Park Square Barristers

Crime Abdul Iqbal KC is a favoured choice of counsel among both solicitors and lay clients. He is widely recognised for his skilful, tactical and robust advocacy in the most complex cases. He took Silk in 2014 after years of being instructed as leading counsel in high-profile cases where Queen’s Counsel had been instructed by other parties in the case. Abdul has built a very large and successful defence practice focused on the most serious criminal cases, such as homicide, high-value complex commercial fraud, serious organised crime, terrorism, and large-scale international drug trafficking. He also has specialist expertise in confiscation and deprivation of assets issues arising from these areas of criminal work. Abdul previously practised as a pharmacist, and has a particular interest in cases involving expert medical or paramedical evidence. He is noted for his ability and experience in cross-examining expert witnesses on the most complex areas of evidence. He has defended in a series of sensitive cases where professionals (solicitors, accountants, doctors, pharmacists) have been charged with criminal or regulatory offences. Abdul regularly reviews serious and complex cases and advises upon the prospects of seeking to overturn, before the Court of Appeal, potentially unsafe convictions sustained in cases where he has not appeared at first instance. He also regularly reviews serious cases and advises as to whether a sentence can be regarded as manifestly excessive so as to be successfully appealed before the Court of Appeal. Abdul is noted for his ability and judgment to quickly and reliably identify the real and decisive issues in ‘very heavy’ cases. He excels in offering clear, concise and tactically focused advice in the most complex and voluminous cases. Abdul Iqbal KC is on the approved list of counsel at the International Criminal Court ("ICC") at The Hague. The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community. The ICC is currently engaged globally in investigations and proceedings relating to genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. Abdul Iqbal KC is a member of the International Criminal Court Bar Association at The Hague. Regulatory & Public Abdul qualified as a pharmacist and has experience of clinical practice. He represents corporate and commercial clients charged with regulatory offences and/or facing financial liability arising from breaches of regulatory law. Abdul’s pharmaceutical background and experience of serious criminal work naturally lend themselves to representing professionals charged with disciplinary breaches before regulatory bodies (General Medical Council, General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, General Optical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Solicitors Regulation Authority, Financial Reporting Council). He is a keen sports fan. His criminal practice lends itself well to providing representation to players and clubs alike at disciplinary tribunals of governing bodies such as the FA, RFL and RFU. Abdul’s pharmacy expertise gives him additional insight into issues of doping, charges brought by the UK Anti-Doping Agency, and appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Currently not available to receive instructions Family Finance Adam Wilson has very extensive experience in applications for financial orders within divorce proceedings, both at first instance and appellate level. Financial remedy applications on divorce (especially those involving the disposals of assets, assets held by limited companies, and disputes involving third parties) Civil claims, based on constructive trusts and/or proprietary estoppel, under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) Civil claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, especially claims by surviving spouses. Children Law Adam's children practice is now limited to private law proceedings, although he has extensive experience dealing with public law cases involving children. Adam has particular interest and experience in the following types of case: Cross-jurisdictional issues (including both relocation & child abduction) Serious allegations against one or more adult party Commercial & Chancery Adam has particular interest and experience in chancery cases involving: Civil claims, based on constructive trusts and/or proprietary estoppel, under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TLATA) Civil claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975, especially claims by surviving spouses.

Aimilia Katsoulakis

Prior to her commencement of Pupillage, Aimilia held an administrative role for the Safeguarding Team at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in ensuring the protection of vulnerable individuals across a wide range of environments and circumstances, throughout the entirety of Yorkshire. In turn, Aimilia fosters meaningful connections and rapports with a diverse cross-section of society, each with unique needs and challenges. Throughout this role, she actively participated in meetings alongside law enforcement and various other local authorities, heavily building on her preparatory and oral skills. Whilst generating investigations for Domestic Homicide Reviews and Child Death Enquiries, she demonstrated her unwavering attention to detail and a sharp analytical acumen. Furthermore, Aimilia dedicated her time to volunteering at the Witness Service, at Leeds Magistrates and Leeds Crown Court. In this capacity, she provided unwavering support and guidance to vulnerable witnesses and their families as they navigated providing evidence in court. Her responsibilities also involved seamless communication and collaboration with court personnel and legal professionals. This experience significantly enriched her understanding of the criminal justice system, its procedures and the invaluable insight she now brings to her Pupillage.

Crime Albany has successfully completed the non-practising period of her pupillage under the supervision of Jonathan Harley. She is available to accept instructions in criminal matters. Throughout her first six, Albany has observed hearings in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Youth Court. She has shadowed barristers acting on behalf of the prosecution and the defence in a wide range of criminal matters, including homicide, RASSO, and complex drug conspiracies. Albany has drafted sentencing notes, applications and advice to assist those she has been shadowing. Prior to commencing pupillage Albany worked as a legal advisor at Teesside Magistrates’ Court. This role gave her a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and exposed her to a full spectrum of criminal offences. Albany had to maintain excellent knowledge of criminal law and procedure in order to give informed and structured advice to members of the bench. She gained a valuable insight into the decision-making processes of Judges and Magistrates which has informed her advocacy. Throughout this employment, Albany also provided assistance to unrepresented defendants. Her calm and approachable manner allowed her to build a rapport with individuals from a wide cross-section of society and support them as they navigated legal proceedings. Albany is also passionate about pro bono work and her various volunteering positions have improved her advocacy, legal knowledge and ability to work with individuals, professionals and agencies. She prides herself on delivering work to a professional standard in high pressure environments, a skill she developed through working with legal clinics and charities. Albany’s experience includes working with vulnerable members of society and people in crisis, such as her time aiding in the evacuation of families facing persecution in Afghanistan. She has also had legal research published by the International Committee of the Red Cross and submitted to the NATO Legal Office. Family Law Albany has successfully completed the non-practising period of her pupillage under the supervision of Jonathan Harley. She is available to accept instructions in family matters. During her first six, Albany has shadowed barristers in family proceedings ranging from fact-finding and final hearings to civil contempt of court. Albany has previously completed an internship with the Bar’s national pro bono charity, Advocate, as a casework volunteer. She was involved in reviewing bundles and persuading barristers to provide free legal assistance to the charity’s applicants. Many of the applications for help related to family law, exposing Albany to an array of cases, legal issues and outcomes associated with family practice. Through her pro bono work, Albany also has experience working with extremely vulnerable families. Following the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in 2021, Albany worked with a charitable organisation to extract and support individuals and families whose lives were at risk. She was responsible for leading the casework team and organising case files to facilitate evacuations. Working with families in crisis in such a high-pressured environment encouraged Albany to develop a strong professional standard and informed her empathetic and adaptable approach to complex cases. Regulatory & Public Law Albany has successfully completed the non-practising period of her pupillage under the supervision of Jonathan Harley. She is now available to accept instructions. Prior to commencing pupillage, Albany worked as a legal adviser at Teesside Magistrates’ Court. In the course of this employment, she was involved in cases brought on behalf of a range of prosecuting authorities, including the Health and Safety Executive, RSPCA and local authorities. She was also exposed to a variety of applications from the Police, including Closure Orders, DVPOs, Stalking Protection Orders and applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Albany further has experience presenting road traffic and local authority cases to magistrates through the court’s single justice procedure. She has provided informed legal advice to the Bench on these matters and gained an insight into the approach of both prosecution and defence in cases of this nature.

Allan Armbrister

Crime Allan Armbrister is a senior and well-respected member of chambers, a determined and accomplished jury trial advocate in all areas of criminal law. Allan specialises in serious sexual and violent offences, particularly rape, sex trafficking and historic allegations of a sexual nature. He is extremely experienced in cross-examining young and vulnerable complainants and witnesses and those with disabilities, particularly the preparation of pre-recorded cross-examination procedures (s28 hearings). Allan is renowned for employing tact and understanding, tempered with firmness and forensic examination of the issues. One particular area of specialism is the examination of accident investigators particularly driving cases involving death or serious injury. Allan has a great deal of knowledge concerning construction and use and handling characteristics of motor vehicles, given his extensive involvement in motorsport activities. One notable case concerned the Hemsworth By-Pass, which also featured cell-site evidence. He secured an acquittal of one accused alleged to have participated in organised time trials on the road. Allan deals with animal welfare issues and has been instructed in hunting and badger baiting cases. He also has considerable experience in dealing with long and complex conspiracies involving allegations of drugs tracking, money laundering or fraud. Allan leaves no stone unturned, employing effective trial management tactics, is thorough and meticulous in his preparation and presentation of the case. He is considered to have a persuasive, relaxed and calm style of advocacy, which proved invaluable in sensitive and complex cases. He is also complemented for his skill in effectively dealing with vulnerable and demanding lay clients. Having achieved an illustrious and successful career in the Magistrates' Courts Service, he was considered to be one of the top Justices' Clerks in the country, being appointed to a number of prestigious and important Government Committees, including the Lord Chancellor's Project Board dealing with the Implementation of the Human Rights Act and a working party, which subsequently led to the construction and implementation of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. That experience has given Allan a deep understanding of the operation of the Courts' system and employment of the Criminal Procedure Rules. Children Law Allan Armbrister was involved in the introduction of the Children Act in the magistrates’ courts and has shown a keen interest in family law ever since. He appears for all parties in public-law proceedings, but is particularly involved in finding-of-fact hearings dealing with unexplained injuries, serious sexual offences and violence. His criminal law background equips him to approach cases with detailed forensic examination and presentation of the evidence, and a thorough examination of professional and expert witnesses. Regulatory and Public Allan Armbrister deals with regulatory breaches, particularly in the areas of animal-welfare law and care homes. Allan has considerable experience of taxi-licensing matters, and has appeared regularly in hearings for both local authorities or applicants in complex cases concerning the grant, suspension and revocation of hackney carriage and private-hire licences. Allan will also undertake disciplinary allegations in respect of sporting organisations, including motorsport tribunal hearings (having been a motorsport competitor himself).

Amrit worked as in-house counsel specialising in Industrial Disease prior to joining the bar. He has experience of having undertaken Fast-Track and Multi-Track trials within disease litigation. Prior to this he has first-hand experience of running cases and managing large teams, he was the Head of NIHL and Deputy Head of HAVS for a Claimant law firm and he had previous experience of working on behalf of a number of well-known insurers having worked for a leading Defendant firm. He first-hand understands the complex nature of industrial disease work. Amrit has an extremely busy practice and is experienced in advising and representing parties in all aspects of personal injury work including road traffic accidents, public liability claims, employers’ liability claims, occupational illness and clinical negligence. Amrit is particularly skilled in dealing with complex issues relating to causation or breach of duty. He is often instructed to provide tactical advice or to draft Part 35 questions to experts. He is instructed by leading firms that specialise in disease work. His particular specialisms include Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), Military NIHL (M-NIHL), Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULD), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) claims. He also has experience of Dupuytren’s contracture and other emerging areas of disease litigation. Amrit is also retained on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning claims. Amrit is familiar with issues relating to limitation and has been successful at preliminary trials on limitation. Amrit has been involved in group actions for the last several years having been involved in JSM’s for 30+ HAVS/CTS claims and 15+ NIHL claims. Amrit is regularly instructed in RTAs (injury, credit hire, LVI issues and allegations of fraud). This includes high value and complex RTA claims including brain injured Claimants and he advises on issues relating to capacity, liability and quantum. Amrit also has an extensive credit hire practice on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. Amrit is very familiar with the issues credit hire entails – enforceability, impecuniosity, intervention letters, consumer credit regulations and generally matters relating to mitigation. He provides sensible, down-to-earth advice within reasonable timescales. Amrit also undertakes small claims and fast track matters within construction matters and commercial matters and is happy to advise on such matters. Amrit also has gained experience of working under the Consumer Credit Act 1974, including claims for unfairness and repayment for PPI claims. He has a strong working knowledge of the decision in Plevin v Paragon Personal Finance Limited [2014] UKSC 61.

Commercial & Chancery Amy Philipson has extensive experience and expertise advising and representing clients in Contentious Probate, Wills and Inheritance Act claims and Private Client litigation. She is regularly instructed by beneficiaries, executors, trustees and other interested parties and she understands the sensitive and emotive nature of these matters and works with clients to gain the most efficient and effective resolution. Amy has particular experience in the following areas: Advising on the validity of wills, their interpretation and execution Arguments on the construction of mutual wills and anticipatory clauses Application to remove executors and/or trustees Advising trustees as to the limits of their powers Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Undue influence and capacity Trusts and beneficial ownership of property including equitable severance of joint tenancy Declarations of marriage under the Family Law Act 1986 Advising on the domicile of a party and its impact upon the relevant claim. Mediation Amy also acts in both commercial and residential property disputes providing advisory services and representation in all courts and specialist tribunals including the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and the FTT Property Chamber for some time. Amy is also frequently instructed in non-contentious matters, providing focused and effective advice including interpretation of leases, rights of way and restrictive covenants. Amy has particular experience in the following areas: Negotiation of leases Advising on the prospects of recovering dilapidations Breach of covenants Commercial forfeiture Advising on surrender agreements and disputes Service charge disputes Wrongful eviction Mediation Civil Fraud Amy regularly acts for leading insurers in both an advisory and advocacy capacity, defending fraudulent personal injury and other civil claims. Her experience includes: Low-velocity-impact (LVI) road-traffic collisions resulting in no injuries or exaggerated injuries Bogus passenger claims in road-traffic claims ‘Slam-on’ allegations Credit-hire fraud Staged & fabricated accidents in road-traffic claims Exaggeration of injury and consequential loss in employers’ liability claims Staged or fabricated accidents at work Tort of deceit proceedings Costs In addition to advisory and drafting work, Amy regularly appears in court at both interlocutory and final hearing stage, and her skilful cross-examination frequently results in claims being defeated. In road traffic cases in particular, Amy is highly regarded by instructing solicitors in the area of credit hire, regularly obtaining excellent results for clients by defeating claims for hire on enforceability grounds and by forensic interrogation of their means and circumstances. In many cases, her cross-examination on hire has led to the entire claim being dismissed due to the undermining of credibility. Amy repeatedly receives instructions in employers’ liability claims where there are suspicions of fraud. This is usually in the form of fabricated accidents where it is known to the claimant that there has been a breach of statutory duty or cases involving exaggeration of injury and consequential damages where the accident was trivial. Amy has an excellent understanding of the unique issues of quantum and liability which arise in this area of fraud defence and adopts the same meticulous approach to undermine claimants and defeat claims. Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Amy has extensive advocacy and advisory experience in fast-track and multi-track cases, (especially in areas when defending claims in which fraud is pleaded), including: Employers’ liability Road traffic litigation Occupier’s liability Industrial disease Highways claims Clinical negligence CICA appeals Amy regularly prepares complex schedules and counter-schedules of loss, addressing all issues of quantum including Ogden future loss calculations. Previous instructions have involved detailed quantification of claims worth up to several million pounds. Amy has also developed a strong reputation for providing early and reliable damages projections for all types of injury claims, conscious of their importance under the QOCS/Part 36 costs regime. In road traffic claims, Amy is very experienced in arguments on credit hire, credit repair and credit storage, and has successfully defeated numerous claims on enforceability grounds and when cross-examining claimants. In employers’ liability claims, Amy has significant experience in dealing with the applicability of the ‘six-pack’ regulations and is well-versed in all relevant authorities. She is able to rely on this when advising on the best tactical approach in assessing liability and drafting pleadings in accidents post-1 October 2013, following the amendment of section 47 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Amy regularly acts for both claimants and private defendant clients in clinical negligence claims. Her cases have included claims arising from dental, cosmetic and orthopaedic surgery, and alleged failure in proper diagnoses resulting in reduced life expectancy. Amy is happy to be consulted by email, telephone, video conference and on client premises. Amy Philipson is available to present seminars on all topics including; Employers’ Liability: The changed landscape – practice post-1 October 2014 Quantifying future loss claims Litigation and costs update – including the impact of QOCS, FRC, Part 36 offers, life post-Mitchell and costs budgeting. Court of Protection & Adult Care Amy is a member of the court of protection team undertaking work at all levels in advocacy, drafting and advising in both property and affairs and health and welfare matters. She acts on behalf of P (through ALRs, OS and litigation friends) family members, local authorities and ICBs. In Amy’s property and affairs practice she has experience in contentious deputyship applications, removal of attorneys, statutory wills, authorising or setting aside gifts and authorising sale of or disposition of properties. Examples of recent work include – Advising attorneys on overreaching rules where they acted as both trustees of a property trust and attorneys pursuant to an LPA and potential conflicts arising from acting in both capacities during sale of trust property Representing mother of P seeking deputyship order where her former husband objected to the same based upon allegations of unsuitability due to depression Acting for P in a claim for reasonable financial provision pursuant to an Inheritance (Financial Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Advising the Local Authority on an attorney's conduct in misappropriating P's finances to avoid care home fees Representing the Local Authority seeking removal of LPA attorney due to misconduct Amy’s health and welfare practice includes contested final hearings, fact finds as well as case management hearings and round table meetings. Amy is known for her sensitive and understanding balanced approach to all clients whilst also demonstrating a detailed understanding of subject matter. Notable recent cases include - Fact finding on behalf of P's family member, challenging allegations of abusive behaviour towards carers and interference with P's medical treatment. A large number of findings were not made out Final hearing on behalf of Local Authority to find suitable s117 accommodation and care package for an extremely vulnerable P, whilst the NHS trust were threatening to discharge P from hospital, despite no package of care being finalised Representing the ICB where P's family members were interfering with care and medical treatment, resulting in an injunction against the family member and ultimately committal proceedings. Costs were sought against the family against the usual costs rules

Anastasis Tasou

Anastasis brings a wealth of experience to chambers having specialised in criminal law for the past 24 years and practiced as a Higher Court Advocate for 21 of those years. After being admitted as a solicitor in 1998, Anastasis has specialised exclusively in crime and defended in cases of all size, complexity and seriousness. He has worked alongside senior juniors and Queen’s Counsel but also led junior members of the Bar and defended solo in cases prosecuted by Queen’s Counsel. Anastasis is well known and well regarded by fellow professionals and judges alike, having practiced daily before Crown Courts up and down the country. His experience as a solicitor has provided him with the analytical and interpersonal skills to make a highly effective advocate. He is well known for his tenacity, as a fearsome opponent and his willingness to always go the extra mile for his clients, reflecting in the very high success record that he has enjoyed for many years.

Children Law Anaum is regularly instructed to represent parents in private child arrangement disputes. Anaum is confident in advising and providing representation at all stages of proceedings, particularly in relation to anxious and vulnerable clients. She regularly appears in Finding of Fact and Final hearings in matters involving complex legal and factual issues. Anaum has a strong practice and frequently acts in cases involving numerous safeguarding issues, including allegations of physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse. Anaum has particular experience in the area of vulnerable witnesses and clients appreciate Anaum’s ability to tailor her approach and advocacy to the circumstances of the case. Anaum regularly acts in Family Law Act applications, including directions hearings and contested final hearings, on behalf of both applicants and respondents. Anaum observed serious and complex public law proceedings conducted by members of the Family Team at Park Square Barristers during her pupillage. This includes cases involving non-accidental injuries, serious neglect, sexual abuse allegations and a case involving concerns over forced marriage. Anaum maintains a keen interest in all aspects of public law proceedings. Anaum has acted on behalf of Local Authorities, parents and the Children’s Guardian at both case management and final hearings. Anaum is eager to build her practise in this area and welcomes new instruction. Family Finance Anaum has a developing practice and is regularly instructed in a variety of family finance matters. She is experienced in representing clients at hearings including: Interim Maintenance Applications, First Appointments, FDRs and Final Hearings. Anaum also has a strong background knowledge of divorce proceedings and child maintenance. Anaum also has experience of drafting advices and conducting legal research in relation to all areas of family finance. She is known to take a meticulous and conscientious approach in providing advice to clients. Regulatory & Public Anaum has undertaken Tribunal work on a number of cases, including representing Applicants and the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal and the General Regulatory Chamber. Anaum has spent time providing in-house legal advice and representation to both South Yorkshire Police and Vale of York CCG in a variety of matters in both the regulatory and civil law sphere. Anaum has acted for South Yorkshire Police on a destruction of dangerous dog application, involving complex legal arguments concerning abuse of process and costs. Anaum has also drafted advices in relation to dangerous dogs. Court of Protection & Adult Care Anaum observed members of chambers in Court of Protection hearings during her pupillage. Anaum is happy to accept instruction in this area and looks to develop her Court of Protection practice. Civil Fraud Anaum undertook pupillage under the supervision of Andrew Wilson and observed all areas of civil law, with a particular focus on civil fraud. Anaum has experience of credit hire claims and is regularly instructed in relation to this, as well as liability disputes. Anaum has successfully defended a professional negligence claim on behalf of a building surveyor. Personal Injury Anaum is regularly instructed in all areas of civil law, including personal injury and contract disputes. She acts for both claimants and defendants. Anaum accepts instruction in the following: Fast track trials Small claims trials MOJ Stage 3 Hearings and Infant Approvals Interlocutory applications Case management conferences Pre-trial reviews

Crime Andrea Parnham regularly appears in the crown court on behalf of the prosecution or the defence. She has been instructed in a wide variety of cases including assaults, drug cases, burglary, robbery, aggravated burglary, firearms, sexual and homicide offences. She is known for her approachable style when dealing with witnesses and clients, and she takes care to ensure that they fully understand the proceedings of which they are to be a part. Andrea is adept at dealing with cases that involve both vulnerable and intimidated witnesses as well as vulnerable Defendants. Andrea has been instructed as disclosure junior in large scale operations involving high numbers of both complainants and defendants. She has ably dealt with various complex issues that have arisen pre-trial and during proceedings. Andrea has had great success arguing exceptional circumstances when representing clients facing statutory minimum sentences, successfully persuading Judges that any sentence could not only be blow the minimum term, but could also be properly suspended. Andrea has represented several prosecuting authorities including the CPS, the Department of Rural, Health and Welfare, the Child Support Agency, the police, the Environment Agency, Fire Service and HMRC. Andrea has been instructed for both the prosecution and the defence in several complex confiscation matters including issues such as third party interests, tainted gifts and hidden assets. Andrea was called to the Bar after an 11-year career in the police service involving operational, investigative and executive roles. She was a detective and attained the rank of inspector. Her previous experience and thorough working knowledge of police policy and procedure has often proved invaluable and has helped shape her exceptional people skills and her forensic approach to detail in cases. Personal Injury Andrea has experience in personal injury (PI) claims representing claimants or defendants and is steadily building her practice in this area. Andrea regularly acts for both Claimants and Defendants in small claims and fast-track trials arising out of road traffic accidents, often including credit hire, She has also appeared in Occupier’s Liability and Highway tripping claims. Andrea also accepts instructions in other matters, regularly appearing in the County Court in the following areas: Costs Case Management Hearings Case Management Hearings Interlocutory injunctions Applications to set aside default Judgment/Summary Judgment Applications to strike out proceedings Summary Judgment applications Disposal hearings and MOJ Stage 3 hearings Infant approvals Civil Fraud Andrea's ‘first six’ pupillage was under the supervision of Matthew Smith, a specialist in this area. During her time with Matthew Smith she was able to experience a wide variety of cases including staged and contrived accidents, low-velocity-impact (LVI) cases, bogus passenger claims, credit hire and exaggerated credit hire, personal injury and exaggerated PI claims, and all otherwise dishonest claims. This was over a range of settling pleadings, advising on quantum and settlement, case management hearings and fast- and multi-track trials. Andrea has significant experience in credit hire work predominately defence based but has acted for the claimant as well. This enables her to argue points from both sides and is readily able to successfully counter arguments. She has an excellent eye for detail and has been complimented on her forensic and robust cross examination of witnesses which is often successful in reducing the extent of any award. Commercial & Chancery Andrea has undertaken a variety of work in relation to debt recovery, Insolvency Act issues, and property dispute issues. These include: Bankruptcy hearings Insolvency Act issues Debt recovery Tenant/Landlord disputes Probate matters Regulatory & Public Andrea Parnham is has a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. She has a wide-ranging regulatory practise and has prosecuted on behalf of a variety of regulatory bodies. This enables her to turn her hand effectively to many different regulatory regimes for the prosecution or the defence. Andrea is adept at handling large scale cases and is able to pinpoint the real issues in the cases accurately and comprehensively. In 2015 Andrea undertook a secondment to the Environment Agency working along prosecutors within the Agency, she gained invaluable experience and knowledge of the relevant law as well as advising on complex issues and appearing in the Magistrates Court. In 2016 Andrea undertook a secondment with Humberside Police. During her secondment, she worked on a wide variety of police matters from Dangerous dogs to domestic violence protection orders to Police discipline. She advised the police on a wide variety of matters. Andrea developed a particular specialism in Sexual Harm Prevention Orders advising the force on applications for new orders as well as variations to existing orders. Andrea also represented the Chief Constable of Humberside Police in both the crown court and the magistrates court in relation to a variety of matters.

Andrew Lewis KC

Personal Injury Andrew Lewis KC has vast experience in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence work, having specialised in this field since joining the Bar. In Silk his practice largely consisted of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy claims. Having recently stepped back from his very busy practice and sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, Andrew now concentrates on working as an Evaluative Mediator in personal injury and clinical negligence claims. He is an Accredited Mediator with the Society of Mediators and has successfully worked as a Mediator and Evaluator for many years, creating protocols and providing training for independent mediation and evaluation provider. Legal Directories have consistently rated Andrew as a Tier 1 Leading Silk for his personal injury and clinical negligence work. Alternative Dispute Resolution Andrew was called to the Bar in 1985. He was appointed a Recorder in 2001, Queens Counsel in 2009 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2010. He has vast experience of conducting mediation’s, particularly in personal injury and professional negligence disputes. Andrew has specialised in all areas of personal injury and clinical negligence work since joining the Bar. Having recently stepped back from his very busy Silk’s practice, which largely consisted of traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy claims, Andrew now concentrates on working as an Evaluative Mediator in personal injury and clinical negligence claims. He is an Accredited Mediator with the Society of Mediators and has successfully worked as a Mediator and Evaluator for many years, creating protocols and providing training for an independent mediation and evaluation provider. Andrew has for very many years been routinely noted in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners Directories as a band 1 Silk, with a skill set suited to conducting mediations: He has been noted as: ‘one of the most approachable silks in the country’ providing ‘meticulously thought-out advice’, ‘remarkably pragmatic, user-friendly and terrifically strong on his feet’, ‘Exceptionally gifted and tremendously astute’ ‘Very smooth, confident and always prepared within an inch of his life.’ ‘He is fantastic with clients and is able to simplify complex things. He is very user-friendly.’ Legal Directories consistently rate Andrew as a Tier 1 Leading Silk for his personal injury and clinical negligence work.

Andrew Hall QC is consistently named as a leader in his field and has a busy and high-profile practice in serious crime. He has a strong following amongst solicitors both in London and further afield, and a particular reputation for the tenacious defence of grave, difficult and complex cases. Andrew has very extensive experience in all types of homicide, as well as large-scale drugs and other excise conspiracies. In recent years, he has been instructed in a significant number of high-profile terrorism cases, including the cases of those alleged to have conducted hostile reconnaissance of London targets for the 7/7 bombers. He led the Bar team which set up the library facilities, and provided advocacy training, at the Special Court in Sierra Leone. He has longstanding involvement with legal-sector capacity-building projects overseas, particularly in Africa, and is a winner of the Bar Pro Bono Award for this work. Human rights work overseas has included missions to Syria, Sudan and Burma. Andrew is the author and co-author of several books on criminal-justice issues and regularly lectures on advocacy and other legal topics, including terrorism and human rights, both here and abroad. He has served for a number of years as a member of the Bar Council and chair of the Remuneration Committee. Since 2010 he has been chair of the Kalisher Trust, a charity providing scholarships and other awards to talented Criminal Bar entrants who need financial support.

Andrew has been in practice for over 25 years and chose to practise exclusively in Criminal Law from a very early stage. Over the years he has developed a wide-ranging practise, and is instructed to both prosecute and defend cases, at all levels . He has significant experience of defending and prosecuting complex allegations of dishonesty, those relating to both importation and distribution of drugs, together with cases involving firearms and arson, murder and serious violence, rape and serious sexual offending. To this end, he has also been admitted onto the prosecution RASSO panel( Rape and Serious Sexual Offending). Andrew has conducted many trials involving allegations made by child victims. He is well familiar with the specialist advocacy required in such cases, and has undertaken recent trials using the s28 pilot scheme, with pre-recorded cross-examination of vulnerable child witnesses. Andrew is an accomplished and intuitive advocate and benefits from an ability to maintain a flexible approach. He has built up a particular specialism in dealing with Children and Young Offenders, usually but not exclusively who have been sent to the Crown Court upon allegations of Grave offences, or when jointly charged with an Adult. Andrew also has a wealth of experience and a clear understanding of the dynamics of Multi-Defendant cases. He fully recognises the delicate balance that can sometimes be required to robustly, but sensitively cross-examine witnesses and Co-defendants alike. Andrew prides himself on a detailed working knowledge of the increasingly complex legislation and case-law in relation to both criminal procedure and current and past sentencing guidelines. He is trained in Forensic Accountancy and his years of experience has allowed him to develop a honed and effective approach to the cross-examination of a wide range of medical and forensic experts. He is however always conscious that a pragmatic approach will usually be the most helpful approach, both in terms of advice upon strength of the case and advice on plea and sentence. Andrew is known for a clear and concise approach and for a very thorough understanding of the brief. He is therefore in a position to engage at an early stage of the trial process, to include both conferences and written advices. He will always provide proper consideration to all Interlocutory applications, applications for Dismissal and applications to Stay proceedings, as appropriate. Andrew similarly makes a point of providing Instructing Solicitors with early tactical advice for matters that will run to trial. As a Grade 3 prosecutor, Andrew has a well-established prosecution practice and has experience of prosecuting multi-handed conspiracies together with offences involving allegations of fraud, violence and organised drug-dealing. He has also prosecuted for government departments, including HMRC and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Andrew Petterson

Andrew has developed a practice specialising in serious crime. He prosecutes and defends in equal measure and is regularly instructed in cases alleging serious violence, sexual offences, drug trafficking and fraud. Andrew frequently appears on behalf of the CPS and is a Grade 4 Prosecutor. He is also a member of the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Panel. He has extensive experience of prosecuting on behalf of Local Authorities, including the prosecution of regulatory matters. Andrew has also prosecuted on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. A hard-working, highly regarded advocate with a growing reputation for producing well-structured submissions, he is personable and accessible. Known for his ability to communicate well with lay clients, Andrew has represented defendants with serious mental health and capacity issues. “Andrew is always thoroughly prepared and gets to the key issues in a case very quickly. He is always prepared to pursue a challenging legal argument.” – The Legal 500 (2024)

Anna is a tenant at Park Square Barristers with a primary focus on criminal and family law. During her Barrister Training Course, Anna volunteered for IPSEA; a charity that provides advice to young people and families of children with special educational needs. Anna assisted these individuals in preparing cases for Tribunal and navigating the legal system. Anna has further experience of regularly interacting with young and vulnerable people, which has enhanced her ability to act sensitively and pragmatically in emotive or difficult situations. Academically, Anna has consistently demonstrated a diligent work ethic, having achieved a Distinction in the MA Law course and Outstanding in the BPTC. As further recognition for her achievements, Anna was awarded the Buchanan Prize by the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn. Anna has a particular interest in terrorism legislation and achieved a Distinction in her legal research project centred around this topic. Anna also has a strong background in public speaking and the Arts. Throughout her Bar Course, Anna was awarded Outstanding in numerous advocacy modules. Beyond academic achievements, she enjoyed participating in numerous mooting competitions, and was runner up in both the ULaw Criminal Law Advocacy Competition 2020 and the Deans Court Family Advocacy Competition 2020. Prior to commencing pupillage, Anna has thrived working in customer facing environments with rapidly changing demands and has operated well under pressure. This was exemplified whilst working abroad in New Zealand, where Anna managed a large client base and seamlessly interacted with a highly diverse range of customers. Anna’s organisational tenacity was further enhanced during her time as Treasurer of the University Bar Society, where she effectively managed the budget and contributed to the organisation of university-wide events. Anna looks forward to developing a successful, wide-ranging practice.

Civil Fraud Anna Wilkinson has an established practice in civil insurance fraud and regularly undertakes work on behalf of defendant insurers in relation to suspicious or fraudulent insurance claims, including cases involving road traffic accidents, slips and trips and accidents at work. Anna has extensive experience of cases involving staged accidents, low-velocity impact (LVI), bogus passengers and exaggerated personal injury claims. She is also familiar with the legal issues which arise in credit hire claims. Anna has experience in acting for travel companies in cases involving flight delays and alleged breaches under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 (the “Regulations”) and ABTA code of conduct. Anna is familiar with HACCP and the issues that arise in defending holiday sickness claims following the judgment of the Court of Appeal in Wood v TUI Travel, and is acutely aware of the need for travel companies to consider each claim presented to it with considerable caution in light of the recent surge in fraudulent holiday sickness claims. As Anna's practice also includes regulatory work she has experience of prosecutions for various types of fraud in addition to those brought for breaches of fire, environmental, and health and safety regulations. This experience gives Anna an ability to advise insurance clients in respect of their prospects in criminal cases arising from fraudulent claims for compensation. She regularly deals with interlocutory and preliminary hearings, including those to add insurers as a defendant, set aside judgment, deal with expert evidence issues, case-management conferences and associated costs arguments. Anna ensures she is aware of recent legal developments in the post-Mitchell climate, including the judgments in Durrant v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Constabulary; Adlington & Ors v ELS International Lawyers; and Porbanderwalla v Daybridge. She is therefore equipped to deal with arguments in respect of issues arising from the late service of documents or budgets. Papers practice She is happy to provide pre-action advice on the strength of individual cases, in conference and in writing, in addition to providing pleadings on behalf of insurer clients. All paperwork is carried out promptly. Credit-hire fraud Anna is regularly instructed in relation to claims involving credit hire, especially on behalf of the defence, in cases of all values from the small claims track to the multi-track. She is au fait with the plethora of arguments and cases that have been determined by the Court of Appeal and House of Lords in respect of credit hire agreements, including those made in respect of the Cancellation of Contracts Made in a Consumer’s Home or Place of Work Etc Regulations 2008, and the cases of W v Veolia, Pattni v First Leicester Buses Limited and Bent v Highways and Utilities. Anna has cross-examined claimants about their claim for collection and delivery of a vehicle and making subsequent submissions that the credit hire contract is unenforceable in its entirety. She has also dealt with cases in which the vehicle is used for both business and social, domestic and pleasure purposes and is familiar with the case law and arguments which can be advanced in such cases. She regularly uses the arguments relating to basic hire rates. Personal Injury Anna has a mixed practice of claimant and defendant personal injury (PI) work, including claims funded by a CFA. This includes road traffic accidents, employers’ liability cases, and slip-and-trip matters. She has experience of noise-induced hearing loss and clinical negligence, and is pleased to settle or advise on pleadings. In addition to personal injury work, Anna has experience of debt-recovery and enforcement proceedings, including applications for charging orders, orders for sale and possession hearings. Regulatory & Public Anna Wilkinson is a B-List Regulatory Advocate and has an established practice in a variety of regulatory and disciplinary work. Anna has undertaken numerous cases on behalf of both CQC and care home owners. Anna has been instrumental in defending Notices of Proposal and Notices of Decisions at tribunal hearings. Anna is familiar with appeals regarding notices of cancelation of registration and is experienced in dealing with the issues which arise in such cases, including the cross examination of expert witnesses in areas such as occupational therapy and medicine management. Anna is also familiar with the principals of the CQC policy “registering the right support” and has successfully dealt with cases involving increases of service users. Anna has represented parties at appeals to the Upper Tier Tribunal. Anna is always happy to advise providers and Managers on Notices of Proposal, Decision, Fit & Proper Persons, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. She has a thorough understanding and knowledge of the Health and Social Care Act and Regulations and their application. Having started her career at the Bar also doing "general criminal" cases, including being led by Craig Hassall in a lengthy and complex immigration fraud by a Bradford Councillor, Anna is well placed to conduct regulatory or private prosecutions which are heard in the criminal courts. Anna was instructed to prosecute the first private prosecution brought by Allianz insurance. The Defendant was sentenced to 12 months for bringing a civil claim alleging to have been in a vehicle and suffering from whiplash when he had not been within the car at the time. Anna conducted all of the hearings in the matter, in addition to drafting the indictment, relevant applications for third party antecedents, and making a successful application for Allianz to recover all of their costs of the prosecution from central funds. Anna regularly receives instructions in proceedings brought by the Health & Safety Executive and the Environment Agency in both the Magistrates and Criminal Courts in addition to defending individuals and companies charged with such offences. Anna also acts in cases prosecuted by local authorities, and fire and rescue authorities, and defends individuals charged with breaches of fire safety regulations, and landlords accused of failing to meet their legal responsibilities. Anna has been instructed by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in relation to frauds by company directors and offences concerning individual voluntary arrangements (IVAs). She has also conducted cases in both the First Tier Tax tribunal and the First Tier Tribunal (general regulatory chamber). Anna has experience of prosecuting benefit-fraud offences, appearing on behalf of the Child Support Agency and has defended in school truancy, food safety & hygiene, and licensing matters. Anna has also been instructed to appear at the First Tier (Mental Health) Tribunal on behalf of patients seeking discharge Anna has undertaken training provided by England Netball in order that she can assist with and adjudicate upon disciplinary complaints involving registered players or leagues.

Children Law Ashleigh appears in a variety of family matters representing clients in both public and private law. Ashleigh regularly acts for local authorities, as well as children’s guardians, parents and other close relatives, such as grandparents. Ashleigh recently represented a father in a two-day fact find hearing where the other parent had made numerous serious allegations, including that of sexual assault. On conclusion of this hearing all serious allegations were found not to have been proven. Commercial & Insurance Ashleigh is instructed in a variety of contractual and commercial disputes, representing clients through to trial. Ashleigh is often instructed in insolvency proceedings, including but not limited to, winding up petitions and bankruptcy orders. Crime Ashleigh is an accomplished advocate and regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court for both prosecution and defence. In the Magistrates’ Court Ashleigh deals with matters such as road traffic offences, public order offences, and offences against the person, including domestic violence and assaults on emergency workers. Ashleigh often prosecutes in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the National Probation Service and the Police. Ashleigh appears in the Crown Court in a range of hearings such as appeals against conviction and/or sentence, bail applications and sentencing hearings. Personal Injury Ashleigh has considerable experience in personal injury matters, acting for both Claimants and Defendants. She is regularly instructed in claims arising from road traffic accidents, public liability, employer liability, occupiers’ liability and industrial disease claims, ranging from pre-trial applications to trial. Ashleigh has extensive experience of credit hire claims at all stages of proceedings. Regulatory & Public Ashleigh is regularly instructed by local authorities to prosecute in a range of matters, such as closure orders, counterfeit cigarettes and school attendance. Recently, she successfully secured a three-month closure order for a local authority following numerous complaints of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour being made. Ashleigh then successfully opposed this matter on appeal in the Crown Court. Ashleigh often represents vulnerable clients in mental health tribunals and has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the issues in such proceedings.

Crime With over 30 years at the Bar, Austin’s well-established criminal practice encompasses a wide range of work. Areas of expertise: Serious sexual offences Violent offences Robbery offences Drugs offences Dangerous driving Austin appears in Criminal Courts at all levels up to the Court of Appeal and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence. He has expertise in large scale POCA matters on behalf of the Crown. Austin formerly practised in the field of immigration law and this has provided the basis for a particular interest in criminal cases involving foreign nationals and refugees. Personal Injury Austin has a broad and well-established Personal Injury practice. Areas of expertise: Accidents in the workplace and industrial disease Inquests Road traffic accidents Sporting injuries Accidents at school He advises and appears in a wide range of actions for personal injury, with particular emphasis on industrial and sporting accidents, regularly appearing on behalf of claimants in contested claims before both the High Court and County Court. Austin has regularly attended inquests on behalf of insurers and other interested parties. Austin has considerable experience in bringing claims before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, especially on behalf of severely brain damaged or sexually abused applicants, and challenging decisions by way of Judicial Review proceedings.

Children Law Ayshea Megyery specialises in private and public children law. Ayshea has extensive experience in representing parents, children and local authorities in complex family law cases incorporating issues such as serious non accidental injury, severe sexual abuse including historical allegations. She is experienced and skilled at dealing with vulnerable clients with mental health issues and learning disabilities and has dealt with High Court cases concerning vulnerable persons. Ayshea has extensive experience in handling complex private family cases including serious domestic violence, implacable hostility, sexual abuse. She has also dealt with High court cases concerning removal from the jurisdiction involving foreign jurisdictions and International legal treaties. Ayshea has been a tutor on the Bar Professional Training Course at BPP University Law School in Leeds from 2011 – to date. She has taught, produced teaching materials and examined in Family, Written Skills, Advocacy, Crime, Remedies, Professional Ethics and Personal Injury. If there is a particular area in which she can assist, her clerks will be extremely happy to arrange a lecture. Court of Protection & Adult Care Ayshea has extensive experience in all aspects of Court of Protection law involving Deprivation of liberty, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act. She has regularly appeared in the High Court representing Local Authorities, the Children's Guardian, ICB and protected persons. She has given a seminar on the cross over between the inherent jurisdiction and the Mental Capacity Act and is well versed in this rapidly evolving and complex area of law. Recent Seminars 22.1.24 - Crossover between Private and Public Family Law - Family Law conference 20.3.24 - Deprivation of Liberty and Children Seminar - PSQB Chambers

Ben joined Park Square Barristers as a tenant in July 2023 after cross qualifying and being Called to the Bar in July 2023. Ben was admitted as a solicitor in 2014 and in 2021 obtained his Higher Rights of Audience to become a Solicitor Advocate. Ben has appeared as advocate in-house on a range of Chancery & Commercial matters for various SMEs, individuals, partnerships and large financial lenders. Since cross qualifying, Ben has appeared in both the County Court and High Court / Business & Property Courts on a range of disputes, including business to business contractual disputes, insolvency matters, litigation relating to the Consumer Credit Act 1974 and disputes relating to regulated lending under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. As well as having advocacy experience at both trial and on interim applications, Ben has experience drafting pleadings (both particulars of claim and defences) and providing written advice. “I would definitely recommend Ben in the future, he was very informative and offered a genuine insight into the case. We found he was very reassuring with his advice and transparent regarding the options and risk management. He was also very professional, approachable and efficient. We were delighted with how he dealt with the matter expeditiously and also accomodated our request for a conference at short notice.” – Instructing Solicitor Ben has extensive experience in banking and finance litigation, acting in consumer credit and consumer rights litigation, disputes relating to legal and equitable mortgages and personal guarantees and indemnities, asset finance / invoice finance litigation, satisfactory quality disputes, financial mis-selling and property litigation; including claims relating to competing interests in land. Ben also specialises in commercial contract disputes and has recent experience acting in cases relating to architect disputes, damage to high value artwork, cross jurisdictional freight litigation, payment services disputes, insolvency proceedings (both personal and corporate) and shareholder disputes.

Ben Rigby-Beckett

Personal Injury Ben has developed a broad civil litigation practice with a particular focus on credit hire. Ben has attended small claims and fast track trials dealing with all aspects of credit hire litigation. In the small claims track, Ben regularly finds himself advancing arguments in respect of basic hire rates evidence and has successfully sought to apply debarring orders following a plea of impecuniosity which has not been made out. He is confident in advance a plea of impecuniosity when disclosure has been provided. Ben has a strong working knowledge of all credit hire matters having practised in this area for over 5 years. Ben routinely features as the sole Advocate on matters from “cradle to grave”, dealing with the case from the preparation of the Defence through to the trial of the matter. As to Ben’s personal injury practice, he has been instructed to attend trials which routinely feature issues in relation to causation of injury, low velocity impacts, phantom passengers and induced collisions. Where the evidence and circumstances merit, Ben is confident in inviting the Court to make findings pursuant to Civil Procedure Rule 44.16 and Section 57 of the Criminal Justice Act. Ben also handles large volumes of interlocutory hearings arising out of personal injury litigation. In particular, he is frequently the Advocate of choice in multi-track CCMCs which require cost budgeting to be undertaken in light of his extensive experience in legal costs. Ben has experience of preparing written advice to instructing solicitors on the appropriateness of proposals made for compensation for victims of crime under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012. Costs Ben’s legal career commenced in the complex area of legal costs. His early experience with legal costs were as a Law Costs Draftsman in specialised costs firm whereby he acted on behalf of multiple Claimant solicitor clients prior to the introduction of the LASPO reforms in 2013. In this role, Ben obtained significant experience in the drafting of bills of costs, points of dispute and replies and developed negotiating skills with clients and opponents. Thereafter, Ben moved in house and trained and qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in 2017, alongside his role as Head of Costs, in a large industrial disease firm of Solicitors. In this role, Ben managed a team of Costs Draftsmen and Administrators whilst handling his own case load, undertaking hearings and reporting to key stakeholders. Furthermore, he handled preliminary issue trials and JSMs convened solely in respect of recovery of legal costs following the settlement of a large group action. Ben’s experience until 2017 was almost exclusively focused on all aspects of legal cost recovery and the issues and arguments that ensue giving him a wealth of experience as to how to conduct litigation efficiently and in a cost effective manner. Ben joined a large Defendant insurance practice and has since developed a full civil insurance litigation practice. Ben continues to act regularly on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in respect of cost issues that have arisen during the substantive claim and following conclusion. Ben continues to act as the Advocate on hearings which include, but are not limited to, detailed assessment hearings, oral review hearings, applicability of fixed costs hearings and interim applications for declarations, payments on account and summary assessment. Ben is confident in drafting applications in respect of costs matters such as the pursuit of non-party costs orders and preparation of complex points of dispute and replies. Ben is experienced in dealing with wasted cost applications against legal representatives. He has experience of representing applicants and respondents to such application. He is confident in his understanding of the legal framework which governs wasted costs and can provide robust advice to the legal representative from contemplation of the application through to its conclusion. Property Ben is developing a property practice covering a wide range of areas, including possession and disrepair. He acts for both landlords and tenants in public and private cases and routinely appears at pre action disclosure applications, allocation hearings, interim applications, and trials. Ben has a growing paperwork practice in this area and is confident in preparing robust pleadings and written advice for both Claimants and Defendants. He is able to turn around paperwork promptly. Ben is confident in identifying the issues in any particular case and has been commended for his approachable manner by clients and instructing solicitors. He ensures that every case is presented in the strongest manner possible to achieve the best outcome for his client. Ben has also appeared on behalf of local authorities in the Magistrates Court seeking a closure notice pursuant to the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Casualty Fraud Ben secured tenancy at Park Square Barristers in 2022. Prior to joining Park Square Barristers, Ben worked within a dedicated in-house Advocacy team at a large Defendant insurance practice which specialises in credit hire. In this role, Ben has appeared at hearings across all tracks; including stage 3 hearings, OICP hearings, small claims trials, fast track interlocutory hearings, fast track trials and CCMCs on the multi-track. Alongside Ben’s busy Court practice, he has also developed a comprehensive paperwork practice, preparing legal documents for use in proceedings across all tracks and drafting formal written advice to insurer clients. Ben is efficient at turning around instructions in a timely manner and always seeks to provide constructive advice to clients in a clear and unambiguous manner. Ben regularly finds himself considering issues of fraud and whether the factual matrix of a particular case merits advancing such allegations. In considering such issues, Ben is confident in testing the evidence of witnesses through conference and thereafter providing detailed advice to clients on the credibility of the witness evidence with a view to formulating robust pleadings to advance the strongest possible case. Ben is often instructed to attend trial and deny the causation of alleged injuries based on the accident occurring at a low velocity. He frequently finds himself pursuing arguments pursuant Civil Procedure Rule 44.16 and Section 57 of the Criminal Justice Act when injuries appear exaggerated or fabricated. Ben has developed a broad practice of representing both Claimants and Defendants where allegations of fraud have been made.

