The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law (including local government), Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a second tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street is ‘head and shoulders above most other sets for Court of Protection work’. Nigel Pleming QC’s ‘advocacy skills are first rate; he speaks to judges on their level and is a real pleasure to listen to’. Robert Jay QC is ‘becoming very well known’ through his role in the Leveson Inquiry, and Eleanor Grey QC has ‘a fantastic manner in court and is always absolutely on top of a case’. Jenni Richards QC is ‘clever and incisive, and thinks about cases strategically and from all perspectives’; Lisa Giovannetti QC has a ‘gentle but persuasive style that is attractive to judges’; and Duncan Sinclair is commended for his ‘mastery of technical detail’. Nicola Greaney and Katharine Scott are ‘rising stars’.

Within Aviation Aviation – Leading Silks

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit and financial regulation) Banking and finance – Leading Silks

Within Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police), Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a third tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s big hitters include Nigel Pleming QC, whose ‘advocacy skills are first rate and who can speak to judges on their level’; and Jenni Richards QC, whose ‘depth of knowledge in public and human rights law is astonishing’. New silk Fenella Morris QC is ‘a good person to go to for Court of Protection matters’.

Within Clinical negligence and healthcare, tier 5

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s clients have ‘absolutely no hesitation’ in recommending Neil Block QC. Susan Rodway QC has ‘the confidence to apply novel arguments and run with them’. Augustus Ullstein QC is ‘a powerful negotiator who seeks innovative solutions’, and Emily Formby is an ‘excellent junior’.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation – Leading Silks

Within Construction, Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a second tier set,

At the ‘highly rated’ Thirty Nine Essex Street, Stuart Catchpole QC has an excellent reputation for his ‘devastating cross-examination of experts’ and ‘staggering ability to understanding complex technical issues’. The ‘personable’ Richard Wilmot-Smith QC is the ‘doyen’ of performance bond cases. The ‘extremely intelligent’ Karim Ghaly ‘instils confidence’ and ‘gains a client’s trust quickly’. Other notable juniors include Karen Gough, who displays ‘great knowledge and leadership’; and Kate Grange, who is a ‘pleasure to work with’ and ‘fights hard for a successful outcome’.

Within Consumer,

Also recommended are FTB’s Kevin de Haan QC, who continues to act in Purely Creative and Ors v Office of Fair Trading in relation to premium-rate prize promotions; Gough Square Chambers' Jonathan Kirk QC, who is ‘the current silk of the moment in consumer law and the one to use for substantial cases’; and Benjamin Williams at Thirty Nine Essex Street and Alex Glassbrook at Temple Garden Chambers, who are key figures in the credit hire field.

Within Costs, Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a first tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street is one of the leading sets for costs. Jeremy Morgan QC is ‘a leader in this field’ and regularly represents the Legal Services Commission. Of the juniors, Benjamin Williams is ‘an exceptionally good and persuasive advocate’ whose ‘paperwork is excellent and whose costs knowledge is as good as anyone’s in the field’. ‘The exceptionally talented’ Simon Edwards is ‘quick to respond, and his advice is realistic and practical’. Robert Marven provides ‘excellent service’ and ‘invaluable knowledge of the specialist costs rules’. Caroline Truscott is ‘very good at bringing out the absurdity in an opponent’s argument’.

Within Defamation and privacy Defamation and privacy – Leading Silks

Within Education,

New silk Fenella Morris QC at Thirty Nine Essex Street has ‘a sharp legal mind and considerable experience, matched by a smooth delivery and sure touch in court’.

Within Employment Employment – Leading Juniors

Within Energy, tier 5

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, Stephen Tromans QC is ‘one of the few silks with outstanding nuclear law credentials’. Also recommended are Stuart Catchpole QC, who has ‘a fine legal mind combined with great tactical acumen’; Richard Wilmot-Smith QC, who is ‘a supremely calm operator’; and Duncan Sinclair, who is ‘dedicated, thoughtful and knowledgeable’.

Within Environment, Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a first tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s Stephen Tromans QC is ‘a doyen among environmental law silks’, and has particular knowledge of waste industry law. The ‘powerfully authoritative’ Nigel Pleming QC has ‘a wealth of experience on public law issues’; and Richard Harwood, who takes ‘an intellectual approach to environmental matters’, is particularly valued for his ‘knowledge of European law’. The ‘very personable’ Justine Thornton is also recommended.

