The Legal 500

Within Clinical negligence and healthcare, Devereux (Chambers of Colin Edelman QC) is a third tier firm,

Devereux continues to strengthen its position in clinical negligence, as ‘a niche set that is particularly adept at brain and spinal injury work’. Robert Glancy QC has ‘a fantastic mind’ and is commended for his ability in handling complex medical issues. Robert Weir QC is ‘enormously talented’ and ‘intellectually outstanding’. Standout juniors include Richard Cartwright, described as ‘brilliant counsel to work with’ and ‘a real team player who adds value with and without silk’.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation – Leading Silks

Within Education,

Other notable practitioners include Outer Temple Chambers’ John McKendrick, who has ‘excellent knowledge of the law’; Fenella Morris at Thirty Nine Essex Street, who is ‘absolutely excellent on all issues which raise public law arguments’; Oliver Hyams at Devereux; and the ‘clear, concise and very helpful’ Francesca Quint at Radcliffe Chambers.

Within Employment, Devereux (Chambers of Colin Edelman QC) is a third tier firm,

Devereux is an ‘excellent’ employment set, where ‘there is always a barrister available at the level required’. A ‘formidable advocate and ferocious cross-examiner’, Ingrid Simler QC is well known for her experience in handling cases with an EU dimension. Timothy Brennan QC ‘turns advice around very efficiently’, and Bruce Carr QC is ‘a real class act – he never seems to get phased and thinks incredibly fast on his feet’. At junior level, Nicholas Randall is ‘a genuine star of the employment bar, who offers QC ability and presence, first-class judgment and a complete command of the subject’. Suzanne McKie brings a ‘commercial and strategic perspective to any case management; she is almost entirely unflappable and absorbs pressure like a sponge’.

Within Environment,

Devereux’s Graham Read QC has ‘unparalleled analytical, strategic and creative ability’ on environmental/human rights issues.

Within Fraud: crime (including money laundering and asset forfeiture) Fraud: crime – Leading Silks

Within Health and safety,

Other respected silks include Gerard Forlin QC at 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square, who has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of health and safety’; Jonathan Caplan QC of 5 Paper Buildings, who ‘explains points clearly and is truly exceptional on his feet’; Devereux’s Stephen Killalea QC, who ‘really knows his way around the criminal court’; Patrick Harrington QC at Farrar’s Building, a ‘first-class trial barrister who is approachable and a pleasure to work with’; and the ‘excellent’ John Hendy QC at Old Square Chambers, who acted in the high-profile enquiries into the train crashes at Ladbrooke Grove and Paddington.

Within Information technology,

Also recommended are Alan Gourgey QC of 11 Stone Buildings (‘very user-friendly’); Graham Read QC at Devereux (‘tenacious in driving a strategy forward’); Simon Croall QC of Quadrant Chambers; and Derek Sweeting QC of 7 Bedford Row. Brick Court Chambers attracted ‘top junior’ Nicholas Saunders from Hogarth Chambers in 2010, who has an excellent reputation in the field – his ‘technical knowledge is unsurpassed’. The ‘very strong’ Lawrence Akka at 20 Essex Street and the ‘bright and client-friendly’ Philip Roberts of One Essex Court are also well-respected juniors.

Within Insurance and reinsurance, Devereux (Chambers of Colin Edelman QC) is a third tier firm,

Devereux’s Colin Edelman QC is a ‘favourite “go-to” QC’ in this area; ‘an exceptionally strong advocate’, he ‘cuts straight to the issues’. Colin Wynter QC is ‘quick and responsive’, and Richard Harrison ‘combines technical capability with being very user-friendly; a modern-day senior junior’. Among other juniors recommended are Andrew Burns, who appeared in the Court of Appeal EL Trigger litigation, and Alison Padfield whose ‘client care skills are second to none’.

Within International arbitration International arbitration – Leading Silks

Within Media, entertainment and sport,

Other highly respected silks include: Andrew Caldecott QC at 1 Brick Court; Guy Morpuss QC at 20 Essex Street; Ely Place Chambers’ Nicholas Stewart QC; and ‘extremely personable’ new silk Stephen Cogley QC at Quadrant Chambers. Of the juniors: Nicholas Randall at Devereux is ‘pre-eminent for sport work’; Jonathan Bellamy of Thirty Nine Essex Street is ‘a barrister you can put your faith in’; and Cloisters’ Caspar Glyn provides ‘strong technical analysis’. Also recommended are: John Critchley of Field Court Chambers; Madeleine Heal of Hardwicke; the ‘talented and tenacious’ Louis Weston at 3PB; and XXIV Old Buildings’ Ian Meakin. Simon Malynicz (formerly of Hogarth Chambers) joined Three New Square in 2011.

Within Pensions,

Raquel Agnello QC and Thomas Robinson at 11 Stone Buildings are well versed in handling insolvency and regulatory aspects of pensions cases. Elsewhere, clients praise James Clifford from Maitland Chambers as ‘always providing robust advice’; Nigel Burroughs of Four New Square, for his ‘commercial and pragmatic approach’; and Nicholas Randall at Devereux, who is involved in high-profile cases relating to public sector pensions.

Within Personal injury, Devereux (Chambers of Colin Edelman QC) is a third tier firm,

Devereux is ‘clearly a strong set’ and includes Robert Glancy QC, rated for his ‘outstanding advice’, and ‘formidable advocate’ Stephen Killalea QC. Standout juniors include Colin Mendoza, who ‘strives to achieve the best possible outcome’, and Richard Cartwright. Robert Hunter is an ‘exceptionally promising junior’ who ‘sees the woods from the trees in getting to the issues at the heart of a case’. Other up-and-comers include Bruce Silvester, who ‘takes no prisoners’, and Peter Edwards, ‘a very persuasive negotiator’.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence – Leading Silks

Within Tax: corporate and VAT,

Also recommended are the ‘very thorough, professional and concise’ Timothy Brennan QC at Devereux; tax avoidance and transfer pricing expert Michael Green QC (an ‘excellent advocate, with a clear and authoritative delivery’) at Fountain Court Chambers; Philippa Whipple QC of One Crown Office Row; Laurence Rabinowitz QC (‘intellectually outstanding with a calm, reassuring demeanour’) at One Essex Court; the ‘brilliant, smooth, polished, accessible’ Philip Jones QC at Serle Court; and ‘top-level’ silk Timothy Lyons QC, an authority on EU customs and trade duties at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square.

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