Regulatory & Public Ranked in Tier 1 for Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety) in The Legal 500 2025 ), a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate and Joint Head of Chambers Consumer Protection Team Ben is a specialist Regulatory and Public Law Barrister who is often asked to advise early on in proceedings and has developed excellent relationships with those instructing. He has a nationwide practice. Environmental Ben is regularly instructed in prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency; and is often instructed to advise pre-charge. Instructions have included significant illegal waste sites, complex issues regarding prior insolvency and the ownership of the site. He is currently instructed to defend in a prosecution following a major tyre fire that occurred in Bradford in November 2020. He has experience of advising on civil orders relating to environmental risk, and has been involved in several applications for Restriction Orders in relation to illegal waste sites. Ben has a niche practice in cases investigated by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the Forestry Act 1967, and other similar enactments. He is often asked to advise on jurisdictional issues regarding such cases and in relation to the time limits for commencing proceedings. He was instructed in the first ever prosecution under The Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021 in relation to un-licenced burning on deep peat. This case was widely reported in the national media. Ben has been involved in several prosecutions relating to fishing law, both at sea and inshore and has a detailed knowledge of the legislation involved. These cases have been brought by the Marine Management Organisation, Inshore Fisheries Authorities, and the Environment Agency. Inquests & Inquiries Ben is instructed to represent interested persons at inquests. Recent instructions have included representing prison healthcare, and a local authority. There is a cross over between Ben’s work in food hygiene law, health and safety law and his inquest practice. He is currently instructed in an inquest following a death of a volunteer undertaking work in a park. Healthcare Regulatory Ben is also regularly instructed in relation to proceedings before the Care Standards Tribunal brought by the Care Quality Commission and has a detailed knowledge of this area. These have included appeals against refusal of registration and cancellation of registration. He has also been instructed in investigations involving the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales and therefore has knowledge of the different healthcare regulatory regime in Wales. He was instructed pre charge in relation to a prosecution involving the illegal storage of medical and veterinary products

Benjamin Caswell

Personal Injury For over 20 years Ben has had a thriving and high profile practice in all aspects of personal injury litigation, fatal accidents, and coroner’s inquests. Described variously by his instructing solicitors and direct access clients as "...always providing clear, concise advice" and as being "a barrister who will always fight your corner" he has represented lay clients and professional clients in cases at all levels of quantum from small claims to complex multi-track catastrophic injuries. He has been involved in litigation in the Court of Appeal concerning road traffic accidents, breach of statutory duties by employers and occupiers, and duties owed by trial Judges to give detailed reasons. Ben has particular expertise involving cases of pupil injury/ deaths in schools. Public Access Ben may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Commercial & Chancery Ben has a longstanding expertise in all aspects of property law, in particular residential and commercial landlord and tenant, property transfer, registration, possession actions, boundary disputes and rights of way, and disputes concerning chattels. He also has wide experience in probate and intestacy law, both litigious and non-litigious, including applications under the Inheritance Act 1975. Ben is happy to and regularly receives instructions in a direct access basis. Regulatory & Public Ben has been a specialist in all aspects of immigration law since 2000. He advises and assists clients in all areas including judicial review, asylum and human rights, entry clearance, appeals against refusal of leave to remain, family reunion and migration, visa applications and appeals, European Union/ Economic Area rights and appeals, points based system applications and appeals, administrative removal and deportation, and citizenship applications and revocation appeal hearing. Appeals by employers against civil penalty notices levied for alleged employment of workers without immigration status. Ben is happy to and regularly receives instructions on a direct access basis, and is thus experienced in drafting applications and appeal notices.

Caroline read law at The University of Buckingham. After completing her undergraduate degree she went on to complete a Masters degree in International and Commercial Law. Caroline was called to the Bar by Gray’s Inn in 1993. In 2002 Caroline was conditionally admitted to the Queensland Bar and practised for a short time in Brisbane before returning to the UK. Caroline has specialised in family law with a particular interest in children’s cases for over 20 years, both in private and public law proceedings. Caroline acts for Local Authorities, parents, intervenors and the children in proceedings and carries out an increasing amount of the High Court work. She conducts cases involving applications for care and supervision orders; contact with children in care; discharge of care orders; placement and adoption orders; kinship care and special guardianship orders. Her caseload ranges from neglect to acting for a parent after inflicted injuries resulted in the death of a baby. Her expertise is in dealing with all aspects of child abuse and neglect allegations, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse and cases involving allegations of fabricated illness. Caroline’s practise has involved the more usual type of cases including ritual abuse. Caroline has considerable experiencewithin private law of complex family conflicts within child arrangement hearings, including representation of the child in some cases. She has conducted cases which involve allegations of child abuse, domestic abuse, applications to remove from the Jurisdiction and specific issue orders. She has conducted finding of fact hearings within private law proceedings.

Caroline McGurk

Caroline brings to the Bar 18 years’ prosecutorial experience that encompasses the life of a criminal case; from advising the police at the pre-charge stage to prosecuting effective jury trials. She has prosecuted the full range of criminal offences from speeding to murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and rape. Caroline qualified as a solicitor in 2003, following the completion of a training contract with the Magistrates’ Courts Service. She joined the Crown Prosecution Service later that year and spent the first eight years of her prosecutorial career in magistrates’ courts units as a full-time advocate and reviewing lawyer before joining the Crown Court Unit as a Crown Advocate in 2012. She spent one year as a full time Crown Advocate, prosecuting cases at grade two, before the Unit was re-structured. She spent the next two years dealing with volume Crown Court case preparation. In 2015, she reverted to the role of Senior Crown Prosecutor during another re-structure and joined the Allocated Trials Unit. It was at this point that she began dealing with major investigations, such as murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, drugs related operations and high value frauds. Caroline’s tenure in the Allocated Trials Unit was dominated by two particular cases in which murder and manslaughter were alleged. Her handling of those cases, which proceeded to trial despite disclosure issues, led her to her appointment as the Disclosure Lead for the Unit. She then joined the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit in 2018, where she dealt with numerous rape allegations, including non-recent matters. Caroline left the Crown Prosecution Service in 2021, at which point she was seconded to an Allocated Trials Unit in the east of England, where she had conduct of of over 130 Crown Court cases.

Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Caroline specialises in all areas of personal injury and fatal accidents, including disease, limitation hearings and clinical negligence. She acts on behalf of both claimants and defendants in claims valued from fast track to multi track and appears in courts nationwide. Caroline has specialised in disease claims for several years. She represents both Claimants and Defendants. She is regularly instructed in noise induced hearing loss claims and is fully familiar with both the CLB Guidelines 2000 and the LCB Guidelines 2015 and also calculation of the NIL. She has experience of mesothelioma and HAVS claims up to and including trial. In addition to trials, Caroline has appeared at numerous limitation hearings, including appeals. She attends CCMC’s on those claims allocated to the Multi – track. Caroline is familiar with the caselaw in support of Defendant’s obtaining their own medical evidence in claims allocated to the fast track. She drafts part 35 questions to engineering and medical experts. Disease claims often involve historic employment. Caroline has advised and appeared at numerous interim hearings concerning the identity of the correct defendant, issues arising from insolvency of the defendant and TUPE transfers Caroline is instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants, including private hospitals and Defence Unions, in relation to Clinical negligence claims. She accepts CFA instructions where appropriate. Caroline also represents interested parties at inquests into deaths in a healthcare setting, which assists with her understanding of the medical background in clinical negligence claims. She has acted pro bono for families at inquests, instructed by AvMA. As a former solicitor she is familiar with dealing with costs. Caroline provides representation at detailed assessment hearings and regularly attends CCMC’s. She has obtained orders disapplying QOCS following findings of exaggeration and fundamental dishonesty and following strike out consequent on disappearance of the claimant. She is familiar with the rules and procedure in relation to wasted costs having obtained wasted costs orders against firms where the solicitor continued acting without instructions and following non-disclosure on without notice applications. Commercial & Chancery Caroline has gained extensive experience of debt recovery / enforcement proceedings such as applications for charging orders, possession hearings, insolvency, winding up and bankruptcy. She has also provided representation in respect of contractual disputes between business and consumers, involving the Sale and Supply of Goods and Services Act and the Consumer Credit Act. She also has experience of interpleader proceedings. She finds her experience of debt recovery/ enforcement assists in giving practical, commercial advice about the merits of pursuing contractual claims. Caroline has appeared in numerous possession hearings acting on behalf of mortgagor, mortgagee and landlord and tenant. She has also acted in claims for disrepair, unlawful eviction and anti-social behaviour orders, injunctions and committals. Caroline is also instructed in professional negligence claims against other professionals arising from clinical negligence and personal injury work including issuing proceedings outside limitation, an issue with which she has vast experience as a result of dealing with disease litigation on a regular basis. Regulatory & Public Caroline provides representation at inquests and pre – inquest reviews. She is particularly interested in inquests arising in healthcare settings, road traffic accidents and accidents at work which dovetail with her clinical negligence and personal injury practice. She is prepared to attend inquests on a CFA. Following conclusion of the inquest, but before publication of a Regulation 28 report relating to loss of JS’s CPAP machine, the trust’s representatives wrote to the Coroner challenging the making of the Regulation 28 (PFD) report. Caroline made representations that the Coroner had no authority to retrospectively withdraw the duty to make a Regulation 28 report relying, inter alia, on the case of R (Dr Siddiqui and Dr Paeprer-Rohricht) -v- Assistant Coroner for East London and the PFD was published thereafter.

Caroline Shields

Court of Protection & Adult Care Caroline is the Head of the Court of Protection Team at Park Square Barristers. Caroline is an experienced practitioner who practices in mental capacity law in both welfare (social and medical) and property and affairs matters. She is a strong advocate who regularly appears in the High Court, Court of Protection, and the Family Court. She has particular experience in dealing with deprivation of liberty matters which involve young people whose needs are considered under the Inherent Jurisdiction and subsequently transferred to the Court of Protection; and matters involving the interplay of issues arising from the applicability of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Care Act 2014. Caroline's practice in property and affairs matters involves disputes relating to LPAs, Deputyship Orders and related applications, providing representation for private individuals and local authorities. Her experience in welfare matters, and background in family law, gives her a valuable insight into the impact of "coercive control" as it relates to financial matters and the difficulties for vulnerable parties in navigating the legal process. Caroline is published in the Family Law Journal where she discusses medical treatment decisions, and the relationship between diagnoses and assessments of capacity: “A Paternalistic Approach to Capacity: who ‘controls’ when someone may take their own life” [2023] Fam Law 660 June 2023; and “Pregnant Women and the Court of Protection” to be published in the December 2024 issue. Clients include individual applicants, including via the Official Solicitor; government departments; and NHS Trusts. Caroline is also a regular speaker at seminar and training events and can provide bespoke training for professional clients. Caroline is respected by judges and colleagues for the quality of her written submissions and case preparation, and is well liked by clients for her robust but sensitive approach. Instructing solicitors appreciate her consistency in communication and willingness to tackle difficult issues. Caroline has completed the Bar Council’s Vulnerable Witness training, having originally arranged training for family barristers in 2016/2017 when she was the secretary of the North Eastern Circuit FLBA. Caroline has dual UK/Australian nationality, and completed her undergraduate studies in Sydney before returning to the UK to focus on a legal career. She was called to the bar by the Middle Temple in 2006, commencing pupillage in London shortly thereafter. Since 2009 Caroline has been based in Leeds, and has been a member of chambers since 2010. Caroline has been Head of the Court of Protection Team at Park Square Barristers since 2022. She is also a pupil supervisor to COP and Family pupils, her recent pupil joining chambers as a tenant in 2023. Children Law Caroline is a family law specialist. She has practiced family law, and family-related civil law, since 2008. She represents local authorities, parents and children’s guardians in both public and private children law applications. Care proceedings Caroline is an experienced practitioner who is instructed in complex care proceedings before the High Court, including applications under the inherent jurisdiction (for example, in respect of applications for deprivation of liberty (DOL) and recovery of children abroad) and at circuit judge level, in matters involving allegations of fabricated illness, historic sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, neglect, non-accidental injury and significant drug and alcohol abuse; and jurisdictional issues. She represents parents, children (as instructed by CAFCASS), interveners and local authorities, and is experienced in working with vulnerable adults and those affected by disability. She has been judicially commended for the quality of her written submissions and case preparation, and is well liked by clients for her robust but sensitive approach. Instructing solicitors appreciate her consistency in communication and willingness to tackle difficult issues on behalf of her clients. Private law Caroline is regularly instructed in private family law matters, including private law applications concerning the welfare and living arrangements for children; applications under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003; Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007; Family Law Act 1986 &1996; Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (civil), both at short notice and for trial. Training Caroline is available to provide training via chambers. Caroline has been a keen supporter of the wellbeing initiative within Chambers. She was responsible for organising a wellbeing and back-to-work seminar run by Wendy Showell Nicholas, psychotherapist, to address the concerns of working or returning to work during the pandemic whilst also managing other caring commitments. Caroline has been a mentor via BPP.

Catherine Duffy

Catherine is a very experienced practitioner who prosecutes and defends serious crime including murder and serious violence, serious sexual offences, organised crime, firearms offences and large scale financial crime. Catherine is an approved RASSO prosecutor. She is adept at dealing with cases involving children, parties with learning or mental difficulties and parties where there is a language barrier. Catherine is experienced in cross examining vulnerable witnesses and has significant experience in section 28 cases. Catherine is frequently instructed in cases which require particularly sensitive handling. Catherine is an approved member of the Serious Crime Panel. She is frequently instructed in complex, multi handed cases involving large volumes of technical information. Catherine regularly deals with public interest immunity and sensitive disclosure issues. She has been instructed in Preston briefings and cases involving intercept material on a number of occasions. Notable cases: Complex Case Unit Prosecutions Operation Railbird – Prosecuting large scale conspiracy to supply drugs, involving 11 Defendants. Over 90,000 pages of detailed documentary evidence as well as complex telephone evidence and sophisticated undercover surveillance. Complex Case Unit prosecution – Junior counsel. Operation Yesler – Prosecuting complex fraud centred on financial transactions involving Western Union in both UK and around the world. 8 defendants. Complex Case Unit prosecution – Junior Counsel. Murder/Serious Violence Offences R v Dormer – Murder – Prosecution junior counsel – successful prosecution of a female charged with the murder of her male partner. The case was appealed to the Court of Appeal. Catherine was responsible for preparing the respondent’s notice and written submissions. The appeal was dismissed. R v Castree – Murder of an 11 year old child in 1975, following the wrongful conviction and successful appeal of Stefan Kiszko (V.H.C.C). A high profile case with national media coverage. Junior prosecution counsel. R v Majid – Defence Junior in a multi handed violent disorder. Successful submission of no case to answer. Serious Sexual Offences R v E – Section 28 case – 16 year old boy charged with sexual assault of a 9 year old girl. R v Hamilton-Eve – Defendant charged with sexual communication with a child. R v Mumford – Sunday school teacher charged with historic sexual offences on a child. R v Marr – Rape – 2 complainants, both gave evidence via video link. Oral evidence given by the forensic scientist and medical expert. Conspiracy and Drugs Offences R v Tempski – Conspiracy to import over 10 million cigarettes into the UK and evade VAT to the tune of £2 million. R v Ali and Ishaq – Prosecuting multi-handed possession of class A drugs with intent to supply. Confiscation order made with a benefit figure in the sum of approximately £900,000. Fraud and Theft Offences R v Henderson – Defending a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud. R v Windass – Defending a multi-handed theft from employer. Other Crime R v Nightingale – Possession of a firearm (loaded sworn off shotgun). Minimum term sentence provisions applied. R v Bainbridge – Female charged with perverting the course of justice after making a false allegation of serious sexual assault against a police officer. R v Pepper – Father charged with 2 counts of child cruelty relating to his own children. R v McGhie – Female charged with assaulting her 3 year old son and thereby occasioning him actual bodily harm.

Catherine Silverton

Crime Ranked in Chambers and Partners (2025) and Tier 1 for Crime in The Legal 500 (2025). Catherine Silverton is a criminal specialist with over 20 years of experience. She defends and prosecutes in some of the most serious and high-profile cases in the Crown Court, including homicide, firearms, drugs, fraud, sexual offences and violence. Catherine is regularly instructed as a leading junior, often in cases where her opponent is in silk. Catherine is an advocacy trainer, was pupil supervisor to two of the most talented juniors on circuit and sits as a Crown Court Recorder. Catherine undertakes work on both a Legal Aid and a private basis. Regulatory & Public Catherine is an experienced advocate who was recommended in the 2025 editions of The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. She has a background in general crime, much of which involved the prosecution or defence of financial offences, and has experience in a multitude of regulatory and disciplinary areas. She has been involved in cases brought by many specialist prosecuting authorities, including the Department for Trade and Industry (now BIS), HMRC, the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and the Child Support Agency. She has prosecuted on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions since 2002, both as sole counsel and as junior. Catherine has appeared as a leading junior in a complex and wide-reaching case involving breach of VOSA regulations alongside other offences of fraud. In early 2014, she was involved in a multi-handed large-scale fraud prosecuted by the Trading Standards Agency. Catherine has had involvement with the Police Federation in her capacity defending a serving police officer from the Metropolitan Police Service for offences of grooming and indecent assault. Catherine also has experience of appearing at the Coroner's Court. Public Access Catherine may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Catherine Mason

Children Law Catherine undertakes all aspects of both public and private Children Act proceedings in all courts, representing applicants or respondents. She is a strong advocate: her submissions are often referred to as forceful and persuasive. She prepares thoroughly for trial and is effective in cross-examination. She gives realistic advice from the outset and has strong negotiation skills, enabling her to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation. However, she is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence and she performs well in court. Catherine enjoys a challenge and has undertaken a number of unusual and high-profile cases. She prefers to follow cases through to their conclusion but is also willing to undertake shorter hearings. She prefers to work together with instructing solicitors and often advises at short notice on drafting and procedure. Catherine has a good track record of succeeding in defending care and placement applications against the recommendations of the local authority and children’s guardian. Her very good working medical knowledge enables Catherine to undertake detailed analysis of expert evidence. She has undertaken numerous cases which involve serious non-accidental injuries to children, often appearing against Queen’s Counsel. She also has a particular aptitude for analysis of facts and the testing of evidence. Family Finance Catherine has a growing practice in financial remedies and often undertakes both the financial and Children Act private law proceedings arising out of particularly difficult and intractable relationship breakdowns. She has undertaken high-value cases involving pensions, businesses, property abroad and interests of third parties, including TOLATA applications, but equally recognises the importance of achieving an appropriate settlement where there are more modest means available for division. Her negotiation skills enable Catherine to work towards agreement, where possible, but she performs well in court and prepares thoroughly for trial. Catherine gives realistic advice from the outset to help lay clients and instructing solicitors work towards settlement rather than litigation but is not afraid to challenge seemingly insurmountable evidence when necessary. Catherine is a strong advocate, with her submissions often being referred to as forceful and persuasive. She is effective in cross-examination. Court of Protection & Adult Care Catherine has advised on Court of Protection matters and her experience dealing with child-care matters, both public and private, means she is well-attuned to the sensitivities required when conducting litigation in respect of vulnerable individuals. She enjoys a challenge and has undertaken a number of unusual and high-profile cases. She has a good track record of success when defending care and placement applications which go against the recommendations of the local authority and children’s guardian. Catherine has a very good working knowledge of medical matters, and can undertake detailed analysis of expert evidence. She has handled numerous cases involving serious non-accidental injuries to children, and has often appeared against Queen’s Counsel. She has particular skills in the analysis of facts and testing of evidence. She prefers to follow cases through to conclusion, but will undertake shorter hearings. She prefers to work with instructing solicitors, and often advises at short notice on drafting and procedure.

Celine has commenced her mixed pupillage under the supervision of Charlotte Worsley and Kate Batty, with an emphasis on criminal and family law. Celine completed her Law degree at Durham University. Whilst studying, Celine was appointed Pro Bono Project Director for Families in Care, a charity based in the North-East of England. Within this role, Celine managed a team who supported parents throughout care proceedings. Celine attended hearings with parents, advised them on potential prospects of success upon appeal and guided them through family court processes. Whilst elected as Vice President of Undergraduate students for her college, Celine initiated a First-Generation Students’ Forum, widening accessibility and participation into Higher Education. During her degree, Celine also mentored and tutored Syrian refugees. Within these experiences Celine communicated with and advocated for a broad-ranging clientele and it was these experiences, alongside her pro bono efforts, which led Celine to be gifted an Unsung Hero Award by her University College. Celine completed her Dissertation on Re W and the child’s participation in the family courts, receiving a First-Class mark for her research, later published in the Durham Law Review. She received a scholarship based on proposing this research as a Master of Jurisprudence. During her Barrister Training Course, Celine worked as a paralegal in a family law solicitors’ firm in Bradford, undertaking work concerning public law care proceedings. Within this role, Celine represented clients at Case Management Hearings and in the Magistrates’ Court, attended conferences with clients and drafted a variety of statements of case. From this experience, Celine honed her practical advocacy skills whilst developing an ability to prioritise client care in highly sensitive cases including those of non-accidental injury, neglect, sexual abuse and so-called honour-based violence. Celine is interested in developing a criminal practice which spans a wide range of offences. During her Barrister Training, Celine obtained Very Competent and Outstanding marks in her criminal advocacy, which she will utilise across her practice. Celine has deployed these advocacy skills whilst competing in a variety of advocacy and mooting competitions throughout her higher education. Celine has also undertaken specialist training in partnership with Rape Crisis before then going on to support survivors of sexual violence who were either experiencing or considering prosecution. Recently, Celine has been aiding elderly individuals to draft Lasting Powers of Attorney, honing her ability to prioritise the needs of senior and potentially vulnerable clients.

Charlie Thompson

Crime Charlie acts for both the prosecution and the defence in a variety of cases in the magistrates’ court and the crown court. Charlie has secured favourable outcomes for the Crown in numerous cases of a sensitive nature, including sexual offences and domestic abuse cases. Charlie prides himself on his ability to quickly get to grips with the issues in a case with limited time. He frequently receives positive feedback when communicating with witnesses as he is able to delicately address sensitive issues with care. Regarding his written advocacy, Charlie is familiar with and has drafted written hearsay applications and numerous sentencing notes. Charlie is often praised for his ability to fairly and concisely summarise the facts of a case in his sentencing notes, considerably simplifying the sentencing process for the Bench. Charlie also has experience prosecuting matters in the Youth Court and is able to cross-examine youths and vulnerable witnesses appropriately and in line with the advocacy toolkits. Charlie represents lay clients from all walks of life, however he is often instructed in cases involving clients between the ages of 18 and 25. He finds that his own age and down-to-earth conferencing style helps him to develop a rapport with his younger clients. Charlie also has experience with more complex areas of law, including fitness to plead and abuse of process. He has experience of representing serving members of the armed forces in Court Martials. Charlie provides “firm but fair” advice to lay clients where necessary, but will always be willing to fight his client’s corner. Charlie has represented clients charged with, inter alia, the production of cannabis, theft, dangerous driving, domestic assaults and affray. Charlie has acted for clients in committals for sentence and has successfully secured suspended sentences for his clients. Charlie has also secured acquittals during trials, most notably on one occasion securing an acquittal for an offence of theft in which his client was viewed on CCTV picking up a phone belonging to another. Charlie often represents those in breach of their suspended sentence orders and community orders, acting persuasively to allow his clients to have another chance. Civil Charlie acts for Claimants and Defendants in personal injury cases mainly concerning workplace accidents, road traffic collisions and actions against the police. Charlie is instructed by insurance companies to defend small claims road traffic collision matters. He is also familiar with and has defended in credit hire matters. He prides himself on his ability to effectively break down Claimant cases in road traffic matters and uses knowledge from his criminal practice to effectively cross-examine on the various rules of the road. He is praised for his client care and always takes the additional time to properly prepare his witnesses for the nerve-wracking process of giving evidence. Charlie also acts for Claimants in fast-track workplace accidents and actions against the police. He maintains a frank and realistic approach with lay clients, always willing to give robust advice where necessary. He ensures that clients have full knowledge and advice of the various options before them at any given time from the pre-action stage right up to trial. Regulatory Charlie represents applicants detained under the Mental Health Act in first-tier mental health tribunals. He prides himself on his ability to build rapport with his lay clients quickly and effectively. He will always take the time to listen intently to clients to understand their desires and instructions. His clients appreciate that he takes the necessary time to properly explain the often nerve-wracking and confusing process of being detained under the Mental Health Act. He ensures that his clients have realistic expectations during proceedings and are aware of the options available to the tribunal. Charlie frequently prosecutes for local authorities in cases concerning school attendance. He has acted in trials, sentences and initial hearings. He is praised for his ability to effectively highlight and summarise the pertinent elements of his cases, thereby allowing tribunals to quickly get to grips with the local authority’s case. Charlie has also effectively utilised case law to counter the ‘unavoidable cause’ defence that is often relied upon by Defendants.

Charlotte Baines

Crime Charlotte Baines has a wealth of experience prosecuting and defending in serious crime. Her practice encompasses murder, fatal road traffic offences, serious violence, conspiracies involving drugs and dishonesty, firearms offences and serious sexual offences. Charlotte is recognised as a highly capable advocate and for her ability to engage with clients from all backgrounds. She has a down to earth approach that enables a positive rapport to be built with lay and professional clients. Charlotte is a very experienced trial advocate. She is particularly skilled at finding the right balance required in dealing with sensitive, traumatic and often complex evidence and effective cross examination. She is an expert in the presentation of such evidence to a jury in a comprehensible and pragmatic manner. Charlotte has significant and invaluable experience in the cross examination of vulnerable and child witnesses and conducting section 28 hearings. Charlotte has acted as a leading junior in complex cases involving care home abuse, Organised Crime Groups and sexual offending. She has a breadth and depth of experience in dealing with expert evidence in areas such as pathology, DNA, forensic accounting, drugs analysis, medical evidence and cell site analysis. Charlotte is well known for her empathetic and understanding approach in cases where witnesses or clients are vulnerable and labour under mental health difficulties. She recognises the complexities that can often arise and is confident in dealing with the challenges such cases can bring. She has advised on psychiatric issues, dealt with experts prior to court attendances and cross examined psychiatrists. She has conducted fitness to plead and fact-finding hearings on behalf of both the Prosecution and Defence. Charlotte is happy to advise at the pre-charge stage of cases for the Prosecution and Defence. She appreciates that continuity in representation is very important and is always willing to hold pre-trial conferences and meetings as part of the case preparation process.

Charlotte Worsley KC

Appointed as King’s Counsel in March 2022 Charlotte is a specialist Family Law silk ranked in the 2025 editions of Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Charlotte is a specialist Family Law Silk. She specialises in contentious and highly complex cases. Public Law – Charlotte specialises in contentious and highly complex cases. She is sought after to represent parents, Children’s Guardians, Local Authorities and young people who are competent to instruct their own legal representatives. She has significant experience of lengthy cases involving exceptionally complex medical evidence involving death or catastrophic injuries to a child, non accidental injuries, shaken baby syndrome, fabricated induced illness, honour based abuse, forced marriage, sexual abuse, child exploitation and radicalisation. She has extensive experience of cases involving the most vulnerable clients including those without litigation capacity. She is often instructed on cases involving difficult legal issues under the Inherent Jurisdiction relating to medical treatment issues, best interest decisions, wardship, and deprivation of liberty. She has extensive experience of cases involving the most vulnerable clients including those without litigation capacity and the interplay with the Mental Health Act 1983. Private Law – Charlotte is experienced in cases involving the most serious issues of domestic abuse, alienating behaviours, emotional abuse, coercive and controlling behaviours, physical and sexual abuse. She undertakes cases involving international and relocation (both internal and external) arguments including abduction. She also advises and has experience in cases involving declarations of parentage, fertility law, surrogacy and adoption. Approach Charlotte Worsley is regarded as fierce but fair in her advocacy. She is very approachable with a strong reputation. She is a superb communicator, she is a robust advocate whilst remaining sensitive and approachable to lay and professional clients. She frequently deals with cases involving issues of cultural sensitivity, with interpreters and intermediaries to assist clients participate. Charlotte can always be contacted to advise in care or private law proceedings and to assist by telephone and email. Training Charlotte regularly delivers Seminars and Lectures, locally and nationally to colleagues, solicitors, professional clients and students.

Chelsea Brooke-Ward

Employment Before embarking on a career in law Chelsea was a very successful business owner. Being an employer, Chelsea developed a keen interest in Employment Law, which fuelled her ambition to join the Bar. Chelsea quickly developed experience in Employment Litigation through pro bono and consultancy work she undertook with various employment firms in Leeds before starting her pupillage at Park Square Barristers. Chelsea has been quick to develop a busy practice here at Park Square Barristers within the Employment Team and is regularly instructed on behalf of both Claimants and Respondents. She has become a main source of referral to advise on the merits of successful claims, on behalf of insurance companies. Chelsea was recently instructed in a 4-day unfair dismissal tribunal. It was a complex case involving child protection issues, and the gross misconduct of an experienced social worker, with a bundle spanning more than 1000 pages, it dealt with complex investigations and detailed safeguarding policies. Commerical & Chancery Prior to commencing pupillage, Chelsea was employed as a Litigation Executive, where she gained extensive experience in civil, commercial and chancery litigation. Her caseload ranged from high value breach of contract claims against government bodies, high value contested probate matters, and complex bankruptcy disputes. Chelsea also grew a healthy clientele within property litigation. She has advised and represented clients in boundary disputes, landlord and tenant disputes, leasehold disputes, possession claims and housing disrepair. Recently she has successfully represented the Claimant in a complex building construction dispute where the issues involved both breach of Building Regulations and the Building Contract. She has recently appeared in the Civil Appeal Court in Leeds where she was instructed to represent the Claimant in an appeal against a Deputy District Judges decision to strike out a claim for an Abuse of Process following a claim being pursued against a non-existent company after the company was deregistered from the companies register and thereby proceedings being a nullity. Personal Injury Prior to her pupillage Chelsea gained experience of representing clients in personal injury matters in road traffic accidents, employers/occupier’s liability, holiday sickness and industrial disease claims on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in the firm where she previously worked. Chelsea has recently appeared in the Civil Appeal Court in Leeds where she was instructed to represent the Claimant in an appeal against a Deputy District Judges Decision to strike out a claim for an Abuse of Process. Regulatory & Public Chelsea undertakes a range of Police work on behalf of the Chief Constable, specialising in firearms/shotgun appeals under the Firearms Act 1968, Domestic Violence Protection Orders and Forced Marriage Protection Orders. She has also developed a healthy criminal practice. She regularly appears on behalf of both the Prosecution and the Defence and has recently been approved as a Grade 1 Prosecutor. She is quickly developing a healthy defence practice particularly for members of the Armed Forces appearing at the Court Martial. Crime Chelsea has also developed a healthy criminal practice. She regularly appears on behalf of both the Prosecution and the Defence and has recently been approved as a Grade 1 Prosecutor. She is quickly developing a healthy defence practice particularly for members of the Armed Forces appearing at the Court Martial.

Christian Mills

Commercial & Chancery Prior to beginning pupillage, Christian worked as an Advocate at DWF Chambers. There, he undertook his own caseload and completed more than 80 hearings, ranging from interlocutory application hearings to Small Claims Track trials. Further, Christian was regularly asked to draft particulars of claim and advise on procedural issues and prospects of success. As a result, Christian has a strong and practical understanding of the litigation process, and a reassuring manner with clients and witnesses. As an Advocate, Christian gained experience in commercial litigation and has been successful in acting for both claimants and defendants in disputes arising from the breach of commercial contracts. These disputes centred largely on technical issues of contractual interpretation and formation of contract. Christian is particularly experienced in representing claimants and defendants in credit-hire matters, and acting for petitioning creditors in insolvency proceedings. With an excellent understanding of the key legal principles at play in these areas, Christian is able to quickly grasp the material issues and advise accordingly. Prior to his work as an Advocate, Christian worked as a Paralegal at one of the leading global law firms, DLA Piper UK LLP. As a Paralegal, he had oversight of the defence to hundreds of PPI claims against a client base consisting of large banks. These claims concerned valid compromise payment wording and strengthened Christian’s understanding of and interest in the field of contractual interpretation. He worked closely with instructing solicitors and legal directors in defending clients throughout the litigation process, strengthening his ability to sensitively understand client concerns, think commercially, and manage expectations. He is adept at drafting defences, witness statements and interim applications. Between his work as a Paralegal and an Advocate, Christian completed the Barrister Training Course along with a Master of Laws in Legal Practice, achieving a Distinction in both. Beyond his academic achievements, Christian has an extensive list of extra-curricular achievements. He was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Inner Temple Commercial Law Moot, and was a key member of the team that won the ‘Best Written Brief’ Award in the 2023 International Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion. The team’s written brief was so impressive that the competition judges inaugurated the award to be henceforth awarded annually. Personal Injury Prior to beginning pupillage, Christian worked as an Advocate at DWF Chambers. There, he undertook his own caseload and completed more than 80 hearings, ranging from interlocutory application hearings to Small Claims Track trials. Further, Christian was regularly asked to draft particulars of claim and advise on procedural issues and prospects of success. This experience has given him a strong and practical understanding of the litigation process, and a reassuring manner with clients and witnesses. As an Advocate, Christian gained experience in disputes between insurance companies and has been successful in acting for both claimants and defendants in RTAs and credit-hire trials. He has developed a strong understanding of personal injury matters through regularly acting in Stage 3, infant settlement approval, OIC liability and quantum hearings. This has strengthened his ability to identify and challenge issues with causation, and helped him become adept at identifying material issues quickly and managing client expectations. Between his work as a Paralegal and an Advocate, Christian completed the Barrister Training Course along with a Master of Laws in Legal Practice, achieving a Distinction in both. Beyond his academic achievements, Christian has an extensive list of extra-curricular achievements. He was a semi-finalist in the 2022 Inner Temple Commercial Law Moot, and was a key member of the team that won the ‘Best Written Brief’ Award in the 2023 International Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion. The team’s written brief was so impressive that the competition judges inaugurated the award to be henceforth awarded annually.

Christopher Rafferty

Commercial & Chancery Chris practises across the entire spectrum of commercial, chancery and property work. He has experience in litigation resulting from appeals, having conducted appellate litigation at the High Court in Judicial Review and Case Stated proceedings and through handling appeals of case management decisions and adverse costs orders. Chris maintains a practice in several key areas including the sale of goods, construction of contracts and credit agreements. In small claim and fast track hearings Chris is very experienced with credit hire litigation, both bringing and defending claims. He has often successfully argued issues of misrepresentation and enforceability of contracts, being fully conversant with the complex legislation in this area. Chris is instructed regularly in cases involving wills and probate, TOLATA, professional negligence, regulatory and disciplinary work. Moreover Chris undertakes landlord and tenant work including Housing more generally: Disrepair Tenancy deposits Forfeiture Renewal of tenancies Chris also has an interest in land disputes involving issues of restrictive covenants, easements and rights of way, proprietary estoppel and ownership. Chris undertakes work in respect of a variety of applications associated with bankruptcy and winding-up petitions. Chris also is regularly instructed on behalf of Registered Social Landlords, Local Authorities, private landlords, and tenants across the spectrum of Housing Law. He maintains an expertise in public and private residential landlord and tenant possessions and unlawful eviction claims. Such claims involve issues of succession, rent arrears, ASB and other breaches of tenancy. Chris is often instructed to represent landlords and tenants in claims with issues relating to harassment, unlawful eviction and breaches of covenants. Moreover, Chris has extensive experience with disrepair claims, ASB and homelessness appeals, and is familiar with the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Equality Act 2010 and has appeared in claims in which possession orders are sought against travellers. Recent cases have involved complex homelessness appeals, multi-track final hearings in disrepair and counterclaims involving set-off, final hearing ASB possession claims, and committals for breach of exclusion and injunction orders. Personal Injury Chris specialises in personal injury claims on behalf of both Claimant and Defendant clients, predominantly in medium to high value Fast Track and Multi Track disputes and at all stages of proceedings. He has extensive experience in RTA and EL/PL litigation, regularly appearing in claims involving issues of causation, LVIs, credit hire and fraud. Chris maintains a busy practice in clinical negligence, conducting litigation involving complex issues of vicarious liability in claims with serious injury and trauma at their centre. He further acts in claims relating to industrial diseases such as Multi-Track NIHL whilst maintaining expertise in Highways Act claims and travel law. Chris has experience in bringing and defending claims within foreign jurisdictions and, having studied French law and European law in continental universities and being a fluent French speaker, is able to directly assist with such claims. Chris has been involved in credit hire litigation since the start of his practice in 2012 and has appeared on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants at all levels, from straightforward small claim hearings to complex multi-track hearings. Chris has particular experience in claims involving fleet vehicles.

Christopher Machin

Personal Injury Christopher is known for his detailed case analysis, client-focused approach and thorough cross-examination skills. He accepts instructions from claimants and defendants across all areas of personal injury work, including: road traffic litigation; public liability claims; employers’ liability cases; travel sickness cases; occupiers’ liability claims; industrial disease matters; claims arising out of assaults and batteries; professional negligence claims; and credit hire. His practice involves: advising in person and in writing; drafting all types of pleadings; attending all types of interim hearings; multi-track, fast track and small claims track trials and disposal hearings; MOJ Stage 3 hearings; and Commercial & Chancery Christopher accepts instructions in all areas of commercial, chancery and property work. In addition, he is an ADR-ODR International accredited civil/commercial mediator. Christopher acts for both landlords and tenants in public and private cases, and accepts instructions in cases involving: possession proceedings; anti-social behaviour; disrepair; homelessness; unlawful eviction; trespass; committals; and all types of injunctions. Crime Christopher prosecutes and defends and has experience in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. Christopher also accepts instructions in the Youth Court, and having been a teacher previously, he is ideally placed to deal with young people and can quickly build a rapport with them.

Christopher Baker

Much in demand, Chris appears in courts at the more northern end of the circuit. Compassionate and fearless he has extensive experience before juries and is an advocate with an enviable track record of success. Practice Areas: Rape and other serious sexual offences Complex fraud and financial offending Courts Martial cases involving members of the armed forces Cases involving immigration and people trafficking offences Multi-handed drugs offences Murder and manslaughter Other offences involving fatalities, including motoring offences and accidents at work Regulatory offences, involving breaches of Health and Safety or Trading Standards legislation Professional misconduct hearings Serious violence and public disorder Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings, including those where third party interests arise+

Christopher Morrison

Chris accepts instructions in all aspects of criminal law for both the defence and the prosecution and routinely handles matters of gravity in every field of criminal litigation, including Homicide, Serious Assault, Drug Trafficking, Rape and other Sexual Offences, Public Order, Robbery, Fraud and dishonesty allegations and specialist Road Traffic and POCA cases. He also has many reported Court of Appeal decisions to his name. Chris accepts instructions in family law cases, in particular those concerning child arrangements and care applications. Chris also accepts instructions in general civil matters, including Public Law matters with particular application to the remit of local authorities. He has been continually accredited by the Bar Council to accept Direct Access instructions effectively since the inception of the scheme.

Christopher Wood

Crime Chris is an experienced criminal practitioner, dealing with prosecution and defence, which encompasses all parts of criminal law including serious violence, drug trafficking, firearms, and sexual offences. He provides a dedicated service to every case he is involved in and utilises his knowledge to analyse cases, prepare them and present them fully. He has experience of dealing with cases involving young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants. He has a detailed understanding of Proceeds of Crime and is highly skilled in dealing with the complexities which arise in such cases. He is regularly instructed on applications to vary restraint orders, vary confiscation orders, enforcement proceedings and much more. Chris has also appeared before the Court Martial, defending serving personal and is happy to travel to deal with such matters. Between 2014 and 2018 Chris was involved in extensive research regarding biometric evidence in criminal cases. He specifically examined the way in which such evidence can be used cross-border and international mutual assistance arrangements to tackle serious organised crime, sexual offences and terrorism. His research contributed to the UK Parliament decision to become signatories to the Prüm Treaty. Chris has presented several papers at national and international conferences addressing topics on evidence and biometric evidence, criminal procedure and terrorism. Chris is a Grade 3 Prosecutor in General Crime and POCA Specialist Panels, and Grade 2 on the Serious Organised Crime Specialist Panel. Children Law Public Law - He has been instructed to represent the local authorities, parents, grandparents, children and interveners in care proceedings and other public law proceedings. He is regularly instructed in cases involving serious allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. He has experience of representing vulnerable clients and supporting them throughout proceedings and is similarly very good at dealing with highly emotional and volatile clients. Private Law - Chris has predominantly represented parents and grandparents in a variety of private law matters. He has dealt with cases involving difficult and complex child arrangement issues, such as contact. He has been instructed to represent parents in private law finding of fact hearings as well as cases involving serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse. Chris also has also previously been instructed in various Family Law Act applications including non-molestation orders and committal applications. Commercial & Insurance Chris has experience of representing parties at hearings and conducting cases involving charging orders, Bankruptcy and Insolvency matters and breach of contract. He has experience of dealing with multi-track and fact track trials. Family Finance Chris takes instructions in relation to all aspects of family property and finances which arise following marital separation and separation of cohabitees.He often appears at First Directions Appointments, Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings and Final Hearings. Chris has experience of dealing with cases that involve: Family Trusts, Foreign Property, Pensions and Interveners. Personal Injury Chris is experienced in dealing with personal injury claims including industrial disease and professional negligence. He has been instructed in RTA personal-injury cases and special damages claims, employer’s liability and credit-hire matters. He has experience in advising clients on liability and quantum. He is regularly instructed on Actions Against the Police and claims against the State for injuries or abuse sustained whilst in lawful custody. As well as dealing with multi-track and fast-track trials, Chris also has experience of dealing with interlocutory and preliminary hearings, including set aside judgment, seeking summary or default judgment. He has also previously been instructed to deal with committal applications. Regulatory & Public Chris has an interest in Regulatory and Public Law matters. He has previously been instructed to give advice and draft applications seeking Judicial Review. His interests in public law and human rights practices were expanded into researching UK Counter-Terrorism Law and Human Rights through his Ph.D thesis entitled ‘Risk Assessment, Counter-Terrorism UK Law & Policy; A Human Rights-Based Analysis’ and continues to expand his interests within this field. He has also represented Local Authorities in bringing prosecutions for various public safety and health regulation breaches. Chris has also previously defended those accused of animal cruelty in prosecutions brought by the RSPCA. Chris has been instructed to represent clients at the Mental Health Review Tribunals.

