protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals and has been commended for her analytical mind and ability to draw out the essential points of a case. Alongside her core practice, Naima maintains a particular interest in cases concerning human rights and social justice issues and has been involved in capital cases before the senior courts in Pakistan. Naima is currently instructed to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Naima is a member of the Centre for Women’s Justice legal reference panel.

Naomi Gyane

Naomi is a dual practitioner specialising in Employment law and Criminal law. She is regularly instructed in multi-week trials in both the Crown Court and Employment Tribunal. Examples of cases in which she has been involved: R v Rowan-Davies where the Defendant was charged with murder. Naomi was led by Kate Lumsdon QC for the Defence. R v Gurung – where she represent the Defendant, a Sergeant charged with others for offences connected to the death of a civilian. A v A School – Naomi is representing a Claimant in a claim for age discrimination. The Claimant was dismissed for declining to undertake optional training due to her impending retirement. Naomi is also advising a company with a workforce of over 10,000 employees on their response to the Covid-pandemic, site closures and collective redundancies.

Naznin Islam

Naznin specialises in public and private children law proceedings. She has particular expertise in cases involving international elements, including child abduction, forced marriage and relocation. Naznin also deals with complex matters involving domestic violence and sexual abuse, mental health and non-accidental injuries. Prior to joining chambers in 2005, Naznin practiced from Tooks Court (Chambers of Michael Mansfied QC); headed an immigration department in a CAB; was Legal Advisor to AVID; and worked with the UNHCR in a consultancy role. Naznin further honed her human rights experience at the ECHR where she was employed as a lawyer at the invitation of the court. Naznin’s considerable experience in immigration, crime and human rights often assists her in effectively dealing with issues arising from children law matters. She has represented local authorities, parents, children, other relatives and intervenors as well as sports and media personalities. Naznin regularly appears before all levels of court, including the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Neelo Shravat

Neelo Shravat is an experienced child law barrister. He specialises in acting for parents, children and local authorities in public law proceedings including matters before the High Court and Court of Appeal. He has significant experience in handling a wide range of cases, including those involving allegations of sexual abuse, inflicted injury, fabricated illness, and cases with significant international elements. Neelo has a particular expertise in acting for vulnerable parents including parents with learning disabilities or serious mental health issues, and those who require the enagement of the Official Solicitor. He also undertakes complex private law cases that may involve allegations of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, ‘intractable’ contact cases, changes of residence, and applications for leave to remove from the jurisdiction. Neelo brings a broad breadth of experience to his courtroom advocacy having started his career with a busy criminal and common law practice before focussing on family law for the past 10 years. He remains resolutely committed to publicly funded work and considers it the heart of his practice.

Nicholas Williamson

Nicholas Williamson experience lies in all aspects of family legal issues. He handles financial disputes, private and public law Children Act matters and litigation between unmarried couples. He is also familiar with financial matters which involve considerable complexity, including private limited companies, pensions and overseas property. His Children Act practice includes disputes about residence, contact and removal of children from the jurisdiction. He also regularly represents parents in care proceedings. Nick appears regularly in front of Circuit and District Judges in the Principal Registry and in a wide number of County Courts as well as representing clients in the Family Proceedings Court.

Nigel Pascoe KC

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.

Oba Nsugbe KC

Widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s and Nigeria’s leading barristers, he has a broad international practice with a particular interest in Africa. He provides high-level advice and representation for individuals, corporate clients and other organisations, in matters ranging from business and general crime to corrupt practices, commercial litigation, contractual disputes and health and safety. Oba is qualified in both the UK and Nigeria and is highly experienced in the courts of both countries. His work in Nigeria includes advising in large environmental damage cases. He represents a large number of the families of victims killed in the recent Dana air crash in Lagos, and acts as arbitrator and counsel in a number of complex arbitrations. He has also appeared in the High Court of England and Wales as an expert witness in UK cases involving Nigerian law. Oba provides expert regulatory guidance to businesses on the legal framework in UK and Nigeria. In addition, through a close network of partner firms, he also assists with other African jurisdictions. In general crime, he has prosecuted and defended in serious criminal cases, including the successful representation of two defendants in linked trials in the long-running prosecution of former governor, James Ibori. In health and safety his work is peerless; well-recognised as leader in this area, he has been involved in a number of the leading authorities. He acts as a legal assessor for the General Medical Council and the Nursing & Midwifery Council and also sits as a part-time judge in the Crown Court.

Oliver Peirson

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.

Paul Mertens

Paul Mertens has a busy practice, encompassing civil, family and public law. Paul has successfully represented parties in a wide range of courts and tribunals, including claims in the Queen’s Bench, Chancery and Family Divisions of the High Court. Paul’s background in company secretarial and in-house legal work has given him a strong commercial insight and he prides himself on providing pragmatic commercial advice to his clients. Before joining chambers, Paul worked at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and he maintains an interest in and advises on professional disciplinary complaints and data protection. He is Pump Court Chambers’ Data Protection Officer and has provided training on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 to a range of organisations, including government departments and public inquiries / statutory reviews. Since joining the Bar, Paul has been instructed in a number of cases by the Government Legal Department.

