‘Impressive set’ 39 Essex Chambers fields ‘an excellent and versatile range of counsel in the field of administrative and public law’. The ‘succinct’ Fenella Morris KC has established strength in advising on high-profile administrative law cases, with notable expertise in handling matters involving healthcare issues and challenges concerning public sector pensions. Recent work highlights include Katherine Apps KC acting for the Lord Chancellor in R (Gulshan) v Lord Chancellor, concerning the lawfulness of HMCTS’ policy on kirpans - small ceremonial swords carried by observant Sikhs - into court buildings. Among the junior end of chambers, the ‘brilliant’ Catherine Dobson has ‘an incredibly sharp legal mind’, and Katherine Barnes is ‘extremely knowledgeable’, ‘adapts well to challenging situations and remains composed under pressure’. Bolstering the team at the senior end, Colin Thomann KC took silk in March 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Sheraton Doyle stands out.'
  • 'Andrew Poyser is great.'
  • 'Oscar Redif is a particularly adept clerk.'
  • 'Sheraton Doyle is responsive and very easy to work with.'
  • 'Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell ensure an excellent service at all times.'
  • 'Peter Campbell is always helpful.'
  • 'They make instructing barristers an effortless experience.'
  • 'The clerks are very friendly, approachable and helpful.'
  • 'Very strong set with very good strength in depth.'
  • 'Very strong in relation to public law.'

Lawyers

Leading silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

2023 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

2024 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Leading juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.