Christopher Boxall

Civil Fraud Christopher has quickly established a busy practice in civil insurance fraud. He acts for a number of major defendant insurers in relation to suspicious or fraudulent claims arising from road traffic accidents. Christopher has extensive experience of cases involving staged accidents, ‘stooge’ vehicles, low-speed impact (LSI), phantom passengers, exaggerated credit hire and exaggerated personal injury claims that require consideration of Section 57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. He also regularly deals with fraudulent holiday sickness claims and has previously acted for Thomas Cook. Personal Injury Christopher has extensive experience dealing with claims arising from road traffic accidents, EL/PL claims (including Highways Act claims) and criminal injury compensation (CICA) claims. Christopher also has experience of dealing with diminution claims in respect of vehicle damage and is familiar with the principles derived from Coles v Hetherton. Christopher accepts instructions for the following: Trials from the Small Claims Track through to the Multi Track Disposal Hearings Case Management Conferences Costs Case Management Conferences Interlocutory Applications Pre-Trial Review He has developed a particular interest in claims involving credit hire. As an area of law which continues to develop in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, Christopher is always alive to recent developments. He regularly publishes articles and provides bespoke training on this topic. Regulatory & Public Christopher has extensive experience of prosecuting a range of regulatory offences on behalf of HMRC, the Food Standards Agency, the Insolvency Service and various local authorities. Christopher regularly acts for police authorities, including applications for Sexual Harm Prevention Orders. He also has experience prosecuting and defending cases regarding the Animal Welfare Act 1996, in particular cases involving improper slaughter practices under the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 2015. Such cases require detailed knowledge of the European Union Directives which apply in such matters. Christopher also regularly prosecutes and defends in cases involving offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. Christopher is regularly instructed for Parole Board hearings and represents prisoners in a wide range of matters including license reviews and parole reviews for those subject to indeterminate sentences. He has successfully argued for release in difficult circumstances where offenders have maintained their innocence throughout sentence. Crime Christopher is a Grade 1 prosecutor. He successfully completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Kama Melly QC. He regularly appears in the Crown and Magistrates courts for both the prosecution and the defence. He deals with a wide range of offences, including serious sexual and violent offences, and has experience conducting trials subject to the section 28 procedure. Christopher is particularly experienced in dealing with offences under the Road Traffic Act, particularly in respect of accidents that have caused significant injury to those involved. He is also regularly instructed to raise exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments on behalf of Defendants. Christopher has particular experience dealing with cases involving vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. He is known for his concise approach when dealing with witnesses and clients, being able to narrow issues whilst ensuring that parties have a clear understanding of the proceedings in which they are involved.

Christopher Dunn

Christopher Dunn has defended and prosecuted a wide range of serious criminal cases in the Crown Court and Higher Courts for over 27 years. Christopher is a Grade 4 prosecutor and is on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) panel for the Crown Prosecution Service. Christopher is known for his robust yet surgical approach to advocacy with a down to earth attitude always with a reassuring presence for vulnerable witnesses and defendants. Christopher has extensive experience of preparing large, serious and multi-handed cases, including advising on preparing defence and prosecution cases pre-charge, drafting complex legal arguments as well as advices on appeal against sentence and conviction and drafting respondent's notes for the Court of Appeal Criminal Division. Christopher has a specialist professional interest in motor manslaughter cases, and fatalities arising out of driving offences. Christopher is a police trained driver and rider and holds the highest civilian qualification in the United Kingdom for driving cars and riding motorcycles and is an examiner and assessor for IAM Road Smart. Christopher has defended and prosecuted in numerous cases where drivers have been charged with causing death or serious injury by the standard of their driving. Christopher has also prosecuted for the Independent Office of Police Conduct in relation to a serving police officer whose standard of on duty driving caused serious injury to members of the public. Christopher appears for either side in serious criminal cases involving murder, rape, firearms and conspiracies.

Christopher Moran

Crime Chris Moran is instructed in substantial criminal matters including serious sexual and violent offences, complex frauds, firearms, drug trafficking, money laundering, confiscation and sexual offences. Due to his level of experience and the complex nature of his cases, Chris is regularly instructed as Leading Counsel for either the Defence or Prosecution and has successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal on many occasions. He has a reputation for being meticulously well prepared and fully considering all legal issues significantly in advance of any hearing including those relating to dismissal, abuse of process, fitness to plead, disclosure and the instruction of experts. In addition Chris takes particular pride in the feedback he regularly receives relating to his manner with clients particularly vulnerable defendants, children and those with mental health difficulties. The importance of an early conference is something he believes is often vital to the outcome of case and is one of the factors Chris attributes to his high success rate. Regulatory & Public Chris Moran’s considerable experience appearing in complex criminal cases has led to regular instructions in a wide variety of regulatory matters including copyright fraud, food standards, rogue traders, animal cruelty and disciplinary hearings. He has substantial experience representing police officers in misconduct proceedings and has significant expertise in this area. He not only has an expert knowledge of the various police standards and ethical codes but the wider regulatory, disciplinary and employment case-law which apply. Chris believes in holding a conference early in the proceedings so that he can provide the most robust and effective advice throughout each stage. Being meticulous in his case preparation and having a genuine passion for the law means that clients not only have confidence in their legal representation early on, but most importantly, get the right results. Chris regularly advises businesses, individuals, professional bodies and public authorities as to law and procedure including the legality of prohibitive orders, judicial review, actions against the police, and the intricacies of EU and ECHR obligations. Due to the above Chris is regularly asked to provide legal training to professional bodies on law and procedure. Inquests and Inquiries Chris is a highly experienced and exceptionally persuasive courtroom advocate. He instinctively knows how to address Coroners, witnesses and jurors alike and is adept at making even the most complex legal and medical issues appear simple. This skill he effectively deploys not only in both oral and written submissions but also the examination of witnesses. The above is made possible due to Chris’ meticulous case preparation. He considers the papers as soon as they arrive, speaks to those instructing and arranges a conference as well as considering and researching any novel medical issues. Finally, Chris regularly receives very positive feedback as to his client care. His professional and personable manner means that he often receives repeat instructions to represent families in inquest proceedings.

Credit hire Claire has a busy credit hire practice regularly appearing on behalf of Claimants/CHOs and Defendants. Claire has been connected with credit hire since its earliest days having been involved in the case of Giles v Thompson [1993] UKHL 2. She went on to develop a busy and varied common law practice but now deals exclusively in all aspects of credit hire litigation. Claire is known for her open and accessible manner with lay clients and is readily approachable for advice and instructions with instructing solicitors.

Crime Claire is now accepting instructions in criminal matters following the successful completion of her first six under the supervision of Kitty Colley. As a pupil she has attended a wide variety of hearings, trials and conferences across the youth courts, magistrates’ courts and crown courts. Alongside her attendance at court, she has gained experience of drafting a number of documents such as trial openings and closings, opening sentence notes, hearsay applications and applications to adduce bad character. Additionally, she has assisted in drafting a response to a Defendant’s no case to answer submission in the case of R v M in the Crown Court. This case concerned issues regarding the identity of a Defendant for a historic sexual offence and the defence argued that the Crown’s evidence wasn’t sufficient to enable identification of the Defendant. Claire has attended both appeals against sentence and appeals against conviction from the magistrates. She has attended hearings in which suspended sentences have been activated due to a breach of a suspended sentence order, for example, in R v H where the defendant committed a like public order offence and was sentenced for the new matter along with the suspended sentence. In preparation for practice, Claire defended a section 33(1)(a) Environmental Protection Act 1990 offence in a mock regulatory trial. As an advocate at this event, she honed her acumen for cross-examination, examination in chief and re-examination whilst training expert witnesses. Claire’s talent for advocacy was recognised when she was awarded the senior advocacy scholarship by the University of Law. Civil Having successfully completed the first part of her pupillage under the tutelage of Matthew Smith, Claire has experience of, and is accepting instructions in, a range of civil and chancery matters including: Personal Injury Credit Hire Anti-Social Behaviour Landlord and Tenant Disputes Boundary Disputes Trespass Nuisance Claire has experience of innovating in the face of unique cases. During her first six months, she constructed a Part 8 case in order to remove a Creditors’ Notice relating to a historic bankruptcy petition from a title document. She also explored issues relating to waterway dwellings, advising on boat moorings and adverse possession of river banks. Before initiating her pupillage, Claire was a Serious Injury paralegal, assisting in the bespoke management of Multi-Track PI claims. It was in this capacity that Claire developed a practised client manner and tenacious determination to achieve the best outcomes for claimants. Additionally, she is no stranger to supporting defendants, having begun her legal career as an assistant to the Medical Protection Society’s litigation department, a team responsible for defending medical professionals against clinical negligence claims. Family Finance Having successfully completed the first part of her pupillage under the tutelage of Matthew Smith, Claire has benefited from formal training in family finance matters. She has attended first directions appointments, financial dispute resolution hearings and final hearings, gaining an invaluable insight into family procedure. Claire’s civil and chancery focus enables her to tackle cross practice issues that commonly arise in financial remedy matters. For example, whilst shadowing her supervisor at a FDR hearing, she assisted in a case in which part of the husband’s property was held in a resulting trust. Her interest in family finance led her to interview a family high court judge and conduct research on the subject of pensions on divorce in light of the new PAG report. She has enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to this ever-changing area, having written an article on the topic in the Michaelmas Edition of the Barrister Magazine 2024.

Crime Clara brings a specialised experience of advocacy and legal knowledge to her pupillage. Clara has a delicate understanding of what advocacy for vulnerable witnesses and clients looks like having worked extensively with SEN children and their families prior to her pupillage. She worked one on one with children to help develop their communication abilities through a range of verbal and non-verbal mediums, as well as supporting children in social work meetings. She is also currently completing a dissertation studying the participation of autistic child witnesses in criminal trials, analysing problem areas and potential reforms. Consequently, Clara has a sharp ability to develop unique and professional relationships with very diverse clientele, understanding their needs in a practical context. Clara looks forward to bringing this knowledge to her pupillage and developing it in both a family and criminal context. Family Law Clara brings a specialised experience of advocacy and legal knowledge to her pupillage. Clara has a delicate understanding of what advocacy for vulnerable witnesses and clients looks like having worked extensively with SEN children and their families prior to her pupillage. She worked one on one with children to help develop their communication abilities through a range of verbal and non-verbal mediums, as well as supporting children in social work meetings. She is also currently completing a dissertation studying the participation of autistic child witnesses in criminal trials, analysing problem areas and potential reforms. Consequently, Clara has a sharp ability to develop unique and professional relationships with very diverse clientele, understanding their needs in a practical context. Clara looks forward to bringing this knowledge to her pupillage and developing it in both a family and criminal context. Court of Protection Clara brings a specialised experience of advocacy and legal knowledge to her pupillage. Clara has a delicate understanding of what advocacy for vulnerable witnesses and clients looks like having worked extensively with SEN children and their families prior to her pupillage. She worked one on one with children to help develop their communication abilities through a range of verbal and non-verbal mediums, as well as supporting children in social work meetings. She is also currently completing a dissertation studying the participation of autistic child witnesses in criminal trials, analysing problem areas and potential reforms. Consequently, Clara has a sharp ability to develop unique and professional relationships with very diverse clientele, understanding their needs in a practical context. Clara looks forward to bringing this knowledge to her pupillage and developing it in both a family and criminal context.

Craig Hassall KC

Regulatory & Public Head of the Regulatory and Public Law Team at PSQB, and an A-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate, Craig appears for the prosecution or defence in a wide range of regulatory cases. His regulatory practice includes serious health and safety cases, often involving fatalities and substantial environmental crime cases. He has significant experience of fire safety and food safety cases, with a particular interest in allergens. Craig has represented both regulators and professionals in the disciplinary processes of several different professional bodies and sits as a Legally Qualified Chair in Police Misconduct Hearings. He also regularly appears in Coroners’ Courts. He is well-known for his ability to conduct highly complex cases and is often retained to appear against Queens Counsel. His depth and breadth of experience of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. Craig works well as part of a team of counsel as both led and leading junior. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants. He regularly deals with sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including covert human intelligence sources, intercept material and offenders with links to terrorism. Crime Ranked in The 2025 editions of Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 for Crime as a Leading Silk. Over the last twenty years, Craig’s criminal practice has covered a vast range of work: from road traffic offending through sexual offences, serious and organised crime, violence including homicide, fraud and complex regulatory offences. In silk, his practice has been split between murder, manslaughter, serious fraud, regulatory crime and associated inquests and inquiries. He sits as a Recorder in the Crown Court and as a fee-paid judge in the Mental Health Tribunal, and has significant experience of dealing with cases involving mental disorder, experienced by defendants or witnesses. Craig has a particular interest in cases involving defences arising from mental disorder. Craig has become well-known for his ability to prosecute and defend in highly complex cases. His depth and breadth of experience of cases involving a wide range of prosecuting authorities enables him to bring a unique perspective to cases that transcend more than one area. He has been involved in many large cases with multiple defendants and has often handled sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including covert human intelligence sources, intercept material and offenders with links to terrorism. Craig has extensive experience in all areas of financial offending, including applications for restraint, confiscation, compensation, appointment of receivers and disqualification of directors. Many of his cases have involved corporate defendants and the interpretation of corporate accounts. Since taking silk he has appeared in several trials of corporate and gross negligence manslaughter allegations, relying on his wide-ranging experience in regulatory crime and in particular health and safety and food safety. Craig’s sympathetic approach towards clients has repeatedly been identified by legal directories. He can be relied upon to deal sensitively with clients accused of the most serious offences. Alongside his advocacy and advisory work, Craig is the North Eastern Circuit’s Advocacy Training Officer. He is an accredited advocacy trainer and a facilitator for the Inns of Court College of Advocacy training courses: Advocacy and the Vulnerable and Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law. Public Access Craig Hassall KC is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Inquests and Inquiries Ranked Tier 1 for Inquests & Inquiries – The Legal 500 (2025) Ranked as a Band 2 Silk for Inquests & Public Inquiries – Chambers & Partners (2025) Craig Hassall specialises in crime, regulatory, inquests and inquiries. His inquests and inquiries practice focuses largely on investigations arising from regulated settings, such as industrial accidents and health, social and early years settings, including mental health care. He has appeared at inquests for regulators, large corporations, small businesses, professionals, individuals and bereaved families, and is particularly in demand for high-profile, complex and sensitive cases which are often linked to criminal or disciplinary proceedings. His clients benefit from the continuity of representation that he is able to provide across several jurisdictions. Craig’s experience is largely in lengthy cases involving several interested parties, juries and Article 2 and Regulation 28 considerations.

Crime Dan accepts instructions covering the full spectrum of criminal matters for both the prosecution and defence. He has experience in the Magistrates’ Court, Youth Court and Crown Court. Dan is a skilled advocate and enjoys a reputation for hard work and providing clear and sensible advice. He is known for his forensic preparation skills and is uniquely placed to manage and present cases of great complexity and sensitivity. He has been involved in cases well beyond his year of call and is often commended for his ability to quickly understand the central issues in cases and develop effective trial strategies. Dan has significant expertise in advisory and disclosure work having advised and worked on cases ranging from domestic abuse to multi-handed homicides and international cross-border criminality. His written work is dealt with quickly as Dan understands the importance of this to those who instruct him. Prior to joining chambers, Dan was a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Yorkshire and Humberside’s Complex Casework Unit responsible for prosecuting some of the CPS’s most complex, sensitive and high-profile cases. He was one of the youngest ever prosecutors to be accepted into the unit, receiving many commendations and awards for his work which is testament to his ability and work ethic. Dan has received a national CPS Award for Excellence and was presented with this award at a ceremony in London by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill KC. Regulatory & Public Law In addition to his criminal practice, Dan has experience in regulatory fields having been instructed in cases involving Trading Standards, Local Authorities and Police Forces in both the Magistrates Court and Crown Court. He has developed significant experience in a wide array of licensing cases and appeals and is frequently instructed to deal with these cases. Dan has received instructions in cases involving Consumer Protection, Food Safety and Food Hygiene and Highways enforcement. He is keen to expand his existing regulatory practice. Dan also sits on school admission appeal panels. He has up to date knowledge of the School Admissions Code and other law relating to school admissions, including equalities legislation

Dan Wilberforce

Crime Dan has now successfully completed the non-practising period of his pupillage under the supervision of Victorian Lamballe. He is available to accept instructions in criminal matters. During his first six, Dan observed hearings in the Magistrate’s Court and Crown Court, shadowing barristers acting in both prosecution and defence roles. He has observed a wide range of criminal proceedings, including RASSO, drug conspiracies and homicide. Dan has drafted advice, sentencing notes and appeals in assisting those he has been shadowing. Dan brings a diverse background to his legal practice. Before becoming a barrister, he worked as a documentary photographer covering human rights issues worldwide. He’s also an entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded a number of successful ventures; among them, a record label, a wilderness immersion booking platform and a hospitality business. Dan is known for his resourcefulness, entrepreneurial spirit and approachability. Public Law & Disciplinary Dan has now successfully completed the non-practising period of his pupillage under the supervision of Victorian Lamballe. He is available to accept instructions in public and regulatory matters. During his first six, Dan observed inquest hearings in the Coroner’s Court, including an inquest over the death of an individual in care. He is available to accept instructions in public and regulatory matters. He is also happy to discuss pro-bono opportunities. Dan brings a diverse background to his legal practice. Before becoming a barrister, he worked as a documentary photographer covering human rights issues worldwide. He’s also an entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded a number of successful ventures; among them, a record label, a wilderness immersion booking platform and a hospitality business. Dan is known for his resourcefulness, entrepreneurial spirit and approachability.

Darren Finlay is the head of our civil team. Commercial & Chancery Darren’s core work includes a wide variety of contract and commercial disputes including litigation over land, boundary and neighbour disputes, chancery matters (including insolvency). He resists or applies for injunctions and associated committal proceedings and matters relating to restrictive covenants, the administration of trusts and the dissolution of or other disputes relating to partnershipsand actions on guarantees/indemnities. Darren also deals with wills and probate matters and Court of Protection or Inheritance Act claims, disputes within companies (such as claims by oppressed minorities), the sale of companies and shares and property, insolvency matters, fraud claims and export trade claims involving letters of credit and contractual claims in respect of a wide variety of matters from large commercial transactions down to faulty goods and services. Darren is fully literate with ICT and experienced in mediation and arbitration. He also deals with non-contentious matters including drafting insurance and commercial contracts and heads of agreement and business plans for well-known corporate clients. Darren’s experience of professional negligence claims includes solicitor’s negligence, accountant’s negligence, and architect’s and surveyor’s negligence claims, up to and including trial. He also deals with regulatory matters that impinge on professional conduct (including disciplinary hearings). and education tribunal matters. He also deals with contract cases, holiday claims, timeshare matters, suing for debts, and for breach of contract remedies (including injunctive relief) land disputes (boundary matters, neighbour disputes, rights of way and alike) and advises on trusts and commercial disputes, landlord and tenant and construction cases and many similar such common-law disputes. Employment Darren deals with unfair dismissal and discrimination cases and has experience of long trials and group litigation. Darren also has experience in professional disciplinary hearings, health & safety prosecutions and defences/mitigation, and partnership and commercial disputes including restrictive covenants. Darren has advised major local authorities and public clients on redundancies and restructuring and appeared at tribunal and EAT on discrimination, redundancy and unfair dismissal claims for claimants and respondents. Personal Injury Darren handles cases for defendant insurers (including RTA, EL and PL, fraud, OL and disease work), as well as claimant personal injury (PI) work of all types and including deafness, vibration white finger (VWF), COPD and asbestos cases. He provides advice, paper work and advocacy for road-traffic, public liability and employer’s liability fraud cases, and has successfully defended all types of case at trial: with a significant amount of insurer backed defendant/fraud work. Civil Fraud Darren's work also extends to knowledge of company law, bankruptcy/insolvency, and health & safety matters, all of which can prove useful when advising in fraud cases.

David has a well-established criminal practice, with a substantial caseload. He deals with defending and prosecuting heavy crime including; large scale drugs conspiracies and fraud, sexual offences, armed robberies and serious violence. He has experience of driving and vehicle offences, together with judicial review of magistrates court decisions and Courts Martial. His appellate work for the Crown includes unduly lenient sentences and appeals against terminatory rulings He has significant experience of civil actions against the police following acquittal, false arrest and false imprisonment claims, assault, malicious prosecutions etc. He takes particular concern that clients and their families are properly informed about all aspects of their case. Areas of expertise: Conspiracy to commit Armed Robberies Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs Serious Sexual Offences Kidnap Complex Fraud matters

David Cadman KC

David is unavailable to accept instructions at the moment. Civil Fraud David has a wide experience working with international law firms in civil recovery litigation, including $ multi-million cases. Commerical & Chancery David has broad litigation experience covering a wide range of commercial, contractual, property and regulatory disputes. His work includes an emphasis on complex disputes generally. David regularly advises and acts in document-heavy contentious matters. Having spent a decade engaged in criminal cases at the Bar in England, both prosecuting and as defence counsel, in recent years David has been involved in many complex contested trials working with international legal teams in multi-jurisdiction litigation, including Norwich Pharmacal applications, interlocutory freezing orders and other injunctive relief. David has considerable experience working with legal teams in the USA in particular. Empolyment David frequently represents large international employers in relation to employment matters, including disciplinary proceedings for misconduct and redundancy. Personal Injury David regularly advises and represents insurance companies and individuals in relation to a wide range of personal injury claims including complex life-changing injuries and fatal accident claims. Family Finance David regularly advises and represents high net worth individuals in relation to matrimonial finance.

Ranked as a Leading Junior for Chancery, Probate and Tax – The Legal 500 (2023) David is an experienced practitioner who has practised from Park Square Barristers and its predecessor chambers 6 Park Square for in excess of 45 years. During that period he has developed an extensive civil practice, specialising in Chancery and Commercial cases (now Business & Property Court work). A major part of David’s practice relates to probate and inheritance matters, including those with an international dimension. He has a particular expertise in dealing with contentious probate cases, especially those concerning challenges to wills upon the grounds of lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence, in addition to those relating to claims against estates based upon constructive trust and proprietary estoppel arguments and cases concerning the interpretation of Wills. Linked with his probate work is David’s equally extensive experience of claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. He has dealt with a very large number of such cases, from those involving multi-million pound estates (Moss v Moss) to those which are much more modest. He is particularly experienced in dealing with mediations in such cases, both as representative of a party and as a mediator. David has represented many clients in trust disputes, and regularly advises and assists with drafting work in non-contentious trust/proprietary estoppel cases (including applications under the Trusts of Land & Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (TOLATA) and the Variation of Trusts Act 1958). In particular, he has dealt with many constructive trust/proprietary estoppel cases at all stages from initial advice through to contested trials. As a trustee of a local charity David has first-hand experience of both the law and practice relevant to the operation of a charity. He has been involved in a number of cases involving charities, including those dealing with legacies, disputes relating to property and the terms of their trust deeds. David also has extensive experience of dealing with all forms of property dispute, including those concerned with rights of way, restrictive covenants and boundaries as well as disputes relating to nuisance and property sales. He has dealt with a number of matters falling under the Party Wall, etc Act 1996. He also deals with landlord & tenant disputes relating to both commercial and agricultural property. In commercial matters, David has represented clients in a wide range of cases concerning commercial contracts, including those with an international dimension. David was a counsel in the landmark case of Hobson & Others v Ashton, Morton, Slack & Others (2006), which arose out of the government’s Mineworkers’ Compensation Scheme. He was instrumental in the successful opposition to an application for a group litigation order (under Part 19.11 of the Civil Procedure Rules) by the proposed claimants and dealt with a number of associated cases following the initial decision as well as other cases relating to the Miners Compensation Claims. David has wide experience in handling professional negligence cases involving issues within the scope of his Chancery & Commercial practice, in particular against solicitors, accountants and surveyors arising out of property, trust, inheritance and probate claims.. The length of his experience means that he is well placed to judge the standards reasonably to be expected of a professional. He is a member of the Professional Negligence Bar Association. David’s real skill is his ability to tackle the most complex legal arguments and disseminate sophisticated information for clients from all walks of life. He is equally happy tackling a public enquiry on behalf of a major company as he is applying his legal mind to rights of way causing distress for rural residents; they all feel confident in his ability and informed by his presentation. Meanwhile, judges recognise the strength of his argument and appreciate his clarity and comprehension of the legal case, and opponents respect the ferocity and conviction of his debate.

Children Law David Orbaum has practiced as a barrister and solicitor for over 30 years, with a busy mixed common-law practice including criminal, family and civil work. In recent years, he has specialised mostly in family law and has a comprehensive knowledge of the subject. He specialises in all aspects of private and public children’s work in the family field, representing local authorities, parents and related parties, and children’s guardians. He takes on work involving potentially dangerous parties to care proceedings where others have been reluctant to act. He has a clear understanding of issues affecting the crossover between the criminal and family jurisdictions. he acted as sole advocate (without a leader) for one of the parties in both the high-profile criminal and care proceedings arising out of a local kidnap investigation in Dewsbury, which attracted national media coverage. David has undertaken a number of cases involving difficult issues of international jurisdiction relating to children, divorce and nullity. Regulatory & Public David Orbaum has developed extensive experience of defending most aspects of regulatory work for individuals and companies, including health & safety, food hygiene, dangerous substances, and breaches of planning regulations. He is also very experienced in cases involving serious criminal offences in the Crown Court. This crossover with criminal law lends an invaluable dimension to David’s regulatory & disciplinary work. His comprehensive grasp of the entire criminal process offers a significant advantage when presenting in Crown Court.

Edward Renvoize

Ed Renvoize specialises in serious criminal work. His particular focus is fraud and organised crime cases, but his broad workload encompasses murder, serious sexual offending and firearms offences. He is often instructed in cases containing a large amount of evidential material and is known for quickly mastering that material. From 2007 to 2009 Ed practised as a criminal defence attorney at a leading law firm in the Cayman Islands and has an excellent knowledge of inter-jurisdictional criminal offending. Much of his case load in the Cayman Islands was financial crime but in addition he undertook the gamut of criminal offences ranging from murder and very serious sexual offences to possession of cannabis. Ed has been regularly instructed by the complex case unit of the CPS and equally receives instructions in complex and paper heavy cases for the defence. That experience coupled with his work in the Cayman Islands has exposed him to substantial expert evidence including DNA, gun shot residue and forensic accountancy. In addition to his Crown Court and tribunal work he appears in the Court of Appeal and has been instructed on a number of occasions to pursue appeals upon referral. Ed undertakes cases alleging financial crime and/or misconduct by professionals, and accepts both privately and publicly funded instructions in such cases. He is particularly sought after for Proceeds of Crime Act matters, either following on from instructions in a criminal trial or as a separate instruction. He is well-versed in dealing with forensic accountants, whether for the prosecution or for the defence. Ed has substantial experience of dealing with vulnerable witnesses and lay clients, and has for many years undertaken cases which involve questions of mental health. He has significant experience in cases involving cross-examination of psychiatrists and other mental-health professionals and other medical evidence. For 2 years, Ed worked as an attorney in the Cayman Islands, where his work combined the duties of solicitor and advocate. As a result, he readily appreciates issues commonly facing instructing solicitors. His experience in the Cayman Islands also gave him knowledge of cross-jurisdictional matters. In the recent past, he has travelled to Nigeria to assist with developing a program for specialised anti-terrorist prosecutors. Although now based in London, Ed maintains strong links with Park Square Barristers and is always happy to travel to conduct cases where his expertise is required.

Eleanor has recently completed her pupillage and is now a tenant at PSQB Crime Eleanor is a CPS Level 1 Panel Advocate and has dealt with a range of matters within this capacity, having prosecuted regularly in the Crown Court and the Magistrates Court. Eleanor regularly deals with serious and complex cases including conspiracies relating to theft, serious assaults in a domestic setting and exposure in public. Eleanor has also defended in a range of cases, representing clients from first hearings and trials in the Magistrates Court to sentences and appeals in the Crown Court. She also has experience of dealing with sensitive matters in the Youth Court and prides herself on her client care and ability to handle witnesses, clients and professional connections. Recently, she prosecuted a multi-handed youth trial wherein joint enterprise was a live issue. Eleanor has a keen interest in crime and a methodical and thorough approach to her work which has been apparent from the feedback received. She would gratefully receive instructions in a variety of criminal proceedings. Civil / Commercial & Chancery / Personal Injury Eleanor has extensive experience of credit hire, stage 3 proceedings and general road traffic matters, supported by her in-depth knowledge of the case law in this area. She has a growing practice in these areas, having undertaken several application hearings and small claims hearings. She has a keen eye for detail which lends itself to the intricate nature of contractual disputes. Eleanor also accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on quantum and/or liability. Regulatory & Public Eleanor has a growing regulatory and public law practice. She recently represented Humberside Police in securing an interim Violent Offender Order ahead of the final contested hearing and has spent time advising on the COVID-19 health regulations procedure used by the police throughout lockdown. Eleanor has also spent a significant amount of time taking noting briefs for the Health and Safety Executive as she has a keen interest in health and safety within the work place. Eleanor has an extensive background in agriculture and is hoping to build a successful practice in environmental, agricultural and waste management matters using her first-hand expertise in the area. She would be grateful to receive instructions assisting the police, health and safety and agricultural matters.

Crime Ellie has experience in prosecuting and defending in both the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court on a range of matters. Ellie is a CPS Grade 1 Prosecutor and has prosecuted offences such as road traffic offences, burglaries and assaults in a domestic violence context, dealing sensitively with vulnerable complainants. She is aided in this regard by her prior experience as a Witness Service volunteer. Prior to pupillage, Ellie provided education on criminal law to youth offenders as a volunteer with the StreetLaw scheme, which aims to provide legal education to those who might otherwise lack access to it. Ellie prides herself on her calm manner and ability to relate to clients and witnesses from all walks of life. She also has experience in dealing with youth matters and has a particular interest in this area. Ellie is keen to continue to expand her criminal practice. Personal Injury Prior to commencing pupillage, Ellie worked as a paralegal in the Catastrophic Personal Injury team at DWF. She regularly assisted with drafting Defences, Draft Orders and letters of advice to insurer clients on complex and high value cases. She therefore has a strong understanding of key concepts in personal injury litigation. Ellie frequently acts for both Claimants and Defendants in small claims hearings, Stage 3 hearings and interim applications. She accepts instructions to act in Fast Track matters, including on conditional fee agreements in appropriate cases. Ellie also has particular experience in credit hire litigation, assisted by a thorough understanding of the case law in this area. She delivered a seminar on credit hire remotely over the lockdown period. Ellie accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on liability and quantum, and can assist at all stages of a claim’s life cycle. She can work to a short deadline if required. Regulatory & Public Ellie is keen to expand her regulatory and public law practice. She has experience of both prosecuting and defending in the criminal courts and is adept at dealing with vulnerable witnesses. During pupillage, Ellie was successful in the Mental Health Tribunal, securing the release of an inpatient detained under the Mental Health Act. Owing to her background in Psychology, which she studied at degree level before converting to law, Ellie has thorough knowledge and understanding of the issues in such proceedings. Commercial & Chancery Ellie enjoys a mixed civil practice and has experience in dealing with contractual disputes. She is frequently instructed in small claims hearings and application hearings, and is happy to assist in drafting or advising at any stage of the life of a claim. Prior to commencing pupillage, Ellie worked as a paralegal in the Catastrophic Personal Injury team at DWF. She regularly assisted with drafting Defences, Draft Orders and letters of advice to insurer clients on complex and high value cases. As a result, she has a sound understanding of the principles in civil litigation. During the Covid-19 lockdown, Ellie co-wrote articles on liability for independent school and university tuition fees during the lockdown period, which received a great deal of interest.

Elizabeth Withyman

Currently not available to receive instructions. Elizabeth Withyman practises exclusively in family law proceedings concerning children. She regularly acts on behalf of a number of different local authorities in care proceedings involving all aspects of child neglect and abuse – physical, emotional and sexual. She accepts instructions from parents, grandparents and children’s guardians. She has a sympathetic manner with clients, in particular those with learning disabilities or mental-health issues. She also undertakes private-law cases including cases involving contact and residence disputes, injunctions and committals. Elizabeth first practised in the areas of family and criminal law at 32 Park Square, which became 30 Park Square. During her career break to have a family, she kept in touch with developments in family law by continuing to update the publication ‘Divorce:The Things You Thought You’d Never Need to Know’ for a number of years. On her return to the Bar in 2010, she joined Sovereign Chambers which became Park Square Barristers in 2015. Elizabeth is committed to providing continuity of care for individual clients. She accepts instructions via email; ensures she is available to discuss cases by telephone; and always provides prompt and detailed feedback for those instructing her.

Ellen has a busy criminal practice acting as both a led junior and junior alone and regularly appears in the Crown Court on a wide range of matters. Ellen has represented clients charged with a variety of offences including historic sexual allegations, rape, arson, fraud, robbery, GBH, witness intimidation and the supply of drugs. She has extensive experience as a trial advocate including cases involving the cross-examination of children and vulnerable people and matters involving high page counts and complex expert evidence. Ellen is also accustomed to dealing with all manner of criminal and quasi-criminal orders including Serious Crime Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Freezing/Forfeiture Orders and Criminal Behaviour Orders. Regulatory & Public Law Ellen has a very broad regulatory practice spanning across a number of areas. She has experience representing members of the armed forces at court martial proceedings in Catterick. Ellen also regularly represents nurses before the Nursing and Midwifery Council and medical professionals before the Health and Care Professions Council and has an in-depth understanding of the stresses and challenges faced by those appearing before their regulatory bodies. Ellen has significant inquest experience and has represented bereaved families and local authorities in inquest proceedings often involving complex medical evidence and multiple contributory factors to death. In addition, Ellen accepts instructions through the Attorney-General’s Junior Panel and undertakes work for the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Serious Fraud Office. It is of note that Ellen has been engaged in significant and highly sensitive regulatory investigations throughout her time on the Panel.

Children Law Emily Reed has a busy children law practice, covering the whole range of proceedings in private and public children law as well as Family Law Act injunctions. Emily appears regularly in the full range of hearings, including finding-of-fact hearings, final hearings and appeals, and has experience dealing with expert and vulnerable witnesses. She has dealt with complex matters including leave to oppose adoption orders, international jurisdictional issues arising in care proceedings, and complex issues surrounding parental alienation in private children proceedings. Emily’s sensitive approach in conference and negotiations has led to successful outcomes when representing parents in public and private law proceedings, including those involving issues of neglect, drug abuse, and physical and sexual abuse. In public law proceedings, Emily regularly represents a range of local authorities as well as acting for parents, the child and interveners. She is adept at dealing with instructions on short notice. She is known for her detailed and compelling written advocacy, and has prepared skeleton arguments dealing with leave to oppose adoption orders and with respect to international jurisdictional issues. Emily has acted for local authorities and respondents in cases involving sexual abuse, physical abuse (including non-accidental injuries and shaking injuries), parents with mental health issues, issues of mental capacity and immigration issues. Due to her expertise in Court of Protection proceedings, Emily is particularly adept at dealing with cases in which issues of mental capacity and mental health and/or learning disability/difficulties arise. Emily also has a busy private children law practice, and has a strong track record for achieving good results for parents in Child Arrangement Order proceedings. She is known for her sensitive client care, ability to handle negotiations with skill and tact, and for her robust approach in court. She has experience in dealing with cases with an international element, including applications for leave to remove a child/children from the jurisdiction. She has successfully represented clients where there have been attempts to frustrate the time spent with a child or children. In a recent case, Emily successfully represented a father in a complex matter, in which she was instrumental in the pleading and presentation of the father’s case, which resulted in findings of parental alienation being made against the mother and the children’s residence being transferred to the father during the proceedings. Family Finance Emily Reed has a developing family finance practice, including financial remedies and Trusts of Land Act 1996 (TLATA) applications. She appears regularly in the full range of hearings, including financial dispute resolution hearings and final hearings. She has an in depth knowledge of trusts law, which assists with dealing with the complex ToLATA issues that often arise in financial remedies proceedings. From her practice she has also developed a good working knowledge of the benefits system, and is skilled in advising in matters where parties are on low incomes. Emily is known for her detailed and persuasive written and oral advocacy. Emily is an approachable but tenacious advocate and negotiator, and has a strong track record at achieving good results for her clients in financial remedy proceedings. Court of Protection & Adult Care Emily has a particular interest in this field and has built up a busy Court of Protection practice. Emily appears regularly in cases involving welfare and finance decisions and authorisations and reviews of deprivations of liberty (DoL), including reviews under s.21A Mental Capacity Act 2005. She is frequently instructed by local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and the Official Solicitor in health and welfare cases, dealing with issues as diverse and complex as the removal of pubic and underarm harm in accordance with religious practice to capacity to consent to sexual relations. Emily acted as junior to Natalia Perrett in a complex case involving DoLs in respect of protected parties residing in children’s homes and residential special schools. She assisted in the preparation of legal submissions within the Re X and others (Deprivation of Liberty) [2014] EWCOP 25 litigation, in which Sir James Munby P (as he was then) conducted a review of the processes by which the Court of Protection authorises and reviews DoLs in the wake of the Cheshire West decision.

Emily Jo Willis

Crime Emily Jo Willis is commencing her common law pupillage under the supervision of Dr Christopher Wood. Emily Jo obtained several mini-pupillages, where she was provided with invaluable exposure to various aspects of the judicial system, such as conferences, bail applications, and witness handling. She gained a vast amount of transferable skills and knowledge from chambers across the North-Eastern Circuit. Emily Jo’s excellent work experience proved useful during her time at Northumbria University. Emily Jo graduated with a Master’s in law and received a Distinction in the Bar Practice Course. She excelled in advocacy, particularly in her examination in chief module, ‘Criminal Professional Practice’. Demonstrating professionalism and confidence through the use of appropriate questions. Family Law Emily Jo Willis is commencing her common law pupillage under the supervision of Dr Christopher Wood. Before commencing pupillage Emily Jo worked as a Court Clerk in the family courts on the North Eastern Circuit. Due to this, Emily Jo has developed excellent knowledge of the family courts which she used when managing various judges’ dairies. She gained valuable insight into judicial decision-making, which influences her advocacy. Her confident and approachable manner proved essential when advising and supporting litigants in person through the varying stages of family proceedings.

Esther has a mixed practice in Property, Crime, Personal Injury and Regulatory & Public Law work. Property Esther accepts instructions from both tenants and landlords. She has been able to develop a busy housing law practice and has been instructed on a range of fast-track disrepair cases, possession cases, and has successfully opposed the imposition of a final charging order. She has been able to acquire successful results for clients on both sides of the spectrum. Including successfully representing a tenant in a disrepair claim, and secured a significant amount in costs back for Instructing Solicitors, and a significant amount of general damages. Esther has been instructed by and received positive feedback from a range of solicitors including Yorkshire Legal, Citizens Advice, Shelter and more. She has also had success representing clients in Pre-Action Disclosure (PAD) applications, and she has acted for the Police in securing closure orders as a result of anti-social behaviour. Esther has developed a busy paper practice drafting particulars of claim, defences and counterclaims, and opinions involving proprietary estoppel, succession, Equality Act defences, disrepair, the public sector equality duty, trespass, homelessness and more. Esther has received high praise for the quality of her pleadings, her ability to understand a client’s case, as well as her quick turnaround time in producing papers. Crime Esther has been able to demonstrate a level of advocacy which belies her Call. This has allowed her to accept instructions from both the Crown and the Defence. Esther has received positive feedback for her work on cases, in addition to securing favourable outcomes for both the Crown and Defence Solicitors, she is known for her ability to quickly build a rapport with her lay clients, her professionalism and her empathetic attitude when dealing with cases of a sensitive nature. Personal Injury Esther is instructed in a range of civil hearings and applications including road traffic accidents. Esther has a particular interest in credit hire and is regularly instructed to represent both claimants and defendants. Due to her thorough understanding of the voluminous caselaw in credit hire claims, she has received positive feedback and has been successful in securing advantageous outcomes for her clients. Esther’s ability to represent both claimants and defendants has resulted in her attaining a solid understanding and appreciation of the nuances in credit hire claims as well as the surrounding caselaw. Esther is eager to accept instructions from both claimants and defendants. Regulatory & Public Law Esther welcomes instructions in Regulatory & Public Law, and has a keen interest in Education Law. Esther has shadowed a range of hearings, such as SEND appeals and parole board hearings. In addition, Esther was instructed on a lengthy Health & Safety noting brief involving several counts of gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter.

Personal injury Fiaz Siddique is a former solicitor who co-founded and managed his own practice for eight years before being called to the Bar. He possesses an extensive amount of knowledge in respect to the personal injury field but also the internal mechanisms of solicitors’ practices. With that knowledge, he is able to offer uniquely pragmatic, insightful and sound advice to both Claimants and Defendants alike. Fiaz is known for his personable and approachable manner and prides himself in achieving a close working relationship with his instructing solicitors which is evident through his loyal following of clients. Fiaz has an extremely busy personal injury practice and undertakes work at all stages from initial advice through to trial. He represents both Claimants and Defendants in fast-track and multi-track trials, disposal hearings, CCMCs, case-management conferences, infant settlement approvals and stage 3 MOJ hearings and he has successfully represented Claimants at Joint Settlement Meetings. He is often instructed on a broad range of personal injury matters including road traffic accidents, occupier’s liability and employer’s liability claims. Having worked in the personal injury sector for more than a decade, Fiaz has a particular focus on the credit hire industry and often deals with the issues arising from such litigation which include enforceability, need, impecuniosity and BHR evidence. In addition, Fiaz often provides in-house training to teams of solicitors on a range of matters including Stage 3 RTA portal claims and litigation best practice. Civil Fraud Fiaz’s experience as a solicitor allows him to provide insurer clients with insightful advice giving them access to his wealth of knowledge which then places them in the best position to defend such cases. Fiaz has a keen interest in claims involving indemnity issues, LVI and late notification. Commercial/Chancery Fiaz acts for clients in a range of commercial and residential matters. He has worked for a number of lenders and leading solicitors in housing repossession matters. Furthermore, Fiaz receives regular instructions in Landlord and Tenant disputes at all stages of proceedings. Fiaz is also able to represent clients in bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings

Personal Injury Ranked as Tier 1, Leading Junior in The Legal 500 (2025) for Personal Injury. Fiona has been ranked as a leading junior in The Legal 500 since 2015. She maintains a broad personal injury practice but specialises increasingly in life-changing injury claims at home and abroad. Fiona represents seriously injured claimants, insurance companies, health trusts and local authorities. She is instructed in claims arising out of injury or death at work, in public places as well as serious road traffic accidents (including MIB claims). She is also experienced in dealing with cases involving chronic pain conditions, including Chronic Pain Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Somatoform Pain Disorders. Fiona is known for her thorough preparation, robust cross examination style and her sensitive and sympathetic approach when communicating the issues to clients. Fiona has a wealth of expertise in representing both Claimants and Defendants in claims under the Package Travel Regulations and is increasingly sought after in high-value, large scale and group claims. Her forensic attention to detail and unflappable manner mean that she is highly sought after by insurers to act in road traffic claims involving serious allegations of fraud, both in relation to liability and in relation to the injuries suffered. She has successfully represented insurers in committal proceedings relating to fraudulent claims. She is involved at each stage of the claims process from advisory work, drafting pleadings, schedules of loss and Part 35 questions, attending conferences with clients and experts, through to attending CCMCs, JSMs, trial and approval hearings. Fiona is regularly instructed to advise on and/or represent parties at contentious and substantive applications. Fiona is currently a contributor to Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service. She regularly throughout the year provides lectures, and occasionally mock trials, to her instructing solicitors, insurers and others within the industry on case law updates and procedural developments. Alongside a full time practice, she taught for many years (from 2005) on the part time BPTC course at BPP Leeds and is a fully qualified advocacy trainer for the North Eastern Circuit. Public Access Fiona may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Crime Gary has experience of defending a wide range of criminal allegations. He qualified as a Solicitor in 2009, practicing regularly in the police station and Magistrates’ Court. After obtaining his Higher Rights of Audience in 2010 he has frequently appeared in the Crown Courts and in the Court of Appeal. Whilst working in a busy practice at a solicitors’ firm, Gary has gained first hand experience of providing excellent client care and is always well prepared. Since transferring to the Bar, Gary has defended a wide range of criminal cases including drug conspiracy, firearms, serious violence and dishonesty. Children Law Gary accepts instructions in all areas of children law, including care proceedings, adoptions and private law disputes. He has substantial experience in care work ranging from urgent applications through to finding of fact hearings and multiple day contested matters. He is regularly instructed by family members and Guardians and has been involved in matters involving serious non-accidental injury, chronic neglect and sexual abuse. Regulatory & Public Gary is keen to expand his regulatory and public law practice and has an interest in prosecutions brought by the police and local authorities in relation to applications for Closure Orders. He has regularly defended clients who have appeared in the County Court accused of breaching civil injunctions where such breaches carry the risk of imprisonment. During his practice as a solicitor, Gary regularly represented clients detained under the Mental Health Act at mental health tribunals and at hospital managers meetings. Gary welcomes instructions to represent clients at mental health tribunals.

