United Kingdom > Regional Bar > North Eastern Circuit
Overview
Index of tables
North Eastern Circuit – Leading Sets
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1
- Broadway House Chambers Leeds and Bradford (Hyland)
- Park Court Chambers Leeds (Smith)
- Parklane Plowden Leeds (Brown)
- Zenith Chambers Leeds (Goose)
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2
- No. 6 Leeds (Goss)
- Chancery House Chambers Leeds (Pipe)
- St Paul’s Chambers Leeds (Kearl)
- Trinity Chambers Newcastle, Middlesbrough (Hedworth)
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3
- Broad Chare Chambers Newcastle (Nolan)
- KBW Leeds (Robertson)
- Paradise Chambers Sheffield (Burrell)
- York Chambers York and Newcastle (Gray)
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- Bank House Chambers Sheffield
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- New Court Chambers Newcastle (Moore)
- Sovereign Chambers Leeds (Marson)
Annexes
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1
- Enterprise Chambers Leeds and Newcastle (Weatherill) (see London Bar for additional comment)
- Kings Chambers Leeds (Braslavsky) (see Northern Circuit for additional comment)
‘Professional outfit’ Broadway House Chambers maintains its position in the top tier through ‘true value for money’ and ‘a down-to-earth approach’. Park Court Chambers has ‘a reputation for strong advocacy’ with an ‘excellent mix of experience among the set’; April 2011 saw the arrival of new CEO Michael Meeson to the chambers. Commentators note that ‘good regional set’ Parklane Plowden continues to grow in size and confidence and is ‘led by a good set of clerks who are very focused on service delivery’. Zenith Chambers provides ‘a wide range of experience and specific areas of expertise’. Perhaps the most significant development was the arrival of new CEO Andrew Argyle to Zenith Chambers, one of the first sets to make such an appointment.
Chancery House Chambers has seen a number of defections of late to Exchange Chambers, a new player in the Leeds market, but remains a strong set. No. 6 continues to house ‘strong advocates’, and St Paul’s Chambers maintains its ‘great reputation’ through its ‘proficient and hardworking’ individuals. Clients praise Trinity Chambers’ ‘excellence’ although, some note inconsistencies. However, the set has been strengthened by a number of key arrivals during 2010. The clerks are ‘reliable’ and ‘easy to communicate with’.
Broad Chare Chambers is highly praised for its public law work. Sheffield’s Paradise Chambers is to merge with Manchester’s St Johns Buildings and India Buildings Chambers in Liverpool in order to increase chances in pitches for publicly funded work.
York Chambers and Bank House Chambers maintain strong local connections. Enterprise Chambers is particularly recommended for ‘property, insolvency and commercial work’, and Kings Chambers’ reputation continues to grow in the same practice areas.
Newcastle-based New Court Chambers enters the ranking this year following strong recommendations for the specialist criminal set, and Sovereign Chambers houses strong individuals in crime and personal injury.
Commercial, insolvency and property
Enterprise Chambers provides ‘a higher call of barrister for a competitive rate’. It is a ‘strong set in the area of property and commercial litigation’. Hugh Jory is ‘excellent in dealing with clients and has an exceptionally good knowledge of insolvency, company and partnership law’. Jory is a ‘top-notch advocate’ who ‘fights hard for his client and is the person to have on your side in a fight’. Michael James has ‘comprehensive knowledge of legal niceties, combined with a really practical common sense’, and is ‘an efficient, if not devastating, advocate’. Margaret Griffin is ‘diligent, gets it right’ and takes a ‘client-focused approach’, and Hugo Groves ‘has strong technical skills and is a star for insolvency work; a super brain’. On the property side, Cristín Toman can ‘succinctly and easily cut through complicated issues’, and Jonathan Klein has a reputation as ‘the best property litigator at the Bar in Leeds’.
Chancery House Chambers has a great reputation in commercial and chancery work. Gregory Pipe receives praise from clients and peers in equal measure and has been involved in large shareholder disputes. 2010 saw the departure of Lisa Linklater (who specialises in insolvency, corporate, financial services and commercial litigation) to Exchange Chambers. However, the addition of Stuart Roberts adds to the set’s developing private chancery work. Other key names include William Buck and Dominic Crossley.
Members of Parklane Plowden have experience in all key commercial and chancery areas with particular emphasis on litigation, arbitration, mediation and professional negligence. Tim Hirst and Paul Brook are recommended.
Zenith Chambers’ Stephen Howd is highly regarded and praised as ‘the best advocate’, with an ‘understated courtroom presence’ and an ability to ‘approach difficult questions from all angles before finding the right direction of attack and dismantling the argument forensically.’
