3PB is ‘a strong set, with strength in depth and good availability of counsel’, offering support across all areas of public and private children’s law proceedings. A ’robust and effective advocate’, Nicola Martin handles the most complex care, child abduction and relocation cases, while Emma Griffiths is ‘an exceptionally gifted barrister’ who is ’always clear and focussed in her submissions which are well prepared and researched’. Rising star Sam Pentony is also recommended.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Ian Charlton is amazing and always eager to assist.'
  • 'All of the clerks are great. Patrick Steptoe is excellent.'
  • 'The clerks are experienced, helpful and quick to respond. Ian Charlton and Isabelle Lee are resourceful, going to great lengths to ensure that counsel's diaries are properly managed.'
  • '3PB is a great set. The clerks are also always very helpful.'
  • '3PB is a very strong and comprehensive set, with numerous excellent counsel in their ranks.'
  • '3PB is the go-to set. The quality of counsel is outstanding across the board.'

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.
1
Nicola Martin
3PB
'Nicola is organised and thorough in her practice. She is clear and concise in her advice.'
5
Emma Griffiths
3PB
'Emma is a first rate advocate and fully commits to any case she is briefed on. She is an excellent advocate and her written material is also excellent.'
5
Elaine Strachan
3PB
'Elaine is meticulous in her preparation and is very knowledgeable. She tenaciously defends her clients' positions and can quickly build a rapport with them. She always provides a thorough and timely update following a hearing.'
5
Alex Hodge
3PB
‘Alex is a hard-working and responsive barrister and a safe pair of hands. He is an effective advocate for all his clients and is thorough in case reading and presentation.’
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.
Sam Pentony
3PB
'Sam is knowledgeable and robust as an advocate whilst being extremely personable and empathetic towards clients and their needs. His advice is measured and resolution-focused. He is a fantastic negotiator.'