The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law (including local government), Doughty Street Chambers is a third tier set,

Doughty Street Chambers’ key players include Edward Fitzgerald QC, who is hailed for his ‘good knowledge’ and ‘creative arguments’; and Ian Wise QC, who has ‘a track record of many successful big cases’ and ‘works with passion’. Stephen Cragg is a junior who is ‘always up for a fight’, and Tracey Bloom is ‘very intelligent’ and ‘highly committed’. Paul Bowen QC, who recently took silk, is also recommended.

Within Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police), Doughty Street Chambers is a first tier set,

‘One of the best sets’ in this arena, Doughty Street Chambers’ leading silks include Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC, who is ‘phenomenal’ and ‘just the kind of silk that anyone would want on their side’; and Phillippa Kaufmann QC, who is ‘razor sharp and completely devoted to her cases’. New silk Paul Bowen QC has ‘unparalleled expertise in the representation of people with disabilities’. Star junior Caoilfhionn Gallagher is ‘passionate about the work that she does’, Robert Latham is a ‘tenacious and assertive litigator’ with ‘a fine eye for detail’, and Kate Markus is ‘very effective at honing in on key issues in a case’. Quincy Whitaker is ‘very committed and personable, taking on and winning cases that other barristers might dismiss’.

Within Clinical negligence and healthcare, tier 4

Doughty Street Chambers recently lost Christopher Gibson QC to Outer Temple Chambers. Nonetheless, Robin Oppenheim QC is rated as ‘an outstanding practitioner who is entirely focused on the needs of the client’. Christopher Hough is ‘extremely efficient in dealing with paperwork’, and Gerwyn Samuel has ‘an incredible eye for detail’. Paula Sparks is recommended for her considerable inquest experience.

Within Crime, Doughty Street Chambers is a second tier set,

Doughty Street Chambers fields 44 dedicated criminal practitioners, including 13 QCs, who have developed the set into a leader in the field of terrorism cases, as well as being noted for its appellate work and presence in international tribunals. Christopher Sallon QC has the ability to ‘win over the hearts of the jury and the minds of the judges’, and is ‘extremely effective at Crown Court level and at the Court Of Appeal’; Edward Rees QC ‘leaves no stone unturned’; and Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC is ‘always willing to consider innovative arguments’. ‘One of the most naturally gifted advocates around’, Sarah Elliott is ‘on the most-wanted list for complex, heavyweight crime and for tricky mitigation matters’. Richard Fisher is ‘a very solid advocate and is excellent with clients’. Ben Cooper ‘fights hard to pursue every legal remedy available’. Lauren Soertsz is also recommended. Rebecca Trowler QC’s recent appointment is reflective of her ‘very impressive range of practice’.

Within Defamation and privacy, Doughty Street Chambers is a second tier set,

At Doughty Street Chambers, Heather Rogers QC represented The Times in a Court of Appeal hearing, and Gavin Millar QC acted for Trinity Mirror in a High Court privacy trial. Key juniors include Anthony Hudson, who is ‘quite brilliant in his field’ and ‘a senior junior of exceptional quality’; and Guy Vassall-Adams, who is a ‘top-class junior’ whose ‘contribution to complex legal and tactical debates is always constructive and valuable’.

Within Education, Doughty Street Chambers is a third tier set,

Doughty Street Chambers’ Nicholas Bowen QC acted for the appellant in the Supreme Court case A v Essex County Council. ‘Convincing strategist’ Ian Wise QC led Steven Broach for The National Autistic Society in that case.

Within Employment Employment – Leading Silks

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

Within Immigration (including business immigration), Doughty Street Chambers is a third tier set,

Doughty Street Chambers’ members are ‘proficient in EEA law’ and have an excellent reputation for claimant work, with Judith Farbey QC highlighted for her national security expertise. Recommended juniors include the ‘immensely experienced’ Laura Dubinsky; Mark Henderson, who is a ‘very skilled’ specialist in complex EEA appeal matters; the ‘knowledgeable’ John Walsh; and the ‘technically brilliant’ Joseph Middleton. The ‘extremely dedicated’ Alison Pickup recently acted in a high-profile asylum appeal in the Court of Appeal, concerning exclusion under United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Simon Cox is now an associate tenant.

Within Media, entertainment and sport, Doughty Street Chambers is a third tier set,

Known for its expertise in privacy and defamation, Doughty Street Chambers offers experience in reporting restrictions and freedom of information matters. Gavin Millar QC is ‘at the top of his game’ and acted for Guardian News and Media in an important challenge regarding evidence filed in extradition proceedings. The ‘unflappable and hardworking’ Anthony Hudson represented several claimants in phone-hacking claims against News of the World journalists. Guy Vassall-Adams represented consumer rights organisation Consumer Focus in the judicial review of the Digital Economy Act.

Within Other New Silks Other New Silks

Within Product liability,

Also recommended are: Doughty Street Chambers’ Robin Oppenheim QC, who is ‘a leading claimant silk with a deeper understanding of the strategic decisions that are needed for successful outcomes in complex cases’; Neil Block QC at Thirty Nine Essex Street, who is ‘a masterly tactician and first-choice silk for a serious product liability claim or group action’; and 1 Chancery Lane’s John Ross QC, who acted in Ridd v Royal Yachting Association concerning a 14-year-old who suffered catastrophic injuries in a power boat race.

Within Property litigation (including agriculture and housing), tier 5

Doughty Street Chambers is the ‘chambers of choice’ for housing and public law, thanks to the ‘quality of its members’ and the ‘efficiency of its administration’. ‘Tenacious’ and ‘assertive’ litigator Robert Latham has ‘a fine eye for detail’, and recently acted in Ravichandran v Lewisham LBC. The ‘extremely thorough’ Tracey Bloom ‘will always go the extra mile’.

Within Public international law Public international law – Leading Silks

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