Park Court Chambers has ‘proved itself to be exceptionally flexible and accommodating in relation to both fees and a willingness to operate to tight timeframes’. Among those recommended include: James Normington (has ‘a robust grasp of the commercial realities of litigation allied with an ability to provide an accurate, reasoned prognosis’); Elaine Skittrell (has ‘an ability to extract the key issues quickly and succinctly, with a courtroom manner that instils confidence’); Alex Offer (‘superb’, immensely knowledgable, and ‘consistently performs way beyond his years’); and Ashley Tucker.
No. 6’s Andrew Mitchell continues to receive instructions from leading commercial firms and is highly regarded for dealing with niche claims such as cable damage and construction disputes. David Rose has a particular strength in probate work and was involved in the landlord and tenant case Perriam Ltd v Wayne & Daly.
St Paul’s Chambers’ Alun Jones is ‘extremely thorough, decisive and methodical’.
Names of note at Trinity Chambers include Antoine Tinnion, who has ‘excellent legal knowledge’ and pays ‘high attention to detail’; Simon Goldberg, who ‘stands out among his peers for his hard work and first-rate advocacy skills’; and Richard Stubbs, who is a ‘competent and sound advocate’, and gives opinions that are ‘nothing short of outstanding’.
Kings Chambers’ Michael Booth QC is ‘a ferocious advocate and has the ability to get to the root of a legal problem quickly’. Paul Chaisty QC is ‘pragmatic, knows his judges and has oodles of common sense’. Lesley Anderson QC is ‘tenacious, bright and technically excellent; a first-class operator’.
Construction, planning, licensing and environmental
A primary strength of Enterprise Chambers’ Jonathan Rodger is ‘his commercial acumen’; he is ‘composed, approachable and extremely easy to work with’. With a great reputation in construction disputes, Andrew Noble has ‘a wealth of relevant experience on a practical level in addition to his legal abilities’. On the environmental side, Charles Morgan impresses with ‘his ability to tackle not only pure environmental law issues but other related matters’. Clients note Morgan’s ‘genuine enthusiasm for environmental law’.
Construction is a strong practice area for Chancery House Chambers. Despite the departure of Bruce Walker to Exchange Chambers, the set continues to receive instructions in this area. Anthony Edwards has ‘many strings to his bow’, having also qualified as a quantity surveyor.
Crime
Park Court Chambers has ‘built up a very strong team of criminal barristers from the newly admitted to QCs’. Well respected by fellow professionals, Simon Bourne-Arton QC has an ‘excellent manner with clients and jurors’, and Alistair MacDonald QC is ‘tenacious in court, meticulous in his research and presentation of cases’. The set also houses Robert Smith QC (‘still the leading advocate on the circuit’), David Hatton QC (‘a formidable advocate’), and Paul Greaney QC (‘since taking silk in 2010 he has moved from being the very best junior to a competent silk; he also has the rare ability to control the courtroom no matter who the tribunal is’). Clients also recommend Bryan Cox QC, Tom Bayliss QC and Christopher Tehrani.
St Paul’s Chambers has a ‘depth of experienced counsel at all levels of qualification’. Clients also recommend Simon Bickler QC and James Lake, ‘who has a bright future’. Guy Kearl QC can ‘assimilate a complex case in the blink of an eye’, and demonstrates ‘tactical awareness’. Denise Breen-Lawton is ‘a delight to work with, thorough, charming and, when necessary, spiky’. Other names to note include Andrew Haslam (‘a strong advocate with a sound understanding and in-depth knowledge’), Nick Dry (‘excellent advocate, very thorough with an exceptional work ethic’), and Andrew Stubbs QC.
Head of Broadway House Chambers, Graham Hyland QC has ‘excellent preparatory and advocacy skills’. Tahir Khan QC, who took silk in 2011, has a strong practice particularly in fraud cases. Khan, along with Giles Bridge, Louise Azmi and Nigel Hamilton, is on the Attorney General’s list. Stephen Wood has an extensive criminal defence practice, Nicholas Askins specialises in major and organised crime, and Sophie Drake has built a name in serious sexual offence cases. Other key names include: Ian Howard, who has been involved in a number of high-profile cases; Sarah Barlow, whose practice focuses on fraud, drugs and serious violence cases; Gerald Hendron, who is a grade four prosecutor; Emma Downing, who along with her criminal practice also handles prison and parole law matters and mental health work; Peter Hampton; and Michelle Colborne QC.
Zenith Chambers has a strong criminal team. Christopher Smith has ‘excellent cross-examination skills’, as well as ‘analytical acumen and determination to see the job done’. Deputy High Court Judge and Recorder Julian Goose QC’s practice focuses on a range of serious and complex cases, Simon Kealey represents both prosecution and defence, and Tom Storey frequently appears in Crown Courts on the circuit and maintains a busy practice.
