5 Essex Chambers
Considered the ‘go-to set for police law,’ 5 Essex Chambers chambers undertakes work ranging from judicial reviews and civil inquests to highly complex and sensitive litigation, primarily for police forces. Jason Beer KC represented the National Police Chiefs’ Council in R (YZ) v CC South Wales Police, a judicial review of the lack of total deletion of all information about an arrest after an acquittal. Turning to the set’s juniors, Andrew Waters represented the force in Lewis-Ranwell v Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall and others, a claim for damages brought by a man who killed three elderly men in their own homes and was acquitted of murder in grounds of insanity, alleging negligent treatment following a sectioning – at issue was if the claim was barred under the doctrine of ex turpi causa. Kate Cornell is now a circuit judge.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'My favourite and most used set. Strength in depth for a variety of claims involving the police or other public bodies.'
- '5 Essex Chambers are an exceptional chambers who offer an extremely varied set of Counsel to meet almost all needs. I would highly recommend them.'
- '5 Essex Chambers have a number of excellent barristers who I can resort to at various levels of calls. They are my first port of call of police matters.'
- 'A go-to set for police forces, with counsel of all levels of experience.'
- 'Expert police chambers, strength in depth.'
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.
Hall of fame5 Essex Chambers
'Fiona has experience, judgement, clarity of thought and a practical approach.'
Hall of fame5 Essex Chambers
'Samantha is a top silk in the field. Authoritative and highly respected.'
2023 Silks
5 Essex Chambers
'Francesca is approachable and devastating in court. She is robust but fair and manages to navigate a careful line of maintaining both her client and the court confidence.'
2024 Silks
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.
5 Essex Chambers
‘Georgina is by far and away the best police law junior at the Bar. She is efficient, hard-working, and on top of every detail.’
5 Essex Chambers
‘Jonathan is a confident advocate who garners the respect of his peers and the Court with his persuasive advocacy style.’
5 Essex Chambers
'Technically excellent, strong advocate and very approachable and responsive. Calm under pressure.'
5 Essex Chambers
'Cicely's meticulous case preparation and formidable skills as an advocate make her very effective in cross examination. She has great client handling skills, and excellent judgement.'
3Leading 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.
5 Essex Chambers
‘Georgina is by far and away the best police law junior at the Bar. She is efficient, hard-working, and on top of every detail.’
5 Essex Chambers
‘Jonathan is a confident advocate who garners the respect of his peers and the Court with his persuasive advocacy style.’
5 Essex Chambers
'Technically excellent, strong advocate and very approachable and responsive. Calm under pressure.'
5 Essex Chambers
'Cicely's meticulous case preparation and formidable skills as an advocate make her very effective in cross examination. She has great client handling skills, and excellent judgement.'
3