Gemma Meredith Davies

Gemma joined Park Square Barristers in March 2024 after moving from Parklane Plowden Chambers. She has 17 years of experience in the field of family law and practices exclusively at the Bar in private and public children matters. Gemma also sits on Circuit as a Deputy District Judge (Family: private & public and Civil) and is in addition a licensed attorney in New York. Family — Private law children Gemma regularly acts for parents and children in all aspects of private law proceedings and has considerable expertise in her 17 years of practice of cases involving the following: High conflict / intractable contact disputes Parental alienation (Gemma has extensive experience in this area and has frequently lectured on this topic), including cases involving transfer of residence; Allegations of domestic abuse, including contested allegations of rape/serious sexual abuse and coercive/controlling behaviour (Gemma has significant experience in conducting lengthy finding of fact hearings) International and internal relocation (Gemma has considerable expertise in cases with an international dimension) Temporary removal from the jurisdiction Contested applications for Specific Issue Orders (for example, as to schooling) and Prohibited Steps Orders Cases necessitating expert instruction (including family/adult/child psychological instruction in complex high conflict/alienation cases) Drug/alcohol abuse Rule 16.4 Guardian appointments Enforcement Gemma swiftly and thoroughly identifies key issues in complex cases, with a view to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients in a timely manner, whilst at the same time striving for an outcome that will work for the entire family and avoid the need for future litigation. She is well known for her calm and empathetic disposition, practical approach, strong negotiation & drafting skills, and effective advocacy. Family – Public law children Gemma regularly represents Local Authorities, parents, extended family members and children in care and adoption proceedings. Gemma has extensive experience of lengthy contested hearings and finding of fact hearings. She is frequently instructed in matters involving: serious & multiple non-accidental/inflicted injuries sexual abuse (Gemma was recently led by leading counsel in a lengthy, complex sexual abuse case) fabricated illness complex medical evidence domestic abuse serious neglect drug/alcohol abuse representation of those with significant mental health, cognitive/capacity issues, vulnerabilities or other difficulties (including deafness) – cases both with/without intermediary instruction female genital mutilation breakdown of adoption relinquished babies forced marriage deprivation of liberty applications for discharge of Care/Placement Orders applications for leave to oppose the making of an adoption order resolutions model of assessment (Gemma recently successfully secured a Resolutions assessment in a case in which adverse findings had been made against a parent). Gemma also has a particular interest in public law matters involving an international element. She has extensive expertise in cases involving jurisdictional issues, issues of assessment overseas, liaising with foreign authorities, applications for transfer of jurisdiction, placement of children abroad and cultural considerations. Gemma accepts instructions to conduct Early Neutral Evaluations (ENE’s) in private children disputes

Crime Giles has a growing criminal practice and he undertakes all areas of criminal law for both defence and prosecution. He is a level 3 prosecutor. He has experience of presenting trials electronically and via interpreters. Giles has also dealt successfully with sensitive cases involving vulnerable parties and defendants with learning difficulties. Giles has developed a particular interest in representing football supporters who face criminal allegations of violence and public disorder. He also enjoys a strong track record of opposing football banning order applications relating to such cases. Regulatory & Public Giles Grant is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. Giles has a specialist interest in firearms and shotgun certificate appeals. He is regularly instructed to advise and represent in contested appeals as well as accepting instructions to advise and represent appellants. Building on experience working in firearms licensing has enabled Giles to develop a wider interest in public licensing law, in particular in relation to cases concerning public safety and serious allegations of misconduct. Giles has been instructed on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, Local Safeguarding Children Boards and family members in inquests. In these proceedings Giles has gained significant experience of working with and cross examining a range of expert witnesses. He takes pride in dealing with such matters with the appropriate sensitivity and consideration whilst ensuring that the interests of his clients are fully advanced.

Gillian Batts KC

Crime Gillian Batts is an experienced criminal practitioner taking silk in 2025. She is regularly instructed to defend in serious and challenging cases. Her practice encompasses the full range of offences, including homicide, serious non-fatal violence and drug-related offences; however, her particular specialisms are sexual offences and fraud. She is recommended for crime in The Legal 500 (2013). Of note Gill was instructed to represent one of the main defendants in Operations Clover 1 and 2 (Rotherham Child Sexual Exploitation trials 2015-16) and has been briefed to represent defendants in 3 other major CSE investigations in West Yorkshire. Gill is a strong jury advocate with a consistently high rate of success at trial, recognised by both professional and lay clients for her conscientious approach and commitment. She receives an increasing number of private instructions. Gill is noted to be effective at dealing with cases which involve young or vulnerable witnesses, and is often first choice for the defence because of her easy manner and sensitive approach. Those who instruct her comment that “her ability to communicate with people from all walks of life is a real strength”. She is experienced in all aspects of financial offending, including fraud, theft from employer, money-laundering and insolvency offences. She has defended in prosecutions brought by the CPS, HMRC, BIS and Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Regulatory & Public Law Gillian Batts KC sits as a Legally Qualified Chair to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. Gill has regularly been instructed by the General Medical Council to appear before the Medical Practitioners’ Tribunal. She has conducted hearings before the Interim Orders Panel and review hearings before the Fitness to Practise Panel. She also has experience of representing professionals including teachers, police officers and doctors.

Crime Glenn Parsons has a predominantly criminal practice. He defends or prosecutes in serious multi-defendant cases, including murder, rape, armed robbery and fraud. Glenn has both prosecuted and defended in sex cases that were subject to the s.28 pre-recorded cross- examination procedures which were trialed at Leeds Crown court and which will now be rolled out nationwide. He is therefore very experienced in the principles and procedures that apply and in particular, to formulating questioning in line with the protocols. He is also experienced in defending or prosecuting in proceeds of crime proceedings. Regulatory & Public Glenn undertakes all types of proceeds-of-crime work. He also has experience of prosecution work for the General Medical Council (GMC).

Crime Having completed her pupillage under the supervision of Michael Greenhalgh and Caroline Shields, Hafsah is accepting instructions across a broad range of practice areas. Hafsah has acted for both defence and prosecution on cases ranging from dangerous driving, commercial burglary and sexual assault. Hafsah has secured acquittals in the Crown Court and most recently successfully persuaded a judge to deter from imposing a custodial sentence following a series of breaches of a Suspended Sentence Order. Hafsah has also observed serious RASSO and grooming trials during her pupillage and undertaken judicial marshalling. Hafsah is regularly instructed on many cases above her Call and has been praised for her professionalism and client care skills. Hafsah builds rapport quickly with clients from all backgrounds, leading to individuals requesting her representation for future hearings and repeat instructions. Prior to joining the Bar, Hafsah worked at West Yorkshire Police, presenting numerous Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) applications at court as a Protection Order Caseworker. Hafsah has successfully persuaded judges in cases of violence or threats of violence between parties, resulting in Protection Orders being granted. Hafsah works effectively to time constraints, in preparing and presenting emergency DVPO applications. Hafsah received a Distinction for her LLM dissertation, comprising of a Practice Note for prosecutors and the police on prosecuting forced marriage offences. Hafsah analysed the first case in the UK where both parents were convicted for forced marriage offences, under s.121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Hafsah has a culturally-sensitive understanding of cases involving forced marriage, ‘honour’ based abuse and the complexity of familial relationships. Hafsah previously volunteered in local youth and community engagement work for over 6 years. Hafsah co-hosted a knife crime workshop for young people following a local stabbing, and facilitated events supporting vulnerable individuals in Leeds. Hafsah has developed a unique insight into youth crime from this work. Hafsah was awarded the Regional Scholarship at BPP and was selected for the Lincoln’s Inn Pupillage Foundation Scheme. Hafsah welcomes instructions in both criminal defence and prosecution work. Children Law Having completed her pupillage under the supervision of Michael Greenhalgh and Caroline Shields, Hafsah is accepting instructions across a broad range of practice areas. Hafsah has acted for the Local Authority in a Forced Marriage Protection Order (FMPO) case, where all five family members consented to FMPOs being made. Hafsah has recently represented a father in public care proceedings involving alleged injuries. Hafsah has experience cross examining expert witnesses and has appeared in multiple final hearings in private family cases. Hafsah regularly secures favourable results in both Family Law Act and Children Act proceedings. Hafsah is particularly skilled in coming to favourable agreements between parties concerning contact with children and ensuring clients feel heard and at ease. Hafsah is regularly instructed on many cases above her Call and has been praised for her professionalism and client care skills. Hafsah builds rapport quickly with clients from all backgrounds, leading to individuals requesting her representation for future hearings and repeat instructions. Hafsah was also a noting junior to Charlotte Worsley KC in a finding of fact hearing involving sexual abuse allegations. Hafsah was appraised for her excellent manner with clients and steely determination. Hafsah has observed large scale cases involving multiple trusts, care proceedings, final hearings, interim care orders, non-accidental head injury and Fabricated Induced Illness. Hafsah has worked collaboratively with her supervisor. She has researched points of law relating to Lucas directions, pool of perpetrators and previous allegations, as well as drafted submissions and cross examination for experts on injury causation and hair strand testing. Hafsah has attended CPD training on drug testing and has knowledge of how tests are conducted, used and analysed. Prior to joining the Bar, Hafsah worked at West Yorkshire Police in both the pre-charge advice team and as a Domestic Violence Protection Order Caseworker. These experiences further Hafsah’s insight on cases involving children, child neglect and domestic abuse. From reviewing the witness statements, non-molestation orders, involvement of social care, school records and photographs, Hafsah has experience seeing the multi-agency intersection between the police, social workers and family barristers in cases involving children. Hafsah presented numerous Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) applications at court as a Protection Order Caseworker. Hafsah has successfully persuaded judges in cases of violence or threats of violence between parties, resulting in Protection Orders being granted. Hafsah works effectively to time constraints, in preparing and presenting emergency DVPO applications. Hafsah received a Distinction for her LLM dissertation, comprising of a Practice Note for prosecutors and the police on prosecuting forced marriage offences. Hafsah analysed the first case in the UK where both parents were convicted for forced marriage offences, under s.121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Hafsah has a culturally-sensitive understanding of cases involving forced marriage, ‘honour’ based abuse and the complexity of familial relationships. Hafsah previously volunteered in local youth and community engagement work for over 6 years. Hafsah facilitated events supporting vulnerable individuals in Leeds. Hafsah was awarded the Regional Scholarship at BPP and was selected for the Lincoln’s Inn Pupillage Foundation Scheme. Hafsah welcomes instructions across all areas of Family and Court of Protection. Court of Protection Hafsah recently represented P via their accredited legal representative in a case involving an individual with dementia, who is deprived of their liberty under a DoLS authorisation. This case involved competing interests, best interest considerations and multiple family members who wished to be heard. Hafsah has regularly undertakes continued professional development in CoP, writing a case analysis on Re A (Covert Medication: Closed Proceedings) [2022] EWCOP 44 and assisting Caroline Shields (Head of Court of Protection team) in PSQB’s recent CoP panel event. This event brought together best practice and lively discussion between CoP solicitors, academics and barristers. Prior to joining the Bar, Hafsah worked at West Yorkshire Police in both the pre-charge advice team and as a Domestic Violence Protection Order Caseworker. Hafsah works effectively to time constraints, in preparing and presenting emergency DVPO applications. Hafsah received a Distinction for her LLM dissertation, comprising of a Practice Note for prosecutors and the police on prosecuting forced marriage offences. Hafsah analysed the first case in the UK where both parents were convicted for forced marriage offences, under s.121 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Hafsah has a culturally-sensitive understanding of cases involving forced marriage, ‘honour’ based abuse and the complexity of familial relationships. Hafsah previously volunteered in local youth and community engagement work for over 6 years. Hafsah facilitated events supporting vulnerable individuals in Leeds. Hafsah was awarded the Regional Scholarship at BPP and was selected for the Lincoln’s Inn Pupillage Foundation Scheme. Hafsah welcomes instructions across all areas of Family and Court of Protection. Regulatory & Public Law Hafsah has undertaken a noting brief on an inquest involving infection, perirenal abscess and urosepsis. Hafsah also shadowed Assistant Coroner Nadim Bashir on two jury inquests involving a police pursuit and a death in prison, as well as assisting the team at Hull Coroners’ Court in hearing preparation. Hafsah undertook training on the open and closing of inquests, reviews on Civica Coroners and documentary inquests with Area Coroner for Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lorraine Harris. These cases involved a range of medical and accidental causes. Hafsah has developed a first-hand insight into each stage of the process, for example where a case is referred, when a post-mortem is issued, an investigation with histologist is completed, an inquest is opened, conclusions are made and when an inquest is closed. Prior to commencing pupillage, whilst working at West Yorkshire Police, Hafsah has developed an interest and an awareness of professional discipline and police misconduct Family Finance Hafsah has completed in house Chambers’ Training Programme on Financial Remedies (written and delivered by Head of Finance and Deputy District Judge Karen Lennon) and kept abreast of law and practice in this area via continued professional development. Hafsah is able to take on instructions in family finance cases.

Children Law Ranked in Chambers & Partners (2025) for Family and Children Law. Helen is Joint Head of our Family Team. She honed her skills as an advocate in High Court proceedings dealing with the most serious allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children. Helen has the advantage of a background in criminal law, both defending and prosecuting. She was a Grade 4 Prosecutor and prosecuted cases of utmost seriousness and was on the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Panel. She is therefore confident in dealing with cases where clients face proceedings in both Family and Criminal jurisdictions. Public Law Helen represents Parents, Children’s Guardians, Intervenors and extended family members in Public Law proceedings. Helen is instructed in complex cases involving allegations of non accidental injury including serious injury such as bone fractures and brain damage; sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation; addictions to drugs and alcohol; chronic neglect Her caseload frequently involves expert evidence on complex medical issues arising from allegations of non-accidental, sexual assault and psychological harm. Helen has particular skill dealing with vulnerable witnesses and court users who find proceedings challenging and for whom communication is difficult eg because of their cognitive function, or because communication is through an interpreter. She has worked very successfully with Intermediaries. She represents victims and perpetrators of all forms of domestic abuse; people with learning disabilities, poor mental health and addictions; Helen also receives instructions through the Official Solicitor for lay clients who lack capacity ensuring that whilst the instructions of the OS are followed, the wishes and feelings of the party are fully expressed to the court. Private Law Helen has considerable experience in residence and contact cases where the issues are complex and problems can seem intractable. In these cases, where emotions can run high, her approach is empathetic and patient. Her advice is analytical, thoughtful, robust, and always child focussed. Crime Helen has been a Grade 4 prosecutor and approved to prosecute Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO). She has prosecuted and defended the most serious criminal offences including murder, manslaughter, blackmail, drugs (including large scale manufacture and distribution) and all manner of sexual offences, in particular those involving children, rape, voyeurism and indecent images.

Crime Holly has quickly developed a strong practice in all areas of criminal law. She is a CPS Level Two Prosecutor and regularly appears in the Crown Court on behalf of both the Prosecution and Defence. Holly adopts a clear and robust approach in court and is adept at looking ahead in any case in order to plan for a range of eventualities. She is known for her calm and approachable manner when dealing with clients and witnesses. She has experience dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses and has completed the Vulnerable Witness Advocacy Training course, which focuses on training for Ground Rules Hearings, child witnesses and cases that fall within the Section 28 pilot scheme (video-recorded cross-examination). She has appeared in numerous Crown Court trials, both prosecuting and defending, across a wide spectrum of criminal law including burglary, robbery, violent offences, sexual offences, driving offences, drugs offences and offences involving weapons. She has experience of cases involving the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and areas that include complex statute and regulations. Holly has also been instructed as disclosure junior on several large-scale operations, including cases involving homicide offences. She was recently instructed as Disclosure Junior to Richard Wright QC on a case involving the torture and murder of man at the Denholme Business Centre. Regulatory & Public Holly was appointed to the Specialist Regulatory Panel of Advocates in 2019 and has been instructed on behalf of government bodies on the Regulatory List since her appointment. She has also been accepted onto the panel for the Government Legal Department as a ‘Junior Junior’ and receives regular instructions from them in relation to cases involving Inquests, Prison Law, Personal Injury, Immigration and Employment issues. Holly has acted for both the Prosecution and the Defence in numerous cases brought by private agencies including local councils, the Environment Agency, The Home Office, HSE, RSPCA, DVLA, HMRC and FSA. She has experience of dealing with complicated regulations, factual issues and cross-examining expert witnesses in the Magistrates Court, Crown Court and in Specialist Tribunals. She has undertaken secondments with the Police and the Clinical Commissioning Group in York. She has received instructions from the Police in relation to matters involving Judicial Review and she has delivered training to West Yorkshire Fire Brigade. Holly has also represented numerous clients at Mental Health Tribunals and parole hearings. Having undertaken work for numerous government bodies Holly is familiar with internal policies and potential interactions between various government organisations. She is able to turn her hand to complex Regulatory and Governmental matters, in both an advisory role and as a court advocate. Prior to pupillage Holly worked as a Paralegal at Stewarts Law, a firm specialising in high value cases involving catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents. During her time as a paralegal Holly assisted with the preparation of numerous cases involving the HSE and the Care Quality Commission. Holly also regularly undertakes work in the Coroner’s Court, acting for a range of interested persons. Her calm and approachable manner is well suited to the Coroner’s Court and she is adept at identifying potential issues in a case at an early stage, allowing time for better case preparation and management of any potential regulation 28 issues. She is keen to continue to develop her experience in this area and often assists with drafting witness statements in her capacity as a ‘Junior Junior’ to the Government Legal Department. Holly is available to represent any interested party including bereaved families, public bodies and those who have been made an interested person by the Coroner due to their Professional roles.

Regulatory & Public Ranked Tier 1 for Business and Regulatory Crime (including Health and Safety) - The Legal 500 (2025). Howard has extensive experience of prosecuting cases involving food hygiene in slaughterhouses, meat cutting plant and other food businesses. The cases involve complex EU and national legislation and highly technical scientific evidence. He is regularly instructed by the Food Standards Agency and various local authorities. He has been involved in a number of recent leading cases on the interpretation of animal welfare legislation in the Administrative Court, whilst prosecuting cases for the CPS on behalf of DEFRA. He is highly experienced in such cases and regularly advises on complex points of law and the interpretation of EU and national legislation. Public Access Howard is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Crime Howard defends and prosecutes the whole range of serious criminal offences, including firearms offences, serious violence and large-scale public disorder, serious drugs offences, sexual offences, arson, fraud and high value dishonesty. He has represented many appellants in the Court of Appeal and regularly appears in the Administrative Court in connection with the interpretation of legislation. He has an approachable friendly manner and is regularly complimented for his clear advice.

Children Law Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) and Chambers and Partners (2025) for Family and Children Law. Huw specialises in and practices almost exclusively in public law children's cases, regularly representing local authorities, parents, children and grandparents. He has a well-established practice in Leeds and across Yorkshire. Huw is briefed in many of the most serious and complex cases on circuit. He has over 25 years' experience of dealing with cases involving complex medical issues, serious injuries, fabricated/induced illness and sexual abuse. As a senior junior he routinely appears against Leading Counsel. He has a particular interest in cases with a jurisdictional element and has been involved in cases relating to applications to transfer to a foreign jurisdiction and wardship proceedings involving children who have been taken abroad against their will. He has featured in several high-profile family law cases in recent years, including H-D-H [2021] EWCA Civ 1192 in which he represented the successful respondent. In 2023 he (alongside chambers colleague Martin Todd) he was instructed to represent the subject children, in one of three linked FII cases listed in the High court before the Family Division Liaison judge. Re BR (Transparency Order: Finding of Fact Hearing) [2023] EWFC 9. Huw has a calm and reassuring manner with clients and often represents those with learning difficulties or mental health issues. He is well respected by both his colleagues at the bar and instructing solicitors. He has a reputation for taking a firm, measured and proportionate approach on behalf of those he is instructed to represent. Regulatory & Public Huw Lippiatt has a particular interest in environmental law and has degrees in geological sciences and archaeology. He is particularly interested in issues relating to contaminated land. Public Access Huw may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

After being admitted as a Solicitor in 1998 Ian has represented clients in almost every type of criminal case ranging from driving offences to terrorism and murder. Ian obtained his Higher Rights of Audience in 2008 and transferred to the Bar in 2016. He has developed a large defence based practice and has represented clients from all walks of life ranging from vulnerable adults and youths to professional business people and prominent community members. Throughout the last 25 years Ian has gained invaluable experience in representing clients at every stage in the criminal process from the police station through to the courtroom. Ian has conducted numerous multi-handed complex fraud trials in the Crown Court in addition to cases involving serious violence, drugs, sexual offences and general crime. Having worked as a solicitor for 18 years Ian fully understands the continuing burdens faced by solicitors and the need to provide the highest quality representation to those facing criminal proceedings. He has a logical and pragmatic approach and an ability to quickly gain the confidence of the most demanding clients. He is conscientious and recognised for his thorough preparation and client care.

Personal Injury Ifzal Khan has a thriving practice in the area of criminal & personal injuries and industrial disease, having been instructed to appear in a wide range of fast-track and multi-track cases. Ifzal’s prior career as solicitor provides him with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Civil Procedure Rules (and of personal injury in particular). His practice currently focuses on: Occupier’s liability Employer’s liability Industrial disease Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) cases Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) cases Civil Fraud Ifzal has many years’ experience dealing with hundreds of fraud cases, especially personal injury (PI) fraud cases including low-velocity impact (LVI), credit-hire fraud, phantom passengers, staged accidents and fraud rings. Ifzal dealt with fraud cases from inception to conclusion when he practised as a solicitor prior to being called to the Bar. This background provides Ifzal with an in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the Civil Procedure Rules (and of personal injury in particular), and enables him to provide pragmatic and realistic prospects on merit. He has drafted particulars to a very high standard, as well as defences, witness statements and N244 applications. He provides a fast turnaround on advices and his opinions are robust. Ifzal is instructed to attend case management conferences, application hearings and trials. He has advised in conferences before and after the commencement of formal proceedings. Commercial & Chancery Ifzal Khan has a keen interest in Inheritance Act claims and believes the skills required here are similar to those which he has developed through his civil practice. In his previous practice as a solicitor, Ifzal worked in the area of wills, trusts and administration of estates for a number of years, drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney and receiverships, etc. He also regularly advised clients on matters of mental capacity and the Court of Protection. Regulatory & Public Ifzal has a mixed immigration practice. He accepts instructions in all types of immigration cases, at all levels. His experience extends to dealing with applications for bail, asylum, deportation, human rights, entry clearance, and appeals at all levels of Asylum & Immigration Tribunal (AIT). Employment Ifzal Khan accepts instructions for both advisory and litigation work in the Tribunals and County Courts. Ifzal accepts instruction to represent claimants and respondents across all levels of work, from preliminary hearings, judicial mediations to multi-week trials. Ifzal accepts instructions across the range of employment matters involving: Unfair dismissal (including automatic unfair dismissal and constructive unfair dismissal) All forms of discrimination (direct and indirect discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments, and harassment) Whistleblowing Unlawful deduction from wages Worker status Redundancy National Minimum Wage Breach of contact (in the Employment Tribunal and County Court) Paper Practice Ifzal accepts instructions to draft pleadings and is happy to provide pre-action advice on the merits of individual cases. Ifzal is happy to work to short deadlines where papers need to be turned around quickly.

Imogen Eastham-Brown

Imogen Eastham-Brown is commencing her common law pupillage under the supervision of Paul Abrahams. Prior to her pupillage, Imogen worked as a Regulatory and Public Law Clerk. Not only has Imogen developed transferrable qualities such as good judgement, interpersonal adeptness and problem solving skills within a high-pressure environment, but this role has also given her an insight into what is required to build a successful practice as a barrister. Imogen was previously a national hospitality and events manager, demanding high levels of preparation for large corporate events in which she demonstrated effective and transformational leadership of her team. Communicating in a clear and simple way was paramount and helped her excel in this role. She studied the BPTC alongside this, highlighting her capabilities to balance competing commitments. Imogen was previously an athlete. Her national success in sport resulted in her being invited to compete internationally. Her discipline, determination and self-motivation to succeed held her in good stead throughout her legal studies, and she will continue to apply this mindset to every aspect of pupillage.

Imran Khan is an experienced and accomplished advocate, who can be relied upon to achieve the right result in the most difficult of circumstances. He has a wealth of experience in virtually every type of criminal case, from drug trafficking to drink drive, from murder to money laundering, from theft to terrorism, from speeding to sexual offences. He has extensive experience in fraud, duty and VAT evasion cases. He has acted on some of the largest and complex cases in recent times. Imran is skilled in cross-examining professional witnesses, including DNA, blood spatter, trauma and dental experts and he is well informed of the mechanics of Cell-Site material and the limitations of it. He is a persuasive advocate, who is known for his hard work and tenacity. Instructing solicitors praise him for his thorough preparation, his sound tactical approach to cases and his knowledge of the law. He is often first choice for the defence because of his easy manner and sensitive approach. Imran has established himself on the North Eastern Circuit as a reliable advocate, having previously practised in London for over a decade.

Property James practises across the entire array of housing matters, taking instructions from Local Authorities, Social Landlords, Private Landlords and tenants. James’ experience includes straightforward possession, disrepair and unlawful eviction cases; he has a particular interest in Public Law defences. Recent cases involve defending complex disrepair counterclaims and public law defences relying on Shearer misrepresentations in succession. Areas of practice Possession claims Disrepair claims Anti-social behaviour possession cases and injunctions Unlawful eviction Commercial landlord and tenant disputes Disputes over the right to buy and succession claims Housing related appeals Public Law and Human Rights Defences Public Access James Wilson may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Personal injury & clinical negligence James is an experienced personal injury practitioner. He is available for high value Fast Track and Multi-Track claims. His experience includes serious injuries arising from road traffic accidents, pubic liability and accidents at work; the latter overlaps with James’ Health and Safety and Coronial practise. James also has extensive experience in all aspects of fraudulent cases including fundamental dishonesty and s57 of Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. He regularly acts for all the major solicitors and insurers in this sector. James is available to advise both in person and on paper and has a strong paper practise settling pleadings. James will always make himself available to those who instruct him on the telephone and via email. James regularly delivers talks and provides training on all aspects of personal injury litigation. If you would like to book James for a talk, please contact his clerks. Commercial & Chancery James approaches all cases in a pragmatic and objective manner. He is able to provide realistic and commercially sound advice at all stages of a case. James appears regularly in Multi-Track and High Court cases. For those cases which are not compromised, James is a robust and very well prepared advocate for whom no detail is too small. He prides himself on well planned and well executed cross examinations. Contract James’ focus is on breaches of commercial contracts. His keen commercial awareness makes him well-placed to advise and act on all aspects of potential breaches/causes of action. He provides pragmatic advice and will assist clients in pitching well-placed Part 36 offers as well as attending settlement meetings. If matters should go to trial, he is always diligently prepared and is robust and forensic in his cross-examination. Clubs/Unincorporated Associations James has great experience dealing with Unincorporated Associations. The issues in these cases often go outside of simple legal and factual disputes and James is well placed to advise on the use of ADR and attend in those instances. Pleadings need to be done carefully and James is happy to assist at any stage. Insurance James frequently advises insurers in relation to all aspects of their contractual and non-contractual obligations, including breaches of the contracts of insurance, avoidance of indemnity and other obligations arising out of indemnity insurance; such as those under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Article 75 of the Memorandum of Understanding. Rights of way/trespass James has experience acting for large landowners in relation to claims for trespass and nuisance, including claims against neighbouring land which has built new properties in breach of easements and defending claims for nuisance for failure to properly maintain rights of way. Public Access James Wilson may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Regulatory & Public James accepts instructions in cases arising out of serious or fatal injuries in the workplace. He is able to provide advice at an early stage and deal with all areas of court proceedings thereafter. James routinely acts for insurance companies in personal injury and HSE prosecutions and is well placed to advise defendant companies and insurers at the first sign of HSE involvement or civil claims. James also regularly attends coroner’s inquests and is available to act in other regulatory cases, with special interests in Health and Safety and Environmental / Waste Management prosecutions an area in which James is assisted by his Bsc (Hons) in Geo-chemistry. Professional Discipline James has a successful professional discipline practice. He regularly drafts, advises and presents for professional bodies such as the NMC and SWE. This also crosses over with his increasing inquest practice where he often represents professionals such as GP’s and Paramedics, where he is able to assist with any potential disciplinary proceedings arising from the inquest. James sits on the Yorkshire RFU discipline Committee and the National RFU discipline committee. Whilst he is, at present, unable to assist rugby union players, he is well placed to represent other sports people who are subject to discipline proceedings. James can also act in all other professional disciplinary tribunals including but not limited to: Doctors Accountants Solicitors Teachers Fire Fighters James is also available to assist clients in the following areas: Care Quality Commission Firearms; appeals and prosecutions Food safety/hygiene Licensing Hackney Carriage Licensing Premise Local Authority/District Council Prosecutions Sporting disciplinary (especially rugby union) Trading Standards Coronial Law James is an experienced inquest advocate. He represents professional bodies, companies, healthcare professionals and families, alike. His experience in personal injury and healthcare professional discipline is of great advantage to clients in the coronial arena.

Children Law James Hargan is a skilled and formidable advocate with considerable and wide-ranging experience acquired over 20 years in practice. He has very substantial experience in all courts up to the level of the Court of Appeal, particularly in matters before the High Court, and regularly appears against leading counsel. He practises exclusively in civil (family, non-family and Court of Protection) work, where he has an enviable reputation for meticulous preparation and in-depth case knowledge, skilled drafting, and a polished performance in court. He is a strategic thinker with a fine eye for detail, and a trusted performer known for his sound advice and approachability. James has a particular specialism and expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and is very experienced in dealing with cases featuring complex medical evidence from a range of medical and scientific disciplines, including in relation to mental health issues. He regularly acts for children, local authorities, and parents. He has a particular interest in cases turning on paediatric neuro-radiology. Regulatory & Public James has over 25 years experience in work involving the factual and forensic investigation of serious injuries to children, and infant death. That experience and specialism has been extensively deployed in the Family Court, routinely at High Court level and against Leading Counsel. More recently in the Coroner’s court, where James sits as an Assistant Coroner. Whilst remaining approachable and accessible to clients, James’ court work, both written and oral, is focused and analytical, and he is a confident and formidable cross-examiner of experts. Court of Protection & Adult Care James is highly experienced in dealing with cases featuring mental health/capacity issues. He has particular expertise in cases concerning serious non-accidental injuries to children, and child deaths, and handles cases involving complex medical evidence from a wide range of medical and scientific disciplines.

Children Law James accepts instructions in respect of all matters arising out of public law proceedings and regularly accepts instructions on behalf of local authorities, parents and guardians. His work includes dealing with cases involving: Non-accidental injuries, Genetic disorders and conditions Sexual abuse Domestic violence Psychiatric and psychological conditions James is also instructed in all forms of parental disputes including parental alienation and child arrangements. In addition, he also has experience in dealing with cases involving: Modern families including same sex relationships and known sperm donors Cases involving allegations of domestic abuse Disputes about schooling Changes of children’s names Forced marriage Claims for child maintenance under Schedule 1 of the Children Act Private law cases which intersect with public law proceedings Acting for guardians and children as parties to private law cases. Family Finance James accepts instructions in relation to all aspects of family property and the financial consequences of marital separation and the separation of cohabitees. He often appears at First Directions Appointments, Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings and Final Hearings and deals with a range of cases including: Agricultural land Private companies Family trusts Foreign property Pensions, and Interveners

Crime James is a Grade 1 Panel Advocate for the Crown Prosecution Service and regularly conducts Crown Court appeals for both the prosecution and defence. James is regularly instructed to appear in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the prosecution and defence. When appearing on behalf of defendants, James quickly builds up a rapport with clients and has experience in handling cases from first hearing through to trial and sentence when necessary. His experience as a prosecutor gives him a sound understanding of a wide variety of offences including domestic violence and sexual offences. His prosecution work also affords him a firm grasp on disclosure issues and CPS procedure with a view to securing pre-trial disposal where possible. When prosecuting, James handles busy trial lists as an agent for the Crown Prosecution Service as well as assisting in GAP and remand lists. James is regularly commended for his manner with complainants and witnesses alike. James also has a keen interest in road traffic offences and regularly defends and mitigates for those facing points endorsement or disqualification. Before commencing his pupillage, James worked for a defence firm specialising in criminal law. He was the case handler for a seven-handed, eleven count indictment which included kidnap, blackmail, drugs offences and firearms offences. Due to his training as a barrister, he was responsible for drafting hearsay and bad character applications as well as grounds of appeal to the Court of Appeal and referrals to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. James also has experience dealing with contested Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings. Regulatory & Public Prior to commencing his pupillage, James worked as a paralegal in the fitness to practise directorate of the General Medical Council’s in-house legal team. As well as instructing counsel in Interim Order Tribunal hearings and drafting applications for High Court Extensions, James also handled his own caseload for Medical Practitioners Tribunal review hearings. James’ experience at the GMC gives him an extensive knowledge of their internal procedures and case management system. James is happy to accept instructions for Interim Order Tribunal hearings, MPT review hearings and High Court extension applications. Personal Injury James enjoys a mixed civil practice, appearing regularly for claimants and defendants in small claims hearings across the North Eastern Circuit. As well as conducting trials, he also handles any pre-trial or post-trial applications and has secured costs for unreasonable behaviour in small claims hearings on a number of occasions. James is also regularly instructed in MOJ Stage 3, infant approval and disposal hearings. James accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on liability and quantum. He can work to a short deadline if required. Commercial & Chancery James is regularly instructed in debt recovery cases on the small claims track and has secured costs for unreasonable behaviour of debtors on a number of occasions. He also has experience in dealing with winding up petitions for both debtors and creditors.

Janine Wolstenholme

Inquests & Inquiries Ranked Band 1 for Inquests and Public Inquiries - Chambers and Partners (2025) - 5 years ranked Ranked in Tier 1 for Inquests and Inquiries in - The Legal 500 (2025) Janine Wolstenholme is a highly sought after barrister. She is in particular demand for high profile, complex, and sensitive cases. Many have linked matters including civil claims, judicial reviews, and regulatory and disciplinary proceedings, with clients benefitting from the continuity of representation she provides across the various jurisdictions. She is extremely experienced in the coroners' courts, appearing country-wide, representing the interests of the state, large corporations, small businesses, professionals, individuals, and bereaved families, as well as Counsel to the Inquest. Janine's experience ranges from short, natural causes deaths to lengthy cases involving several interested parties, with the majority of her instructions invoking Article 2 and requiring a jury. Regulation 28/PFD issues routinely feature. She has a particular interest in cases involving children and protected parties, including obstetrics and foetal medicine, but has significant experience in the full range of cases, including: care and nursing homes, custody/detention, educational settings/contagion, DOLS, domestic homicide, medical treatment (or lack of), mental health, neglect, road traffic collisions, substance and alcohol misuse and workplace deaths. Janine also provides training, and has delivered sessions to clinical staff at NHS hospital trusts. Janine has a nationwide practice and is happy to travel to accommodate her clients' needs, as well as deliver training and seminars to clients at their premises. Public Access Janine may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Public Law including Judicial Review Janine has significant experience in this area having acted for a range of central government departments, local authorities, the NHS and its commissioners, and other public bodies, or those carrying out public functions, for many years. She accepts instructions in relation to a range of Public and Regulatory matters including duties, powers, judicial review, quashing of inquisitions in the coroners' courts, misconduct, and misfeasance in public office, and as well as appearing in the County and High Courts, appears before a number of specialist tribunals, including the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber, SENDIST, and School Admissions Appeals Panels. Personal injury & clinical negligence Janine is an experienced advocate. She undertakes advisory, drafting and advocacy work, across all aspects of casualty litigation. Clients enjoy a high level of service and particularly appreciate her forensic, holistic and tactical approach. Janine has many years' experience in casualty work acting for Claimants and Defendants. Her practice includes injury, both bodily and psychiatric and consequential loss arising out of clinical negligence, personal injury, employers' liability, disease, occupiers' liability, highways, product liability, accidents abroad, and motor claims (including MIB). She has a genuine and long-standing interest in claims involving secondary victims and nervous shock having completed her undergraduate dissertation in this field. She has experience of low value claims through to large loss actions following surgery (emergency, orthopaedic/routine and cosmetic), inadequate post-surgery care and treatment, delayed and failed diagnosis, neglect, as well as claims involving compulsory detention and mental health. Janine has a particular interest in incidents resulting in loss of life, particularly those concerning children, protected and vulnerable parties. She undertakes work at all stages from initial advice through to JSMs and trial, including requests (coroner and jury), and fully contested multi-track trials and appeals lasting several days in the High Court. A significant proportion of Janine's current practice includes acting for NHSLAs, insurers, local government and, since her appointment as Junior Counsel to the Crown, Regional Civil Panel, in 2010, she is regularly instructed by the Crown and various State departments, both ministerial and non-ministerial. Janine accordingly has an acute understanding of the wider, potentially lasting, implications that may arise in any given case, whether it relates to policy or because of political and media interest and scrutiny and approaches every case with such matters in mind.

Jeremy Hill-Baker

Jeremy Hill-Baker specialises exclusively in crime. He has considerable experience in complex and serious heavyweight cases, and will act for the prosecution or the defence. He is a Grade-4 and specialist rape prosecutor, adept at dealing with young and vulnerable witnesses. Jeremy’s practice also encompasses fraud, robbery, serious violence, drugs and people trafficking. He is skilled at presenting cases in a jury-friendly manner.

Commercial & Chancery John has a well-developed business practice encompassing contract, tort, employment, copyright, trade marks, passing off, sport and aspects of media including defamation. He also advises across the full range of General Common Law. He is particularly drawn to cases which include a range of issues. John has advised on various aspects of European law particularly in relation to Trade Marks. He has applied for, and defended, a broad range of injunctions including 'search' and 'freezing' orders. His work includes significant experience in advising where Criminal and Civil actions are running concurrently. John frequently acts in circumstances where advice is needed in order to assist in avoiding media attention and has successfully applied for injunctions preventing the advertising and publication of a film and subsequent attempts to sell it on Amazon or show it at various private clubs. He has advised on taking steps which have resulted in the removal of inaccurate information from the internet by Google and Amazon and has advised public relations firms and website providers on various aspects of their work. John sits as an "Independent Person" under the Localism Act for a local authority and has also chaired a local authority remuneration committee. He has a good understanding of the interior workings of councils and the higher echelons of the civil service and has advised on complex matters involving the disciplinary processes of Parliament and their interaction with courts. He has advised in relation to actions against local politicians and MPs. John has advised on aspects of European law and lectured Montenegrin Judges and prosecuting authorities on money laundering as part of their application to join the EU. John is able to advise in quasi-non-executive or critical friend capacity and has contributed to complex projects and events as an extra source of oversight. Areas of expertise Contract Tort Employment Law Unfair Dismissal Constructive Dismissal Injunctions Post contractual obligations and restrictive covenants Inducement to breach contracts Vento damages Partnerships Insurance Regulatory Administrative Judicial Review Local authority Standards Sport Contracts Disciplinary Doping Defamation Intellectual Property Copyright Trade Marks Design rights (registered and unregistered) Passing Off Privacy Internet use Ecommerce Publication ADR and Mediation Sale of Goods Some consumer credit Aspects of Banking and Finance Boundary disputes Civil fraud Push payment fraud Abuse of process as a cause of action Aspects of company litigation Media Data Protection GDPR Privacy Right to report Aspects of Financial Services Aspects of Insolvency Planning (enforcement only) Product liability Professional Negligence Shareholder/Director disputes (generally non PLC) Aspects of trusts Government Local Parliamentary Misconduct in public office Aspects of charity law Intellectual Property John has broad experience in soft IP. Whilst in early practice John taught a course on music copyright to audio engineering students at Alchemea (now part of Institute of Contemporary Music Performance - ICMP). He developed his knowledge of copyright and trade marks through work which included involvement in a range of bootlegging cases in which he represented some of the largest bootleggers in the world. In the course of preparation for the trials which varied from a few days to a few months he had to advise on the validity of recording contracts of many household names and dealt with copyright registered in the US and trade marks registered in the UK, US and Europe. He developed an understanding of the internal and intra organisational workings of various copyright collection societies and the BPI and was invited by the Patent Office (as was) to advise the Indian Government on IP issues. Alongside copyright, trade mark and registered and unregistered designs, John's work has included; passing off cases with international aspects; advising games developers; agreements for the marketing of software for teaching and, commercial exploitation of sporting rights. He has marshalled disputes or advised on IP rights in, music, lyrics, poetry, jewellery, fashion and recipes. He has advised on bullet-proof jackets for canines and infringing handbag designs. John has dealt with the intricacies of challenge to domain name ownership under the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). He was a founding member of the Phoenix Chambers Intellectual Property Crime team one of the first such specialist units at the bar. His work also included advice on disputes where the copyright in a trademark or the copyright in a conversation were in issue. He has delivered lectures on copyright, trade marks and associated rights, for the Institute of Art and Design at Birmingham City University. John has advised in a range of cases involving General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Subject Access Request (SAR) compliance in relation to major utilities and internet providers. He has represented various large institutional clients in data protection. He maintains contact with niche London IP practices and legal and technical experts across the subject area. Public Access John may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Employment John has practised in employment law working for the Free Representation Unit in the 1990s, his first reported employment case is Intasean v Glenthorpe Engineering Co [1998] UKEAT 924_98_0110 (1 October 1998) He has a good understanding of the full range of employment issues and often advises where employment abuts other areas of concern like sport, intellectual property, confidentiality or trade secrets. He recently represented the three corporate defendants in the widely reported case Tenon FM Ltd v Cawley & Ors [2018] EWHC 1972 (QB) (25 July 2018) which considered the appropriate approach to injunctive relief, poaching of employees and post contractual obligations. John has been instructed by the Police Federation and represented officers from a number of forces and also frequently represents health professionals. He has a good understanding of the internal workings of sports organisations and is the Chair of Discipline and Grievance at British Fencing (the National Governing Body for Fencing). He has represented sport participants in disciplinary hearings and acted for clubs in a broad range of sports. He frequently advises local authorities and has sat on and advised remuneration committees. He is a statutory Independent Person on the Standards Committee at Craven District Council and has advised broadly on standards issues. John is a keen advocate of Alternative Dispute Resolution and is an accredited mediator. His recent employment work has included race, sex and disability discrimination, restrictive covenants and employee competition, trade secrets, conduct and internal resolution (including mediation), unfair dismissal, redundancy, transfer of undertakings, working time, holiday and sickness remuneration, bonuses, notice pay, whistleblowing, injunctions and fraud. Personal injury & clinical negligence John handles all aspects of personal injury, ranging from modest to catastrophic. He also appears in inquests and public inquiries. John has a particular interest in injuries arising in sport and has significant sports experience and knowledge to draw from. John is comfortable dealing with specialist expert evidence and has ready access to medical expertise for informal input. John has a narrow expertise in cases involving Credit Hire and has acted in credit hire cases since 1994. He has provided update lectures on sports injuries, head injury, credit hire, low velocity impact and third party costs orders. John has extensive driving experience and understands emergency response and police driving. He held an RAC Racing Permit for two years and holds a full motorcycle license. He also cycles. Areas of Expertise Claims involving Police or Prisons Road Traffic Accidents (including credit hire) Occupiers' Liability Highways cases Employer's liability Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 ("PUWER") Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 and Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 Inquests Costs Limitation Sanctions Fraudulent Claims Claims involving criminal allegations Sexual abuse Assault Quantum of Personal Injury Damages Vento damages Seminars Low Velocity Injuries with Simon Ross and Frances Lawley Sanctions for Royal College of Nursing in Leeds

PSQB Door Tenant, John Jolliffe, has a wide-ranging public law practice, with a particular focus on inquests and inquiries, regulatory work, and judicial review and statutory appeals. He is a member of the Attorney-General’s A panel of counsel, and works part time as a deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal and of the Court of Protection. He appeared in the Infected Blood Inquiry for government clients including Sir Malcolm Rifkind KC and Lord Forsyth. He is instructed in the Covid-19 Inquiry. Having been a member of the Attorney-General’s panels of counsel for over a decade, he has an unusually wide range of experience, and he prides himself on his ability to work across different areas of legal practice and to get to grips with new law. John is instructed in a range of inquests, including numerous Article 2 prison inquests with a Coroner and a jury. His inquest clients include HM Prison Service, police forces, NHS trusts and local authorities as well as family members of the deceased. He is used to dealing with vulnerable witnesses and mental health issues. He travels across the country to appear in inquests. Some examples include: Re Trotman – 3 day jury inquest before Coroner Ian Wade KC instructed by the Metropolitan Police, concerning the death of a suspect while under restraint. Issues included reasonable use of restraint techniques and potential criminal liability. Re Franks – 4 day jury inquest before Senior Coroner Kevin McLoughlin instructed by HM Prison Service, concerning the death of a prisoner in his cell. Issues included the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) process and domestic violence. Re Ansley – 6 day jury inquest before Coroner Fiona King instructed by a healthcare provider, concerning the death of a prisoner in his cell. Issues included the proper handling of vulnerable prisoners. John’s public inquiry work has covered some of the most high-profile cases. He has ongoing instructions in the Covid-19 Inquiry acting for the Scotland Office with junior counsel to assist him. He advised and represented various core participants in the Infected Blood Inquiry including the Department for Health and Social Care, the Cabinet Office and the Scotland Office. He was part of the counsel team in the investigation of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party led by Henrietta Hill KC and instructed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. John appears in judicial reviews and statutory appeals before the High Court and Court of Appeal and specialist tribunals. His clients include central government departments, local authorities and government agencies, businesses and individuals. He is instructed to act against KCs as sole counsel or leading counsel. His reported cases include: Smith v SSJ [2020] EWHC 2712 Admin – (procedural fairness; CART decision making). UT (Sri Lanka) v SSHD [2019] EWCA Civ 1091 (error of law). LB Tower Hamlets v SSCLG [2019] EWHC 2219 Admin (enforcement; conservation areas; materiality; NPPF para 196) Mustafa v Kent CC [2018] EWHC 2021 Admin (statutory housing and support). Pun (Nepal) v SSHD [2017] EWCA Civ 2106 (ILR; Gurkhas; Article 8). John’s work has been praised in the legal directories. He has been described as “engaging and authoritative” – “very focused and a bright individual” – “strong on regulatory enforcement matters”.

With vast experience handling criminal cases in the Crown Court, and Court of Appeal, John is a formidable advocate. He obtained his Higher Rights of Audience qualification while still a trainee and became a qualified Solicitor able to conduct advocacy in the Crown Court in 2014. Since then, he has built a strong and varied practice in all areas of criminal law. Throughout his career as a Solicitor and Director of one of the largest Criminal defence firms in the North, John developed a professional and robust attitude with an ability to deal with all nature of clients, including youth and vulnerable witnesses, at every stage of the Criminal Justice System. John has represented clients in almost every area of criminal law. John’s experience ranges from conducting trials for driving offences at the Magistrates Court to multi-handed high value fraud trials in the Crown Court. He has also conducted numerous trials for serious offences including conspiracy to supply drugs, rape and robbery. John has been instructed as Junior Counsel for many cases including on cases of murder and high-profile fraud and money laundering. His pragmatic and effective approach has led to a busy and well-respected practice among colleagues and clients. As well as accepting instructions for legally aided matters John has represented many private paying clients for a range of offences in the Crown Court and driving offences in the Magistrates Court for Road Traffic matters.