Richard Wright of No. 6 is thought of by many instructing solicitors as ‘the standout junior’, along with Kama Melley. Head of chambers Rodney Jameson QC continues to attract instructions in heavyweight crime. Highlights for the sought-after Richard Mansel included the successful prosecution in R v Peter Brown. Andrew Dallas remains a strong junior.
At KBW, Adrian Waterman remains a pivotal figure specialising in criminal and quasi-criminal litigation which includes disciplinary, regulatory and crime-related judicial review. Ian Skelt and Ian Mullarkey were instructed by West Yorkshire Police, in respect of the 7/7 bombing and subsequent inquest.
Trinity Chambers has ‘strength in depth in the area of crime’, and is regarded by many as ‘the strongest set in Newcastle’, with ‘great organisation and clerking that attracts the leaders in many fields’. In addition to established names Toby Hedworth QC, Paul Sloan QC, Caroline Goodwin and Robert Adams, the set also houses Carl Gumsley (who ‘has a pleasant manner that is appreciated by clients and juries alike’) and Christopher Knox (who impresses with his ‘quality of preparation’). ‘Courageous and innovative advocate’ Eric Elliott QC is highly recommended.
Despite Jeremy Baker QC’s appointment to the bench, Paradise Chambers maintains its name in criminal work. Ian Storey, a grade four prosecutor, has particular strength in handling serious offences including violent and sexual offences. Sarah Wright is recommended.
Instructing solicitors single out Peter Pimm at Bank House Chambers as a ‘go-to advocate’ in any complex fraud or financial case; ‘he has a keen eye for detail and has a good appetite for hard work’. Paul O’Shea is ‘pragmatic and able to see the bigger picture’. Katherine Goddard is a ‘first recommendation’ for many. Goddard ‘works very hard to achieve the best results and is fearless when in court’. New head of chambers James Baird is also recommended.
Broad Chare Chambers has suffered some losses with the departure of Christopher Mitford to Trinity Chambers and the sad passing of the well-respected Patrick Cosgrove QC. Serious crime expert Benjamin Nolan is recommended.
Mark McKone at Sovereign Chambers has a strong criminal practice, and is a known name across the circuit. David Dixon and Catherine Silverton also impress.
Newcastle-based specialist criminal set New Court Chambers is also recommended. It has good strength in depth with five QCs and 31 juniors, including the recommended Amanda Rippon.
Employment
Parklane Plowden is ‘a regional leader for employment law’, with ‘a number of excellent employment barristers’. Andrew Webster ‘knows employment inside out’, and ‘has clearly gained the respect of the tribunal’. Seamus Sweeney has ‘superior knowledge of equal pay’, and Andrew Sugarman has ‘excellent depth and breadth of knowledge; gives realistic rather than legalistic advice’. Claire Millns is a ‘very solid advocate and is robust in cross examination’, and Ashley Serr is highly regarded.
No. 6’s employment team includes the well-respected Nicholas Hill and Mark Gargan, who is frequently instructed on complex issues (including teacher stress claims) on behalf of local authorities.
The employment team at Park Court Chambers has a ‘good set of skills, experience and qualifications’. Catherine Knowles ‘marries excellent legal knowledge with commercial awareness’, and Ceri Widdett is ‘an extremely skilled, confident and tenacious advocate who keeps a cool head in tribunal’.
Broadway House Chambers ‘continues to grow in strength with a number of key players in the employment market’. Individuals singled out include: Paul Wilson (‘a good all-round advocate’); David Jones (‘a leading employment lawyer that should be silk; sharp, authoritative and masters his brief’); and Alexander Modgill (who ‘provides robust advice’).
Trinity Chambers’ Richard Stubbs is a ‘leader in his field’. Jamie Anderson ‘lives and breathes employment law’, and is ‘particularly adept when it comes to advising on technical and complex employment law problems’. Simon Goldberg is ‘an assured barrister’ and an ‘equal pay expert’. Philip Engelman is ‘a formidable strategist and a persuasive advocate’.
Sam Healy at York Chambers is highly recommended.
Zenith Chambers’ Alfred Weiss provides ‘invaluable expertise’ in employment matters and is fast gaining a reputation in this area.
Family
The family team at Zenith Chambers is led by John Myers, who is ‘faultless, fluid, flawless, precise and to the point’. Case work remains a strong discipline for the set which is also frequently instructed in local authority work. Anthony Hajimitsis is ‘one of the best around’; Louise McCallum is ‘exceptionally well prepared and puts her arguments strongly but in a calm and polite way’; and John Hayes is ‘a formidable advocate’, combining his ‘high-calibre’ advocacy with ‘encyclopaedic’ knowledge. Also recommended are the ‘meticulous’ Elizabeth Darlington and Roger Bickerdike, who has an ‘ability to assimilate and understand the facts of the case’.
