Kings Chambers has an established reputation as ‘an excellent planning set’. Led by Giles Cannock KC, the team is instructed by developers, land promoters, and local planning authorities in a range of planning work. David Manley KC has a solid track record in representing private and public sector clients, including national housebuilders, and also focuses on representing landowners and developers in common land matters. Recent work includes Alan Evans representing Great Portland Estates PLC in an inquiry concerning applications for planning permission for the construction of two buildings near the Shard in London. Vincent Fraser KC is noted for his expertise in environmental law, with extensive experience in advising on renewable energy projects. Ruth Stockley KC is sought after for her niche focus on highway law. The senior end of the practice was recently bolstered by the elevation of Jonathan Easton KC to silk in March 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Kings Chambers has real strength in depth and is without doubt one of the leading sets in this area. All the barristers are characteristically very commercial and strategic with their advice.'
- 'Kings Chambers has excellent strength-in-depth, always has available counsel, and offers excellent training programmes.'
- 'Kings is an excellent planning set with a good range of counsel, from KC to juniors.'
- 'Kings Chambers is very strong, with an enviable list of KCs supported by an increasingly long list of very able juniors. It has a number of excellent advocates, so you are always well-looked after when it comes to inquiries.'
- 'The clerks are friendly, responsive, and very efficient, and they are very transparent and understanding regarding fees. Mark Ronson is excellent.'
- 'Mark Ronson and Gary Smith are excellent in the clerks room. They are accessible, commercial in their approach, and keen to please.'
- 'Gary Smith and Mark Ronson are exceptionally easy to deal with, always very accommodating, and clear about availability and fees.'
- 'Gary Smith and Mark Ronson are both excellent - they are responsive and know their instructing clients well.'
- 'Mark Ronson and Gary Smith are both superb. They go the extra mile to ensure counsel are available and the clerks are great to deal with.'
- 'Mark Ronson and Gary Smith are both excellent, and go beyond to ensure you have the right representation or advice when you need it.'
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.
Kings Chambers
‘Giles is a superb advocate; clinical in his approach, he always has a phenomenal knowledge of the papers and he cross-examines with all the skill and deftness of a surgeon. He is client-focused, commercially aware, and a leader who gets the best out of the team.’
Kings Chambers
‘Paul has a huge intellect, and he can be relied upon to understand challenges and then, with reassurance and confidence, advise on approaches and solutions. He is engaging, approachable, and always easy to communicate with.'
2022 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.
Kings Chambers
'Sarah is a tenacious cross-examiner who prepares thoroughly for her cases. A forensic 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.
Kings Chambers
'A very focused and always approachable silk, who has an excellent advocacy style and the ability to put witnesses at ease.'
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.
Kings Chambers
‘Ruth is pragmatic and has excellent technical and tactical knowledge. She is always well prepared and unflappable, and she has the experience to read the room and tailor her style accordingly.'
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.
Kings Chambers
‘John is a direct and succinct advocate, who is able to bring the argument back round to the primary case without any drama.’
Kings Chambers
‘Stephanie is responsive, sharp, incredibly bright, detail-focused, incisive, and very good with clients. She is laser focused on obtaining the best result for the client.’
Kings Chambers
‘Alan is an excellent communicator, with an enviable skill of distilling complex intellectual concepts into comprehensible points. He is very good on strategy and is able to find solutions seemingly out of nowhere, and as an advocate, he dissects the opponent’s case with surgical precision.’
Kings Chambers
‘Killian is a very bright barrister, who is also very personable, direct and has an incisive eye for the core issue of a matter.'
Kings Chambers
‘Anthony will go above and beyond to provide coherent advice within very tight deadlines.’
Kings Chambers
‘Freddie is an exceptional barrister. His cross-examination is very effective and he is extremely confident and assured in court. He provides clear and succinct advice.'
Kings Chambers
‘Constanze has a keen analytical mind, which combined with impressive case preparation and attention to detail is a winning formula.‘
Kings Chambers
‘Philip is able to build a rapport with witnesses and inspectors alike, and his cross-examination is very effective. A confident and persuasive advocate.'
Leading Juniors
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.
Kings Chambers
‘John is a direct and succinct advocate, who is able to bring the argument back round to the primary case without any drama.’
Kings Chambers
‘Stephanie is responsive, sharp, incredibly bright, detail-focused, incisive, and very good with clients. She is laser focused on obtaining the best result for the client.’
Kings Chambers
‘Alan is an excellent communicator, with an enviable skill of distilling complex intellectual concepts into comprehensible points. He is very good on strategy and is able to find solutions seemingly out of nowhere, and as an advocate, he dissects the opponent’s case with surgical precision.’
Kings Chambers
‘Killian is a very bright barrister, who is also very personable, direct and has an incisive eye for the core issue of a matter.'
Kings Chambers
‘Anthony will go above and beyond to provide coherent advice within very tight deadlines.’
Kings Chambers
‘Freddie is an exceptional barrister. His cross-examination is very effective and he is extremely confident and assured in court. He provides clear and succinct advice.'
Kings Chambers
‘Constanze has a keen analytical mind, which combined with impressive case preparation and attention to detail is a winning formula.‘
Kings Chambers
‘Philip is able to build a rapport with witnesses and inspectors alike, and his cross-examination is very effective. A confident and persuasive advocate.'