Crime Originally from Leeds, John Batchelor has specialised in defending serious crime since 1993 when he was admitted as a solicitor. He is an effective advocate and obtained his higher rights (crime) in 2005, and has appeared regularly in the crown court since. John transferred to the bar in 2016 but has over 23 years experience in advising in cases involving serious violence, homicide, drugs, public disorder, proceeds of crime, fatal driving cases, and an array of sexual offences. He has recently been placed on the Advocate Panel 2016-20 list for general crime at level 3, for the North Eastern circuit. John has also advised in serious police enquiries of national interest, including The News International phone hacking investigation. With particular experience in advising on serious fraud cases and VHCC cases brought by the CPS and the SFO (R.v.Papworth, R.v.Grove, R.v.Mitchell) he is skilled at handling complex and large electronic cases. He has a particular interest in business crime and regulatory work. John has conducted trials involving serious violence and general crime, as well as multi-handed cases. He has been led by both silk and junior counsel and brings to the Bar his wealth of experience from advising suspects at the police station all the way through to jury trial. A number of prominent figures from public life and those that have attracted media interest have been discreetly represented by John. With experience at first hand of the changes and pressure brought to solicitors in practice, John is ideally placed to assist solicitors in looking after their lay clients from a diverse and varied background. He is an affable, approachable advocate who is plain speaking in his advice when supporting his professional and lay clients. John has recently appeared in several serious sexual offence cases, including non-recent cases and those with multiple allegations and multiple complainants of all age ranges. A number of these cases involve pre-recorded cross-examination. Recently John has represented a number of people with mental health issues or additional needs. He is used to representing those with complex communication needs. Regulatory & Public Called to the Bar in 2016 but admitted as a solicitor in 1993, John brings his wealth of experience in advising on regulatory cases and business crime, having specialised from the turn of the millennium in fraud and regulatory work. John has defended large SFO cases, organised fraud and money laundering cases brought by the CPS, HMRC, DWP and other agencies. John has recently been instructed in food hygiene and food safety proceedings brought by the Food Standards Agency. His experience extends to RAN appeals and he is familiar with all aspects of the hierarchy of the enforcement within the food industry. He has significant experience in defending complex multi-handed frauds including Ponzi and Boiler room frauds, and cases presented on encrypted case management software. John has case managed and planned defences in many large fraud cases and has also appeared as an advocate in similar cases including those with cross-jurisdictional issues and non-domiciled defendants. As a solicitor John advised lay clients in a number of significant fraud enquiries, including The News International phone hacking enquiry. He was a police station adviser for over 20 years as well as an advocate and has also advised and appeared in money laundering and POCA cases and has significant experience in financial crime and advising in FCA compliance issues. John has experience in defending environmental pollution and industrial waste prosecutions, and health and safety industrial accident and criminal negligence cases, together with a number of trade licence cases. In addition he has coronial law experience and has appeared at a number of inquests in West Yorkshire for medics at different levels of their career in hospital fatalities. He has also regularly advised in police investigations for all the types of work described above. He is an affable and approachable advocate who strives to give clear, concise and structured advice to his professional and lay clients alike. John is a grade 3 prosecutor and regularly prosecutes serious crime and has undertaken CCU and RASSO cases; John has also undertaken work for the Complex Case Unity in prosecuting firearms offences. Children law John has recently been instructed in numerous NAI and other complex cases. John is a widely experienced advocate, previously a senior solicitor (admitted 1993) and Higher Courts Advocate (June 2005) and then Called to the Bar and joining PSQB in 2016. John has a great amount of experience in dealing with both vulnerable clients and those who find themselves in emotionally draining circumstances. He also has experience of cases involving cultural sensitivity and conflict. John has experience of both representing and challenging those with additional needs, in particular with learning or behavioural issues. He has experience in cases with intermediaries and cross-examination of vulnerable witnesses. John has a background of dealing with both sensitive and complex cases, including those with complex medical issues or conflicting expert evidence. He also has experience in dealing with issues crossing cultural and religious boundaries. Having had a long standing interest in family law since first being actively involved in care cases when in his early years John is accepting instructions in family law, and in particular in care work. John, originally from Leeds, is an approachable advocate providing robust but considered straightforward advice.

Crime Jon is an experienced criminal practitioner who prosecutes and defends cases across the criminal spectrum, from homicide and serious sexual offences to large-scale drugs conspiracies and high-value fraud. He is a CPS Grade 3 prosecutor. Jon also has a wealth of experience in the Courts Martial, having represented service men and women from all branches of the armed forces, both in the UK and abroad, since 2010. Children Law Since 2016 Jon has appeared regularly in the Family Courts across the North East, representing parents, Guardians and Local Authorities in public and private law cases involving domestic violence, sexual abuse and serious neglect. Regulatory & Public Jon has experience in a wide range of regulatory matters. He represents Local Authorities in both the magistrates’ and Crown Courts and has prosecuted and defended in cases brought by the Health and Safety Executive and HMRC. Jon also has experience in taxi licensing and firearm appeals.

Jonathan Holsgrove

Personal Injury Jonathan maintains a practice in all areas of personal injury litigation, regularly appearing on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. He accepts instructions for court hearings on liability and quantum, oral applications and CCMCs. Alongside his court work, instructions are taken to provide written work, frequently advising on both liability and quantum, in addition to drafting pleadings and statements of case. Over the years Jonathan has completed thousands of hearings in the Small, Fast and Multi Tracks. His experience as a solicitor gives him invaluable knowledge when dealing with matters concerning costs. For a number of years Jonathan has maintained a practice in the specialist area of credit hire litigation. He regularly appears on behalf of both Claimants / Credit Hire Organisations and Defendants. He accepts instructions for court hearings on liability, quantum, oral applications and CCMCs all relating to credit hire. Jonathan has experience in all aspects of credit hire claims but has a particular interest in claims involving bailees in possession. Given his expertise in personal injury claims Jonathan is the perfect advocate to deal with any credit hire claim also involving claims for general damages. Jonathan has a particular interest in claims concerning property and is regularly instructed in occupiers liability, defective premises and disrepair cases. Commercial & Chancery Jonathan practices in chancery and commercial litigation with an emphasis on real property, probate and professional negligence. His practice also extends to the Court of Protection and matters relating to capacity and financial affairs. Jonathan is sought after for matters across the spectrum of housing law including possession proceedings, disrepair, succession and anti-social behaviour injunctions. He is regularly instructed on behalf of private, public and Local Authority landlords across the country. He is available for court hearings and written advice. Part of his practice also includes the prosecution of offences under the Housing Act 2004 and Protection from Eviction Act 1977. He has significant experience in matters relating to trusts of land following the breakdown of personal or business relationships. In particular he is sought after for his expertise in claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996. He has been instructed in cases involving the scrutiny of trust deeds, undue influence and professional negligence. In respect of contentious probate work Jonathan’s practice also includes regular instructions on behalf of claimants, beneficiaries and estates in matters arising under the Inheritance Act 1975, often where there is a trust of land element. Jonathan has particular expertise in claims involving children, vulnerable adults and deemed divorce. He accepts instructions relating to capacity and the validity of wills. Jonathan combines his experience in these areas with a thriving Proceeds of Crime practice. He is regularly instructed by prosecution, defence and third parties where there are complex issues involving property ownership. Crime Jonathan is a specialist in relation to all aspects of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He utilises his experience as a civil practitioner to offer criminal clients the precise advice needed in this developing area of law. He is instructed on behalf of the Crown and defence as well as third party individuals and businesses. He is regularly instructed on behalf of parties involved in civil proceedings where the CPS intervene to enforce confiscation orders. Family Finance Jonathan accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to all aspects of family finance. He is experienced at representing clients at First Hearings, Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings and Final Hearings.

Jonathan Gittins

Since December 2019, Jonathan has been under the supervision of Christopher Baker, undertaking a predominantly criminal pupillage. During this he has observed serious drug matters, offences against the person, and dishonesty offences. Since moving into his second six, Jonathan prosecutes and defends regularly in the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts in a wide range of matters including harassment, domestic violence, offences against the person, motoring offences, and dishonesty offences.

Jonathan McDonnell

Property Before being called to the Bar, Jonathan spent four years working within the legal department of a large social landlord, New Charter Housing Trust Group. He ran a busy caseload of disrepair, possession and injunction matters during this time. His years working for New Charter have allowed him to better understand the issues his instructing solicitors experience. Jonathan recently appeared at a relief from forfeiture application for a company against a third-party that had changed the locks to their property. Jonathan obtained relief and, at the return hearing, persuaded the Court to award a significant amount of damages for both loss of profits and mesne profits. Jonathan regularly appears in disrepair matters. He is often instructed to appear at allocation hearings. At trial, Jonathan is highly familiar with Birmingham v Lee [2008] EWCA Civ 891 and regularly makes arguments as to the applicability of costs up to either allocation or when the repairs were completed. Jonathan is regularly instructed to advise on both the merits of liability and likely quantum of disrepair matters and prides himself on his attention-to-detail in his analysis of these cases. Jonathan has a very busy disrepair paper practice and drafts many high-quality pleadings per week. Jonathan recently appeared on behalf of a landlord in a complex disrepair matter. He persuaded the Court to dismiss the whole claim after careful analysis of the Particulars of Claim, expert and witness evidence. In essence, Jonathan persuaded the Court to limit the Claimant’s claim to the pleaded items and that each had been repaired within a reasonable period. Any additional items that appeared in the witness evidence were disregarded. Jonathan confidently deals with possession matters. He was recently instructed to seek possession of a property for the non-payment of rent. The claim was met with a counterclaim for disrepair. Jonathan persuaded the Court to make the possession order, to award the total amount claimed for in rent arrears, and to depart from the fixed costs regime, resulting in several thousands of pounds in costs being awarded. In another complex possession matter involving the Official Solicitor, Jonathan persuaded the Court to grant possession at an interlocutory hearing following receipt of the Defence, despite issues being raised including a non-valid increase in rent, a failure to protect a tenancy deposit and disrepair. Jonathan is very comfortable with the authorities surrounding the public sector equality duty and regularly appears for social landlords to defeat such arguments. Jonathan recently advised on a claim concerning statutory succession of the tenancy by a minor which created an equitable tenancy in favour of the child. Personal Injury Jonathan has a strong credit hire practice and can confidently deal with any issue that arises from such litigation. He adopts a forensic and detailed approach to these cases. Recently, Jonathan persuaded the Court that the Defendant’s Whichrate summary was inadequate, leading to the BHR evidence being stuck out. Given his experience and knowledge of credit hire, Jonathan was instructed on a permission to appeal hearing following a finding of misrepresentation at first instance. Jonathan successfully persuaded the Court that misrepresentation as a legal concept in credit hire claims is flawed due to the bars to rescission, particularly affirmation of the contract. Commercial & Chancery Jonathan recently succeeded in a County Court Appeal concerning a parking charge notice. Jonathan persuaded the Court that Schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 did not apply, despite the same not being argued at first instance. The Court agreed and dismissed the Appellant’s appeal. Jonathan successfully appeared in a strike out application in the High Court, which alleged multiple causes of action including fraud. This success saved his client considerable time and expense. Jonathan is well experienced in debt recovery matters. He was recently instructed to defend a business accused of tampering with their electrical meter, resulting in tens of thousands of pounds of debt accruing. Jonathan persuaded a Circuit Judge that the Defendant had not tampered with the meter and consequently reduced the amount paid in damages, interest and costs to a minimum. Jonathan is developing a niche in National Non-Domestic Rates and BID Levy cases. He recently appeared at a high-value, complex matter involving a charitable status defence for over 20 hereditaments. Jonathan persuaded the Court that the Defendant was not entitled to relief and the Court granted a liability order for over £130,000. Jonathan is regularly instructed on car finance and payment protection insurance claims. He regularly argues that the relationships are unfair, that there is a secret or half-secret commission payment and that equitable rescission ought to be awarded, and that there has been breaches of the CONC rules. Jonathan has recently advised on two separate issues concerning problems with new-build properties. As such, Jonathan can advise on issues surrounding the NHBC warranty and insurance cover. Jonathan is regularly instructed to draft Defences for major mobile telephone network companies. Causes of action within these claims usually include reference to the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Data Protection Act 2018. Jonathan has also drafted numerous Particulars of Claims for consumer rights matters, ranging from defective motor engines in sports cars to broken caravan awnings.

Crime Joe is a CPS Grade 2 Prosecutor and conducts all manner of cases in the Crown Court on behalf of both the Defence and Prosecution. Joe successfully ensured an acquittal in his first Crown Court trial and continues to build on that success with his incisive analysis and relatable personality. Joe regularly deals with sensitive and serious matters in the Youth and Magistrates’ Courts, including sexual and violent offences. More specifically, he has written articles and delivered seminars on the intricacies of road traffic offences and retains a particular interest in defending in such cases. Prior to commencing pupillage, Joe worked as a legal researcher for Solomonic, a start-up data company, and as a Gateway Assessor at Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau. Joe combines his fine legal acumen with his grounding in the local community, having attended Roundhay High School, to provide a comprehensive service to clients. Joe has a solid academic background, having studied Law at Cambridge, French Law in Poitiers and receiving numerous prizes and scholarships on his way to finishing top of his year on the BPTC and receiving a Distinction in his LLM. Commercial & Chancery Joe has a growing practice in these areas, having been involved in a broad range of both simple and complex applications in contractual disputes. He regularly receives instructions to complete written pieces of work either drafting advices or pleadings in commercial matters. Joe has an eye for detail which assists in efficient and incisive analysis of the intricacies of contracts. Joe also has experience of insolvency proceedings, regularly accepting instructions to appear at Winding Up Petitions across the North of England. Before coming to the Bar, Joe worked with a legal tech firm, conducting research into every case decided in the Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal since its inception in 2009; this allowed great exposure to the intricacies of Chancery work. Personal Injury Joe accepts instructions in a broad range of areas of civil and personal injury law. Joe has experience in complex Fast Track matters, as well as a depth of knowledge regarding procedure and substantive law relating to claims following RTAs; specifically, he regularly deals with the finer detail in credit hire claims and is aided in that by his comprehensive understanding of the case law in that area. Joe has written advices and drafted pleadings in Employers’ and Occupiers’ Liability claims and continues to grow his strengths across the spectrum of personal injury claims. Joe responds in good time to instructions and can turn work around at short notice to meet tight deadlines, maintaining the high standard of work that he endeavours to produce at every opportunity. Regulatory & Public Joe is a member of the ‘junior junior’ panel for Government Legal Department barristers. Joe has experience in all matters which touch upon the work of the police, having spent much time on secondment at the Humberside Police and South Yorkshire Police legal departments. Moreover, Joe regularly appears at parole board hearings and is looking to grow his regulatory practice in all directions. During the first six months of his pupillage, Joe was supervised by Robert Stevenson, who gave Joe tutelage in and exposure to many areas of regulatory work including inquests and Health and Safety prosecutions.

Joseph Bairstow

Crime Joseph Bairstow successfully completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Moran. Joseph both prosecutes and defends in trials in the Magistrates’ Court involving serious assaults, sexual offences and domestic violence. Joseph also accepts instructions in the Crown Court in a range of hearings including appeals against sentence and conviction. Recently, Joseph appeared in proceeds of crime proceedings on behalf of the Defendant in respect of a large drug trafficking conspiracy. Joseph also prosecutes and defends in the Youth Court and has been praised for his cross-examination of young witnesses. Civil Joseph enjoys a mixed and varied civil practice, including matters regarding personal injury, insolvency and winding-up petitions. He is regularly instructed to represent both Claimant and Defendant in applications, Small Claims and MOJ Stage 3 hearings, including matters involving credit hire. He also accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on quantum and/or liability in a broad range of matters, including employer’s liability, occupier’s liability and negligence. Joseph recently completed a common law pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Moran. During his pupillage, he spent time with Andrew Wilson, an experienced Civil Fraud practitioner. Family Joseph accepts instructions in all children and family proceedings. Joseph has represented clients in the Family Court in domestic abuse matters. Regulatory & Public Joseph accepts instructions in all regulatory matters. He recently appeared on behalf of the Police in a civil application under the Dangerous Dogs legislation.

Chancery Julia’s practice principally focuses on wills, probate, the administration of estate, family provision claims under the 1975 Act and incapacity. She is frequently instructed in multi million pound estates and trusts. She regularly advises and represents clients in the High Court on cross border succession issues particularly domicile. In 2017 she was called to the Bar in Northern Ireland to advise on domicile and jurisdiction. She has a specialist interest in advising/seeking vesting orders from the English court for property inherited by minors overseas pursuant to S53 Trustee Act 1925. She regularly advises on breach of trust issues; fraud on a power; executor and administrator removal and is very familiar with applications under the Variation of Trusts Act 1958. Julia has a depth of experience in structuring post death deeds of variation both in settlement to litigation and for tax purposes. Julia is co-author of 5th edition of Rossdale Probate and Administration of Estates; a member of STEP Central London; and an editor of the Court of Protection Law Reports- Property and Affairs. Julia frequently deals with issues of professional liability which arise after the death of the Deceased including: White v Jones issues and the duty owed to beneficiaries; failure by solicitors to execute a will expeditiously in circumstances when the Deceased is terminally ill; Failure to execute a will in contemplation of marriage. She also has a wealth of experience advising on loss incurred when the Golden Rule is not followed in the preparation of wills subject to a later challenge of invalidity on grounds of incapacity and failure to meet the Banks v Goodfellow test. Julia has acted for trustees who have relied upon negligent professional advice causing the trustees and therefore the trust to incur significant and unnecessary financial obligation and invest in overvalued property. She is experienced identifying actual loss: For example the loss caused by solicitors applying for decree absolute thereby removing a widow’s pension entitlement prior to a pension sharing order taking effect – and the consequences of mitigation of financial provision through a 1975 Act claim. Commerical Julia accepts instructions on pure company matters and has a depth of experience in advising on Unfair Prejudice applications S994 and protecting the rights of minority shareholders. The fact that Julia is an acknowledged expert in this field is recognised by the fact that since 2012 she has been the contributor and author of the Unfair Prejudice Chapter in the leading text Gore Browne on Companies. Julia has worked with leading counsel defending extensive allegations of breaches of fiduciary duty against directors in two Cayman Island Companies together with multi million pound allegations of breach of contract; fraud and conspiracy. She has presented off shore seminars in Cayman on the use and abuse of directors and shareholders powers post Eclairs v JSX Oil . Closer to home Julia regularly advises directors on fraud on a power particularly in circumstances where the directors have mixed motives and the practical realities/ parameters for shareholders of the codification of directors duties in S170 and S171 Companies Act 2006 and commercial reality. Family Finance Julia also has considerable experience acting for companies, trustees and creditors in the Family Division in Financial Remedy proceedings. She frequently advises directors and shareholders of family businesses caught up in and intervening in matrimonial proceedings, typically on share division, income and voting rights; minority shareholdings and ownership of assets. She appears regularly in the Family Division and is comfortable with the procedure and FPR and is a member of FLBA. Julia is able to give and advocate a chancery analysis to any non – matrimonial asset in danger of being swept into a global pot. She has experience of dealing with farming partnerships and assets; third party minority shareholdings in family companies; advising trustees whether or not to submit to jurisdiction; championing the rights of the company and its creditors. Court of Protection & Adult Care Julia regularly advises on issues arising with P’s Property and Affairs. She has experience of enforcing security bonds against Deputies; the appointment, removal and control of Deputies. Julia frequently advises on the procedure for Attorneys and/or Deputies to engage in to be authorised to conduct litigation on behalf of P. Statutory wills and the attorney and deputy liability for gifts/monies received and applications for approval. Her expertise in this field is recognized by the fact that she has been an editor of the Court of Protection Law Reports for Property and Affairs since 2016. Julia has extensive experience of statutory wills being used in circumstances where a legacy in an existing will has been adeemed usually by the sale of a property to meet care home fees. As an adjunct Julia is often engaged by parties seeking expertise in what amounts to preservation of property under Schedule 2 MCA 2005 of an adeemed gift after the death of P. And chancery Division proceedings after P’s death pursuing loss on behalf of the Estate because of the Deputy’s conduct – typically self dealing or sale at an undervalue. Julia also has experience of advising on statutory wills for conservative estate planning/ tax purposes in the best interests of P.

Crime Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) and Chambers and Partners (2025) for Crime. Julian is a specialist in serious and complex crime. He is instructed for the prosecution and defence in approximately equal proportions. He appears as leading junior counsel, sole counsel, and is led by King’s Counsel. CPS Advocates' General Panel (Grade 4) (North Eastern, London and South Eastern Circuits) CPS Advocates' Serious Crime Group Panel (Grade 4) CPS Advocates' Specialist Fraud Group Panel (Grade 4) CPS Rape and Child Sexual Abuse List Serious Fraud Office List A 2017-2020; renewed 2020-2024 Pupil Supervisor Julian has experience of very substantial width and depth in trial advocacy, appellate advocacy, the giving of advice and case management. He brings very thorough preparation and a firm grip on case management to every case he undertakes. Julian is fully committed to giving every case the best he possibly can and those who instruct him know their case is in trusted hands. In the current resource stripped climate he will “go the extra mile” and do whatever he personally can for CPS or SFO Lawyers, Paralegal Officers and Defence Solicitors so as to make a case ready for hearing. He takes great pride in client care, whether it be working with senior prosecution lawyers and police officers on prosecution strategy, or fulfilling the pastoral side of the job with a vulnerable defence client. Julian is firmly committed to a mixed practice of both defending and prosecuting and believes experience on each side has helped him on the other. His experience includes cases involving abuse of process, judicial review, confiscation, PII, notification hearings, RIPA/IPA, witness anonymity, third party disclosure, police texts, fitness to plead. He has a particular interest and expertise in disclosure and has recently lectured to a leading Legal 500 criminal defence firm (Lloyds PR) and to senior Metropolitan Police Service detectives on this topic. Private Prosecutions Team Julian specialises in private prosecutions and has over many years successfully secured convictions on behalf of his clients. He is able to act from cradle to grave in such cases advising on the prospects of success pre charge through to applications for costs following conviction. He conducts private prosecution work in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts. His clients include companies, charities and private individuals.

Julie-Ann Elliott

Children Law Julie-Ann Elliott is a specialist family practitioner engaging in all areas of children work, with particular emphasis on public law proceedings and has extensive experience in dealing with complex care proceedings. Julie-Ann has extensive experience of proceedings at all levels up to the Court of Appeal. Julie-Ann is regularly instructed in Public Law matters which involve complex non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, incest and chronic neglect. She has particular experience of dealing with cases involving parents with disabilities and additional needs, extensive medical evidence, inter-jurisdictional issues and forensic computer evidence. Julie-Ann is instructed on behalf of local authorities, parents, extended family and children’s guardians and is therefore able to bring a wide spectrum of experience to her advocacy and advice. She has a particular interest in matters concerning local authority duties and challenges to local authority decision making by way of judicial review. Julie-Ann has had significant involvement of advising and acting in such matters. Julie-Ann also has extensive experience in applications for injunctions under the HRA involving the local authority. Julie-Ann accepts instructions in complex private law matters and has substantial experience dealing with matters involving disputed territorial jurisdiction, removal from the jurisdiction/international relocation, wardship, allegations of sexual abuse, serious domestic violence and systematic abuse including false imprisonment. Julie-Ann also has notable experience in dealing with matters involving intractable contact disputes , and those necessitating expert psychological and psychiatric evidence. Julie-Ann has a particular interest in matters which involve surrogacy and is able to accept instructions in this area.

Crime Ranked in the Legal 500 (2025) and Chambers & Partners (2025) for Crime, Kama Melly KC is widely recognised as one of the foremost advocates in the North East, known for her technical ability and as a powerful advocate. She is in constant demand from both the defence and prosecution, receiving an increasing number of private instructions. She has a reputation for achieving positive results in cases which others have assessed as hopeless. For the past 15 of her 27 years as a barrister, Kama has specialised in criminal law. She is known for dealing with heavyweight crime including drug conspiracy, murder and fraud, and has considerable experience of cell-site evidence, forensic evidence and abuse-of-process applications. She specialises in sexual offences including historical cases, challenging DNA evidence, child cases, marital rape, and stranger attacks. Her practice includes quasi-crimes such as issues of judicial review, habeas corpus and extradition. As part of her 'no stone unturned' approach Kama has succeeded in preventing prosecutions on several occasions through mounting applications of abuse of process, including in cases of drug conspiracies and historical sexual offences. Children Law Kama practised in criminal and family law for many years as a junior barrister, including the representation of Local Authorities, before specialising in cases of rape and serious sexual offences. Her family law practice included Public Law cases including those in High Court. Kama has dealt with cases involving significant physical and sexual abuse of children and cases of the most serious non-accidental injuries including the death of children. Kama’s criminal practice has centred on issues that have a criminal/family law crossover and have focussed on child sexual and physical abuse. Kama is the highest grade of prosecutor and a member of the CPS Rape and Sexual Offences Panel. Kama has experience of cases involving ‘baby shaking’ murder, torture of children, neglect and child cruelty. In 2016 Kama conducted a case involving joint hearings of criminal and family jurisdictions, dealing with disclosure and expert instruction. The detailed knowledge Kama has of the manner of criminal prosecutions of carers and parents would be invaluable to the robust defence of a parent accused of causing harm to a child. Kama is a nationally recognised expert at dealing with vulnerable witnesses including the evidence of children. She has delivered training on this subject to The National Bar Conference, the CPS, the National Criminal Bar Association Conference and the Family Law Bar Association. Kama is an advocacy trainer for the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (previously known as the Advocacy Training Council) and for the North Eastern Circuit. Kama is an accredited teacher of advocacy trainers. Kama’s national reputation in this field has meant that she is regularly asked to provide expert commentary for the National Media. Kama has made multiple appearances on Radio5 Live, Sky News, This Morning, BBC News Channel, and BBC Breakfast.

Children Law Public Law Serious Non-accidental Injuries and Child Death Significant Neglect Sexual abuse Domestic Violence Drug and Alcohol Misuse Poisoning Factitious Illness Female Genital Mutilation Representation of children and vulnerable young persons Relinquished Babies Breakdown of Adoption Applications under the Inherent Jurisdiction Protections of Vulnerable Young persons including Dangerous Association Human Rights Applications Jurisdictional Issues including placing Children Abroad. Cases involving cultural or international elements. Private Law Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control Interfamilial Sexual Abuse Contact Domestic Violence Parental Alienation Implacable Hostility International relocation Removal from the Jurisdiction With 15 years of experience in family Karen is a heavy weight practitioner who is highly regarded by her colleagues and the judiciary for her breadth of knowledge and understanding of law and practice, her thorough and analytical consideration of complex and difficult cases and her dynamic approach. Karen is committed to ensuring the best outcome for her clients and represents with equal tenacity Local Authorities, parents (and other family members) and children (through their Guardian and on their own) in serious and multifaceted cases including; Complex Medical and Mental Health Issues, Serious and Multiple Non-Accidental Injuries, Child death, Sexual Abuse, Poisoning, Fabricated Illness, Neglect and cases involving International and Human Rights issues. Family Finance Finances on Divorce Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustee Applications Land Tribunal Applications Schedule 1 Applications In the financial arena she is a discerning advocate who grapples easily with cases involving multi assets, complex business accounts, limited and unlimited companies and partnerships and is regularly instructed in cases involving high value assets. Karen has represented clients where the asset value exceed six figures. She is also equally adept at dealing with co-habitation cases with experience in Land Tribunals, applications under TOLATA and Schedule 1 Applications. Court of Protection & Adult Care Karen has represented the official solicitor in care proceedings. Karen also acted in deprivation of liberty applications for the LA, child and CG, and appeared in Court of Protection cases on behalf of the vulnerable person.

Court of Protection & Adult Care Kate McKinlay is a Court of Protection specialist. She is regularly instructed by all parties in health and welfare cases including those concerning contact with others, care residence, deprivation of liberty applications. She acts for the protected party ('P'), statutory bodies and family members and regularly receives instructions from the Official Solicitor. She is accustomed to appearing before Tier 1, 2 and 3 judge in contested capacity hearings, contested welfare hearings and final hearings as well as case management hearings. As a specialist practitioner she is also usually able to support with Round Table Meetings and the drafting of case management documents. Kate has a good understanding of complimentary fields having maintained a broad public law practice prior to specialising in the Court of Protection which encompassed family law, social housing, special educational needs, human rights and inquests, and understand the interplay that often arises between these areas. Her sensitivity, her compassion and her solution-oriented approach underpin her drive to provide high levels of service and engagement with the client and the issues at hand. She brings a sensitive, solution-oriented and pragmatic approach to her cases combined with a robustness and commitment to justice when the facts of the case demand it. She regularly lectures in this area, previous topics include the practicalities of s.117 aftercare and the assessment of capacity in young people to make decisions about medical treatment. Regulatory & Public Having spent some time working in the Government Legal Department in their Prison Inquests and Human Rights Litigation Team, Kate retains an interest in these areas of work. She acts in natural causes and non-natural deaths including those which were self-inflicted. As a former personal injury practitioner, and current community care practitioner, she also has experience in healthcare and other inquests. She has a particular interest in care provision in relation to the neurodivergent community and will consider pro-bono instructions in this area. She accepts instructions to act across the range of coronial law specialisms and represents clients in final hearings, PIRs and by way of written advices when required. Kate also has experience of representing parents and families in legal challenges to Special Education Needs provision in the First Tier Tribunal and is passionate about equal access to education for our most vulnerable and disadvantaged, and in particular for those young people who are the subject of corporate parenting. Lecturing A former freelance lecturer at BPP Law School on the Bar Professional Training Course; Kate is an experienced trainer. She has lectured to large groups and run workshops with small groups on both knowledge areas and soft skills. More recently she has led the in-house knowledge programme for psychiatric injury across the Government Litigation Department. Kate enjoys lecturing and would be pleased to assist with in-house training. Please contact her clerks with your requirements.

Regulatory & Public Kate is an established inquest advocate. Her approachable empathetic manner and thorough preparation enable her to guide both lay and professional clients through the sometimes-difficult inquest process. She provides pragmatic advice, proactively identifying potential issues at an early stage, enabling effective case preparation and careful management of potential Regulation 28 (Reports to Prevent Future Deaths) issues. Her ability to comprehend the needs of complex cases while remaining focused ensures she is popular not only with her clients but the Coroners she appears before. Since her appointment as junior counsel to the Crown in 2018, Kate regularly acts on behalf of public and privately run prisons and healthcare in justice providers in jury inquests which engage Article 2. She is familiar with processes unique to custody, including the ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) process. This builds on a solid foundation of experience including inquests involving deaths in the workplace, in care homes, deaths involving medical malpractice, self-harm, road traffic collisions and substance misuse. For a decade across all areas of Kate’s practice, she has maintained a particular interest in cases involving psychiatric injury and individuals with mental health difficulties. Kate is also instructed in civil actions arising out of inquests, including those concerning alleged breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 or the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and she is able to offer continuity of representation to both families and any interested parties. Kate accepts instructions on public law and regulatory matters, particularly in the fields of healthcare, prison and those involving injury or deaths in the workplace. Kate has a broad experience in the field of healthcare law for almost a decade. She is a thorough and persuasive advocate, navigating complex medical and legal issues in a calm and approachable manner. Alongside her court work she also has a busy paper practice, and is always available to her instructing solicitor by telephone. Kate’s experience of clinical negligence claims and medical mal-practice cases includes doctors nursing and midwifery, dentistry, care home and healthcare in custody settings. Kate enjoys getting to grips with medical and technical issues in clinical negligence claims, inquests, and healthcare regulatory cases. Kate has a growing interest in employment disciplinary investigations and proceedings representing healthcare professionals. Kate also represents applicants and public bodies in judicial review proceedings, as well as in a number of specialist tribunals including the Upper Tribunal. She has over eight years’ experience representing victims of violent crime pursuant to the CICA schemes. Kate has a special interest in Judicial Review proceedings concerning coronial law and inquests. Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Kate has vast experience in personal injury claims, acting for both Claimants and Defendants in claims arising out of injury or death in the workplace, in prison or custody, in a public place, on the road or as a result of clinical negligence. Increasingly, Kate’s practice includes serious life-changing injury claims and high-value litigation. She is approachable, thoroughly prepared and a persuasive advocate. Kate is a contributor to Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service. She undertakes work at all stages from advisory work, drafting pleadings, schedules of loss and Part 35 questions, attending CCMCs, JSMs, through to trial and approval hearings. Kate regularly appears at inquests prior to civil proceedings, providing continuity of representation throughout. Kate is regularly instructed on behalf of NHSLAs, insurers, large supermarkets and, since her appointment as junior counsel to the Crown in 2018, Kate regularly acts on behalf of public and privately run prisons, healthcare in justice providers, the Crown and other State Departments in personal injury, Human Rights Act 1998 or Fatal Accidents Act claims. Kate is experienced in disputes arising out of the Fixed Recoverable Costs regime and is regularly instructed to advise on and/or represent parties at hearings concerning technical costs/procedural issues. For a decade across all areas of Kate’s practice, she has maintained a particular interest in cases involving psychiatric injury and individuals with mental health difficulties. Her ability to comprehend the needs of complex cases and calm, empathetic manner means she is a popular choice for Claimants and Defendants in occupational stress claims and claims arising from psychiatric injury caused by breaches of the implied term, bullying, harassment, overwork and claims which involve a psychological component. Kate has a broad experience in the field of healthcare law for almost a decade. She is a thorough and persuasive advocate, navigating complex medical and legal issues in a calm and approachable manner. Alongside her court work she also has a busy paper practice, and is always available to her instructing solicitor by telephone. Kate’s experience of clinical negligence and medical mal-practice includes acting on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in general practice, hospital, midwifery, dental, care home and healthcare in custody settings. Commercial & Chancery Kate is approachable, thoroughly prepared and a persuasive advocate. She appears on a number of leading insurance company panels of preferred counsel. Experienced in all areas of indemnity disputes including motor, business and property, Kate is instructed in a broad spectrum of indemnity claims arising from commercial and domestic insurance, in relation to risk, policy coverage and recovery disputes. This includes advising on the construction of policies, policy avoidance and cancellation, property damage, and nuisance. Regularly instructed on behalf of Defendants in fraudulent and suspicious claims, she completes robust defences promptly. Kate’s experience in the motor industry include cases involving staged accidents, low-velocity impact (LVI) matters, bogus passenger claims and exaggeration of loss. She has extensive experience defending credit hire claims and she understands the need to secure robust directions at case management hearings, particularly in cases where the veracity of the hire is in issue, or in cases involving the hire of taxis. Kate ensures that she is always alive to developments in this field, in addition to being very familiar with existing arguments and case law. Kate undertakes work at all stages and provides pragmatic advice, including on procedure and tactics. She is familiar with representing parties at contested interlocutory applications including: applications for specific disclosure, applications to strike out, applications to resile from admissions, CMCs, CCMCs, applications regarding medical evidence, and costs arguments. Kate is also regularly instructed in relation to applications regarding Qualified One Way Costs Shifting (“QOCs”) and allegations of fundamental dishonesty.

Katherine Robinson

Crime Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) for Crime, Katherine Robinson is Head of the Criminal Team at PSQB. Katherine is regularly instructed in the most serious prosecution and defence cases. She has particular expertise in Serious Organised Crime, including Terrorism, multi-defendant conspiracies and Encrochat investigations. She is regularly briefed to prosecute and defend in homicides, both as leading and led counsel, and serious sexual cases. She is often requested to represent defendants with particular vulnerabilities or difficulties due to her ability to communicate well and develop relationships which assists in the smooth running of the cases. She is regularly requested to provide pre-charge advice to the Complex Casework Unit in unusual cases with novel issues of law and fact. Katherine has particular experience of money laundering and proceeds of crime proceedings, including all aspects of confiscation. She has lectured extensively on the Proceeds of Crime Act from both a prosecution and defence perspective for a variety of audiences including the Regional Assets Recovery Team and Local Authorities. As the UK government's Criminal Justice Advisor to Somaliland, Katherine worked in the Horn of Africa on Counter Terrorism between 2015 and 2019. Since her return to practice, she is regularly contracted on international Government projects in the fields of Terrorism and Serious Organised Crime. She acts as the Senior Legal Advisor to the EU SOC project in Georgia, and has recently provided training in Kenya as a subject matter expert. Katherine is currently working part time on a criminal justice reform in the Maldives. Regulatory & Public Ranked Tier 2 in Crime (general & fraud) in The Legal 500 (2025) Katherine is well-versed in matters of regulatory law, including Trading Standards and environmental matters Katherine is regularly instructed to prosecute and defend in a range of Trading Standards, DWP and other regulatory prosecutions and is currently Leading Counsel in a multi million pound conspiracy to defraud prosecution involving three companies and their directors.

Commercial & Chancery Prior to commencing pupillage, Kelly undertook the BPTC at BPP Leeds. Whilst at BPP Kelly acted as a student advisor at the BPP Legal Advice Clinic which gave her the chance to work with real clients on a variety of civil and family matters. She was also a finalist in the St Philip’s ADR competition. During her LLB Law degree, Kelly was a finalist in the DAC Beachcroft Mooting Shield competition and also came third in the Herbert Smith Freehills annual advocacy competition. She also obtained 93% in her Advocacy module in her final year. Alongside her studies, Kelly ran her own audio-transcription business, converting witness evidence from audio and DVD formats into transcripts for solicitors and the courts. Kelly was the three-time National Blind Tennis champion (B1 category) in 2013, 2014 and 2016, as well as being part of the National B1 Doubles champion team in 2016. She also enjoys travelling, cooking and outdoor activities. Personal Injury Kelly is regularly instructed in credit hire matters on the small claims track, and undertakes both Claimant and Defendant work. She has a good practical knowledge of this area of law and keeps herself up to date with all new developments. Family Finance Kelly Cronin has a mixed practice which includes Family Law. During pupillage she spent her first six under the supervision of an experienced family practitioner who specialised in TLATA and finance work. Within her own practice, Kelly has gained experience of all areas of Family Law, but in particular Children Act proceedings (both private and public law) and Family Law Act proceedings, in particular non-molestation and other associated orders. Kelly further completed An Introduction To The Court Of Protection course in November 2017 and has since been developing her practice in this area of work. Her significant Civil practice assists her in Court Of Protection matters, particularly where property and finance issues arise.

Khadim Al'Hassan

Crime Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) for Crime. Khadim Al’Hassan is a highly regarded and formidable barrister with over 30 years of extensive experience in serious crime, complex regulatory matters, and jurisdictional issues in both UK and international courts and tribunals. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Khadim is respected not only for his skill in court but also for his strategic foresight outside of it, providing clients with comprehensive legal insight and unmatched tactical advice. In the realm of serious organised crime and high-stakes regulatory offences, Khadim is often the barrister of choice for cases involving intricate investigations, parallel criminal proceedings, inquests, and inquiries. His practice is defined by a rigorous approach to case management, an in-depth analysis of law and procedure, and an unwavering commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for his clients. He brings a depth of insight into both the complexities of the legal landscape and the potential business and reputational ramifications his clients face, helping them navigate multifaceted issues with confidence. A trusted adviser to both individuals and companies, Khadim provides proactive regulatory guidance designed to pre-empt issues before enforcement actions arise. He is frequently consulted for second opinions on cases and appeals, offering fresh perspectives on challenging situations. His advisory work goes beyond compliance, ensuring that clients understand the broader context and potential risks, allowing them to make well-informed decisions in line with best practice. Khadim’s reputation is built not only on his expertise in criminal and regulatory law but also on his approachable and client-centred manner. Known for his clarity in communication and tactical acumen, he tailors his advice to each client’s unique needs, ensuring they are equipped to face any legal challenge. His approachability and strategic vision make him a sought-after counsel, highly valued by clients who require guidance from a barrister with a profound understanding of the legal and practical implications of their matters. Khadim is well-known for his skilled tactical advice and first-class advocacy, and is very client-focused. He has a solid understanding of the wider issues arising out of cases. He is highly regarded and very approachable. Regulatory & public Khadim Al’Hassan defends in all aspects of regulatory offences and before professional disciplinary bodies His expert knowledge and formidable advocacy skills are drawn from over 2 decades in courts, committees and tribunals at every level and description in the UK and the Caribbean. Personal injury & clinical negligence Khadim Al’Hassan is part of a PI, industrial disease and medical negligence team which prides itself on strength in depth, consistently representing claimants in cases ranging from modest claims to catastrophic injuries. On issues of quantum and appeals, Khadim advises clients internationally before the Privy Council where countries of the Commonwealth have retained it as the final court of appeal. He also advises and appears before the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), and the Administrative Court throughout the country.

Regulatory & Public Law, Inquests & Inquiries Ranked Tier 1 for Inquests and Inquiries in The Legal 500 (2025) Ranked Band 1 for Inquests & Public Inquiries in Chambers and Partners (2025) – 5 years ranked Kirsten Mercer specialises in inquests, professional disciplinary and regulatory crime. Kirsten is a highly impressive inquest advocate and has a broad inquest practice, representing a wide array of interested persons in inquests including bereaved families, healthcare providers, care homes, insurers and government departments. With extensive knowledge of coronial law and Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights she is frequently involved in arguments regarding the engagement of Article 2. Kirsten accepts instructions both to prosecute and defend in prosecutions brought by the Health and Safety Executive or Environment Agency. Kirsten was appointed to the Attorney General’s list of Civil Advocates in 2012 and has ten years of experience representing government departments at inquest. She is particularly well regarded for her handling of matters involving deaths in custody and is sought after in cases where the probation service have been involved in supervising either the deceased or the perpetrator of an unlawful killing. Kirsten is regularly involved in complex and sensitive Article 2 inquests both with and without a jury. She draws strength from her grounding in criminal law, which makes her a natural in front of a jury and from which she has developed a thorough understanding of how to take the best tactical approach to best assist both the inquest and her client. Kirsten has also been appointed to the Specialist Regulatory Prosecution panel of advocates and prosecutes on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive. She brings that experience to her inquest practice where there is any suggestion of a breach of health and safety legislation. Kirsten is able to provide continuity of representation should any criminal or professional disciplinary proceedings arise out of the issues explored during an inquest. Kirsten has a keen interest in representing families in cases where there has been a death following or as a result of domestic violence. She is relentless in her desire to ensure such deaths are properly investigated and all evidence is considered by the police and Coroner. She takes on such instructions direct access and often on a pro bono basis to represent families in this type of case. Kirsten has a developing relationship with AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse). Kirsten also acts for healthcare providers in prisons and more widely. Seminars Kirsten is available to present bespoke in-house seminars on inquest or health and safety matters. She regularly presents a seminar on the application of Article 2 in inquest proceedings. Public Access Kirsten may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Kitty Colley specialises exclusively in all areas of serious crime. She is a highly skilled trial advocate of 26 years experience; prosecuting or defending in all areas of criminal law. She recently successfully prosecuted a murder trial, having been instructed as Lead Counsel. She has a thorough, analytical and adaptable approach, and is particularly skilled in the handling of young and vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She is highly personable, putting clients from all backgrounds at ease and has a high reputation as a tenacious advocate. Kitty represents both private and publically funded clients. She is instructed in“cold case” review cases for both defence and prosecution. Over the past 15 years, Kitty has become one of the most highly rated specialists in cases involving rape and other serious sexual offences. She has both prosecuted and defended serious non-recent cases. Instructions include cases of stranger and familial rape (including at gunpoint or involving extreme violence), as well as recent and non-recent complaints and those of the utmost complexity, sensitivity or public profile. She is very experienced with multi-count indictments, multiple complainant and multiple defendant cases. Kitty has been instructed in child exploitation cases from Keighley, Rotherham and Huddersfield since 2015. She was appointed as lead defence advocate in the Rotherham exploitation trial in September 2016 and was instructed in all 3 of the Huddersfield ‘grooming case, Operation Tendersea 1, heard at Leeds Crown Court in 2018. She is currently instructed in Operation Tendersea 2 2019-2020. Kitty has extensive expertise in questioning and dealing with the most vulnerable witnesses and defendants, including those with severe communication difficulties and mental-health issues. In one case, she dealt with an autistic complainant who could only communicate through drawing. She has extensive experience of pre-recorded cross examination of vulnerable witness under the section 28 pilot scheme. Kitty also accepts instructions in all other areas of crime, including offences of violence (murder/section 18, domestic violence); robbery (knife-point and armed); drugs conspiracy; burglary and conspiracy to burgle; firearms; controlling prostitution; money-laundering; driving matters, fraud and drugs conspiracies. She handles cases requiring cultural sensitivity.