Penny Howe KC

Penny Howe QC acts in all aspects of the law relating to children. In public law Penny represents local authorities, parents, guardians and competent children. She has particular expertise in cases which involve death and non-accidental injuries, allegations of serious sexual abuse, factitious and induced illness, child trafficking and cross examination of expert and vulnerable witnesses. In private law Penny acts in disputes between parents and other significant adults including cases involving serious harm, and internal and international relocation. Penny also has considerable experience in proceedings relating to press injunctions arising out of public law proceedings. Penny was a member of the RCVS’ Preliminary Investigation Committee from 2013 to 2018. From 2014 to 2017 (and the employment of case examiners) Penny was a lay Chair of the GDC’s Investigating Committee. From 2016-2017, Penny was a Deputy Chair of the GOC’s Investigating Committee. Since 2015, Penny has been a lay member of the GOC’s Fitness to Practise Committee. Penny has been a legal assessor for the NMC since 2016, and was recently appointed a legal assessor for the HCPC.

Peter Asteris

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 Fairbairn

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 Tutt

Richard Hall

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

Richard Wayman is a specialist civil and criminal barrister, with a particular focus on employment law and court martial work.

Ricky Powell

Ricky Powell has broad common law experience across numerous practice areas. He is particularly experienced in property disputes and personal injury claims. However, he also has experience of other areas of work including clinical negligence, economic torts, commercial disputes and employment.He is currently instructed to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Ricky is an approachable barrister with excellent interpersonal skills. He has a natural ability to quickly build relationships of trust with all manner of people. He is thorough in his case preparation and is confident in presenting more technical and novel arguments. He makes his submissions with conviction and always conveys a sincere interest in the outcome of his client’s case.

Ruth Arlow

Ruth Arlow is a specialist practitioner in Family and Civil law with a particular interest in ecclesiastical law. As an experienced specialist family law practitioner she undertakes all aspects of family work with particular focus on care proceedings and the financial aspects of family provision. Ruth has experience at all levels of court service up to the Court of Appeal.

Samara Brackley

Samara is a specialist family practitioner. She accepts instructions across the full spectrum of family law proceedings and appears before all levels of judiciary. She completed pupillage at a specialist family law chambers in October 2017. Samara has a busy practice comprising of family finance, private and public children work. She is frequently instructed for both finance and private children proceedings for clients and understands the importance of continuity of counsel. Samara is mindful that settlement will often be in a client’s best interests and she provides robust advice where required.

Sarah Jones KC

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.

Siân Beaven

Siân is a specialist criminal practitioner. She has developed a practice prosecuting and defending in all areas of general crime following completion of pupillage at a specialist Criminal and Regulatory chambers in October 2018. Siân also accepts instructions in professional disciplinary matters, appearing regularly before the NMC on behalf of registrants. She has also developed a practice in prison law, appearing regularly for prisoners in parole hearings and having represented the Claimant in a successful Judicial Review against the Parole Board of England and Wales.

Simon Lane

Simon Lane is a property and estates barrister and mediator, with a niche practice in the law of town and village greens. Simon’s practice in both property and inheritance matters means he is particularly well placed to help clients at risk of losing their home, farm or other business after a death. Simon is particularly sensitive to the legal issues that crop up in claims that arise on death and prides himself on being able to deal with the often delicate relationships between family members. Simon is based in London with a national practice concentrated across London, the South and West of England.

Stephanie Painter

Stephanie Painter is developing a mixed common law practice, accepting instructions across a range of criminal, civil and family matters, with a focus on crime. Stephanie is currently undertaking a six-month secondment with the CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit and is due to accept new instructions again in the new year.

Stephen Jones

Specialist practitioner in property law. Some recent significant cases: Lankester & Son Ltd v Rennie [2014] EWCA Civ 1515: This case concerned a valuable commercial lease. Acted for Lankester & Son Ltd at first instance and a Court of Appeal. Successfully established in both courts that the tenant could not escape liability under the lease even though he had transferred the premises to another occupant. Innerspaces Self Storage Ltd v Harding & others [2014] EWCA Civ 46: Represented Harding and others at first instance and at Court of Appeal. Successfully established in both courts that the client landlord was not liable to his tenant, on any basis, for depositing a large quantity of hardcore on the business park on which the tenant’s property was located. Wise v Jimenez [2014] WTLR 163 Ch D: This was a high-profile and bitterly contested case. It involved difficult issues of fact and law and required meticulous case management at a lengthy trial. Stephen successfully recovered equitable compensation of £500,000 for his client, Mr Wise – a well-known former professional footballer. Application of Stafford-Flowers [2014] UKUT 0082 (LC): The applicant applied to the Upper Tribunal to discharge a covenant which prevented him from living all year round in a holiday chalet on the Isle of Wight. In a difficult and hard-fought case, Stephen successfully resisted the application on behalf of the objectors.

Stuart McGhee

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.

Tara Lyons

Barrister specialising in matrimonial finance, financial provision for child, claims by cohabitees, TLATA, inheritance (provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claims, contentious probates and court of protection.

Tim Dracass

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).

Tim Akers

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.

Timothy Salisbury

Timothy Salisbury has a civil and commercial practice encompassing commercial litigation, personal injury, aviation, property, and landlord and tenant. He is able to provide advisory, drafting, and advocacy expertise at all stages of the litigation process. Timothy also has experience of ADR, including mediation. Timothy is currently instructed as Junior Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Tom Wilkins

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.

Victoria Ellis

Victoria Ellis’s practice encompasses all aspects of family law and the overlapping areas of Inheritance and the Court of Protection. She has extensive experience representing local authorities, parents and grandparents in all stages of non-contentious and contested hearings, at all court levels. Her particular interests include financial remedies cases and all private law children matters. She is routinely instructed in relation to claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 and on claims for financial provision under schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. Within private law children matters she is regularly instructed in cases involving vulnerable individuals.

Zoe Rudd

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.

Ellie Fargin

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