‘By far the most capable set in ancillary relief’, Broadway House Chambers is a ‘first port of call’ for family cases. Robert Cole ‘brings an unusually experienced view to ancillary relief issues’ as a former accountant. Nicholas Power has ‘great judgement and is popular with judges’. Paul Isaacs is ‘strong in cases involving high-asset or complex businesses, and is an exceptional advocate’. Other ‘effective counsel’ within the team include Gordon Shelton, Rae Cohen and Martin Wood.
St Paul’s Chambers’ Simon Bickler QC took silk in early 2011, and Nicola Saxton has ‘an impressive grip of the principles and the detail’.
Parklane Plowden provides ‘good quality children law representation both in private and public law’. Team members include ‘very strong advocate’ Joanne Astbury; Lynn McFadyen, who employs ‘quiet professionalism that instils confidence’; Dornier Whittaker, who is ‘empathetic but sensible in her advice’; and the highly recommended Julia Nelson.
No. 6’s Natalia Korobowicz is ‘outstanding’ with an ability to be ‘insightful and persuasive’ in the courtroom. Other names of note include Jill Troy, Charles Prest, Adam Wilson and Stephen Switalski.
Park Court Chambers’ Valerie Sterling has ‘an excellent courtroom manner’, and Chloe Hudson is ‘an extremely competent and articulate advocate’. Sally Terris and Alex Taylor (who is ‘good on his feet’) are recommended.
At the ‘undoubtedly strong’ Trinity Chambers, James Richardson is ‘thorough and forensic’, ‘his cross-examination is without fault’ and ‘his approach is resolute and tough’. Lesley McKenzie is ‘confident and persuasive’; Nicholas Stonor is ‘first class and a leader in this field’; and Angela Giovannini provides ‘an excellent overall service’. ‘Market leader in family law’ Timothy Spain and the ‘extremely thorough’ Brian Mather are recommended.
At Broad Chare Chambers, Kester Armstrong, James Brown and David Rowlands are recommended.
Head of Paradise Chambers’ family team Mererid Edwards is particularly strong in child abuse cases, domestic violence, adoption law and ancillary relief.
At Bank House Chambers, Justine Cole and Louise Stanbury are recommended. The set ‘as a whole has clear expertise particularly in cases brought under the Children Act’.
Health and safety, regulatory
Park Court Chambers’ regulatory team receives instructions in a number of areas including health and safety enforcement, police misconduct proceedings, professional disciplinary proceedings and inquests. Sharon Beattie and Alan Taylor are both developing regulatory practices, especially with regards to General Medical Council (particularly in respect of cases involving practitioner’s performance and misconduct). Simon Jackson QC is strongly recommended.
Head of regulatory at St Paul’s Chambers, Jeremy Barnett is ‘very commercial in his outlook’, and John Harrison ‘espies everything, misses nothing; a genuine all-rounder’.
Trinity Chambers covers all aspects of regulatory practice including health and safety executive prosecutions, UK Borders Agency prosecutions, trading standards and copyright, and several members are regularly instructed in respect of police disciplinary matters. The addition of Christopher Mitford (formerly of Broad Chare Chambers), Joan Smith (formerly of
Head of Paradise Chambers’ civil team, Joseph O’Brien is recommended. O’Brien has a wealth of experience in disciplinary tribunals and has appeared in the General Medical Council, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and the Police Appeals Tribunal.
Personal injury and clinical negligence
A specialist set in clinical negligence and personal injury claims, Parklane Plowden provides ‘a depth of PI knowledge which is hard to match in the North East’. Included among the bench of ‘strong talent’ are: Oliver Longstaff, who takes a ‘highly client-centred approach’; Andrew Axon (‘a sound and sensible lawyer’); Stuart Brown QC (‘a frighteningly intelligent silk with a sharp mind, respected by both claimant and defence solicitors in the field’); the ‘quick, reliable and approachable’ Jonathan Godfrey; Jeremy Freedman, whose reputation in this field is ‘very strong’; Elizabeth Hodgson, who ‘works well in the more complex cases’; Michael Ditchfield; Christopher Williams whose ‘communication skills are second to none’; and James Murphy (‘excellent on his feet’).
Anesh Pema at Zenith Chambers has ‘a wonderful understanding of medical issues’, and Gordon Exall is particularly strong on procedural matters. The ‘extremely thorough’ Pankaj Madanprovides ‘advocacy of the highest quality’.
St Paul’s Chambers’ Robert Smith is ‘at the top of his game in this field’. Smith provides ‘consistently high-quality advice’, and is ‘lightning at turning papers around’.
Andrew Lewis QC at Sovereign Chambers is very well regarded among peers; he also practises from Manchester-based Byrom Street Chambers. Recent cases include the High Court case Holmes v JMJ and others (a £4m head injury claim), and Boardman v MoD, a liability trial concerning catastrophic head injury to a child.