Personal Injury Laura has a busy personal injury practice, acting for both Claimants and Defendants, including on conditional fee agreements where appropriate. Laura has considerable experience of claims arising from road traffic accidents, and also of claims arising from accidents involving employer’s liability, occupier’s liability (including Highways Act claims) and holiday sickness. Her involvement in such claims is not limited to trial only but includes a range of pre-trial applications and hearings. Laura also has considerable experience in credit hire claims, familiar with all of the usual arguments and all recent developments in case law, and this is an area in which she seeks to expand her practice. Laura is available for instruction on a wide range of hearings including, but not limited to: Small claims hearings Fast track trials Disposal hearings Case management conferences Costs case management conferences Interlocutory applications Stage 3 hearings Crime Laura both prosecutes and defends in trials in the Magistrates’ Court involving serious assaults, sexual offences, fraud and domestic violence. Laura also appears in the Crown Court in a range of hearings including appeals against sentence and conviction. Recently, Laura appeared to make a bail application in respect of a defendant charged with attempted murder. Recently, Laura defended in a case of dangerous driving. The defendant was said to have driven at excessive speed, whilst disqualified and without insurance, in an attempt to evade the police. This caused a collision, and the defendant’s baby was present in the back of the car. Laura secured a suspended sentence for her client. Laura has also defended a charge of possession of extreme pornography by a prison officer. She secured her client a non-custodial sentence, the defendant receiving a community order with a requirement to complete a sex offenders’ programme. Laura is also undertaking secondment work with South Yorkshire Police, which involves advising on a number of issues including those surrounding custody and bail. She has drafted various orders including sexual harm prevention orders and domestic violence prevention orders, appearing in applications for the same. Prior to commencing pupillage, Laura was selected to work with Lawyers Without Borders in their Washington, D.C. office, supporting projects primarily focused on building capacity in respect of access to justice and the rule of law worldwide. In particular, Laura worked in collaboration with Nepalese legislators for several months, aiming to eliminate child labour within Nepal. She has also volunteered with both the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Personal Support Unit, working with individuals without legal representation for civil and family matters. Civil Fraud Laura has experience of civil insurance fraud cases. She has acted in a range of matters in relation to suspicious or fraudulent claims arising from road traffic accidents in which fundamental dishonesty is pleaded. Laura is familiar with the workings of Section 57 Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 and is content to robustly defend in such suspicious or fraudulent claims. Laura’s experience includes cases involving staged accidents, low-speed impact, exaggerated personal injury and exaggerated credit hire. Laura has also acted in High Court proceedings for contempt of court, resulting from a fraudulent claim. Regulatory & Public Laura accepts instructions in a variety of regulatory and public law matters. Laura both prosecutes and defends in a range of cases involving prosecutions brought by private agencies including local councils, the RSPCA and the DVLA. Laura recently assisted in training Wakefield Metropolitan District Council on how to bring successful prosecutions. Laura recently defended a commercial waste business in a Local Authority prosecution for section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Laura has also undertaken secondment work with the NHS, providing advice on a wide range of matters including conflict of interest, responsible commissioner queries and procurement queries. Commercial & Chancery Laura’s work involves a variety of contractual and commercial disputes. She represents clients from pre-action stages through to trial and ably advises on all aspects of potential breaches and/or causes of action. Laura is also familiar with liability orders and has frequently been instructed to oppose the making of the same. Laura is also routinely instructed in chancery matters. Laura’s recent work has included representing clients in respect of insolvency proceedings, winding up petitions and bankruptcy orders.

Crime Laura Addy undertakes criminal work at all levels in the criminal justice system. Laura’s work is predominately defence work in the Crown Court. She is routinely instructed to defend in serious criminal cases regularly dealing with conspiracies, serious violence and dishonesty as well as sexual offences whether they are historic, stranger or recent. Laura is known to have a gentle, patient and understanding manner with clients and witnesses. She regularly is briefed to represent those who have their own challenges including those who are suffering from significant mental health difficulties. Laura’s Court manner is such that she affords trust and respect from the Judges who know Laura can be relied upon to present her case carefully, thoroughly, properly and with a persuasive turn of phrase. Laura’s passion is to ensure that her clients cases are presented in the best possible way and to ensure the best outcome for each and every one. Every client’s case is given the personal touch as everybody’s case is individual and unique and Laura appreciates how significant Court cases are in the lives of her clients. Like her defence work, Laura’s prosecution work regularly sees her deal with serious offences, including child image offences, arson, serious violence and drugs offences. Most recently Laura has prosecuted six prisoners for arson at Newhall Prison when they stripped, barricaded themselves into the exercise yard and destroyed the benches within the yard and set them alight. Laura was able to deal with this case and present the evidence clearly, concisely and with ease after conducting careful analysis of the 8 hours of footage of the offence. Laura is always fully prepared, able to deal with the unexpected, she thinks quickly on her feet and the Court and her clients appreciate her ability and professionalism such that she has repeat clients that routinely ask for her to represent them again and Judges ask Laura to assist the Court where Defendants are unrepresented. Regulatory & Public Laura has a background in general criminal. This has led her to successfully develop a practice in areas of regulatory crime. She has significant experience in prosecuting and defending in local-authority prosecutions dealing with varying matters from noise abatement appeals, environmental matters to fishing law. More recently such work has found Laura representing Defendants in a number of different cases who have faced trading standards offences and dealing with cases of judicial review. Laura also undertakes court martial work.

Having previously been in-house as a solicitor advocate at a large law firm, Lee accepts instructions a wide range of civil and commercial litigation matters. Lee specialises in banking and financial services litigation, property litigation, claims concerning mortgages, competing interests in land, charges and security (including guarantees and indemnities), asset finance, professional negligence (particularly claims involving lawyers, expert witnesses, surveyors and valuers), product defects, consumer rights, and claims concerning the sale and supply of goods and services. Lee has many years of experience of both prosecuting and defending claims against professionals. Lee has a particular interest in claims against lawyers and surveyors. Prior Career 2008-2010: Associate Solicitor, Litigation, Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP, 1 America Square, London acting for a range of national and international business and financial institutions in commercial & chancery litigation matters. 2010: Managing Associate, Litigation, Addleshaw Goddard LLP, 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street. Regularly instructed to act on behalf of major financial institutions, SME's and FSTE companies. In 2017, Lee became In-house Counsel undertaking a wide range of advocacy for the firm's major clients where he was frequently instructed to appear at costs and case management conferences, applications for relief from sanctions, trial, appeals in the High Court and Court of Appeal, together with a range of interim applications, including strike out/summary judgment, disclosure, and return of goods. Public Access Lee is qualified to accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Lee is a highly experienced specialist criminal defence counsel. He has been practising for over 30 years and has built up a reputation and following amongst solicitors and lay clients alike such that he is instructed in serious criminal cases across the country. He is deeply passionate about his cases and is committed to achieving the best result for his clients. He has appeared in many serious and high profile cases from homicides and sexual cases to international financial crime. Lee began his career as a barrister practising general common law being instructed in civil, family and criminal cases. Within a short period he was committed to an exclusively criminal practice. He built a reputation as a hardworking and talented junior barrister and was instructed in many high profile and serious cases, becoming a regular at the Old Bailey. Since 2005 (taking silk in 2010), Lee’s practice has expanded from London to serious and high-profile cases in Leeds and elsewhere on the North Eastern Circuit.

Leila has recently completed her pupillage and is now a tenant at PSQB. Prior to commencing her pupillage, Leila worked as Programme/Donor Reporting Officer at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Erbil, Iraq, and previous to that worked for a Syrian NGO, based between Turkey and Iraq. Leila has a background in civil society, community advocacy and international development. She has been invited to deliver speeches, chair panel discussions alongside MPs, MEPs and academics on issues relating to social justice, youth inclusion and equality- whether that be in community spaces or for media outlets. Leila received training on employment law, the Equalities Act and the impact of racial discrimination on mental health and volunteered as a case manager for employment grievances pertaining to racial discrimination. In addition to various internships, Leila also volunteered at a legal firm in Kenya and for the Yorkshire Tribunal Advocacy Project.

Lily specialises in Criminal Law and has gained experience and a reputation that exceeds her level of Call. Lily has a complex caseload that spans offences of violence, drugs, and sexual offences. Lily has a strong defence practice which is rapidly growing. Owing to standout feedback received from those she represents alongside members of the Judiciary; Lily continues to be instructed across the full depth and breadth of criminal proceedings. Supplementing her busy defence practice Lily regularly Prosecutes. Lily is a highly effective jury advocate who stands out for her meticulous case preparation from the very first hearing. In Court, Lily’s clear approach and case strategy means that she builds a rapport with the Jury. Owing to her strong academic background, Lily’s knowledge of the law is clear, and her confidence shows when making and responding to legal applications. Within her practice, Lily has harboured experience with vulnerable clients. Lily has a developed an ability to cross-examine vulnerable witnesses sensitively yet successfully in accordance with her lay client’s instructions. Additionally, Lily frequently represents youths as well as those with complex mental health conditions. Lily is well-versed in the procedure governing fitness to plead and is confident representing those with additional needs.

Joining us in September 2020 Lisa’s experience in Children Act matters spans over 20 years Having initially completed a Criminal and Common Law pupillage in 2008 Lisa qualified as a Solicitor in 2009 and quickly developed an expertise in Public and Private Law Proceedings. Her ability to offer a complete approach both in terms of preparation of cases from first appointment and advocacy in all courts through to final hearing made her popular to local Guardians and parents. This enabled forging of relationships between Lisa and parent, grandparent and intervener clients during what is often their only interaction with the court system and stressful proceedings, which often considers the removal of children permanently from the family. For CAFCASS her ability to grasp complex medical issues, her criminal bar training where forensic analysis was required and her ability to speak to young persons made her a popular choice amongst Guardians for the most complex of cases including contentious Private Law Proceedings and the most serious of Public law cases concerning serious injury, sexual abuse, death and Factitious Illness allegations as well as chronic neglect. Lisa’s expertise as an advocate has enabled her to “lead” a number of colleagues whilst in private practice appearing against QC’s and in the Court of Appeal. Lisa’s expertise isn’t just as an advocate but her knowledge of Family legal aid is nationally known and she is always willing to share her expertise offering training to local practitioners, the judiciary and social workers.

Louise Harrison

Louise specialises in all aspects of public law proceedings and regularly represents parents, grandparents and children in the County Court including cases involving chronic neglect, non accidental injury and sexual abuse. Louise is regularly instructed in complex finding of fact hearings. Her previous experience in criminal practice is an asset. Louise is regularly instructed in private law applications involving conflict in child arrangements proceedings, parental alienation and implacable hostility. Louise has an excellent reputation for client care and in particular in relation to vulnerable adults.

Children Law Louise was a qualified solicitor for 27 years, specialising in Family – Children for most of her career. She was a member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel from 2000 representing children through CAFCASS guardians or taking direct instructions from competent children; as well as representing parents and extended family members in both private and public law proceedings. This has necessitated acting for many vulnerable individuals taking direct instructions or through the Official Solicitor where the client lacked capacity. Louise has undertaken the advocacy for her clients before all levels of the Single Family Court and in the High Court, acquiring Higher Rights of Advocacy in the Civil Courts in 2007. Her years of practice as a solicitor means she has a good understanding of the impact of proceedings upon the participants and subject children. She has an excellent knowledge of Legal Aid regulations and is able to utilise this to the benefit of her clients and the Courts when considering access to representation. During her career as a solicitor advocate Louise has conducted complex fact-finding hearings including cases where non accidental injury or sexual abuse are alleged. Louise completed the Vulnerable Witness training programme in 2020 to enhance her skills in acting for and cross-examining parties or witnesses with learning difficulties; mental health difficulties or other vulnerabilities. Her years of experience as a solicitor mean Louise is able to communicate effectively with those she represents whether professionals or lay parties. Court of Protection & Adult Care Louise has represented children, parents and interveners in all public law proceedings for over 24 years as a solicitor, and following admission to the Bar, Inherent Jurisdiction applications for deprivation of liberty before the High Court. She brings her knowledge of the cross over between public law Children Act proceedings and the Mental Capacity Act to her representation of parties within proceedings. During her early career, Louise also undertook tribunals under the Mental Health Act. Louise has previously worked closely with adults who lack capacity within public law proceedings, including representing them through the Official Solicitor. Her experience as a solicitor advocate means she has an ability to communicate with all clients in a simple and effective manner. Following transfer to the Bar Louise has expanded her practice to include Court of Protection welfare proceedings.

Children Law Louise has specialised exclusively in family law for over 25 years, both in private and public law proceedings. She regularly undertakes work for parents, local authorities, children and extended family. She accepts work in all tiers of court as well as both private and publicly funded work. Louise conducts public law cases involving applications for care and supervision orders; contact with children in care; discharge of care orders; placement and adoption orders; kinship care and special guardianship orders. She has considerable expertise in dealing with all aspects of child abuse and neglect allegations, including physical, emotional and sexual abuse and cases involving allegations of fabricated illness. Some of Louise’s cases have involved unusual elements including ritual abuse. Louise is increasingly instructed as a leading junior on the more serious and complex cases. She has particular experience and interest in cases involving complex and technical medical matters and is frequently instructed to conduct finding of fact hearings as to causation and identification of perpetrator of injuries. She has a considerable track record of success in assisting clients towards rehabilitation. Louise also undertakes cases which involve an international element including applications to place children outside the jurisdiction within care proceedings, and has significant experience in representing parents from diverse cultural backgrounds. She also has experience of the educational system and how this impacts within care proceedings. Louise is skilled in conducting cases where her client has a learning disability or learning difficulty, or mental health issues. Louise has considerable experience in private law cases which entail complex family conflicts within child arrangement hearings, including representation of the child in some cases. She has conducted cases which involve allegations of child abuse, domestic abuse, applications to remove from the Jurisdiction and specific issue orders. She has conducted finding of fact hearings within private law proceedings. Louise has also conducted many cases involving different cultures and languages and is experienced in working with interpreters and intermediaries. She has experience of working with BSL. Recent cases have included clients from Pakistan, Iran, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Bulgaria and Romania. Court of Protection & Adult Care Following 20 years’ experience in practice, Louise Hill has undertaken training in the protection of vulnerable adults and is keen to develop further in this area. Through her work involving vulnerable adults within children’s proceedings, she has knowledge of Community Care Act assessments. Family Finance Louise Hill has over 20 years’ experience at the Bar, mainly in family law. Having specialised exclusively in children’s cases in the last 5 years, Louise has recently returned to this area of practice.

Crime Lucy Brown is an experienced practitioner who both defends and prosecutes. She is a Grade 3 prosecutor. She defends in a range of matters, including those involving allegations of serious violence and sexual offences. Lucy prides herself on providing both professional and lay clients with swift and clear advice. She is recognised by those who instruct her for her excellent manner with vulnerable defendants and witnesses, particularly young people and those with mental health issues. Lucy has experience dealing with young defendants both as assigned counsel in the Youth Court and in the Crown Court. She is a facilitator on the Inns of Court College of Advocacy Training Course, “Advocacy for Children in Conflict with the Law”. Lucy has acted as led junior for the defence in a range of cases. As a Grade 3 prosecutor, Lucy prosecutes a wide range of offences. Additionally, she has been led for the prosecution in a range of cases involving voluminous and complex evidence. Lucy has a solid grounding in disclosure work, having been involved in disclosure review for the prosecutions arising out of the Hillsborough disaster and from acting a Disclosure Counsel in a non-recent sexual abuse case which has involved a substantial amount of disclosure. Lucy’s practice includes dealing with proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including confiscation and re-determination. Lucy’s background has given her extensive experience in dealing with driving offences in both the Magistrates’ and Crown courts. She also has experience of representing defendants in Court Martial proceedings. In addition to her practice, Lucy is keen to support those interested in pursuing a career in law. She has previously mentored BPTC students and taught on both the LPC and BPTC. She became a Pupil Supervisor in 2022. Public Access Lucy may accept Public Access work, where she can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Regulatory and Public Lucy draws on her extensive experience in criminal matters to enable her to act in a range of regulatory proceedings including: Licensing matters including appeals against Firearms licensing decisions Proceedings in relating to behaviour orders such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Violent Offender Orders, Serious Crime Prevention Orders, Closure Orders Disciplinary proceedings before the Farrier's Registration Council & HCPTS Enforcement proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act Proceedings in the Magistrates' Court on behalf of agencies including the Food Standards Agency and DVLA Appearing before the Traffic Commissioner

Crime Prior to beginning her pupillage Maleka worked as a Court Clerk at Leeds Crown Court. This role provided her with a sound understanding of the different processes involved in the various hearings in the Crown Court. Maleka experienced the range of special measures regularly used in the Crown Court and obtained invaluable experience when dealing with vulnerable witnesses. She worked closely with the judiciary which helped her understand what factors are most persuasive in bail and sentencing decisions. Maleka witnessed a range of advocacy styles having sat in on multiple Crown Court trials concerning various offences which assisted in developing her own advocacy style. Maleka undertook several mini-pupillages, through which she gained valuable experience, including attending trials in the Magistrates’ Court. She observed counsel presenting submissions of no case to answer and witnessed the Magistrates deliver their judgment. These experiences allowed her to grasp the differences in pace and procedure between the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court. The insights gained from both courts proved instrumental in her successful completion of the Barrister Training Course, where she achieved a High Distinction, with particular excellence in Criminal Litigation and Advocacy. Maleka appreciates the importance of mentorship. She mentors aspiring advocates throughout scholarship and pupillage cycles as well as providing general advice on developing experience of the profession. Both applicants she assisted during the last pupillage cycle were offered pupillage. Maleka has also volunteered as a mentor for the Young Citizens Bar Mock Trial competition which involves coaching high school students aged fourteen and fifteen through the process of a Crown Court trial and providing tips for effective advocacy.

Property Marc accepts instructions from both claimants and defendants in relation to possession and property disrepair. In addition to giving advice and drafting pleadings, he regularly appears in applications and trials on the small claims and fast track. Personal Injury, Industrial disease, Professional Negligence Marc has experience of claims in relation to Noise Induced Hearing Loss, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Work Related Upper Limb Disorder. In addition to giving advice and drafting pleadings and Pt35 questions to experts, he has appeared in hearings including on the multi-track. Marc is regularly instructed by both claimants and defendants in road traffic matters, including credit hire. He has a good practical grasp of this area of law, and of arguments around impecuniosity. Employment Prior to coming to the Bar, Marc built up experience in eth Employment Tribunal as a volunteer, appearing in preliminary and final hearings, as well as negotiating positive outcomes for those he represented. He is keen to build upon this experience in the Employment team at Park Square Barristers.

Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Mark is an experienced personal injury practitioner. He acts for solicitors throughout England, for both Claimants and Defendants. He has a wide experience of very high value personal injury claims (values of over 1 million), and in particular fatal accident and traumatic brain injury cases. He has acted in dozens of fatal accident cases. In 2007, 2010 and 2015 Mark was appointed by the Attorney General as Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel). He undertakes civil work for government departments, including the Ministry of Justice such as Inquests and in fatal asbestos cases. Mark also acts for the MIB. He acts in a broad range of personal injury cases, including: Fatal accidents Road traffic Employer’s liability Public liability Industrial disease (including asbestos-related illness, industrial deafness, and HAVS) Clinical negligence Inquests (including Article 2, jury, inquests) Family Finance Mark is an experienced family finance and Trusts of Land practitioner. He act in cases with a wide range of values (including cases which would formerly have qualified for public funding). Before choosing to specialise in this area, he practised a number of years as a business and commercial barrister. This experience makes him the ideal choice for disputes involving businesses, partnerships and companies, complex accounts, and insolvency issues. In 2007, 2010 and 2015 Mark was appointed by the Attorney General as Junior Counsel to the Crown (regional panel). This allows him to be instructed by the Government Legal Service to undertake civil work for government departments and other publicly funded organisations: and, for example, he acts for Mark specialises in financial disputes, and in particular: Matrimonial property (all aspects, including enforcement). Property disputes between cohabitants (ToLATA). Claims under Schedule I of the Children Act. He is instructed in family finance cases involving very substantial assets, including disputed company and partnership valuations, disputed company and partnership accounts, disputed pension valuations (including SIPPs), and farm assets. He is also a qualified Family Mediator, with hundreds of hours of mediation experience, and acts as a mediator in both child and money disputes. Regulatory & Public Mark has 25 years experience of Inquest work: including deaths in custody, those arising from accidents in the workplace, deaths in care homes and road traffic collisions. He has experience of jury Inquests and those where Article 2 is engaged. Has acted for Government Departments in Inquest since 2007, when he was first appointed as Junior Counsel to the Crown (Regional Panel) by the Attorney General (reappointed in 2010 and in 2015, now Regional Panel A).

Mark McKone KC is ranked as a Leading Silk for Crime in the 2025 edition of Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Mark McKone KC practises exclusively in criminal law, appearing for the defence and the prosecution and as a part-time Class 2 Crown Court Judge. His fields of specialism are homicide, serious sexual offences and money laundering. He serves on the rape and serious-crime panels. Homicide Mark McKone KC has prosecuted many multi-handed murders in silk, with complicated joint enterprise issues. This includes R v M & others] and Qayum and others [6 people charged with a revenge machete attack]. He has recently been involved in many murders where the issue is a partial defence of diminished responsibility, including where the defence {Ainsley] was based only on a personality disorder and supported only by a psychologist. He has recently defended a cut throat murder [Burey] with complicated neuropathology evidence, bad character and joint enterprise issues. This involved extensive consultations with the defence neuropathologist, Dr Brian Herron. Recent cases include the murder of two Polish people [Bayford], a murder during a robbery gone wrong [Heaton] and a conspiracy to murder, where a life insurance policy had been taken out by a woman and her boyfriend on her husband’s life [Fairpo and others]. Mark McKone KC successfully defended a man called Nrapia in 2018 on three counts of attempted murder by shooting in a drug related case. He has been in three separate drug related attempted murder trials in 2018, including ‘County lines’ drug dealers. He prosecuted the first two assisted suicide cases [Howe and Caller], since CPS issued guidelines on prosecuting these cases. He was involved in the Court of Appeal sentence appeal in Howe where the Lord Chief Justice issued sentencing guidelines. He has had significant experience in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division). He conducts cases involving serious violence, including where very young children have been seriously injured and the case turns on complicated expert evidence. In 2020, he defended in Flynn where three babies suffered significant fractures. Serious sexual offences Mark McKone KC has defended and prosecuted many professional people, such as school teachers, the owner of a boarding school, university lecturers, care workers, scout masters, priests, choir masters, nurses, physiotherapists, an international rugby player, a Bolivian classical music composer, soldiers and prison officers charged with serious sexual offences and some violence. Many of these cases, involve allegations which go back decades and have included paedophile rings. He has also successfully defended a number of young students charged with serious sexual offences following drunken nights out. He defended in four trials in 2017 and 2018 brought under Operation Polymer where carers and teachers in children’s homes were prosecuted for grave sexual offences on children in their care decades ago. The complainants were career criminals who had answered adverts to claim compensation from the local authority. Successful outcomes were achieved by a meticulous comparison of the complaints to the Police with the County Court papers so as to expose significant inconsistencies and by the painstaking obtaining of and analysis of undermining unused material from prison, social services and medical records. He has a lot of experience in cross-examining very young child witnesses, including pre-recorded cross-examination. He successfully defended the head of Predator Exposure charged with the false imprisonment of paedophiles. He has been briefed to prosecute 42 defendants for grooming and raping teenage girls. Money laundering Mark McKone KC has studied accountancy and worked for an accountant. He has much experience in money laundering trials, particularly laundering money through sham businesses and POCA confiscation hearings. He has just finished a case where millions of pounds of drugs money was ‘cleaned’ through sham asbestos companies. He has recently completed the prosecution of two large scale drugs operations [Operations Galepark and Ennendale] with numerous multi-handed trials taking place, involving significant telephone evidence. He has been involved in huge drug importations by boat and plane cases. He recently prosecuted 2 Police officers for perverting the course of justice by concealing evidence. He is currently involved in the early stages of prosecuting public officials in Montserrat for financial crimes. Mark McKone KC has a reputation for very early preparation, for being very hard working and for being approachable. He appreciates the importance of an early advice on evidence, including using the right expert and of conferences, so that all involved in the case are kept informed and able to contribute to the case. He advices on the instruction of experts, including setting out specific questions for the expert. He meets with his experts so that the expert can make sure that cross-examination of the opposing expert is effective. He appreciates the importance of written advocacy as well as spoken advocacy and he has much experience of preparing written documents which will persuade the Judge to allow cross-examination on bad character and previous sexual history, where this appropriate. He also vigorously persues the disclosure and use of unused material which can undermine a prosecution case. Public Access Mark KcKone may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor.

Children Law Mark Saunders has a very strong track record dealing with cases involving children, both in care proceedings and disputes between parents. In public-law proceedings, Mark regularly represents a range of local authorities as well as acting for parents and the child. He has dealt with cases involving non-accidental injuries, sexual abuse, issues surrounding jurisdiction of the court, parents with learning disabilities, and substance misuse. Although Mark is instructed in applications by parents for child arrangement orders, he specialises in complicated private-law proceedings. He is generally instructed in cases where there are welfare issues affecting the children, such as domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse or child abduction. He has also represented clients where there have been attempts to frustrate the time spent with a child or children. He is experienced in cases with an international element, including applications for leave to remove a child/children from the jurisdiction as well as issues that have arisen as to the jurisdiction of the English court. Family Finance Mark is regularly instructed in applications for financial provision, from smaller money cases involving complicated factual and legal issues through to cases where substantial money or complicated assets are involved. Mark has extensive experience in applications under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. In the main, he is instructed to appear in these proceedings at either the hearing for maintenance pending suit (MPS), at the FDR or at the final hearing. He has particular expertise in instructions for multiple-day final hearings where there are either significant factual issues in dispute or extensive assets (such as complicated pension assets, extensive expert reports or international elements). Court of Protection & Adult Care Mark has a growing practice in the Court of Protection. He has particular interest in deprivation of liberty (DOL) issues following recent new guidance and cases involving issues related to finances. Commercial & Chancery Mark has strong experience in cases involving the Inheritance Act & TOLATA, linked to his expertise in family law applications. He has been involved in a number of cases involving children not properly provided-for by a deceased parent and cohabitation disputes over property between unmarried parties.

Matthew Stewart

Crime Having completed his pupillage under the supervision of Gill Batts, Matthew has developed a busy practice in prosecuting and defending in both the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Court. He is known for his relatable personality and fearless approach to trials which sees him regularly instructed by both the CPS and defence solicitors to act on their behalf. Matthew has significant experience in dealing with offences of violence, dishonesty, public order and road traffic offences. Such range of experience has required Matthew to deploy his specialist knowledge in applications on matters of law, such as hearsay and bad character applications. He also has experience of dealing with sensitive matters in the Youth Court. Personal Injury and Commerical & Chancery Matthew enjoys a busy mixed civil practice and is regularly instructed on a variety of matters including small claims track trials, credit hire, Stage 3 disposals and interim applications. He has experience of dealing with hearings both remotely and in person. Matthew is regularly instructed on credit hire cases acting for both claimants and defendants. He is familiar with the relevant arguments and case law in relation to all of the key areas including need, enforceability, impecuniosity, period and rate. Children Law Matthew is keen to expand his private and public children law practice. He has experience of both prosecuting and defending in the criminal courts, giving him the emotional intelligence and experience in dealing with sensitive matters. Regulatory & Public Matthew has undertaken a secondment with and continues to be instructed by Humberside & South Yorkshire Police. This involves drafting applications and providing advice in relation to protective public orders, such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Stalking Protection Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Most recently, he has been advising on the COVID-19 health regulations procedure used by the police throughout lockdown.

Property Matthew Smith undertakes a variety of leasehold work including: Housing disrepair Dilapidations Breach of covenant PubCo work for both the Tied Pub Tenant and Pub owning businesses including MRO Notices and breach of tie injunctions Matthew's practice also focuses on property fraud and dishonest property transfers; claims to and rights over land as well as the fraudulent construction, sale of property and first party fraud. Casualty fraud Matthew specialises in Casualty & Property Fraud and is ranked in Chambers and Partners (2024) for Motor Insurance Fraud. In Casualty Fraud, Matthew heads the team in which he exclusively defends and has been at the forefront in the development of this ever-expanding area of law. Matthew is also known for his effective and thorough cross-examination skills and has been consistently recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, including Tier 1. In large loss cases Matthew's focus is in cases involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty and/or disputes on liability. The Property Fraud side of Matthew's practice focuses on dishonest property transfers; claims to and rights over land as well as the fraudulent construction, sale of property and first party fraud. Matthew's practice is based upon Trials & Appeals. He is also happy to be instructed for CCMCs, interim injunctions and other contentious and substantive applications. Matthew focuses on a client led service and is keen to expedite paperwork for pleadings, skeleton arguments and applications and and when required. Matthew is a member of PIBA & PBA and regularly provides training in these areas. If you would like to book Matthew for Court or paperwork, please contact his clerks. Commercial & Chancery Matthew has over 20 years' experience in contract and property disputes. This ranges from simple contract disputes to advice and representation under the 1975 Act and trust disputes between co-habitees. In the recently reported case of Forster v RSA (2022), Matthew successfully obtained specific disclosure under the DPA 2018 regarding a case involving fraudulent misrepresentation allegations under a consumer contract. Personal injury & clinical negligence Matthew mainly represents defendant insurers in cases involving RTA, EL, PL & OL. He has a reputation for thorough and effective cross-examination as well as a nuanced understanding and skill with statute and regulation. Matthew's involvement in large loss cases tends to involve allegations of FD or complex issues of causation. In credit hire, Matthew tends to be involved in cases concerning misrepresentation and non-party disclosure. A recently reported case of his (Forster v RSA) provides helpful guidance concerning DPA issues in a misrepresentation case. Matthew has been ranked as a Tier 1 advocate and provides advice and representation at all stages of a case. Family finance Matthew has over 20 years' experience in family finance, property and inheritance. This ranges from advice and representation under the 1973 & 1975 Acts to trust disputes between co-habitees. A particular feature of Matthew's practice is his background and skill in civil litigation with an ability to thoroughly and effectively cross-examine witnesses. Matthew has represented husbands and wives in high net worth financial remedies hearings from FA/FDR to Final Hearing as well as families in large Estate claims. Property cases include straightforward TOLATA claims to complex leasehold, trust and estoppel cases.

Matthew Stanbury

Regulatory & Public Law, Inquests & Inquiries Ranked Band 1 for Civil Liberties & Human Rights and Administrative & Public Law and Ranked Band 2 for Inquests & Public Inquiries – Chambers and Partners (2025) – 4 years ranked Ranked Tier 2 for Inquests and Inquiries and Ranked in Administrative law and human rights in Legal 500 (2025) Matt has a mixed practice split across inquests, civil claims and judicial review claims. He has appeared in courts at all levels including the Supreme Court and recently appeared before the Grand Chamber in Strasbourg in Nealon v United Kingdom. Matt has substantial experience of appearing at inquests across the spectrum, including complex medical cases, deaths in custody or following police contact, health and safety matters, and inquests involving local authorities, mental health services, and care homes. He has particular expertise in inquests following on from unlawful killings, including “justice after acquittal cases”, and a particular interest in complex medical cases. He appears at inquests for families, clinicians, police forces, local authorities and care homes. He has also acted as counsel to the inquest. Matt sits as an Assistant Coroner in South Yorkshire East (Doncaster). In terms of civil work Matt has experience in a range of areas and in particular claims against public authorities, TOLATA claims and clinical negligence. He is a appointed as a Recorder (Civil). Matt has vast experience of judicial review claims over almost 20 years, representing claimants, defendants and interested parties across a full spectrum of claims including prison cases, age assessments, claims involving regulators and ombudsmen, and challenges to inquests. Personal injury & clinical negligence Matt acts in a range of personal injury claims, often but not exclusively involving public authorities. He acts in claims for negligence and assaults involving the police and prisons. He is instructed in human rights claims against local authorities arising from child sexual exploitation. He is commonly instructed to advise and appear in cases arising from his inquest practice and has significant experience of fatal accidents claims. Matt also acts in clinical negligence claims arising from his inquest practice and generally. Matt acted for Victor Nealon in his claim against the police resulting from his notorious miscarriage of justice. Matt is ranked as a band one leading junior in the UK Legal 500and Chambers and Partners. His day-to-day practice is split between inquests and civil claims, usually involving actions against public authorities. He in a recognised leading junior in administrative and public law, and has particular expertise in civil liberties cases, and those with a criminal law angle. He has acted as leading junior in the criminal and civil divisions of the Court of Appeal, and has appeared in cases before the Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights. Crime Having started out as a criminal practitioner, Matt continues to accept instructions in some criminal cases. He has a specialist criminal appeals practice and has been involved in a number of leading cases, including R v Hunter [2015] 2 Cr App R 9, the leading case on good character directions and R v Edwards [2018] 4 WLR, the leading case on the making of hybrids orders under the Mental Health Act. Matt has particular and substantial experience of appeals with a mental health angle, most recently in R v Crerand [2022] EWCA Crim 962, in which a life sentence was substituted with a hospital order. Matt has acted in a number of Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) referrals and judicial review challenges to CCRC decisions. He is instructed on behalf of miscarriage of justice victim Victor Nealon in his challenge to the miscarriage of justice compensation scheme, which is the currently before the European Court on Human Rights. Matt also appears in cases with a civil or public law angle, bringing his experience in those areas to matters such as stalking protection orders, gang injunctions, and applications to be removed from the sex offender notification requirements (the register). He acted for the claimant in a successful challenge to a refusal to remove him from the notification requirements: R (NE) v Birmingham Magistrates’ Court [2015] 1 WLR 4771. Matt has particular and specialist experience in cases involving a criminal and public law crossover. He appeared in R (Gibson) v Secretary of State for Justice [2018] 1 WLR 629 – a successful Supreme Court challenge to the way in which repayments against confiscation orders are deducted from a default sentence. Matt is ranked as a band one leading junior in the UK Legal 500and Chambers and Partners. His day-to-day practice is split between inquests and civil claims, usually involving actions against public authorities. He in a recognised leading junior in administrative and public law, and has particular expertise in civil liberties cases, and those with a criminal law angle. He has acted as leading junior in the criminal and civil divisions of the Court of Appeal, and has appeared in cases before the Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights.

Matthew Harding

Crime Ranked in Chambers and Partners (2025) for Crime. Matthew practices exclusively in crime and is instructed regularly in cases involving the most serious of offences, including murder, manslaughter, causing death by dangerous driving, wounding with intent, firearms, armed robbery, large-scale conspiracies to supply controlled drugs and serious sexual offending including multiple complainant rape cases (non-recent offending and cases involving particularly young and vulnerable complainants). Matthew was one of the first advocates to undertake the pre-recorded cross-examination of witnesses as part of the Leeds Crown Court 'pilot court' implementation of section 28 of the YJCEA 1999. He has undertaken a significant number of such hearings involving children as young as 6 and witnesses with complex psychiatric and medical conditions. Matthew has a hugely effective manner with clients. Approach Renowned for his meticulous case management and eye for detail, Matthew assumes a hands-on approach to all cases. He prides himself on providing detailed written advices in all matters, irrespective of their size and/or complexity. He ensures no stone is left unturned, with a particular emphasis on disclosure. Matthew understands that effective communication with both professional and lay clients is an essential part of case management and preparation, and as a result, he is always available to advise and discuss issues as and when they arise. Matthew has a hugely effective manner with clients. Many have spoken of the care and attention he has given them and their cases. This is frequently reflected in powerful and effective mitigations, often in the most difficult and challenging matters. He is an experienced and accomplished jury advocate and knows well the value of meticulously prepared examination of witnesses and a well-crafted closing speech. Training Matthew provides training to solicitors on a number of subjects, including the drafting of defence statements, bad character and hearsay. He provides bespoke training in-house or in chambers. Regulatory & Public Matthew is a specialist in sports law, having a personal interest in the sports themselves as well as their management and governance. While he is happy to advise in all aspects of sport-related law, he has a particular interest in doping and ABP cases. Matthew brings a keen forensic eye and meticulous case-management to this fast-growing area of law.

Michael specialises in inquests and inquiries, judicial review and police discipline. Michael is passionate about coronial law and practice. He represents families and other interested persons in a wide range of complex and high-profile inquests involving, among others, the police, prisons, the probation service and healthcare providers. He combines a calm and sensitive manner with a tenacious, forensic approach that has proven highly effective before juries and coroners sitting alone. Michael believes that wherever possible families should be represented at contentious inquests, particularly those involving state agencies. Aware that funding is often dependent upon a ruling that article 2 is engaged, he is happy to represent families on a pro-bono basis prior to the coroner’s ruling on that issue, in appropriate cases. For example, Michael acted at an inquest for the family of a young man with paranoid schizophrenia and Asperger’s syndrome, who tragically took his own life while on informal leave from hospital. The case raised complex arguments around the state’s operational and systemic duties under article 2 of the ECHR. Acting initially on a pro-bono basis, Michael successfully argued that article 2 was engaged, thus enabling the family to secure Legal Aid for representation at the final hearing. His cross examination of the Healthcare Trust’s witnesses exposed issues with the Trust’s policies and processes for monitoring and assessing patients following a significant event and a deterioration in their mental health. He also exposed issues with staff training and their understanding of the Trust’s missing person’s policy. Michael acts for claimants and public authorities in claims for judicial review. As a former practising solicitor, he has substantial experience of litigating such cases and has received judicial praise for his advocacy in the Administrative Court. He has expertise in police, regulatory related matters and prison matters. He masters the detail of each case and prepares meticulously, without losing sight of broader issues. Michael was appointed to the Attorney General’s Regional C Panel in 2021 and has represented government departments at inquests and in claims for judicial review. A former senior lawyer at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), Michael has particular expertise in police related matters. He has represented the IOPC at police discipline hearings, inquests and judicial reviews.

Currently not available to receive instructions. Michael Smith has prosecuted or defended in all manner of criminal cases, with an emphasis on serious crime, for over 30 years. He is a Grade-4 prosecutor and a Rape and Serious Sexual Offences panel advocate.

Michael Greenhalgh

Crime Michael is a RASSO-accredited Grade 4 Crown Prosecutor who regularly deals with large and evidentially complex cases involving fraud, drug supply, sex and homicide. There is currently no equivalent bench mark in defence work; if there was he would inevitably have the same standing for work of that kind. He defends and prosecutes cases in equal measure, which provides an insight often lacked by acting solely for one side. As a former duty solicitor, he understands how a criminal case proceeds from the first police interview to a trial by jury. Michael's practical approach and open, friendly manner mean he is asked for again and again by people he has represented. As a former partner in a large firm of solicitors specialising in publicly funded work, he understands the pressures on the profession in the current climate and can work effectively with our partners to achieve the best possible results. Michael regularly represents clients with mental-health issues and has been approved by the courts to provide representation to those adjudged to be unfit to stand trial. He was a solicitor for 10 years before transferring to the Bar and was a member of the Law Society panel accredited to provide representation to people detained under the Mental Health Act. Regulatory & Public Michael has been able to bring his skills from Criminal practice into this area and regularly defends individuals and companies facing prosecution by Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and other regulatory bodies. Children Law Michael has had an interest in Care Proceedings since first qualifying as a solicitor. Having spent a number of years involved in heavy end criminal work he has refocused his practice in order to ensure he does more than just "keep his hand in" in respect of family cases. He regularly represents the parents in proceedings which involve children being taken into care. His client rapport, ability to communicate with fellow lawyers and professional witnesses make him a popular choice of counsel. He is available to represent parents, the Guardian and interested parties in these proceedings. Michael has undertaken a number of courses in order to fairly and effectively cross-examine vulnerable witnesses in criminal proceedings under the new s28 procedure in certain pilot Crown Courts. This has been of enormous benefit in terms of the cross over between the two disciplines and being able to better accomplish an effective cross examination either directly with the witness or via an intermediary where the witness' ability to communicate needs that additional input. It means he has been able to adapt to the changing landscape of advocacy as the Courts begin to adapt to ensure all witnesses are treated appropriately.

Michael has over 25 years’ experience of prosecuting and defending all aspects of serious crime and is a Category 4 Prosecutor. Following completion of pupillage at 3 Hare Court (now 2 Bedford Row), between 1997 and 2009 Michael was in practice at the self-employed Bar both in London and Manchester where he developed an exclusively criminal, mixed prosecution and defence, practice, and was instructed in all aspects of serious crime, including violence, armed robbery, firearms offences, arson, fatal road traffic cases, drugs importation/supply, large scale public disorder, child neglect and rape and other serious sexual offences. He was enrolled on the CPS approved list of advocates in sex cases and presented lectures within chambers on topics such as third party disclosure in serious sex cases. In 2010 Michael joined Manchester Crown Prosecution Service, which is one of the busiest Crown Advocate Units in the country. As a Senior Crown Advocate he prosecuted cases of ever increasing gravity and complexity. Although engaged in the full spectrum of criminal prosecutions, he developed a considerable specialisation in rape and other RASSO work at Category 4. Michael has extensive experience of dealing with vulnerable witness and is known for his skills and sensitivity in dealing with such cases. Additionally Michael was instructed in a number of cases by the Complex Casework Unit, involving, for example, Triad gang violence, and most recently the multiple murders and mass poisonings carried out by a nurse at Stepping Hill Hospital. In preparation for the latter Michael spent a considerable period working very closely with one of the GMP Major Incident Teams, helping to build this highly complex case. He. received commendations from both the Chief Constable and DPP for his work. Having now returned to the self-employed Bar, Michael is looking forward to developing a prosecution and defence practice once more.

Michael Collins

Michael Collins is not only a “tenacious and effective advocate he is a master tactician.” He is ranked by Chambers & Partners (2025) and has built an extensive and impressive criminal practice undertaking work of the highest complexity and gravity. With 28 years of experience, Michael's knowledge of the North Eastern Circuit is comprehensive, and he can communicate to lay clients and legal professionals what that means for them, wherever they may come from. Ranked by Chambers & Partners (2025), Michael has demonstrated his excellence in dealing with the full range of criminal offences, including Homicide and other non-fatal offences against the person Rape and other serious sexual offences Fatal traffic offences (death by dangerous or careless driving etc) Firearms Drug trafficking Fraud Michael is one of the North Eastern Circuit's most respected advocates. He is also an experienced and talented Advocacy Trainer who has trained countless barristers and those training for the Bar. He is responsible for Recruitment at Park Square Barristers. Michael has, over the last 28 years, established his reputation as both a defender and prosecutor (Grade 4 RASSO accredited) in the most serious criminal cases. He also accepts private-client instructions, from those who value not just superlative court-room advocacy, but personal, emotional and practical support. Michael's care for his clients is exemplary, ensuring that they and their families are aware during every step of the court process what is happening, why, and what the possible outcomes might be. His knowledge of the North Eastern Circuit extends to the support organisations, local expert report writers and other assets within the area. Consequently, clients and their families can access every assistance as they navigate the Criminal Justice System. Before he was called to the Bar, Michael enjoyed a commercial career outside of law which helped develop an unusually deep understanding of human motivations. He understands that every accused person is different, and must be cared for as they would wish, and with the utmost care. At the same time, he is a wise tactician, admired for his case preparation, his cross-examinations and persuasive closing arguments. Enjoying the respect of his fellow barristers and the Circuit's judges, Michael understands the local legal atmosphere and the culture of its juries. He is an experienced, talented and well-respected advocate.

Michael Jowett accepts instructions for both prosecution and defence work. His practice includes cases at all stages of proceedings in the Youth Court, Crown Court and the Court of Appeal. Michael is a much sought-after junior and is often instructed in matters beyond his level of call. His defence practice encompasses the full range of criminal offences, including murder, rape and other sexual offences against adults and children; drugs offences; serious violence; road traffic offences and financial crime together with proceeds of crime. Michael regularly advises on all areas of criminal law, including matters of confiscation and asset restraint, and is happy to advise and draft documents as part of case preparation when required. He is familiar with, and has been instructed in, cases within the Section 28 pilot scheme (video-recorded cross-examination). Michael prides himself on his ability to engage with clients, and has experience representing those requiring particularly sensitive care due to age and/or vulnerability.

Crime Mollie regularly prosecutes and defends in a wide variety of matters in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. She is a Grade 2 Prosecutor. Mollie’s attention to detail and thorough case preparation has secured acquittals including in a successful run of self-defence against a charge of assault, a case involving a domestic assault and intentional strangulation, and most recently, an attempted burglary. Mollie also secured an acquittal in a robbery trial in the Youth Court and is keen to develop this practice further. She has represented vulnerable clients with various mental health issues and her personable approach means she is able to form rapports with her lay clients quickly. Mollie has established strong relationships with instructing solicitors and received positive feedback from professional and lay clients. Aside from other criminal matters, Mollie deals with driving matters in the Magistrates’ Court and has been successful in advancing arguments for exceptional hardship. She has previously represented the police in an application for the variation of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Mollie also receives instructions in Parole Board hearings, representing lay clients facing decisions as to their release. Mollie is keen to continue to develop a successful and busy practice in a wealth of criminal matters. Family Law Mollie receives regular instructions on behalf of parents in private law proceedings. She has successfully represented a Mother in a successful application for the immediate return of her child. Recently, Mollie acted in an ongoing case where early Final Orders were made in favour of her lay client, in a case involving allegations of domestic abuse. Mollie has received positive feedback from professional clients and members of the judiciary for her handling of cases. Mollie frequently acts in proceedings involving applications for Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders and has successfully invited the court to dismiss proceedings against both of her lay clients in one case. Mollie welcomes instructions in public law care proceedings. She has previously represented the Local Authority in cases involving the successful discharge of Care Orders and in proceedings involving final care plans for Adoption and Placement Orders. She has also represented Mothers in contested interim removal hearings. She is able to console lay clients in highly emotional situations owing to her sensitive and approachable manner.

Regulatory & Public Nadim Bashir is an B-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. Nadim sits as an Assistant Coroner at the Coroners Court at Hull and continues to provide representation at inquests and pre inquest reviews, particularly in relation to inquests involving members of HM Armed forces. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, Nadim is also a prosecuting officer for the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), where he will prosecute members of any of the British Armed Forces (British Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy), anywhere in the world and has been doing so continuously for the last 20 years with prosecutions being conducted in N. Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and as far afield as Brunei. He also enjoys a healthy defence Court Martial practice. Nadim also holds the post of Legal Advisor for the UK Reserve Forces Association which promotes the efficiency of the UK Reserve Forces by providing opportunities for education, personal development and international experience. This is achieved by sharing ideas and good practise through formal channels with UK Reserve Forces in the NATO alliance. It also works with the MOD. Together with other NATO member countries, UKRFA sit on the executive council of the Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) and Inter-Allied Confederation of Reserve Medical Officers (CIOMR), and thus involves participating in an international arena in representing the interests of the UK Reserve Forces to the NATO alliance. Nadim also undertakes a range of Police work on behalf of the Chief Constable, specialising in firearms/shotgun appeals under the Firearms Act 1968, Cash Detention Orders and Forfeiture Proceedings under POCA 2002 and the delivery of seminars in respect of SHPO’s under the SOA 2003 as amended. Crime Nadim is a grade-4 prosecutor who sits on CPS panels for fraud, confiscation and serious organised crime. As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve, Nadim is also a prosecuting officer for the Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA), where he will prosecute members of any of the British Armed Forces (British Army, Royal Air Force or Royal Navy), anywhere in the world. Nadim has also accepted a post within the Ministry of Defence known as the Legal Representative to the UK Reserve Forces Association. This involves promoting the efficiency of the UK Reserve Forces; both in the UK and within the NATO Alliance context and thus involves participating in an international arena with the “Confederation International des Officers de la Reserve” by delivering an annual programme of activities in member states across the world. Nadim lectures and trains police services across the country on a broad range of subjects, with a specialism in child protection and specifically the prevention and control of paedophilia (as previously delivered to CEOP).

