Albion Chambers > Bristol, England > Set Profile

Albion Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

Western Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety) Tier 1

Members of Albion Chambers, the ‘best set in Bristol for business and regulatory crime‘ work, offer broad expertise to a wide range of clients. Alan Fuller specialises in regulatory crime and is especially experienced in trading standards investigations and health and safety matters, including fatal accidents. He tends to act for the prosecution, especially for local authorities and other regulatory bodies, and represented Bristol City Council in a fraudulent trading case. David Sapiecha, a ‘great tactician‘ and ‘a very good advocate‘, is regularly instructed by the Health and Safety Executive. He recently acted in HSE v Forfarmers, Crabtree and Hill, etc., a case involving significant injuries following a fall from height at work and the consequent apportioning of legal responsibility between the four companies involved. He also appears in fraud and consumer protection regulations cases.

Western Circuit > Family: divorce and financial remedy Tier 1

Albion Chambers is ‘one of the strongest in the South West’ for divorce and financial remedy work. Richard English, whose ‘advocacy style is both highly persuasive and measured’, has a broad practice which includes applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act and TLATA. Gemma Borkowski is widely praised for her ‘confident and empathetic’ approach to engaging with clients and regularly handles cases involving pre- and post-nuptial agreements, company assets, trust assets, non-matrimonial property, and complex pension arrangements. Alexander West is a ‘clever advocate respected by the bench’ who has a ‘wonderful manner with clients’.

Western Circuit > Inquests and inquiries Tier 1

Albion Chambers’ inquests and inquiries team, led by Alexander West, continues to gain traction on the Western Circuit, with members now regularly acting for NHS Trusts, families of the deceased, regulators and businesses, with some cases involving hospital and custody settings. David Sapiecha is deputy head of inquests and has recently acted on several occasions in connection with inquests into the deaths of individuals with mental health issues discharged from police custody or the care of community mental health teams. Kate Brunner KC is currently chairing the Independent Isle of Man Covid-19 Review, while West is acting as counsel to it.

Western Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 2

Albion Chambers is ‘one of the pre-eminent crime sets on the Western Circuit’ with ‘an excellent mix of different levels of call’. Rupert Russell, a ‘smooth and witty advocate’, has considerable experience handling sexual offences cases as well as multi-handed organised crime cases. Edward Hetherington has a varied practice and recently defended a case concerning a former CPS employee accused of abusing her position to obtain sensitive information about prominent criminals and organised crime groups. Emma Martin , ‘a first-class advocate’, has recently appeared unled in serious violence and sexual offences cases.

Western Circuit > Family: children and domestic violence Tier 2

Albion Chambers is widely praised as ‘one of the leading family law chambers in Bristol and the South West’. Sarah Pope, ‘great with clients and her opponents alike’, has considerable experience handling complex matters, including those involving child death, serious physical abuse, and families including individuals with learning disabilities. Caroline Middleton, a ‘determined and fearless advocate’, is often instructed in cases involving controlling and coercive behaviour and serious sexual assault, as well as allegations of parental alienation. In September 2023 James Cranfield was appointed to the circuit bench.

Western Circuit > Employment