1 GC | Family Law is a ‘fantastically strong children set’ with ‘good calibre counsel at all levels for all matters’. The ’powerful advocate’ Janet Bazley KC is ‘unflappable in difficult cases’ and has a solid track record in advising on private law children matters, and Charles Geekie KC is a ’superb tactician’. Claire Heppenstall has established experience of handling cases involving parental alienation and relocation issues. Steven Ashworth has ‘exceptional attention to detail’ and regularly represents local authorities, parents and children in care proceedings involving allegations of serious injuries and abuse. Sharon Segal KC was elevated to silk in March 2024, while Alev Giz is now a Circuit Judge.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The clerks are excellent and will always try their best to assist. David McDonald and Tommy Eyles are helpful.'
  • 'Paul Harris and his team are first-class. They are proactive, on top of the detail and commercial.'
  • 'All of the clerks are extremely helpful. Of particular note are Paul Harris and David McDonald.'
  • 'David McDonald is courteous and always helpful.'
  • '1GC | Family Law is a go-to set for children's law cases.'
  • '1GC | Family Law is a fantastic offering of children's specialist barristers and a definite go-to.'
  • '1GC | Family Law is a good set of family law chambers with a solid reputation and quality barristers.'
  • '1GC | Family Law is a high-calibre set of excellent family law barristers.'

Silks

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.
Louise MacLynn KC
1GC | Family Law
‘Louise is very measured and careful in her approach. She can distil very complex information into clear terms. Her case preparation is exceptional, and she works hard for her clients.’

Juniors

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.
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.