Naomi McLoughlin

Personal Injury Prior to commencing pupillage, Naomi was employed as an Advocate for a multinational law firm where she regularly attended CCMCs, CMCs, application hearings, small claims and infant approvals across a variety of personal injury cases including road traffic accident claims, employer’s liability, public liability, occupiers’ liability claims and industrial disease matters. She regularly dealt with high value cases. As a result of this experience, Naomi regularly represents Claimants and Defendants in a variety of personal injury matters at all stages of proceedings. She is happy to advise on procedure and tactics at any stage of the proceedings, and is happy to consider instructions on a CFA basis. Naomi regularly delivers training to CiLex, insurers and law firms which often include legal updates, use of practical skills and tactical advice. Naomi was employed as a Fee Earner at a large national firm where she ran a caseload of Noise Induced Hearing Loss claims and assisted with other industrial disease claims including occupational stress and HAVS. As a result she has substantial experience in dealing with industrial disease matters. Naomi accepts instructions for both Claimants and Defendants in all industrial disease matters. She is able to provide advices and settle pleadings within a short period of time. Naomi regularly deals and achieves success with credit hire matters at all stages of proceedings. Naomi regularly provides bespoke external training on the topic which ensures she is up to date on the most recent developments. Naomi has experience of dealing with Qualified One Way Costs Shifting and allegations of fundamental dishonesty. She regularly deals with matters involving civil fraud, low velocity impact cases and exaggerated personal injury claims. Empolyment Naomi accepts instructions to represent clients in all employment matters. Naomi has experience of matters involving unfair dismissal and discrimination cases. As part of her work for the Government Legal Department, Naomi is involved in matters across the full spectrum of employment issues and has particular experience of cases involving the public sector. Commercial & Chancery Naomi accepts instructions in a broad range of commercial and chancery matters. Naomi’s work involves a wide variety of contact and commercial disputes advising on all aspects of potential breaches/causes of action. Naomi has experience in advising insurers in relation to all aspects of their contractual and non-contractual obligations. She regularly provides advice and represents parties in insolvency matters. She has recently acted in a matter involving the winding up a partnership. Children Law Naomi receives instructions from all parties involved in care proceedings and repeatedly represents parties in multi-day hearings. She is instructed on a wide range of cases including matters which involve issues of sexual abuse, physical abuse, non-accidental injuries, serious neglect, parents with learning difficulties or who lack capacity, substance misuse and oral expert evidence. Naomi also delivered training to social workers at Leeds City Council. Naomi is instructed regularly to represent parents and children in private child arrangement disputes. She provides representation at all stages of proceedings including contested final hearings and finding of fact hearings. Naomi was recently successful on appeal following the making of a final order for indirect contact. The issues surrounded domestic violence and the subsequent impact on ongoing contact between her client and their child. Family Finance Naomi observed members of chambers in financial remedies earnings including FDRs and Final Hearings during her pupillage. Regulatory & Public Naomi has experience of prosecuting and defending in the Magistrates Courts and dealing with vulnerable witnesses and defendants. She also has experience of dealing with the whole spectrum of Road Traffic Offences at all stages of proceedings including DVLA prosecutions and matters appearing before the traffic commissioner. Whilst undertaking a secondment for South Yorkshire Police she assisted with a variety of matters and regularly made applications for orders to protect members of the public including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Notification Orders, Violent Offender Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. She also provides advice in relation to a variety of legal issues arising out of work undertaken by the Police. Naomi undertakes work for the Government Legal Department in a variety of matters including a litigation trawl for the Department for Exiting the European Union. Naomi also undertakes work in the Coroner’s Court acting for a range of interested persons including the Care Quality Commission. She has also assisted with any issues of disclosure arising during the life of proceedings. She is happy to assist and advise at all stages. Naomi offers continuity of representation from inquests to civil actions for damages arising post-inquest. Court of Protection & Adult Care Naomi has recently undertaking a secondment for the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group where she regularly advised on and assists with Court of Protection matters. Naomi is very interested in this area of work and is keen to build on her current experience.

Narinder Sekhon

Crime Narinder Sekhon’s practice reflects a mixture of criminal matters, and he undertakes both prosecution and defence work. Throughout his career, Narinder has acquired specialised knowledge of matters involving cell-site analysis involving mobile-phone technology, scrutinising forensic accounts, DNA evidence, and analysing specialist medical reports. Often it is through his persistence in ensuring the proper service of prosecution disclosure that dismantles the heart of the prosecutions case. Narinder’s practice is exclusively serious crime and invariably acts as leading counsel due to the complexities of the matters in which he is instructed. Many of his cases have a cross border dimension and he is always willing to assist his instructing solicitors in retrieving evidence from foreign jurisdictions. Narinder has an underlying passion to ensure fairness is delivered and has a reputation for pursuing this both at first instance and at a higher level. Many of his cases have attracted media publicity. Personal Injury Narinder practices in personal-injury matters for either claimant or defendant, and is happy to accept instructions on a conditional fee agreement. He regularly provides advice and opinions on quantum and prospects of success in road traffic claims and employer’s liability. Regulatory & Public Narinder has acted for individual appellants in immigration and asylum matters. He has experience in handling appeals before the Immigration Appeal Tribunal as well as both advising and conducting judicial review matters.

Natalia Perrett

Children Law Natalia Perrett specialises in private and public children law. Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) for Family and Children Law. Natalia Perrett is the Deputy Head of our Family Team and has specialised in public and private children law for approaching 20 years with a particular emphasis on complex care and adoption proceedings. Public law Natalia has extensive experience of representing children, parents and local authorities in complex family law cases. She has advised and represented parties on cases involving the following issues: Complex genetic history, including Ehlers-Danlos Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Marfan Syndrome Female genital mutilation Forced marriage 'Honour' abuse International law and complex jurisdictions disputes Inherent jurisdiction Parental death at the hands of the other parent 'Resolutions' Approach Poisoning Serious non-accidental injury and child death Serious sexual abuse involving multiple historical allegations and grooming Representation of vulnerable individuals including children, teenage mothers, those with significant learning disabilities and mental health problems Wardship Private law - children Private law Alienating behaviours Domestic abuse and coercive control Implacable hostility Sexual abuse Removal from the jurisdiction Approach With approaching 20 years’ experience, Natalia acts in many of Yorkshire’s most significant and complex cases. Natalia is highly regarded for her forensic cross examination and skilled skeleton arguments on the law. Natalia dovetails this successfully with an empathetic and pragmatic approach to client management and is routinely requested to represent those with additional needs. Natalia has acted in a number of matters involving the application of international law in which she has a particular interest. This has included: Successfully arguing lack of jurisdiction in the High Court with respect to a child born in Ireland to an English mother and father Successfully arguing on behalf of the mother for a transfer of proceedings under Article 15 Blla to Hungary Successful junior representation of M who argued that there was no ongoing court proceedings in Poland and that the court should decline to make an Article Blla request to Poland. Led by Marcus Scott-Manderson KC Successfully prevented a child being permanently removed from the jurisdiction acting for the father where the mother had gone on to marry a well-known sportsperson Represented CAFCASS legal in forced marriage proceedings in relation to a 13-year-old girl abducted to a non-Hague Convention Country in the midst of civil war Lecturing Natalia frequently lectures on topical issues within both Family Law and the Court of Protection. Court of Protection and Adult Care Ranked in The Legal 500 (2024) for Family and Children Law. Natalia Perrett is the Deputy Head of our Family Team and has specialised in public and private children law for approaching 20 years with a particular emphasis on complex care and adoption proceedings. Natalia led a junior member of chambers in a complex matter which involved an examination of the rights and legislative provisions surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable adults living in children’s homes and residential special schools. This led to the preparation of complex legal submissions within the Re X and Others (Deprivation of Liberty) [2014] EWCOP 25 litigation, in which the President of the Court of Protection, Sir James Munby, provided guidance on the practical and procedural implications for the Court of Protection following the Supreme Court’s decision in Surrey County Council v P [2014] 2 WLR 642. Natalia has acted for clients in mental health review tribunals, including a particularly complex matter concerning the detention of a 36-week pregnant client with an unspecified eating disorder. Natalia has also appeared for the local authority in Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council v GS and Another [2014] EWCOP 46, where Holman J determined that relevant legislative provisions (regulation 17A of the Children’s Homes Regulations and para 3.19 National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes) did not, in the case of GS, prevent the court from authorising a deprivation of liberty where such deprivation of liberty pursued a legitimate aim and was necessary, proportionate and in GS’ best interests. She also successfully contested the appointment of a health & welfare deputy, and advised and acted in contested issues concerning the residence of ‘P’ and restriction of contact.

Nathan Davis is a common law pupil currently undertaking his second six. Prior to commencing his pupillage at Park Square Barristers, Nathan was a common law pupil at Zenith Chambers. He was supervised by John Boumphrey and Tom Storey and observed civil, employment and crime. Before commencing pupillage, Nathan worked at the Criminal Cases Review Commission as a Kalisher Intern. He regularly undertook legal research and case analysis on a wide spectrum of significant and complex criminal cases, whilst also managing his own caseload. During his employment at the Commission Nathan was also involved in the Commission’s outreach work, focusing on youth justice. Whilst at university Nathan was a pro bono legal assistant for the defence on the Radovan Karadzic Appeal. He researched and drafted grounds of appeal, under the direction of Defence Counsel Peter Robinson. Nathan was also a member of the County Durham Youth Offending Volunteers Service and regularly sat as a panel member, engaging with young offenders who were sentenced to Youth Referral Orders.

Crime Nicci was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor to the Supreme Court of South Australia in May 2005. Before moving to England, Nicci gained experience in dealing with a wide range of issues, including immigration, personal injury, contract and corporate law, and, in particular, crime. Having moved to England, Nicci obtained employment as a legal clerk whilst she completed her requisite transfer courses to be admitted as a solicitor in England and Wales. Prior to commencing regular Crown Court Advocacy, Nicci gained qualifications first as a police station representative and then as a duty solicitor. She undertook representation at police stations and Magistrates’ Courts for clients accused of the entire range of criminal offences. Throughout her time as a Solicitor, Nicci gained a thorough grounding in police station and Magistrates Court practice and procedure. Following conferment of Higher Rights, Nicci has practised regularly in the Crown Courts, representing clients charged with all levels of assault, robbery, drug trafficking offences, blackmail, all levels of burglary, firearms and weapons, and sexual assaults. She has been led in a number of murder trials and has had several appearances in the Court of Appeal. Although primarily defence focussed, Nicci has experience in prosecuting cases as well and is a Grade 2 prosecutor and keen to broaden her prosecution practice. With excellent client care, Nicci is particularly adept at assisting those with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities. She can identify client needs quickly and ensure that information is communicated effectively to all clients. NOTABLE CASES R v B and Ors – defence junior counsel to Mr Mark McKone KC on a three handed murder trial. R v T – defence junior counsel to Mr John Elvidge KC in a murder trial. R v W – defence counsel for male charged with supplying class A drugs. Found not guilty following trial. R v B – defence counsel for male charged with sexual assault of a child. Found not guilty after trial. R v E – defence counsel for male charged with supplying cannabis. The case proceeded to trial and successfully utilised the defence under s 28 of the Misuse of Drugs Act R v H – defence counsel for female charged with domestic violence offences against her former partner. The defendant had been protected by a restraining order from the complainant. Found not guilty after trial. Regulatory Nicci has experience in defending cases brought by the Council for Benefit Fraud, the RSPCA and in defending in the County Court for breaches of civil orders where there is a risk of imprisonment. Nicci has also gained experience in prison law, representing people at Parole Board hearings, and drafting written representations for recall reviews and re-categorisations.

Crime Admitted as a Solicitor in 1981. During early years Nigel was engaged in a general practice, he quickly became involved in litigation biased work. Within a fairly short time he became a partner then joint senior partner within an established firm of solicitors. In the latter years as a Solicitor Nigel worked exclusively in the contentious field dealing with complex criminal and civil matters. As example he was often involved in dealing with Murder cases and on one occasion representing a Scottish Solicitor charged with fraud on an international scale. He also dealt with one very high profile case involving a claimant who had been sterilised on two occasions yet gave birth to two children. Nigel was a member of the duty Solicitor Scheme and a member of the Association of the Victims of Medical Negligence. He was also a member of the local Citizens Advice Bureau assisting on a voluntary basis. Nigel sought and was called to the Bar in 1996. His practice has a crime bias. This includes being briefed as junior in several murder cases. He has been Leading Junior in a fraud case and dealt with 3 guideline cases in the Court of Appeal 2 of these established sentencing guidelines, one in respect of the tariff for “Sadism” in an Attorney General’s Reference, the other setting out guidelines for domestic burglary. Nigel was Junior Counsel in the case of R v Ashmelash reported in The Times in April of 2013. This involved the relatively new defence of Loss of Control in Murder cases. Over the last two years he has dealt with serious sexual offending and homicide cases. Nigel has experience in all types of crime. Personal Injury Nigel has vast experience in personal injury, this includes Road Traffic Claims and the consequences, dealing with small claims, fast track and multi track matters. This work often complements the Road Traffic work he deals with in the magistrates.

Listed as a “Rising Star” in the 2025 edition of The Legal 500 for Family & Children Law Oliver’s practice spans the entire range of Children Act cases, to include both public (care) proceedings and private law children cases. His work involves representation of local authorities, parents and children in complex cases involving: Allegations of inflicted injuries, including multiple fracture injury cases; Genetic conditions Endocrinological bone disorders and blood disorders; Serious sexual abuse, including rape; Serious domestic physical and emotional abuse; Psychiatric and psychological disorders; Parents with learning difficulties. In a number of Oliver’s care cases he has worked with parents with findings of abuse under a “Resolution” style model in order to secure the return of the children to their care. Alongside his care work, a significant proportion of Oliver’s practice involves representation of parents, and occasionally children, in private law disputes. Oliver has particular experience of litigating abuse in the family courts, including allegations of serious sexual abuse, and rape. His article on the court’s approach to consent in finding of fact hearings within child arrangement order proceedings, specifically in relation to rape allegations, was published in the October 2023 edition of the Family Law Journal. Oliver has experience of international contact and relocation disputes and welcomes instructions in this area. He has also been involved in cases involving disputes over legal parentage, often between same sex couples, and intractable disputes raising issues of parental alienation. Family Finance Oliver has been instructed in numerous FDRs and final hearings within financial remedy proceedings, often against more senior counsel. He has been involved in cases raising more unusual issues, such as substantial delay and significant disability. He very much welcomes instructions in this area. Oliver has an especial interest in trusts issues arising from relationship breakdown involving unmarried couples. His first class undergraduate dissertation on the common intention constructive trust as applied to sole legal title disputes was described as a “stellar piece of original research” by the examiner.

Olivia is regularly instructed across the entire spectrum of criminal proceedings, from first hearings to appeals in the Crown Court. She is direct access accredited and has previously prosecuted on behalf of Northern Rail. Olivia also appears within the Youth Court and has a real interest in this practice. Olivia volunteered with legal clinics and undertook pro-bono work prior to coming to the Bar. She has valuable experience in dealing with people who are in distress, and those in crisis. In her practice, she regularly assists vulnerable clients and witnesses, priding herself on being an approachable, fair, and robust advocate. Notable cases: Prosecution: R v T (2022) – Prosecuted a domestic GBH. Olivia was able to convince the bench that this was not self-defence, resulting in a S47 conviction in the alternative. R v A (2023) – Achieved a S47 conviction for the prosecution of a domestic assault which had never received the support of the Complainant. The Crown’s case relied solely on the evidence of attending police officers. Defence: R v K (2023) – Sexual Assault of a Child under 13. Sexual Touching charge was dismissed at the close of the prosecution case and the Defendant convicted of a Common Assault at the lowest level. R v T (2023) – Youth Robbery trial. Successful submission of no case to answer following cross examination on the reliability of the complainant’s evidence.

Ranked in Chambers and Partners (2025). Patrick Palmer undertakes defence and prosecution work of all types, especially serious sex offences (recent, historic and institutional); murders; frauds all types (largest £25 million); corruption-related matters (including police); death by dangerous and careless driving; large conspiracies to supply drugs; and sensitive and high-profile cases. Patrick has appeared in all criminal and civil courts, including the House of Lords — but not, as yet, the Supreme Court.

Crime A busy and popular advocate, Paul deals with complex and serious general crime and with difficult sexual cases involving rape and child sexual abuse – the latter often involving historic allegations. Paul has considerable experience in questioning vulnerable witnesses particularly children via intermediaries and he frequently advises on cases involving the overlapping laws in historic sex crimes. His degree in Business Law gave him a solid grounding in accountancy, business finance and crimes involving companies and company directors. Regulatory & Public Paul has dealt with Court’s Martial, disciplinary hearings involving medical professionals, members of the armed forces and the police, Inquests, Mental Health Tribunals, HMRC and VAT cases. Paul also has a keen interest in licensing, local authority appeals and private road traffic cases as well as Trading Standards, Environment Agency and DSS cases Paul has sat as a Panelist at the Medical Practitioner Tribunal Service, presiding over disciplinary cases involving doctors and has a keen interest in hearings before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the MPTS and the General Dental Council.

Crime Paul has extensive experience in dealing with serious sexual offences, particularly cases involving vulnerable and young witnesses. His ability to handle victims and witnesses in a sensitive, thoughtful and caring manner is well regarded. He also deals with cases involving serious violence, such as Manslaughter and Attempt Murder, complex fraud and organised crime conspiracies. He prides himself on his preparation and case handling. Paul not only has prosecution experience but has extensive experience in handling the most serious of Defence cases, involving Attempt Murder, Manslaughter, S.18, Rape and complex organised crime prosecutions and frequently appears as the lead Defendant in multi handed cases. He has also been led in seven murder cases. Regulatory & Public Paul has a keen interest and compressive knowledge of military matters and law and has regularly appeared at Court Martial hearings

Commercial & Chancery Paul Dunn is the deputy head of the Civil Team and is frequently instructed to act on behalf of claimants or defendants, in broadly equal measure, in relation to disputes between private individuals and/or businesses which involve a wide range of areas of law (many of which are the subject of proceedings in the High Court). Paul is a former solicitor-advocate, accredited as a civil and commercial mediator both by Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and the ADR Group. He holds an Advanced Certificate of Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He has a busy practice drafting all manner of pleadings required in civil litigation, including particulars of claim, defences, counterclaims, contribution proceedings and schedules and counter-schedules of loss, often within very tight timescales. Paul advises in writing and in conference (including by telephone) on liability, causation, quantum, prospects of success, evidence, tactics and procedural matters. Paul Dunn has a keen interest in all aspects of housing and related litigation. Paul accepts instructions on behalf of both public and private landlords and tenants at all stages of proceedings, advises in writing and drafts statements of case. Civil Fraud Paul previously practised as a solicitor and solicitor-advocate. He spent 10 years with one of the country’s largest law firms, acting exclusively for insurers of all sizes. In the context of his general civil insurance fraud practice, Paul has experience of dealing with holiday sickness claims at trial and witnesses giving evidence via video link. He recently has provided bespoke training to a large national firm of solicitors on this topic. Now practising as a barrister specialising in civil fraud, Paul draws on this experience when advising clients, drafting pleadings and appearing in court in relation to claims involving all forms of suspected civil fraud. Personal Injury Paul worked as a solicitor for over 11 years before being called to the Bar. During this time, he specialised in personal-injury work including employers’, occupiers’ and public liability; industrial disease (including dermatitis, work-related upper limb disorders, noise-induced hearing loss, respiratory disease etc); and road traffic accident claims. Paul now represents claimants or defendants, in broadly equal measure, at fast- and multi-track trials, disposal (including RTA Protocol Stage 3), small-claim, infant approval, directions, allocation and application hearings, as well as case-management conferences. He also undertakes clinical-negligence work, sports and travel/holiday law and claims involving animals. He has a busy practice drafting all manner of pleadings required in civil litigation, including particulars of claim, defences, counterclaims, contribution proceedings, schedules and counter-schedules of loss, often within very tight timescales. Paul advises in writing and in conference (including by telephone) on liability, causation, quantum, prospects of success, evidence, tactics and procedural matters, and is happy to receive instructions to act under a conditional fee agreement (CFA). Paul regularly appears before tribunals in Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) cases and represents insurance companies and self-insured organisations appealing decisions made by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) in terms of the recoverability of benefits in personal-injury cases. Court of Protection & Adult Care Paul has experience of representing members of the families of adults in the Court of Protection in cases involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Peter Moulson KC

During his career as Silk; Peter has been instructed in lengthy, complex, joint-enterprise murder and manslaughter cases for the Prosecution and Defence. He has prosecuted and defended in multi-defendant international and domestic conspiracy cases. He has appeared in homicide cases involving loss of self-control, self-defence, abnormality of mental functioning, and cases involving complex medical-causation issues. He has defended regularly in multi defendant cases involving “cut – throat”defences. He is very well versed in the analysis and presentation of complex telephone evidence and able to challenge attribution and other evidence relating to the seizure and alleged use of electronic devices. Peter has defended in lengthy complex cases involving spousal and other familial homicide and in many “one punch manslaughter” cases. In November 2016 Peter was leading counsel for the Crown in his fifth multi-defendant joint enterprise murder by shooting. He has prosecuted and defended in numerous joint enterprise knife-crime homicides. Additionally, in February 2017 Peter was leading Counsel for the Prosecution in a multi defendant motor – manslaughter “cash for crash” case. In March 2017, Peter defended in a case involving the murder and serious serial physical abuse of a baby aged four and a half months. This involved the assimilation of, and challenge to, highly complex pathological, neuropathological and histo-pathological evidence. In April 2017, Peter defended in a murder case involving loss of self-control involving complex psychiatric issues. In addition to the forgoing, he is instructed regularly by the defence in a range of cases on a privately paid basis. He has successfully defended clients from the professions. Peter has recently returned from a month in Nigeria, having been invited by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office to advise Nigeria’s elite advocates on the investigation and presentation of counter-terrorism cases. Peter continues this specialist training for elite Prosecutors and Judges in Tanzania and Somaliland.

Peter works exclusively for insurers defending suspicious or fraudulent personal injury claims, usually arising out of actual or alleged road traffic accidents. This has been his sole area of practice for over a decade. He works for all the major solicitors in his practise area and is involved at each stage of the claims process, from pre-action advice and conference work through to trial advocacy. Peter has extensive experience of the numerous forms of suspicious/fraudulent claims including low speed impact claims, bogus passenger claims, deliberately induced collisions, staged accidents, fabricated accidents and fraud rings. He often acts for insurers who have withdrawn indemnity from their insurer clients. Such work frequently involves special damages claims for recovery, storage, hire and rehabilitation charges. Whilst Peter retains a healthy paperwork practise, recently his workload has been focussed pre-dominantly on trial work. In relation to his trial preparation, given that very detailed analysis of the evidence is required in order to prepare to the highest standard, Peter usually ensures that at least one full day is booked out of his diary for that purpose. As a result, he self-limits the number of trials he does to a maximum of 3 per week. Peter frequently lectures to his instructing solicitors, insurers and others within the industry, on developments within his practise area. He is also an advocacy trainer for the ‘North Eastern Circuit New Practitioners Programme’. Peter’s abilities in his practise area have been recognised in both ‘The Legal 500’ and ‘Chambers & Partners’ for many years

Phillipa Hildyard

Children Law Phillipa appears in both public and private children law matters in the Family Court, as well as Family Law Act injunctions (non-molestation orders and occupation orders). Phillipa regularly acts in public law proceedings, representing Local Authorities, parents, children, wider family members and interveners. She has advised and represented parties on cases involving the following issues: Non-accidental injuries Sexual abuse (including grooming and rape) Factitious illness Female Genital Mutilation Neglect Psychological and psychiatric evidence Parents with learning difficulties or who lack capacity Parents who misuse substances Jurisdictional issues Whilst seconded to Humberside Police Legal Services in 2016, she often represented the Chief Constable of Humberside Police in the Family Courts on issues of disclosure. Phillipa has also advised Local Authorities in relation to disclosure into the Criminal Courts, including the redaction of social care records and public interest immunity. Phillipa is regularly instructed in private law cases to represent parents where there are disputes over child arrangements, including residence and contact disputes, applications for prohibited steps orders and specific issue orders. Phillipa also has experience in enforcement proceedings. She has particular experience of cases involving: Allegations of domestic abuse Allegations of violence to children Psychological and psychiatric evidence Risk of abduction Phillipa’s approachable and friendly manner ensures she is able to provide clear advice to both solicitors and lay clients. Phillipa is regularly instructed to represent clients who are young, vulnerable, and / or present with learning difficulties. Regulatory & Public Phillipa takes instructions in a broad range of regulatory crime cases, including health and safety, environmental, fire safety, environmental health, building control and food standards cases. Phillipa has significant experience representing police forces. Between March 2016 and September 2016, Phillipa was seconded to Humberside Police Legal Services. She continues to act for police forces on a range of matters including: Applications for orders to protect members of the public, including Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, Sexual Risk Orders, Notification Orders, Violent Offender Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Firearms appeals. Dangerous dog applications. Disclosure between the police and the Family Court. Legal professional privilege issues. Police property disputes. Defending civil claims against the police. Family Finance Phillipa accepts instructions to advise and represent clients in relation to all aspects of family finance. She has experience of representing clients at First Hearings, Financial Dispute Resolution Hearings and Final Hearings. Court of Protection & Adult Care Phillipa accepts instructions to advise and represent clients on Court of Protection matters and is eager to build this area of her practise. She is sensitive and has experience of working with vulnerable clients.

Rebecca Randall

Crime Ranked as a Leading Junior in The Legal 500 (2025) for Crime Rebecca is a senior and experienced criminal defence practitioner. Her practice encompasses murder, firearms, serious violence, drug related matters and serious sexual offences. Her particular specialisms are serious violence and sexual offences. She is recommended as a Leading Junior for Crime in the Legal 500. Rebecca has a strong reputation for her direct, incisive approach and sound tactical judgment. Those who have worked with her commend her personable style and polished court manner.

Crime Reece has successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of Paul Abrahams, focusing on both criminal and family law. Reece prosecutes and defends in a range of matters in both the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. He is regularly instructed to deal with an array of complex cases for the Prosecution and Defence involving violence, sexual assault, dishonesty, offensive weapons and road traffic offences. During his practice he has developed a reputation for high standards of professionalism, a personable approach and strong attention to detail. He recently represented a client accused of a sexual assault, secured a successful outcome in a contested hearing. Reece has experience of dealing with and supporting people with a range of complex and vulnerable needs. He is recognised for the way in which he supports such individuals during difficult and challenging proceedings. Reece is recognised by both professional and lay clients on his ability to build a rapport and communicate matters of a serious nature in an appropriate and understandable manner. Family Law Reece has successfully completed pupillage under the supervision of Paul Abrahams, focusing on both criminal and family law. During his second six period of pupillage, Reece has represented parents and extended family members in private and public law proceedings. He has acted in cases involving abuse, parental alienation as-well as urgent hearings. Reece has also completed Park Square Barristers’ in-house Financial Remedies training programme, written and delivered by Head of Finance and Deputy District Judge Karen Lennon and is accepting instructions in this area of law.

Richard Wright KC

Crime Richard Wright KC is a criminal advocate who has defended or prosecuted many of the country’s highest-profile cases . He was described as “the standout junior” on the North Eastern Circuit (The Legal 500, 2011) and “in the ascendant” (Chambers and Partners, 2013). He was appointed a Recorder of the Crown Court in 2012, appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2013, Head of Chambers at Park Square Barristers in 2015, Leader of the North Eastern Circuit (2020-22) and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2023 Ranked by Chambers and Partners 2025 as a “Star Individual” and noted that "He never fails to impress and makes the impossible look effortless." Ranked by The Legal 500, 2025 in Tier 1 as a Leading Silk and described as an "exceptional talent." In addition to his portfolio of legally aided cases, Richard regularly acts for companies and individuals on a private-fee basis in both criminal and regulatory cases (particularly environmental, health & safety and food-hygiene breaches). Richard is renowned for his dedication to his clients, his meticulous approach to case preparation, his keen intellect, and his effective, punchy advocacy. Inquests and Inquiries and Regulatory Crime Richard Wright K.C. is consistently recognised in the leading legal directories as a “Masterful Silk” and has been instructed in many of the highest profile cases on the North Eastern Circuit and beyond. Inquest and Inquiry work forms a significant portion of his practice and he has been instructed in many landmark cases. He has been a driving force in the recent expansion of the Inquest and Inquiries team at PSQB in the arena of Public Inquiries. Ranked as a Tier 1 Silk for Business & Regulatory Crime (including Health & Safety) and Inquests and Inquiries – The Legal 500 (2024) and Band One Silk for Crime (Chambers and Partners, 2024).Ranked as a Band 2 Silk for Inquests & Public Inquiries – Chambers & Partners (2024) His regulatory practice includes Health & Safety cases, those involving Environmental Waste, Fire Safety, Food Safety (particularly food allergen cases), Food Hygiene and Animal Welfare cases brought by DEFRA and he has been instructed in the highest profile Gross Negligence Manslaughter prosecutions. He has been instructed in the Manchester Arena Inquiry, instructed as leading counsel by Her Majesty’s Assistant Coroner in respect of an application for Judicial Review challenging the coroner’s decision to leave the conclusion of unlawful killing to the jury, and is currently one of ten King’s Counsel appointed by Baroness Hallett as Counsel to the UK Covid Inquiry. Richard also has particular expertise in Trading Standards prosecutions and his keen tactical judgement has led to him often being retained at an early stage in proceedings to provide advice to individuals and companies. This often results in the successful defeat of investigations before they result in charges. Richard also acts in professional disciplinary and misconduct cases. His approachability to both his professional and lay clients combined with his keen intellect and his effective advocacy has meant that he has been constantly in demand to act in complex and high profile cases since taking silk in 2013.

Richard Pickering

Housing Richard has extensive experience representing both Landlords and Tenants over all types of housing matters. He is known for his client-focused and friendly approach, coupled with his advocacy and drafting skills developed over many years as a solicitor from 2005 and more recently since he transferred to the Bar in 2019. Commercial & Chancery Richard accepts instructions in all types of commercial, chancery and property work. In particular, Richard has developed a vast experience of advising upon such matters as complex break notices, dilapidations claims, providing exit strategy advice for tenants and strategic legal advice for landlords, applications for relief from forfeiture, injunctions, telecoms advice, rights of way and boundary disputes.

Clinical Negligence Richard Paige’s background is in all areas of civil law, but he now specialises in clinical negligence, personal injury and civil insurance fraud. Richard is a contributor to Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service (RTA, Highways, Animals, Fatal Injuries) During his MA course, Richard became familiar with many of the issues arising in medical law and has been instructed in cases against NHS trust hospitals, health authorities, prison hospitals and doctors, dentists and nurses in private practice. He has particular interest in issues relating to consent to treatment. Richard regularly advises from the very inception of a claim through to trial and has experience drafting all statements of case and comprehensive schedules and counter-schedules of loss. As well as drafting, advisory and court work he frequently attends joint settlement meetings and mediations. He conducts conferences with experts to test the strength of their evidence. He has dealt with a variety of claims including delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, failure to obtain informed consent, negligently performed surgery and negligently conducted joint replacements. Richard is experienced in conducting joint settlement meetings (JSMs), round table meetings (RTMs) and mediations on behalf of clients. He is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). Personal Injury As well as clinical negligence and civil fraud, Richard also accepts instructions in ‘standard’ personal injury claims on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. He undertakes Fast Track and multi-track personal-injury cases involving accidents at work, highway accidents, road traffic accidents, civil-abuse claims and industrial-disease cases (including asbestos related diseases, HAVS and NIHL). He is experienced in advising at all stages of proceedings on liability, causation, evidence and quantum, as well as drafting statements of case. He has significant experience on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in cases involving chronic pain, CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome), fibromyalgia, other pain disorders and somatoform disorder where exaggeration and/or fraud are alleged. An online calculator developed by Richard to ease calculations of inflation for personal injury awards was adopted by Lawtel and now features on their website. Richard accepts instructions in all areas of professional negligence but primarily in relation to the negligent handling of personal injury and clinical negligence claims by solicitors and expert witnesses. Richard is a Committee member of the Leeds and District Medico-Legal Society Civil Fraud Richard practises in civil insurance fraud. He was a founding member of the civil fraud team at Sovereign Chambers before the merger which formed Park Square Barristers. Richard is instructed by most of the country’s leading firms specialising in civil insurance fraud and many of the UK’s insurance companies. Richard has extensive experience in all areas of civil fraud including employer’s liability and public liability, but mainly in relation to road traffic accidents. He has been instructed on numerous occasions in cases involving fabricated, staged and induced (‘slam-on’) accidents, bogus passengers and phantom witnesses, low-velocity impacts (LVIs), and exaggerated personal injury and damage claims. He has expertise in dealing with individual frauds, group and family frauds, and wider criminally organised fraud rings. Richard is also the head of the holiday sickness claims team and has been at the forefront of defending such claims. He has provided training to firms and holiday companies to assist in identifying fraudulent claims and strategies to improve success rates. He regularly advises and represents many of the larger holiday companies. Richard is able to advise at the pre-proceedings stage and to conduct conferences with clients and witnesses to test the strength of their evidence in cases where credibility is crucial. He uses his extensive forensic skills when preparing and drafting the detailed defences essential in civil fraud cases, as well as appropriate part 18 requests and applications for specific disclosure. He deals with all interlocutory applications which might arise in civil fraud cases, and has defended many cases at trial both on the Fast Track and multi-track. Following the introduction of qualified one-way costs shifting (QOCS), Richard has advised and represented clients in many cases where a finding of Fundamental Dishonesty has been sought. Regulatory & Public Using his experience and expertise in medical law, Richard has represented the interests of many families at inquests where their loved ones have died whilst in the care of health professionals and at hospital. Richard has also regularly been instructed to attend inquests by quasi-government organisations and companies with government contracts where the deceased has died whilst in custody. Tying in with his practice in personal injury, Richard has been instructed on behalf of both families and insurance companies at inquests arising from fatal road traffic accidents. He is experienced in attending Article 2 inquests on behalf of families and state institutions Richard graduated from Oxford University in Physiological Sciences before completing a master’s in Medical Law and Ethics. He represents all healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists) at disciplinary tribunals where their conduct is scrutinised and their right to continue practice is at issue. Richard acts on behalf of Claimants in claims against local authorities arising from Court of Protection work often involving children and their families, such as unlawful deprivation of liberty and claims under the Human Rights Act. Richard obtained his Blue in athletics whilst at Oxford University and had a successful career competing for one of the leading athletics club in the country before hanging up his spikes. He continues to have a keen interest in athletics and many other sports including rugby, cricket, rowing, squash and croquet.

Robert Stevenson

Crime Robert has a very busy and well-respected criminal practitioner who prosecutes and defends in equal measure, dealing with serious and complex cases. He is an experienced and accomplished advocate, regularly instructed in cases of serious violence and organised crime including firearms, drugs, money laundering and people trafficking. He is an approved Fraud and RASSO prosecutor whose caseload includes large-scale financial crime, rape and other serious sexual offences. He is regularly instructed in multi-handed cases and is known for his calm, sensible and thorough approach. Robert regularly deals with sensitive issues of disclosure and public-interest immunity, including surveillance, informants, and intercept material. Robert recently received a commendation from the Home Office for ‘Excellent investigative work, demonstrating tenacity under extreme pressure to find the evidence to convict those found to have abused the immigration system’. He has prosecuted and defended in cases which have included evidence obtained from abroad and has argued jurisdictional issues, including the admissibility of such evidence and whether the case was properly prosecutable in the UK. Robert has sound judgment and is known for his honest and straightforward advice. He is a robust and effective advocate with a pleasant manner. He regularly acts for companies and individuals on a private-fee basis in both criminal and regulatory cases, in particular health & safety, road traffic and environmental cases. Regulatory & Public Robert is an A-list Specialist Regulatory Advocate and acts for the prosecution and defence in many areas of regulatory & disciplinary law. He is an approved advocate on the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law. Robert acts for the prosecution and defence in many areas of regulatory & disciplinary law. He is an approved advocate on the list of Specialist Regulatory Advocates in Health & Safety and Environmental Law. His regulatory practice includes Health & Safety, Sports Law, Trading Standards, Environmental, Road Traffic, Licensing, Food Safety cases and many more. Robert has extensive experience of Health and Safety cases, often involving fatalities or serious injury. He is also regularly instructed to appear before the Coroner’s Court in relation to inquests into death on behalf of HSE or other interested parties. He has conducted many environmental cases, including allegations involving the operation of regulated facilities without an environmental permit; keeping/treating controlled waste without a waste management licence; and other waste management offences. He has also conducted a number of water pollution cases, including the disposal of diesel and other noxious substances into the waterways. Robert has conducted numerous appeals against both conviction and sentence in the Court of Appeal and has also appeared in the High Court in a case stated appeals. As a former semi-professional footballer, Robert has an excellent understanding of all rules and regulations issued by FIFA and the Football Association. He has a keen interest in many sports which makes him the perfect choice for all types of sporting disciplinary cases. Robert also conducts appeals, and provides advice upon appeals, against Licensing Committee decisions.

Rukhshanda Hussain

Rukhshanda is an experienced Crown Court advocate who has defended and prosecuted all types of serious crime both as a Led Junior and as a Leading Junior. Her wide experience covers all aspects of crime includes murder cases and serious violence and multi handed conspiracies involving international drug trafficking and fraud, and has both defended and prosecuted in a number of police Operations. She specialises in serious sexual offences, such as rape, child abuse, historical sex abuse and more recently has been involved in multi handed sexual grooming cases. Rukhshanda is known for her down to earth approach and ability to communicate well with both those she represents and indeed those who instruct her. She is an effective advocate and has the skill of being both robust and sensitive when appropriate in court. Regardless of the outcome ,both her professional and lay clients are invariably extremely satisfied with the way in which she conducts their cases.

Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) for Personal Injury and Clinical negligence. ‘Ruwena has an analytical eye for detail, and her extremely personable manner puts clients and witnesses at ease.’ The Legal 500 (2025) “Ruwena has attention to detail and compassion for her clients in equal measure – perfect for taking vulnerable clients through complex proceedings. ” – The Legal 500 (2022) “Experienced in both claimant and defendant work.” – The Legal 500 (2021) Ruwena is the Head of the Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team at Chambers. She is a Legal 500 Leading Junior in Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence law, recommended as being “extremely capable”, “highly experienced across a range of personal injury matters” and having “strong legal knowledge”. Ruwena is a thorough and robust advocate with extensive experience acting for both Claimants and Defendants in catastrophic and serious injury cases, including traumatic brain and spinal injury. Her clinical negligence practice includes birth injury, negligent spinal surgery and delayed diagnosis claims. She is instructed at all stages of litigation, regularly conducting multi-expert conferences and leading settlement meetings. Ruwena was appointed a Deputy District Judge in 2019 (North Eastern Circuit) and sits in all areas of Civil and Private Law. She is a PDSL accredited and IMI qualified Mediator. Ruwena is a member of the Personal Injury Bar Association Executive Committee, with a particular focus on ED&I Ruwena undertakes voluntary work for AvMA, guiding patients and their families through the clinical negligence process. Areas of Expertise Catastrophic and Serious Injury Claims Clinical Negligence Notable Cases Led in a multi-million pound claim for lifelong serious injuries, including severe traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive disorder and multiple fractures. Preparation of Counter-Schedule for JSM where matter was settled. Led in a multi-million pound case involving traumatic brain injury, long-term disability and issues of fraud. Interlocutory hearings and drafting undertaken on behalf of the Defendant. In a multi-million pound claim against the employer, in which Ruwena drafted advices and pleadings, undertook conferences and a subsequent successful JSM, the Claimant suffered CRPS, chronic pain and significant psychological injury following an accident whilst working as a Ward Nurse. Acted for the Claimant, who had a pre-existing general poor level of neuropsychological functioning and was injured in a cycling accident. The case involved complex issues in respect of traumatic brain injury, exacerbation of pre-existing vulnerability, future long-term case management/support and legal capacity. Represented the Claimant in an employers’ liability claim for damages in which the Claimant suffered significant complex multiple physical and psychological injuries, including musculo-skeletal damage to the lumbar spine, neuropathic pain, change in bladder function and significant exacerbation of Somatic Symptoms Disorder. Seminars Ruwena has vast experience in providing Seminars tailored to the needs and requirements of all levels of legal and medical professionals, from case workers to Partners. Recent Seminars include: Clinical Negligence Recent Developments An Introduction to Cosmetic Surgery Claims Consent in Clinical Negligence Claims New Rules on Disclosure, Witness Statements, Expert Evidence and Everything Inbetween Multiple Injury Claims and Valuation Articles Bar National Mock Trial Competition 20th Anniversary (13th March, 2011 for The Times) Touching a Nerve – Clinical Negligence, Atkinson v South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2014] (June 2014, PI Brief Update Law Journal) Clinical Negligence: Reducing the Patient’s Life By Four Months (Cutting v Islam) (July/August 2014, Personal Injury Law Journal) Doctor! Doctor! Can I Have a Second Opinion? (September 2014, PI Brief Update Law Journal) Extensions of Time to File Notices of Appeal and Relief from Sanctions (January 2015, PI Brief Update Law Journal) Litigants in Person and Costs Budgeting (September 2016, Local Government Lawyer) Not Looking So Good: Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedure – Where Are We Now? (May 2018, Personal Injury Law Journal) Clinical Consent – Where Are We Now? (December 2020, Personal Injury Law Journal)

Children Law Sally Devall has specialised in family law since 1999. She undertakes all types of family work, but specialises in complex and protracted care cases involving infant deaths, serious injury, and sexual and/or physical abuse. She is equally well-versed in acting for local authorities; parents and other family members (particularly grandparents); and for children, which ensures a well-balanced and high level of expertise when it comes to advocacy. Sally has dealt with a large number of Hague Convention (and non-Hague Convention) removal-from-the-jurisdiction cases and child-abduction cases, both in the context of care cases and in the context of private law cases. She has an extremely good working knowledge of the Brussels Regulations and cross-jurisdiction recognition and enforcement. She deals with serious and complicated private law matters, including those involving significant allegations of domestic violence, implacable hostility, contact disputes and marriage nullity. Sally also deals with cases involving forced marriages and ‘honour killings’, and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to cultural issues arising from family cases. She has particular expertise in dealing with clients with extreme learning difficulties, mental-health problems, psychological/personality disorders, and/or child/youth clients. This is greatly assisted by Sally’s background in psychology, counselling and child therapy. Sally has dealt with a number of cases involving same-sex relationships, and is well-versed in the case law relating to the difficulties faced in the family courts by same-sex couples. Family Finance Sally has been practising in financial remedies since 1999. She deals frequently and confidently with financial-remedies cases involving high-value assets, complex business structures, family trusts, and assets outside of the jurisdiction. She has experience of both foreign and domestic trusts as well as providing advice and assistance with the drafting of pre-nuptial agreements and pre- and post-separation agreements. She frequently deals with cases involving multiple parties and interveners and cases involving complex issues of conduct. She practises in all courts and has regularly been instructed in difficult high-net-worth High Court matters. In addition to financial remedies cases, Sally regularly undertakes cases relating to non-matrimonial finances such as TOLATA applications, cohabitation cases, civil-partnership issues, Inheritance Act claims, and Schedule-1 claims. Court of Protection & Adult Care Sally has a background in psychology and is well-placed to accept instructions in Court of Protection and adult-care work. She accepts instruction and is prepared to act for clients in mental health review tribunals. She is known for her fresh and empathetic approach to clients and has an expanding practice in the Court of Protection/adult care arena. Sally is able to advise and assist in all areas of Court of Protection work, including best interests, deputyship, finances, property, capacity, accommodation, deprivation of liberty, contact, residence, statutory wills, consent to treatment, and consent to marriage and sexual relationships.