Within Fraud: civil Fraud: civil – Leading Silks

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

Within Health and safety, Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a third tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s team includes health and safety specialist Christian Du Cann, who is ‘outstanding and thorough in his dealings with clients’ and whose advocacy skills are ‘second to none’. Derek O’Sullivan is a ‘highly accomplished advocate’ who defends a wide range of prosecutions and has ‘one eye firmly on reputation and financial issues’. Geoffrey Brown is ‘a safe pair of hands’ and ‘impressive in court’, with ‘a very strong intellect’.

Within Immigration (including business immigration), Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a third tier set,

Thirty Nine Essex Street has an outstanding reputation for government representation, but has also seen an increase in instructions from claimants. Leading silks include Lisa Giovannetti QC, who has a ‘superb’ practice and handles a combination of national security and immigration cases; Eleanor Grey QC, who is noted for her excellent case preparation; and Steven Kovats QC, who wields ‘an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’. Jenni Richards QC and Nigel Pleming QC are also recommended. ‘Outstanding’ junior Kate Grange was appointed to the Attorney General’s A panel and represented the Secretary of State in J1 v Secretary of State for the Home Department.

Within Insurance and reinsurance, tier 5

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s Neil Block QC has ‘the ability to get to the heart of complex insurance issues and come up with an effective case strategy’. The ‘excellent’ Geoffrey Brown is recommended on the property insurance side, where he has ‘a robust style in meetings and mediations’. Stuart Catchpole QC is also highly regarded.

Within International arbitration, tier 4

Thirty Nine Essex Street’s John Tackaberry QC ‘combines scholarship and erudition with a strong commercial grasp of the case’. Stuart Catchpole QC is ‘undoubtedly the go-to QC in construction right now’, with ‘a very fine legal mind and a strong strategic sense’. Karen Gough is ‘outstanding in her detailed and analytical grasp of her field and fearless in her protection of the client’. Karim Ghaly’s ‘infectious enthusiasm will undoubtedly make him one of the most sought-after barristers at the international Bar in the years ahead’.

Within Media, entertainment and sport,

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, the ‘thorough, insightful, user-friendly’ Neil Block QC and Jonathan Bellamy specialise in sports injury claims. Dual Australian and UK qualified lawyer Paul Hayes wins praise for his ‘excellent paperwork and case presentation’.

Within Personal injury, Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a first tier set,

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, the ‘outstanding’ William Norris QC remains ‘at the top of his game’, and Neil Block QC is ‘a go-to barrister for catastrophic injury cases’. Matthias Kelly QC is ‘one of the most hardworking and approachable barristers’, and the ‘engaging and creative’ Augustus Ullstein QC is ‘a genuine gentleman who is prepared to go the extra mile for his clients’. Recommended juniors include Christian Du Cann, for his ‘combination of personal charm, fluent articulation and intelligent understanding’, and Bernard Doherty, whose attention to detail is ‘second to none’.

Within Planning, tier 4

Clients highlight the ‘helpful’, ‘friendly’ and ‘efficient’ clerking at Thirty Nine Essex Street. Matthew Horton QC is recommended for his ‘advocacy skills, particularly at planning inquiries’; Richard Wald gives excellent advice and ‘adds considerably to cross-examination and pre-inquiry debate’; and Richard Harwood provides clients with an ‘assuredly rational approach’. The ‘very capable and thorough’ Christiaan Zwart acted for the Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust in successfully objecting to a mansion development.

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 Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law), Thirty Nine Essex Street (Robert Jay QC and Stephen Tromans QC) is a first tier set,

At Thirty Nine Essex Street, Gregory Treverton-Jones QC is ‘undoubtedly the go-to man in relation to solicitors’ regulatory work’; Jeremy Morgan QC has ‘expert knowledge of his areas and deserves the respect and gravitas he is given’; and Nigel Pleming QC is ‘incredibly knowledgeable in the field’. Fenella Morris QC, who recently took silk, is ‘likely to be in high demand as a QC given her experience as a junior’. Among the juniors, David Bradly is ‘a firm favourite with clients and tribunals’, and Alexis Hearnden has ‘considerable experience of solicitors’ disciplinary work’. Vikram Sachdeva is ‘very likeable and knowledgeable in regulatory law’, and up-and-comer Robert Lazarus’ ‘style of advocacy strikes the right tone with the regulators’.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence – Leading Silks

Within Tax: corporate and VAT Tax: corporate – Leading Silks

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