St John's Chambers

Wills & Trusts, Real Estate, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Call : 2015

Brittany is a member of our chancery team. She is ranked as a ‘rising star’ in tier 1 by The Legal 500, and by Chambers & Partners. Instructing solicitors describe her as an “effective advocate, and excellent in dealing with clients”. Brittany accepts instructions in property disputes and probate & trust cases, with a specific emphasis on real property litigation. She is comfortable dealing with a variety of procedural matters, is regularly instructed against more senior counsel and has appeared in the county courts, tribunals and the High Court.

At every stage of a dispute, Brittany has an eye as to whether resolution can be achieved via ADR, and ensures that clients have a clear understanding as to the relevant legal disputes, the areas of risk and an appreciation of the risks of litigation and the range of potential outcomes.

From an early stage, Brittany considers what evidence needs to be obtained in order to best prepare a party’s case. Her drafting is precise and comprehensive, without veering into the otiose. Brittany has wide-ranging experience in respect of interlocutory matters, from the routine to the technical or unusual. She has experience of dealing with procedural matters arising in respect of service or jurisdiction, as well as applications such as the replacement of experts, relief from sanctions and pre-action disclosure.

Brittany retains a strong involvement with claims as they progress towards trial. She has considerable experience with various ADR methods, and provides clear advice to clients. In cases involving experts, Brittany often gives detailed consideration as to the precise type of expert required and the question that they should be asked to resolve. She is able to get to grips with technical topics and routinely assists with the scrutiny of expert reports and identification of further questions.

Brittany is regularly instructed to appear in tribunals and courts against more senior counsel when it comes to trial. She is careful and precise in cross-examination and has considerable experience of cross-examining experts. In a recent trial, she achieved a concession that the other side’s expert could not provide an answer on the matter he had been instructed to report on. Brittany’s deep understanding of the legal concepts relevant to the case ensure that her closing arguments are focused and easy to follow. Judges have described her as “pithy”, with her skeleton arguments making easy work of difficult legal concepts.

Brittany has advised on the merits of appeals, drafted grounds in support and has appeared on behalf of both applicants and respondents. Brittany has a strong sense of the relevant points for consideration when it comes to appeals and is robust in her position.