Sam accepts instructions in Employment, Crime, Regulatory and Personal Injury Employment Prior to coming to the Bar Sam worked for a large national law firm as a paralegal in their Employment Team. He was responsible for managing a caseload of complex ET claims, gaining insight and experience across a broad range of employment matters. During his time as a paralegal his work encompassed claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination, TUPE, whistleblowing and unlawful deductions from wages. As a result, Sam has first-hand experience of advising on settlement, drafting pleadings and witness statements and conducting his own advocacy in the ET. In addition to his paid work, Sam also has extensive casework experience from his involvement with Leeds Free Legal Representation (LFLR), a non-profit that provides free legal advice and representation for litigants in person on employment and social security matters. As a co-founder and director of LFLR, he has gained further experience in dealing with ET claims and in particular, his pro bono endeavours have enabled him to garner a clear understanding of how best to assist vulnerable clients effectively and sensitively. During the first six months of his pupillage, Sam has built upon his previous experience in this area by observing a number of preliminary and final hearings. He is keen to gain further exposure to work in this area and he would welcome the opportunity to receive instructions for either claimants or respondents. Crime Sam has established a busy criminal practice both prosecuting and defending in equal measure. He is known for being tactically astute, quick to think on his feet and meticulous with his case preparation. He continues to receive instructions in a broad range of criminal cases, including those involving offences of dishonesty, drug supply and serious violence. Recent instructions include the prosecution of an aggravated burglary in Bradford involving the theft of significant sums of cash and the defence of a man charged with offences of ‘controlling and coercive behaviour’ and assault against his ex-partner in Sheffield. Regulatory & Public Law Sam has now completed his pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Moran and Christopher Rafferty. He is keen to establish a practice in Regulatory and Public Law, having observed a range of different ‘regulatory’ work, including prosecutions on behalf of the RSPCA, matters of professional discipline and coronial law hearings. Given his previous experience working in Employment Law, Sam is particularly keen to accept instructions in the area of professional discipline, including for the drafting of advice and/or pleadings. Personal Injury Having now completed his pupillage under the supervision of Christopher Rafferty and Christopher Moran, Sam is now accepting instructions in all areas of Chambers civil practice. Over the course of his pupillage he has observed several fast-track trials arising from road traffic accidents; many involving allegations of fundamental dishonesty. He also has experience of hearings on the Small Claims Track, interlocutory hearings, ‘Stage 3’ disposals and infant settlement. Given the breadth and depth of experience within Chambers, Sam has also been able to gain a thorough understanding of claims involving credit hire. He has a good working knowledge of the case law in this area and is keen to put that to use by accepting instructions for both claimants and defendants.

Shannon Woodley

Children Law Shannon has experience in a range of matters in both private law proceedings relating to children and care proceedings at both the early stages and at final hearing, having represented Local Authorities, parents and 16.4 Guardians from inception to completion of proceedings. Shannon has provided written advice in relation to complex matters of jurisdiction, 16.4 proceedings and transfer of residence applications. Shannon has a particular interest in Parental Alienation and issues surrounding implacable hostility, having conducted seminars on the topic. Her Masters degree surrounded procedure and the best way to actively manage cases involving Parental Alienation. Prior to commencing pupillage, Shannon worked as a Family Billing Clerk and as a result is very knowledgable in all aspects of the legal aid process in relation to FAS and VHCC matters. Family Finance Shannon has undertaken family finance work and helped facilitate early agreements at the First Appointment stage and at the FDR stage. This is a growing area of her practice and she is keen to accept instructions. Crime Shannon is a Grade 1 Prosecutor and has dealt with a range of matters in this role, having prosecuted regularly in the Crown Court and the Magistrates Court. Shannon has also defended in a range of matters from first hearings in the Magistrates Court to multi-handed sentencing hearings in the Crown Court. She also has experience of dealing with sensitive matters in the Youth Court and prides herself on her client care and ability to deal with a range of different people. Shannon has a strong academic background in relation to Crime, having achieved the highest grade across the entirety of her cohort in the Criminal Litigation examination on the BPTC. Personal Injury Shannon has extensive experience of credit hire and general RTA matters, supported by her in-depth knowledge of the case law in this area. Commerical & Chancery Shannon has a growing practice in this area, having undertaken several application hearings and small claims hearings. She has an eye for detail which lends itself to the intricate nature contractual disputes. Regulatory & Public Shannon has a growing regulatory and public law practice. Throughout her pupillage she undertook regular secondment work for Humberside & South Yorkshire Police advising on legal matters as well as dealing with sensitive disclosure work. More recently she was advising on the COVID-19 health regulations procedure used by the police throughout lockdown. Shannon has recently completed a large scale Disclosure Review project for the Government Legal Department. This exercise involved reviewing large volumes of documents and making decisions on disclosure and redaction based on a number of factors including LPP. Shannon has also undertaken work for Social Work England with very positive results and is readily accepting instructions in this area.

Shaun Dryden has many years of experience appearing in Crown Courts across the North East. He has a busy Crown Court practice dealing with a wide range of serious criminal offences. Shaun’s criminal practice is split between prosecution (as a Grade 3 Prosecutor) and defence work.

Crime Shufqat is a very experienced criminal barrister who is regularly instructed in the most serious cases. He is very highly regarded and is known for his thorough approach and his ability to identify and concentrate on the essential issues involved in achieving the best outcome. Shufqat is approachable and has an easy going manner with clients. This is complemented by a firm and robust approach in court. In recent years he has concentrated on and developed an enviable defence practice. Regulatory & Public Shufqat has been instructed in regulatory and disciplinary cases including food safety and hygiene, licensing and environmental waste. He represents both companies and individuals on a private fee basis. He has extensive experience in dealing with all aspects of confiscation and forfeiture proceedings. He has advised professional clients on money laundering, corruption and fraud.

Regulatory & Public Law, Inquests and Inquiries Ranked as Tier 1 for Inquests and Inquiries in The Legal 500 (2025) Ranked as Band 2 in Chambers and Partners (2025) for Inquests and Public Inquiries - 4 years ranked Consistently ranked as a leading junior barrister by the leading legal directories since his transfer to the Bar in 2019, Simon’s practice and with that his professional experience continues to develop apace. The healthcare sector remains a focus and Simon continues to represent a sector-leading prison healthcare provider in complex and lengthy Article 2 jury inquests in Coroner Area’s nationwide. Recent highlights include a three-week inquest in Exeter involving the suicide of a prisoner in the aftermath of his conviction after trial and a two-week inquest before the Senior Coroner for Inner North London concerning the suicide of a foreign national. Simon’s prison healthcare practice is complimented by his membership of the Attorney General’s Regional Panel which has seen Simon represent the Ministry of Justice in prison related jury inquest proceedings in “on” and “off” panel areas. Simon has also solidified his professional relationship with a sector-leading, nationally operating provider of detained, in-patient mental health services with Simon appearing before Coroners sitting with a jury in that connection. Recent highlights include a seven-day jury inquest before the Senior Coroner for North Manchester in which Simon’s submissions against a neglect rider were successful and a seven-day jury inquest before the Senior Coroner for Gateshead and South Shields. Simon continues to act for clinicians of all disciplines and specialities on the instruction of two of the three main Medical Defence Organisations and for healthcare corporates in traditional inquest proceedings heard by a Coroner sitting alone. The cases in which Simon is instructed often generate public interest and garner significant media attention and Simon is adept at strategising to take account of such interests from a reputation management perspective. Instructing solicitors, lay clients and Simon’s peers consistently commend his unstuffy, genial and collegiate approach to his cases and an uncomplicated approach to his advocacy continues to serve him well. Healthcare & regulatory Simon has practised as a healthcare and professional regulatory lawyer for over a decade, during which time he has represented doctors, nurses, pharmacists and osteopaths in criminal investigations and proceedings and in fitness to practise proceedings before professional (GMC-MPTS/ GDC/ GPhC/ GOsC) and local (NHSE) regulatory bodies and in employment disciplinary investigations and proceedings (MHPS). Much of Simon’s regulatory work has stemmed from his involvement in prior proceedings where, for example, he has represented the professional at an inquest or during a police investigation or criminal prosecution. Simon has regularly been instructed in regulatory cases with a quasi-criminal dimension involving allegations of sexual misconduct which would equally constitute a criminal offence. Simon relies upon his extensive experience to analyse and understand how and why allegations against healthcare professionals arise and to devise the most appropriate strategy to defeat or diffuse them. His clinical knowledge and uncomplicated approach does much to gain the confidence of his clients generally and, when necessary, to accept and follow seemingly counter-intuitive advice to adopt a favourable, longer-term case strategy. Personal injury & clinical negligence Since his transfer to the Bar and in view of his extensive clinical knowledge of medicine and dentistry, Simon has begun to develop a clinical negligence practice to complement his inquest and healthcare regulatory practice. Already, Simon has been involved in cases of fatal and non-fatal injury concerning GPs, surgeons and GDPs involved in general practice, general medicine, general surgery, plastic surgery, general dentistry and orthodontics. Likewise and so as to complement his Article 2 inquest practice, Simon has begun to develop a Human Rights Act claims practice with a focus upon the custodial and healthcare aspects of rights conferred by Articles 2, 3 and 8 ECHR. Simon’s developing experience in these areas means that he is able to strategise his inquest work to mitigate the prospect of a subsequent claim and to rely upon his experience of having acted in the inquest when called upon to defend a claim against those he has represented.

Personal Injury & clinical negligence Ranked in Tier 1 for Personal Injury - The Legal 500 (2025) Simon Anderson is widely acknowledged as the leading barrister for occupational disease and employer’s liability litigation in the North of England. Renowned for his expertise in handling complex cases involving fatal or severe physical workplace injuries, Simon is also a preeminent authority on occupational stress claims and those with a predominantly psychological component. His reputation for sharp legal analysis and exceptional client care has earned him the trust of unions, and prominent national law firms. Renowned as a confident and capable trial advocate, he is respected by instructing solicitors and experts for his astute, collaborative, determined and sensitive approach. He has been instructed by several barristers and solicitors in their personal claims. With experience across clinical, commercial, educational, industrial, military, policing, and sports sectors, Simon has successfully handled psychiatric injury claims related to bullying, discrimination, harassment, misdiagnosis, mismanagement, nervous shock, overwork, physical assaults, protected disclosures, sexual assaults, and vicarious trauma. Claims of this nature commonly result in foreshortened careers and substantial financial losses. He also accepts instructions in claims involving civil liability for deaths by suicide and provides representation at inquests. With a complementary practice in employment law, he is regularly called on to advise in personal injury claims brought in the employment tribunal, and is experienced in addressing cross-jurisdictional issues, alternative causes of action, and cause of action estoppel. Simon is equally respected for his interest in pain disorders where there is no known physiological cause for persisting symptoms, for example, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), fibromyalgia, functional neurological disorder (FND), somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME). Claims of this nature typically involve allegations of malingering, conscious exaggeration, and fundamental dishonesty. His routine practice encompasses claims for asbestos-related diseases, respiratory and skin conditions, hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), and military noise-induced hearing loss (M-NIHL). He stands at the frontline of the developing field of silicosis litigation. Simon appeared for the successful claimant in Carroll v The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police [2017] EWCA Civ 1992 and is undeterred by limitation defences. The Carroll case has become a reference point for courts considering limitation issues in personal injury claims, with the Court of Appeal in subsequent cases noting that it now forms the starting point for any court’s consideration of issues arising under s.33 of the Limitation Act 1980. Likewise, having appeared in Singh and Others v Habib and Another [2011] EWCA Civ 599 (concerning the admission of fresh evidence on a second appeal in an alleged fraudulent claim) he has a strong record in rebutting ill-founded allegations of fundamental dishonesty. He is a former editor of Butterworths Personal Injury Litigation Service. He is the employee director of Park Square Barristers and is a member of Lincoln’s Inn, the North Eastern Circuit, and the Personal Injury Bar Association. In recent years he has served on The Bar Council and been a Trustee of the Margaret Carey Foundation. Simon’s inexhaustible approach to his practice is reflected in his personal interests. He has completed all 214 Wainwrights and embarked on the Munros. He is a retired amateur athlete with a marathon best of 2:50 and a 5K best of under 17 minutes, set in his forties. He has run a Bob Graham Round – reaching the summits of 42 of the highest Lake District fells in 22 hours 33 minutes. As an antidote to lockdown, he cycled from Lands’ End to John O’Groats in 2020, and the circumference of the entire island of Ireland in 2021. He pedalled his way across France from the Channel to the Mediterranean on holiday in 2024. Dissatisfied by this record of achievement, he yet hopes to cycle from his home to Istanbul, and complete the Tour d’Afrique, cycling 12,000km from Cairo to Cape Town. He lives in the Nidderdale National Landscape and enjoys time outdoors with his Weimaraner, Villanelle. His other interests include good food and drink, Leeds Rhinos RLFC, live music and theatre, mountain biking, skiing, and travelling to peaceful and remarkable places. Public Access Simon may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Inquests & Inquiries Simon Anderson accepts instructions in inquests where civil liability in negligence may arise. Known for his expertise in employer’s liability, he has built a practice focused on complex and sensitive inquests, where the cause of death is pivotal to civil liability. Starting his career as a common lawyer, Simon soon gravitated towards litigation touching on the relationship between employer and employee. He is acknowledged for his expertise in psychiatric injuries and in liability arising from death by suicide. His inquests practice focuses on potential negligence claims, recognising the significant role that the process can play in financial and reputational accountability for preventable deaths. Simon is particularly skilled in navigating the intersection of public law, negligence, and coronial proceedings, expertly advising clients on the implications of inquest findings for subsequent civil claims. His approach is sensitive and strategic. He covers all coronial proceedings, including Article 2 inquests and those involving juries. Simon has handled cases addressing complex issues across diverse sectors, including transport, highways, healthcare, product liability, and social care. His caseload includes deaths resulting from workplace accidents, medical errors, and fatalities involving public bodies. His most significant cases have led to financial compensation and meaningful institutional reform. Employment Ranked as a Leading Junior for Employment in The Legal 500 (2025). Simon’s employment practice extends to litigation, advisory work, disciplinary investigations and proceedings, termination agreements, and alternative dispute resolution. He has expertise in high-value personal injury claims brought in the employment tribunal involving psychiatric evidence, addressing career-ending losses related to discrimination, harassment, or whistleblowing. His extensive background in personal injury law in the civil courts enables him to provide clear, grounded advice on occupational stress claims and cross-jurisdictional issues, offering solicitors dependable support in complex employment claims. Simon handles some of the most valuable and sensitive cases, appearing in appellate courts, the High Court, and employment tribunals across England and Wales. His practice encompasses complex commercial disputes involving breach of contract, employee competition, confidentiality, and reputational protection. Renowned for his skill in navigating protracted, multi-party tribunal hearings, Simon deftly manages intricate factual and legal detail, conflicting medical evidence, substantial loss schedules, and jurisdictional challenges. He is regularly instructed by top national and regional firms, representing both claimants and respondents. He also accepts direct access instructions and, in cases of legal significance, accepts instructions pro bono. As a seasoned negotiator of executive termination agreements, Simon is especially known for advocating on behalf of female clients in cases of historical pay inequality. He is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and has presented lectures and seminars on an array of topics. He offers in house training to employment solicitors on request. He is the employee director of Park Square Barristers and is a member of the Employment Law Association, Lincoln’s Inn, the North Eastern Circuit, and the Personal Injury Bar Association. In recent years he has served on The Bar Council and been a Trustee of the Margaret Carey Foundation.

Regulatory & Public Ranked Tier 1 for Business and Regulatory Crime (including Health & Safety) – The Legal 500 (2025) Ranked Band 2 for Environment – Chambers and Partners (2025) – 6 years ranked Simon Clegg prosecutes and defends in serious cases brought by fire & rescue authorities, the Environment Agency, Health & Safety Executive and local authorities. He often provides pre-charge advice in relation to complex and large-scale operations which lead to proceedings in the Magistrates, Crown and High Court. Simon also undertakes inquest work, and his cases have included: Death in custody following consumption of psychoactive substance Driver in police pursuit killed in multi-vehicle RTA Death of dockworker due to health & safety failures of employer Teenager misdiagnosed by GP Crime Ranked a Tier 1 Junior by the Legal 500 (2021) and a Band 2 Junior by Chambers & Partners (2021) Simon Clegg is a very popular and busy junior practitioner who is regularly instructed in cases of serious and complex fraud as well as murder and violence. He is a Grade-4 prosecutor and is regularly instructed by a number of prosecuting authorities, such as the CPS (including the Department of Rural, Health and Welfare), HMRC, Central Fraud Group North, the Health & Safety Executive, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and the Environment Agency. Simon also specialises in confiscation proceedings and is instructed by the Proceeds of Crime Unit. Casualty fraud Ranked a Tier 1 Junior by the Legal 500 (2024) and a Band 2 Junior by Chambers & Partners (2021) Simon specialises in representing insurers in claims where fraud is suspected or explicitly alleged. He also undertakes contempt proceedings on behalf of insurers when cases are of such gravity that a prison sentence should follow. His multi-track fraud work includes road traffic claims, employer liability, travel sickness and occupier liability. Simon regularly acts in high-value credit high litigation and also in complex fraud-ring cases. Simon’s caseload also includes operations in which hire companies and claims management companies are added to proceedings. Personal injury & clinical negligence Simon Clegg is a popular and busy practitioner who is regularly instructed in high value and complex cases. His role on the Attorney General’s list of advocates has seen Simon undertake further employer and occupier liability work. He also undertakes cases based purely on arguments about costs. He regularly provides training to insurers and law firms on a range of PI and related topics. Simon also undertakes inquest work. Lectures and Seminars Credit hire and taxi firms The enforceability of credit-hire agreements Chen Wei & Veolia - what it all means for the future of credit hire Road Traffic Act and Article 75 Part 14 Admissions and recent developments Credit hire overview - Bent & Pattni update Indemnity, Declarations & Article 75 Part 20 update Part 36 withdrawals - rules and case law Appeals, procedure and Ladd v Marshall

Crime Ranked in The Legal 500 (2025) for Crime. Soheil specialises in criminal defence and prosecution work. His work includes serious crime and in particular homicide, honour crimes, offences of violence, serious sexual offences, terrorism and fraud. He has extensive experience in each of these areas and has acted as led junior on numerous occasions. Soheil is an experienced trial advocate, and since the start of his career has received instructions in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, as well as cases in which his linguistic abilities prove particularly useful. He is a Grade 4 prosecutor and is appointed as a CPS Grade 4 Rape List prosecutor with extensive experience of prosecuting in most of the aforementioned areas, including multi-handed trials.

Sophie Phillips

Commercial & Chancery Sophie’s work involves a variety of contractual and commercial disputes as well as property disputes. Sophie regularly represents clients from pre-action stages through to trial and advises on all aspects of individual cases including the prospects of success. She recently acted on behalf of an accountancy firm and was successful in proceedings against an unincorporated association’s employee whereby they were found to be personally liable for the debts incurred by the association. Sophie has been exposed to a number of commercial and chancery matters through her pupil supervisor, Matthew Smith, who heads the Property Team at PSQB. She has experience in drafting pleadings in property disputes ranging from rights of way, trespass and nuisance and can advise on the merits of individual cases. She accepts instructions on behalf of claimants and defendants. Sophie also undertakes interim relief work having recently advised on the prospects of obtaining injunctive relief in a matter concerning a neighbour boundary dispute. Sophie prides herself on her attention to detail which is particularly pertinent when dealing with the often complex issues which arise from commercial and chancery matters. She has experience of dealing with both lay clients and professional clients in what can sometimes be very challenging situations in order to achieve the best result. Personal Injury Before joining chambers, Sophie worked as a catastrophic injury paralegal at a top ranked law firm in The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners focusing on brain and spinal cord injury cases. She regularly assisted with drafting pleadings including Schedules of Loss on behalf of claimants who had suffered catastrophic injuries. She is able to bring her experience of personal injury claims to the table to ensure her clients are fully advised of all the points in their case. Sophie has developed a busy personal injury practice and is regularly instructed in credit hire matters undertaking both claimant and defendant work. She has a good practical understanding of this area of law which is aided by her in-depth knowledge of the case law and ensuring she is up to date with all new developments. Sophie has particular experience in dealing with claims arising from Road Traffic incidents and accepts instructions to draft pleadings and advices on liability and/or quantum. She can work to a short deadline where required. Crime Sophie regularly appears in the Magistrates’ Court on behalf of the Prosecution and Defence and has experience of dealing with offences of violence, dishonesty, public order and road traffic offences. Sophie also appears in the Crown Court for a range of hearings including committals for sentence, bail applications and other interim hearings. Sophie also has experience of dealing with sensitive matters in the Youth Court and prides herself on her client care and ability to deal with vulnerable witnesses. Recently, she represented a youth defendant in a multi-handed trial wherein joint enterprise was a live issue. Regulatory & Public Sophie has experience of both prosecuting and defending in the criminal courts. She is keen to advance her regulatory and public law practice.

Crime: Stephen Spence has considerable experience both prosecuting and defending in all aspects of serious crime, particularly sexual offences, fraud, Internet crime, murder and cases involving historic child abuse. He has acted as leading counsel in a number of high profile cases including recently prosecuting would be serial killer Alex Palmer. Stephen is a grade 4 and RASSO list prosecutor and vulnerable witness training trainer/facilitator. Stephen is a former Board member of the British Bobsleigh Association, and the Special Advisory Committee of the FIBT (Federation International de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing). He has advised a number of sports governing bodies on disciplinary procedures and drug testing, appearing in numerous disciplinary tribunals involving a variety of sports Stephen has sat as Chairman in both sports disciplinary proceedings and Olympic selection appeals. Stephen is on the Sports Disputes Resolutions panel of approved lawyers to provide pro bono advice to athletes who are accused of anti-doping or other disciplinary offences. Personal Injury Stephen is recognised for his specialist aviation practice. An RAF trained pilot with flying experience ranging from gliders to fast jets and rotary he has an enviable reputation for defending aviation related prosecutions. These have ranged from regulatory issues to allegations of gross negligence manslaughter. His clients have included aircraft engineers, pilots (private and commercial), aviation businesses and international airlines. He acted as leading counsel for Internet giant Amazon in their recent prosecution for shipping dangerous goods by air. He is currently instructed in the Shoreham Air Show crash prosecution. Stephen is instructed in Inquests and in High Court civil claims arising out of aircraft accidents. He is able to advise on aircraft leasing and operating agreements. He has written for a number of aviation publications on legal topics and was a guest speaker, at a Royal Aeronautical Society legal conference, on the admissibility of AAIB reports in legal proceedings.

Sue Hirst is a very experienced criminal practitioner. She prosecutes and defends serious and complex cases. Her practice covers the full range of criminal offences including homicide, sexual offences, drugs conspiracies, fraud, serious violence and firearms offences. In recent years Sue has been instructed to prosecute Attempted Murders and Conspiracy to Murder as the leading advocate. She has also been instructed as the junior advocate in a number of murder trials. Sue has a particular interest in cases involving technical evidence and medical evidence. She is regularly instructed in cases of Death by Dangerous Driving and also has experience in respect of grievous bodily harm inflicted on infants. Sue has developed a strong practice in dealing with the most serious sexual offences, often in large-scale child abuse cases. She has extensive experience in dealing with vulnerable clients and witnesses and understands the sensitivity which is often required in such cases. Her strength lies in her detailed preparation of every case and she prides herself on the level of client care she provides. In 2020 she was appointed a (Fee Paid) Judge of the First Tier Tribunal.

Crime Prior to commencing a third six pupillage with Park Square Barristers, Tabitha gained four and a half years, pre and post qualification experience working within a Legal 500 recognised Criminal Defence firm within North Yorkshire. Whilst working as a Barrister employed within the firm, she has gained experience dealing with cases at all stages of the criminal justice system including at the Police Station, Magistrates Courts and Crown Courts. Tabitha also has experience dealing with drafting appeals to the Crown Court and the Criminal Cases Review Commission and representing prisoners at adjudications. As an accredited Police Station Representative, Tabitha has obtained a working knowledge of dealing with detainees in police custody, providing advice pre and post interview, and making any pre-charge submissions to the Police as required. Tabitha also became accredited by the Law Society for the Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme, allowing her to act as the duty advocate at the Magistrates Courts for defendants who otherwise did not have representation. Due to the nature of this work, Tabitha has built up experience digesting and forensically analysing evidence, obtaining instructions and providing advice to Client’s in a time pressured environment. As an advocate, Tabitha routinely appeared in the Magistrates and Youth Courts across Yorkshire defending all manner of offences and involving a variety of hearings, including trials. In the Crown Court, Tabitha has experience conducting appeal hearings, bail applications, plea and trial preparation hearings and sentences. As a litigator, Tabitha independently managed a case load of Crown Court matters, working closely in partnership with Counsel and advising Clients as required. As such, Tabitha has experience dealing with all manner of serious offences, including defending an offence of fraud brought as a private prosecution, a matter of international business fraud involving UK nationals indicted in foreign proceedings, and a high-profile sexual assault which attracted significant media attention. Upon commencing her third six pupillage, Tabitha has gained significant prosecutorial experience in both the Magistrates and Crown Court, and has been appointed a Grade 2 Prosecutor by the Crown Prosecution Service. Tabitha also routinely defends cases in both Courts. Tabitha was instructed on a matter involving large-scale motor vehicle theft within the countryside and multiple defendants, where her client was first on the indictment, within a month of starting with Chambers. Regulatory & Public Law Tabitha has significant experience prosecuting and defending road traffic offences, and is well versed with making and opposing arguments of ‘special reasons’ and ‘exceptional hardship’. She has also gained experience prosecuting and defending cases for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, The Insolvency Service, Director of Border and Revenue and the RSPCA. Tabitha was also instructed by Greater Manchester Police Digital Investigations Unit to review devices for legally privileged material. Tabitha has knowledge of the prison law rules, having gained previous experience defending inmates at adjudications. Tabitha has also gained experience of the conduct of applications before the Parole Board. During pupillage Tabitha delivered training on cyber-attacks and cyber security along with John Boumphrey of Chambers. Tabitha is interested in receiving inquest briefs. Having completed the professional discipline elective module on the BPTC, Tabitha also has a keen interest in the regulation of medical professionals by the GMC and the NMC.

Taryn Turner is a specialist criminal-defence advocate. She is a Legal 500 ‘Leading Individual’ and in 2001 was appointed to sit as a Recorder in the Crown Court. Taryn has a wealth of experience handling cases involving allegations of violent crime, including murder, attempted murder and assault; drugs; dishonesty (including robbery, fraud and burglary); kidnap; and sex offences including rape and other types of sexual assault. Determined, industrious and effective, Taryn has a strong court presence. She has considerable experience of handling cases involving people with vulnerabilities, including those with learning difficulties or mental-health issues. Taryn handles the most complex and sensitive cases, and is regularly instructed to represent those charged with sex offences. She has extensive experience in the cross-examination of children and vulnerable witnesses in such cases. Taryn Turner has a particular interest in scientific and medical issues, and is instructed to represent defendants charged with offences which turn on the interpretation of expert opinion.

Crime: Thomas Stanway has a busy Crown Court practice and is regularly instructed by both the prosecution and defence. Thomas’ potential has been noted at an early stage and he is often instructed in matters beyond his level of call. His practice covers a full spectrum of offences from serious sexual and violent offending to road traffic offences. Thomas prides himself on his approachable style ensuring clients are at ease and informed of the proceedings they face. He has experience of questioning both young and vulnerable witnesses and has completed the Inns of Court “Vulnerable Witnesses Advocacy Training”. Thomas has a thorough working knowledge of Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and is regularly instructed in matters concerning confiscation and asset restraint. Civil Fraud Thomas has a growing civil fraud practice and is regularly instructed in claims involving low velocity impacts, bogus passengers, exaggerated personal injury and contrived accidents. Thomas has extensive experience of providing robust advice at an early stage even prior to pleadings being drafted. He recognises the importance of an effective case strategy to improve the prospects of strike out and discontinuance. Thomas regularly drafts pleadings covering all aspects of civil fraud and is able to work to tight timescales where a quick turnaround is required. Thomas conducts trials on the multi, fast and small claims track involving contrived accidents, low velocity impacts and exaggerated credit hire and personal injury. He is often commended for his attention to detail and the robust manner in which he defends cases. Thomas never loses sight of the best possible outcome for the client whether it be strike out, discontinuance or a finding of fundamental dishonesty. Personal Injury Thomas has extensive experience of Personal Injury claims in the County Court acting for both Claimants and Defendants. His experience includes: Trials on the Small Claims, Fast and Multi Track Disposal Hearings Case Management Conferences Costs Case Management Conferences Interlocutory Applications Pre Trial Reviews Commercial & Chancery Thomas has experience of the High Court having conducted varying appeals against both interlocutory and final decisions. Thomas accepts instructions to draft pleadings, advices on quantum and/or liability. He will work to tight timescales where a quick turnaround is required. Prior to Pupillage, Thomas appeared in the County Court on a daily basis acting as Solicitor’s Agent. As a result, he has a broad knowledge of Landlord and Tenant disputes, Debt Recovery and Enforcement proceedings, Insolvency and Consumer Credit Law. Employment Thomas accepts instructions to advise, draft and represent clients in relation to all aspects of employment law including Unfair and Constructive Dismissal, Redundancy, Discrimination, and Breach of Contract. Regulatory & Public Thomas Stanway is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. Thomas has considerable experience of prosecuting a range of regulatory offences on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive, HMRC, police forces and local councils. Due to his experience in this area, Thomas has even conducted training on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive assisting specialist inspectors when giving evidence. He is regularly instructed in appeals concerning the revocation of firearms and shotgun licences. Thomas’ experience is not confined prosecution work. Thomas is regularly instructed to defend in cases involving regulatory offences. More specifically, Thomas has considerable experience in cases involving Food Hygiene Law and the complex European Union regulations governing such matters. Thomas also specialises in taxi licensing law; having prosecuted and defended in numerous cases involving decisions to refuse, revoke or suspend the licences of taxi drivers. Thomas has also gained extensive experience in all aspects of prison law. He is regularly instructed to defend clients at Parole Board hearings and Adjudication hearings.

Crime Timothy Jacobs is a mature and confident advocate with twenty years experience in a broad range of criminal work including sexual offences, complex financial crime and offences of serious violence. He is noted for his ready grasp of material and for the attention to detail which comes from thorough preparation. He is able to establish a good rapport with young and vulnerable defendants and witnesses and has extensive experience of cases dealt with under the s28 procedures. As a former solicitor and partner in a large Leeds criminal practice Timothy has first-hand experience of dealing with cases from first arrest and interview at the police station through all levels of court proceedings from the Magistrates’ and Youth Courts up to and including a number of successful appearances before the Court of Appeal. This breadth of experience means that he has a thorough understanding of the pressures placed upon defendants at each stage and can help to put clients at ease. Timothy’s work covers both prosecution and defence. He is able to bring his customary professionalism to both sides and has been praised for his sensitive handling of difficult witnesses. He is a committed advocate who is prepared to fight hard for his client to obtain the best possible results. Regulatory & Public Timothy is a C-List Specialist Regulatory Advocate. As a solicitor of 20 years’ experience Timothy has handled a wide range of regulatory work including both prosecution and defence. He has been involved in cases concerning financial irregularities, rogue traders, food standards, and vehicle and taxi licensing. He has been instructed by West Yorkshire Trading Standards and Leeds City Council.

Crime Tom accepts instructions covering the full spectrum of criminal matters. He regularly prosecutes and defends in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court and is a Grade 2 prosecutor on the CPS advocate panel. Since starting on his feet in 2022, Tom has developed a practice incorporating increasingly serious criminal matters, having acted on cases involving violence, dishonesty, sexual offences, drugs offences and public disorder. Tom also has significant experience of defending privately-paying road traffic cases, with an enviable record of succeeding on exceptional hardship arguments in the Magistrates’ Court. Tom has an increasing presence in Crown Courts all across Circuit and readily welcomes such instructions. Tom prides himself on his down to earth, personable manner, which helps put clients at ease when facing often distressing, emotionally charged situations. His ability to relate to the widest cross sections of society is aided by his employment history, having worked an eclectic variety of jobs prior to coming to the Bar, including in primary healthcare, retail and the arts. Tom has a significant background in the performing arts, having acted in and directed plays and musicals at amateur and professional level. This has helped Tom seamlessly transition into life at the Bar. He is confident in court, with an ability to communicate sensitive issues with empathy and directness. Family Law Tom accepts instructions across the entire spectrum of family law, with a particular interest and experience in children matters (both public and private). Tom frequently acts on behalf of both parents, local authorities and Children’s Guardians, conducting a wide variety of different hearings, from interlocutory applications to complex, multi-day fact-finding hearings. Tom has a particular interest in cases involving allegations of significant harm, which often involve an intersection with criminal law. Tom has experience of cross-examining professional witnesses (including police officers, medical professionals and social workers) as part of his family practice. Tom prides himself on his down to earth, personable manner, which helps put clients at ease when facing often distressing, emotionally charged situations. His ability to relate to the widest cross sections of society is aided by his employment history, having worked an eclectic variety of jobs prior to coming to the Bar, including in primary healthcare, retail and the arts. Tom has a significant background in the performing arts, having acted in and directed plays and musicals at amateur and professional level. He is confident in court, with an ability to communicate sensitive issues with empathy and directness.

Prior to pupillage Tom worked for Leeds City Council Social Services, as a paralegal for Sugaré & Co. Solicitors, as a volunteer on behalf of Leeds-based charity Stop Hate U.K. and is an Elected Youth Officer and Youth Delegate for a local constituency party branch, engaging with and representing young people at a local level. A skilful communicator, Tom has a developed practice in the Magistrates’ Court and his fearless approach to trials sees him regularly instructed by both the CPS and defence solicitors to act on their behalf. Tom’s role as a Grade 2 Prosecutor for the CPS sees him conducting hearings for the CPS in both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. He has conducted a variety of mentions and appeals in the Crown Court as prosecution and defence counsel. Tom regularly deploys his specialist knowledge in applications on matters of law, in hearsay applications, s.78 PACE applications and those adducing or resisting bad character evidence at trial. Tom has a raft of experience in the Youth Courts, from defending particularly vulnerable youth offenders to prosecuting complex multi-handers. These are delivered with great care and the application of the skills and practice required in Crown Court trials. Whether acting in matters of theft, domestic violence, assault, sexual offences or driving offences, Tom’s down to earth nature and emotional intelligence ensures a tactful manner with young offenders and vulnerable witnesses and his skilful handling of those on the bench helps to achieve the best possible result for his client. Born and raised in Leeds, Tom has a strong connection with the local community and experience of working with regional firms and of life in the city. Inquests Tom has experience in conducting inquests in the Coroner’s Court. He is happy to assist and advise at all stages. His experience in personal injury law means Tom is well-placed to offer continuity of representation, from inquests to civil actions for damages arising post-inquest. Other regulatory Tom has also undertaken a secondment with and continues to be instructed by the South Yorkshire Police. This involves drafting applications for protective public orders, such as Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders. He appears in court on the hearing of such matters and prosecuting such breaches. Tom also provides specific advice on issues arising out of work undertaken by the police, which has included making recommendations of local police force regulations. Tom’s previous experience working with Leeds Children’s Social Work Services and Leeds Adult Social Care gives him a good understanding and grounding in regulatory bodies and their duties, as well as a sensitive manner, which helps when instructed on inquests. Private Tom is instructed on a range of private family law matters, from applications for child arrangements orders to occupation orders and non-molestation orders and more. He is comfortable delivering support and advice in difficult circumstances and is regarded for his fearless approach on behalf of his lay clients and for his skilful written work. Public Tom is also instructed on public family law matters, appearing on a number of contested ICO hearings for the Local Authority and parents. His meticulous approach to his written work is positively received by clients and benches alike. Tom provides a quick turnaround with such work, facilitating his availability to be instructed on contested ICOs. As a family law paralegal with Sugare and Co. and with time spent working at Leeds Children’s Social Work Services before joining the Bar, Tom is experienced in all stages of family law, which shows in his work and his sensitive handling of clients. Tom enjoys a mixed civil practice and is regularly instructed on small claims matters in the county courts where he has been noted for handling matters with cool grace and determination. He has developed a busy practice conducting credit hire cases, which has been helped by his keen case preparation and substantial knowledge of the case law. Tom’s familiarity with civil applications sees him regularly deal with relief from sanctions applications, and in particular a number of cases concerning abuse of process. He also appears regularly on MOJ Stage 3, infant approval and disposal hearings and has experience in winders lists in the county cour

Tonicha worked as an administrative officer at Leeds Magistrates Court as part of the resulting team. During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tonicha took on an additional role relating to the running of the remote applications court. Initially being set-up and run over Skype for Business, Tonicha also received training on CVP which was later introduced for the remote hearings. Tonicha was awarded an advocacy scholarship from BPP University in recognition of her advocacy skills prior to starting the BTC. During the BTC year, Tonicha took part in the plea-in-mitigation competition at BPP and made it as one of four finalists. The final of the competition took place at Bradford Crown Court in front of a Circuit Judge. Tonicha also volunteered for pro-bono projects such as Streetlaw which aims to simplify and make the law accessible to members of the general public. Prior to commencing pupillage, Tonicha worked at the University of Leeds as a Student Success Tutor. As part of the skills teams, Tonicha provided assistance to law students on all aspects of their general skills abilities, running group sessions alongside one-to-one support. Tonicha also provided assistance on the Family Law module by teaching seminars to 2nd year law students.

Crime Uzma brings a wealth of expertise across various legal fields including regulatory law, mental health law, immigration and human rights. Uzma is an experienced Grade 2 Criminal Prosecutor with a comprehensive background in all areas of crime, both prosecuting and defending, primarily in the Crown Court. Regulatory She prosecutes for local authorities and has a successful track record in handling cases of benefit fraud, environmental offences, health and safety offences, and consumer protection offences. She has significant experience in regulatory law, particularly through her work with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). She frequently acts for the NMC in a wide range of hearings, including fitness to practice cases that involve serious alleged criminal offences and safeguarding issues. Her deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks and her ability to navigate complex legal processes ensure that she represents the interests of the regulator effectively. Uzma has also represented healthcare professionals facing investigations for issues such as registration, professional competence, health concerns, and allegations of misconduct. She is adept at managing the intricate procedures of various health regulatory bodies, providing comprehensive legal support to ensure fair outcomes. Mental Health Law In her mental health practice, she regularly appears before mental health tribunals representing patients providing comprehensive advice and representation for individuals subjected to compulsory powers under the Mental Health Act 1983, including detention in hospital leading to numerous successful outcomes for her clients in both the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals. Immigration and Human Rights Uzma has developed a broad practice base in immigration, asylum, and international human rights. Her significant experience includes managing the immigration department at a solicitors' firm. She is proficient in handling: Bail applications Asylum and human rights applications Deportation Entry clearance visas Settlement and British citizenship Adult dependant relative visas Student visas Short and long-term visit visas Sponsorship Appeals Uzma frequently appears before the Asylum and Immigration Tribunals across the country, providing robust representation for her clients. Fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, and Patwari, she consistently accepts instructions in these languages, ensuring accessible and effective communication with a diverse client base. Direct Public Access Uzma is authorised to accept instructions directly from the public. She works closely with her clients, offering written advice, consultations, and representation in court hearings, settlement conferences, and mediations. Her direct public access expertise allows her to provide comprehensive legal support without the need for intermediary solicitors.

Victoria Westwood

Victoria joined PSQB in January 2020, Zenith having previously been a tenant at Zenith Chambers. She completed her pupillage and practised in family law at Chartlands Chambers in Northampton from 2012-2016. Prior to completing pupillage, Victoria worked in London as a County Court advocate from 2007-2012 undertaking all areas of civil work. Victoria practices in all areas of Family Law including Private Law Children matters, Public Law including Care Proceedings, Domestic Violence cases, Financial Provision. Victoria has an extensive family practice and accepts instructions in public law children cases, private law children cases and financial remedy cases. Victoria regularly acts for Local Authorities as well as Children’s Guardians, parents and other relatives. Victoria has extensive experience in the following areas: Non-accidental injuries Genetic disorders and conditions Sexual abuse Domestic violence Parental alienation/implacable hostility Psychiatric illness/psychological conditions Vulnerable clients

Victoria Lamballe

Victoria has a busy Crown Court practice appearing for both the defence and prosecution in a wide range of serious matters. She has particular experience in defending sexual offences including rape and offences committed against children.

Victoria (Vicki) James was a solicitor in private practice for 19 years, specialising in family law (principally public-law care proceedings and adoption), prior to being called to the Bar. She held higher rights of advocacy and was a member of the Children Panel for many years. Vicki practises exclusively in the area of child law. Her practice includes both public- and private-law proceedings and placement and adoption applications. She is regularly instructed by local authorities, parents and children, and has been instructed by the official solicitor to represent parents who lack capacity. Vicki regularly acts in complex cases, including those involving child death; significant non-accidental injuries where there has been complex medical evidence; cases with difficult issues of international jurisdiction; and sexual abuse, including multi-generational abuse.

Vincent Blake-Barnard

Crime Vince Blake-Barnard has a broad criminal practice in which he represents both prosecution and defendant. He is a Grade 2 prosecutor, regularly instructed on many matters by local authorities throughout Yorkshire in both the magistrates’ and crown courts. In particular, Vince has vast experience and clients in all matters linked to local-authority work, including benefit fraud, environmental health, food safety, and issues linked to housing and licensing infringements and anti-social behaviour. In addition to his local-authority practice, Vince has undertaken defence work for a number of business against the Health and Safety Executive, the Security Industry Authority and fire authorities. Commercial & Chancery Vince has advised and represented social landlords and local authorities in a wide range of housing-related work including possessions, demotions, injunctions and anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs). He also has experience in homelessness appeals. He brings vast experience of local authorities to bear in matters relating to planning enforcement, building regulations and housing enforcement. Regulatory & Public Vince has an extensive regulatory and coroner’s practice. He specialises in the licensing of the sale of alcohol and of taxis; planning, housing & construction; sports and swimming clubs; and coroners’ inquests. Vince has an extensive practice representing taxi drivers in West Yorkshire against decisions to refuse, suspend or revoke their taxi licenses. Besides representing at appeal, Vince undertakes the initial hearing before the licensing committee – an area in which he excels, having advised such committees for over 10 years in his role as a local-government solicitor. The majority of his clients instruct Vince through Public Access, making representation more affordable. In East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Dearlove [2012] EWHC 278 (Admin), Vince acted in a successful case stated against Beverley Magistrates with regards to test-purchase operations by the licensing authority against unlicensed taxi drivers. Vince has been heavily involved with a number of amateur sporting clubs in relation to their investigations and policies. He regularly represents swimming clubs before the Amateur Swimming Association. He is regularly instructed to represent police and families in both Article 2 Middleton or narrower Jamieson inquests. Following Mr Barnard experience within Local Authorities, he has an all round insight in the workings or both Local Authority and Police structures. He has experience of dealing with fire arm / sexual harm prevention orders appeals for the police and taxi licencing appeals for both private individuals and Local Authorities. Vince is largely instruct by the Police and other Public Bodies such as HMRC, he also undertakes independent Counsel advisory work, in the capacity of “special counsel” in matters relating to Public Internets Immunity and Legal Professional Privilege. Cases often involve large scale operations which spans months rather weeks which include VAT and other frauds. Dealing with both high profile and sensitive cases involving the above as well as special procedure search warrants and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

William Lindsay

William represents local authorities, parents, children and interveners in care proceedings and other public law proceedings. William has an approachable and friendly manner and he is able to give clear advice. William is often instructed in cases involving serious allegations of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. William has acted with a leader in several High Court cases involving complex injuries and numerous medical experts. He has experience in representing vulnerable clients, those with learning difficulties and clients without capacity. William has experience of representing deaf clients in care proceedings and he often represents clients for whom English is not their first language. William has appeared as a guest lecturer at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. William represents parents and children in a variety of private law matters. William has represented parents in cases involving complex and intractable contact disputes and cases with allegations of implacable hostility. William has experience of representing parents in private law finding of fact hearings and in cases involving serious allegations of physical and sexual abuse. He has experience of representing parents in applications for Specific Issue Orders including disputes over the correct type of school provision or applications to change a child’s surname. William is instructed in Family Law Act applications including contested applications for occupation orders, non-molestation orders and committal applications. William also has experience in cases involving injunctions under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. William has extensive experience of claims involving the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. He advises and represents clients in claims under the 1995, 2001, 2008 and 2012 schemes. He has experience of representing clients who have suffered severe injuries including cases involving historical sexual and physical abuse. William is regularly instructed in cases with claims for significant loss of earnings, claims for the cost of care, special expenses and private health treatment. William is often instructed to draft re-opening applications in historical claims made under previous schemes and he has represented clients in pre-tariff award cases before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board William has appeared in judicial review applications in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) and in the High Court (Administrative Court) arising out of decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal.

William Tyler KC

Children Law William Tyler KC is a specialist children law barrister appearing in high-profile public and private law children cases. His extensive public law Children Act practice sees him litigating complicated and serious cases around the country, principally in the High Court. He has particular expertise in cases involving very serious injury and death, sexual abuse or international and jurisdictional difficulties. His private law practice comprises the most serious, the most complex or the most sensitive cases, and very often those involving difficult international issues (abduction, relocation etc.), serious denied allegations or questions relating to parenthood and child arrangements after surrogacy or gamete donation. He frequently appears in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He is a Deputy High Court Judge (Family Division), a Recorder (Family Court) and a Family Arbitrator. Public Access William Tyler KC may accept Public Access work, where he can be instructed directly by a member of the public rather than a solicitor. Court of Protection & Adult Care William Tyler KC has a busy Court of Protection practice, appearing in many cases, generally involving deprivations of liberty or significant dispute between the parties. He is the head of the Court of Protection Team at his London chambers.

Zarah Dickinson

Zarah Dickinson is a criminal specialist with a practice covering a wide spectrum of offences. She prosecutes and defends serious and complex cases, frequently involving allegations of sexual abuse. She is a Specialist Rape Prosecutor (CPS) and Grade 3 Prosecutor (CPS) and regularly provides pre-charge advices for the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit (CPS). Zarah is highly commended for her ability to deal with vulnerable witnesses and clients and is known for her excellent client care, exact advice and robust advocacy. Zarah is experienced in confiscation matters and regularly prosecutes on behalf of a number of local authorities. Local authority work includes benefit fraud, counterfeit goods offences, and offences under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. She also advises local authorities on judicial review. She prosecutes on behalf of the National Probation Service. She has appellate experience and provides second-opinion advice in appeals against conviction and sentence. Zarah has developed a specialism in driving matters, ranging from driving with excess alcohol to death by dangerous driving cases, and so has experience in advising on expert evidence and inquiries. Zarah is an Advocacy Trainer for Inner Temple.