The Legal 500

This leading set specialises in Chancery, property, commercial, employment and family law. Clients regard it as approachable and practical, while the Bar and Bench know it as tough and professional.

The set: 1 Essex Court has a distinguished history stretching back to the early 20th century. Beyond chambers’ first-class legal expertise, clients value the set for its unfussy and business-minded approach to instructions. Combined with extremely high standards of clerking, this has created strong loyalty from a wide spectrum of solicitors, as well as other professionals and lay clients. Chambers is also known for its high ethical standards. 1 Essex Court tailors its services to clients’ needs and resources, without compromising on quality. Instructions are frequently accepted from overseas, both from lawyers and directly from corporations or individuals. Most members of chambers also subscribe to the Public Access Scheme established by the Bar Council.

Developments in the past year include the recruitment of a number of senior practitioners, including Michael Hartman, formerly head of chambers at 2 Kings Bench Walk, and Susan Brown, formerly of 9 Stone Buildings. The set also welcomed five junior members: Genevieve Park, Jamie Williams, Louise O’Callaghan, Emma Read and Caroline Waterworth.

Members of 1 Essex Court regularly provide talks, presentations and seminars on a wide range of topical issues affecting the many sectors in which they provide expertise. Individual members are available to attend at solicitors’ or clients’ premises, for either internal department-based presentations, or at larger client-orientated functions. Talks and seminars can be tailored to meet any specific needs and members are also able to hold presentations at 1 Essex Court.

Types of work undertaken: Members provide a wide range of advice and undertake advocacy at all levels, from County Court and tribunal to High Court and higher appeals. Chambers regularly receives instructions on injunctions and other urgent matters.

General Chancery expertise includes: all aspects of company law, notably shareholder disputes and directors’ duties; partnership; personal and corporate insolvency; wills, probate and inheritance; formal and informal trusts; and intellectual property, including trade marks, patents and design. Property law experience includes: mortgage issues; trusts of land and other equitable interests; commercial and residential landlord and tenant issues; restrictive covenants and easements; social housing and homelessness; and all types of building and construction matters.

Commercial law is a notable area of expertise, including fraud and tracing cases; banking and factoring; debentures and retention of title; letters of credit; international trade; sale of goods; agency; professional negligence across various sectors; and consumer credit.

In employment matters members practise in areas including: race, sex, religious and other discrimination; unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancy; pensions; stress issues; TUPE issues; whistleblowing; and restrictive covenants.

All aspects of family and matrimonial law are practised including: ancillary relief; international jurisdiction; intervener claims; s37 MCA applications; matters relating to children; residence and contact; care proceedings; and Court of Protection matters.

A variety of other issues are handled, including defamation, POCA and confiscation orders, and human rights cases.

Over the coming year 1 Essex Court intends to achieve Bar Mark, provide a complete mediation service for family and other disputes, and maintain its programme of selective recruitment.