Ranjit Bhose KC
Cornerstone Barristers ‘Ranjit is collaborative and a delight to work with. He is charming with clients and judges and his oral advocacy is highly persuasive.'
Cornerstone Barristers has a strong reputation in licensing and is known as ‘an excellent set for a wide range of local government matters’ often working on gambling licensing matters and other licensing matters for local authorities. The caseload handled by barristers spans the full range of licensing work, including gambling, alcohol, and private hire advice, for which James Findlay KC is well-reputed, often working for local councils. Ranjit Bhose KC, who has expertise in policy work, another strength of the chambers. As well as local authorities, the set is also instructed by national regulators, the police, and many other public authorities on licensing matters, as well as a range of private companies, often handling planning and regeneration related licensing and sexual entertainment venue licensing cases. Asitha Ranatunga has been engaged in public entertainment matters under the Licensing Act 2003, and also in taxi litigation. Josef Cannon KC, who took silk in 2024, is notable for his continued representation of Uber in an important case in the taxi licensing sphere.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'A leading regulatory and public law set, with exceptional counsel.'
- 'I generally use Cornerstone as my first port of call for anything licensing-related that requires counsel, as they have an excellent reputation in this regard. They're generally always able to find the right barrister for the job.'
- 'Cornerstone have produced some of the best public and regulatory barristers in the country.'
- 'For me it's the best chambers at the licensing bar. It's an excellent set for a wide range of local government matters.'
- 'I have worked with numerous barristers in this set. Junior and senior barristers are all high-quality and are approachable.'
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.
James Findlay KC
Cornerstone Barristers 'Extremely well-prepared and effective as an advocate. Always calm under pressure and very persuasive.'
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.
Josef Cannon KC
Cornerstone Barristers ‘He is persuasive in writing and even more so in court. He has mastered the art of persuasion.‘
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.
Richard Hanstock
Cornerstone Barristers
Asitha Ranatunga
Cornerstone Barristers 'Very eloquent in presenting complex points in simple and very persuasive terms. His licensing knowledge is second to none which allows him to effortlessly deal with any "curve balls'' fired in his direction, adding to his persuasiveness.'
Matt Lewin
Cornerstone Barristers 'Matt has great expertise in licensing law. He calmly cuts through to the key applicable legal concepts and always produces excellent and clear written work.'