Janet Bazley KC
1GC | Family Law ‘Janet is fantastic with clients. She is incisive, and her judgement is second to none.'
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
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.
Charles Geekie KC
1GC | Family Law ‘A silk who is good on his feet, especially when gauging the judge’s views and making tailored submissions.’
Andrew Bagchi KC
1GC | Family Law
Andrew Norton KC
1GC | Family Law ‘Andrew is a first-rate silk. He is bright and always on top of the details.'
Nkumbe Ekaney KC
1GC | Family Law ‘Nkumbe is a star. An incredibly bright, powerful and persuasive advocate.'
Laura Briggs KC
1GC | Family Law ‘Laura is a phenomenal barrister. She is a master tactician and a formidable advocate.'
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.’
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.
Sharon Segal KC
1GC | Family Law ‘Sharon is phenomenal and a brilliant advocate. She is all over the details and has the ear of the court. She knows her cases and the law inside out and is supremely confident.’
Sharon Segal KC
1GC | Family Law 'Sharon is an extraordinarily talented barrister. She is a superb strategist, on top of every detail in a case and produces unbelievable written work.'
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.
Claire Heppenstall
1GC | Family Law ‘Claire is a good negotiator and strong in court. She is ready to fight her corner.'
Steven Ashworth
1GC | Family Law ‘Steven is diligent and hard-working, with excellent attention to detail. He is very responsive and provides helpful and clear advice.’
Daisy Hughes
1GC | Family Law ‘Daisy is simply superb: a go-to children’s counsel. She is completely on top of her brief and an expert cross-examiner.’
Lucy Sprinz
1GC | Family Law ‘Lucy is tenacious, and able to explain complex legal concepts for clients in a straightforward manner. A junior with a sharp mind.'
Matthew Fletcher
1GC | Family Law ‘Matthew is an incredible advocate. He is meticulous in his preparation and takes a holistic approach to every case.’
Catherine Jenkins
1GC | Family Law ‘Catherine is a skilled advocate. She is thorough, organised and supportive.’
Eleri Jones
1GC | Family Law ‘Eleri's attention to detail is extraordinary, and her legal knowledge is on another level.’
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Olivia Magennis
1GC | Family Law ‘Olivia is fantastic at dealing with difficult clients. She is simply brilliant in court, and is extremely agile in cross-examination.’
Alison Moore
1GC | Family Law ‘Alison is always well-prepared, and she is excellent at resolving conflict between parties.'
Jessica Lee
1GC | Family Law ‘Jessica is an authoritative and robust advocate who is always well-prepared for cases.’
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Pamela Warner
1GC | Family Law ‘Pamela is an excellent advocate. She can distil the most complex cases into clearly identifiable issues and presents her arguments eloquently, confidently and persuasively.’
Doushka Krish
1GC | Family Law ‘Doushka is exceptionally experienced in every aspect of children law proceedings. She always goes the extra mile for clients. Her advocacy is phenomenal.’
Henry Lamb
1GC | Family Law ‘Henry is intuitive, and prepares his cases with a forensically analytical eye.'
Tom Wilson
1GC | Family Law ‘Tom is a wonderful barrister. He is serenity personified and has a wonderful manner, which puts clients at ease.'
Joseph Moore
1GC | Family Law ‘Joseph is exceptional at dealing with difficult clients. His advice is clear and firm whilst also showing empathy and understanding.’
Katherine Dunseath
1GC | Family Law ‘Katherine is a tenacious advocate, strategic and a real fighter. Her cross-examination is excellent.’
Annabel Barrons
1GC | Family Law ‘Annabel knows her cases inside and out. She is all over the details, her advocacy is brilliant, and she is a stand-out junior.'
Malcolm Chisholm
1GC | Family Law ‘Malcolm is a highly skilled advocate who provides a steady hand in complex cases.’
Fareha Choudhury
1GC | Family Law ‘Fareha is always very thorough, focused and forensic, and strives to achieve the best outcome for the client.'
Melissa Elsworth
1GC | Family Law ‘Melissa goes the extra mile to understand the client and their objectives. Her advocacy is assured and assertive, and she provides pragmatic and client-friendly solutions.’
Julia Gasparro
1GC | Family Law ‘Julia is very approachable, friendly and helpful. A strong advocate who quickly gets to grips with complex cases.’
Elizabeth Hartnett
1GC | Family ‘A bright advocate who is always on top of her brief. She quickly grasps the issues and knows how to run the case strategically. Her cross-examination is top-class.'
Helen Jefferson
1GC | Family Law ‘Helen is a highly persuasive advocate who is usually a step ahead of her opponent and always has the ear of the judge. Clients love her.'
Oliver Woolley
1GC | Family Law ‘Oliver is a fantastic barrister. He has excellent rapport with clients and always puts everyone at ease. His advocacy is measured, respectful and persuasive. He never fails to go the extra mile to provide a first-class service.’
Sophie Prolingheuer
1GC | Family Law ‘Sophie is an outstanding barrister, and her knowledge is remarkable. Her advocacy is lucid, firm and energetic, with the ability to concisely set out a particular point.’
Marlene Cayoun
1GC | Family Law ‘Marlene is technically brilliant. She knows the law inside out, whatever the situation and complexity. Her advocacy is calm, measured and persuasive.’
Rebecca Mitchell
1GC | Family Law ‘Rebecca takes on anything incredibly effectively. She is thorough and tenacious and gets on with the job. Her advocacy is first-class.’
Tahmina Rahman
1GC | Family Law ‘Tahmina is a compassionate, highly skilled barrister. She goes above and beyond for the client. She is knowledgeable, personable and fearless.’
Rachel Gillman
1GC | Family Law ‘Rachel is a fierce advocate who will argue a client’s case with determination and nuance.’
Nasstassia Hylton
1GC | Family Law ‘She demonstrates a calm, measured thoughtfulness when on her feet.’
Gemma Kelly
1GC | Family Law ‘Gemma can immediately put clients at ease with her empathy and understanding of their cases. Her advocacy is comprehensible and effectual.’
Becky Littlewood
1GC | Family Law ‘Becky’s attention to detail and thorough preparation stand out. She develops good client rapport.’
Jack Rundall
1GC | Family Law ‘Jack is very meticulous and sagacious. He has excellent attention to detail, and his advocacy is solid and effective.’
Anna Lavelle
1GC | Family Law ‘Anna’s interpersonal skills are excellent, and she puts clients at ease instantly. Her attention to detail and advocacy is stellar.’
Patrick Paisley
1GC | Family Law ‘Patrick can handle any challenge with a considered and steady hand. He knows the papers inside out, and his analysis of the issues is top-notch.’
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.
Niamh Daly
1GC | Family Law ‘Niamh is an exceptional barrister. Her intellectual approach to cases, legal knowledge and advocacy is impressive.’