The Legal 500

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Energy – Leading Sets
  2. Energy – Leading Silks
  3. Energy – New Silks
  4. Energy – Leading Juniors

Energy – Leading Silks

One of the best, most efficient sets in London’, One Essex Court is ‘the first port of call for all energy-related disputes’. The ‘extremely effectiveLord Grabiner QC and the ‘exceptionalLaurence Rabinowitz QC were both involved in the Buncefield litigation, as was Ian Glick QC, who has the ‘unbeatable combination of a fabulous brain and huge amounts of experience’. John McCaughran QC is ‘an excellent advocate’. Jeffery Onions QC is a ‘heavyweight leader and a very good cross-examiner’. Alain Choo Choy QC is ‘very clever and reliable’. Among the juniors, Michael Fealydistils complex problems into simple questions’, and Alan Griffiths is ‘very knowledgeable on regulatory issues’. Clients also speak highly of Conall Patton, who is a ‘star of the future’.

Eight barristers at Brick Court Chambers are involved in the high-profile Berezovsky v Abramovic dispute, including Andrew Popplewell QC and the ‘incredibly hardworkingHelen Davies QC. Mark Howard QC delivers ‘excellent legal analysis’, and Charles Hollander QC is ‘extremely knowledgeable’. Daniel Jowell QC and Simon Salzedo QCrichly deserved their recent elevations to silk’. Top juniors include Michael Bools (‘full of practical, commercial solutions’); and Roger Masefield (‘very bright and a pleasure to deal with’).

At Essex Court Chambers, David Mildon QC is well versed in both renewable and non-renewable energies and is particularly strong in regulatory cases. Simon Bryan QC is ‘outstanding on his feet’; and Vernon Flynn QC is ‘an excellent commercial advocate’. David Foxton QC represented Total in the Supreme Court proceedings following the Buncefield explosion. Claire Blanchard QC has built a strong reputation in the energy sector since taking silk.

Atkin Chambers is a strong set for energy-related construction projects, and impresses with the strength of its barristers and the quality of its clerking. David Streatfeild-James QC and Stephen Dennison QC are highly regarded in the field, and Andrew White QC is ‘very experienced and has great attention to detail’. New silk Fiona Parkin QC is ‘easy to work with’ and has ‘strong drafting skills’.

Among the best for energy-sector construction’, Keating Chambers houses the ‘very brightFinola O’Farrell QC, who gives ‘clear, concise advice’, and the ‘reliable and user-friendlyAlexander Nissen QC. Robert Gaitskell QC and David Thomas QC are also well known in the field. New silks Simon Hughes QC and the ‘likeable and hardworkingAdam Constable QC are also recommended.

The ‘truly giftedIain Milligan QC at 20 Essex Street is very highly regarded for energy issues. Andrew Baker QC, Christopher Hancock QC, David Owen QC and Michael Tselentis QC are also well known practitioners.

At Fountain Court Chambers, Anthony Boswood QC and Michael Brindle QC maintain a strong reputation, as does Timothy Howe QC, who ‘cuts through factual complexity and provides straightforward answers’. The ‘excellentRichard Handyside QC and the ‘first-rateVeronique Buehrlen QC are successful recent silks.

At 7 King’s Bench Walk, Timothy Brenton QC is highly regarded for his offshore experience, and Alistair Schaff QC is known for his oil drilling expertise. Gavin Kealey QC, Dominic Kendrick QC and Simon Picken QC are also recommended.

Nigel Tozzi QC of 4 Pump Court is ‘extremely hands-on and proactive’, and Sean Brannigan QC is ‘a top-drawer advocate’. Alexander Gunning is ‘one of the best juniors a solicitor could work with’; Sean O’Sullivan is ‘absolutely first class’; and Kate Livesey is ‘highly intelligent and driven’.

At Quadrant Chambers, Lionel Persey QC is ‘one of the really big beasts in the energy litigation jungle’; Simon Rainey QC appears in a number of drilling disputes; and James Turner has a strong international practice.

A safe pair of hands’, Thirty Nine Essex Street’s Stephen Tromans QC is ‘extraordinarily bright’. Also recommended are Stuart Catchpole QC, Richard Wilmot-Smith QC and Duncan Sinclair.

4 Stone Buildings’ ‘incredibly hardworkingRobert Hildyard QCleaves no stone unturned’, and Robert Miles QC is an ‘excellent advocate’.

At 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square, the ‘very conscientiousMorag Ellis QC was selected by EDF to advise on the IPC application for a new nuclear power station. Mark Lowe QC is praised as an ‘excellent silk’.

Also recommended are Christopher Nugee QC at Wilberforce Chambers; Stuart Isaacs QC of 3-4 South Square; Hodge Malek QC of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square; Peter McMaster QC at Serle Court, who is ‘a strong performer on his feet’; and Andrew Newcombe QC from FTB, who has ‘in-depth knowledge of the energy sector’.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to