The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law (including local government), tier 4

One Crown Office Row’s ‘standard of customer service is very high’. Big names at the set include Philip Havers QC, who is widely considered a ‘leader of choice’ for public law; and Angus McCullough QC, who is ‘one of the best at the Bar’. Junior Jeremy Hyam has ‘a formidable intellect’ and his ‘attention to detail is immaculate’, particularly when it comes to the healthcare arena.

Within Children law (including public and private law) Children law – Leading Silks

Within Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police) Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Juniors

Within Clinical negligence and healthcare, One Crown Office Row (Philip Havers QC) is a first tier set,

One Crown Office Row is a ‘well-established set’ that regularly handles large claims in Commonwealth jurisdictions in addition to its work in England and Wales. James Badenoch QC offers ‘exceptional insight into birth injury liability cases’, Philip Havers QC provides ‘top-drawer preparation and advocacy’, and Paul Rees QC is ‘a superb analyst of facts and evidence’. Other noteworthy silks include Terence Coghlan QC, who ‘oozes confidence and guile’; Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel QC, who ‘fights hard to achieve outstanding outcomes for clients’; and Sally Smith QC, who is ‘a delight to work with’. Among the juniors, the ‘superb’ Henry Witcomb ‘works extremely hard and prepares cases thoroughly’, Richard Booth is ‘absolutely brilliant on his feet’, and Owain Thomas has ‘excellent cross-examination skills’. The ‘excellent’ John Gimlette and ‘tenacious and absolutely focused’ Sarah Lambert are also recommended. In 2012, David Evans QC took silk and Clodagh Bradley joined from 3 Serjeants’ Inn.

Within Costs, One Crown Office Row (Philip Havers QC) is a third tier set,

At One Crown Office Row, the ‘superb’ Guy Mansfield QC ‘knows the subject inside out’, and ‘has the court eating out of his hand’. Sarah Lambert is ‘extremely competent, approachable and able to spell out difficult sections of law in a very understandable way’; ‘her advocacy skills very often turn a case in your favour’.

Within Environment, One Crown Office Row (Philip Havers QC) is a third tier set,

One Crown Office Row is ‘very good value for money’ and houses the ‘extremely intelligent’and ‘approachable’ David Hart QC, who is ‘in the top tier for environmental barristers’. Leading junior Jeremy Hyam has an ‘excellent analytical mind’ and ‘considers the commercial element of an issue as well as the legal’.

Within Family law (including divorce and ancillary relief) Family law – Leading Silks

Within Personal injury, tier 5

At One Crown Office Row, Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel QC’s standard of preparation and responsiveness is ‘unmatched’. Henry Witcomb is ‘absolutely committed to his clients’, and Richard Booth is ‘a polished advocate with very good negotiation skills’. Justin Levinson is an expert in cases involving sexual abuse issues.

Within Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law), One Crown Office Row (Philip Havers QC) is a first tier set,

One Crown Office Row’s star performers include Philip Havers QC, who ‘clearly commands the highest judicial respect for his submissions and arguments’; and Kieran Coonan QC, who has ‘a very effective style for this sort of work’. The ‘very bright and good’ Joanna Glynn QC and Christina Lambert QC are also recommended. Junior Robert Kellar has ‘extensive experience in disciplinary and regulatory work’, and the ‘absolutely fearless’ Clodagh Bradley is ‘not afraid to explore every avenue fully’. Other notable juniors include Shaheen Rahman and Matthew Barnes, who is ‘diligent, well prepared and a very competent advocate’.

Within Professional negligence, tier 5

One Crown Office Row fields barristers who are ‘very experienced’ in professional negligence matters, with the ‘client-oriented’ Guy Mansfield QC particularly recommended for solicitors cases. Richard Smith is also singled out for praise.

Within Tax: corporate and VAT,

Also recommended are the ‘high-flying’ Jonathan Fisher QC, ‘all-round superstar’ Ingrid Simler QC, and the ‘dedicated and dependable’ Timothy Brennan QC at Devereux; VAT expert Sam Grodzinski QC* at Matrix Chambers; Philippa Whipple QC at One Crown Office Row; and Philip Jones QC at Serle Court. *Sam Grodzinski is now at Blackstone Chambers

Within Treasury Panel Lists Junior Counsel to the Crown – A Panel