The Legal 500

Chambers of Lesley Tapson and John Critchley

5 FIELD COURT, GRAY'S INN, LONDON, WC1R 5EF, ENGLAND
Tel:
Work 020 7405 6114
Fax:
Fax 020 7831 6112
DX:
457 LONDON CHANCERY LANE
Web:
www.fieldcourt.co.uk
Email:

What we say about the set's legal practice in London Bar

Administrative and public law (including local government)

Within Administrative and public law (including local government),

Also recommended are: ‘one of the best community care barristers in practiceHilton Harrop-Griffiths at Field Court Chambers; Kerry Bretherton and the ‘highly diplomaticBarbara Hewson at Hardwicke for Court of Protection matters; the ‘really impressiveRobin Tam QC and the ‘encyclopaedicNicholas Moss at Temple Garden Chambers; and the ‘very conciseHugo Keith QC, the ‘methodical and thoroughRichard Horwell QC, the ‘exceptionally bright and incisivePatrick Gibbs QC and ‘brilliant tacticianJames Lewis QC at Three Raymond Buildings.

Children law (including public and private law)

Within Children law (including public and private law), Field Court Chambers (Chambers of Lesley Tapson and John Critchley) is a third tier firm,

At Field Court Chambers, Dennis Sharpe is ‘excellent’, and is praised for his ability to grasp the complex technical issues of a case. Ruth Cabeza is known for her expertise in care proceedings and adoption cases, and has also recently acted in high-profile international surrogacy case Re IJ (A Child). Lucy Theis QC was recently elevated to the High Court.

Family law (including divorce and ancillary relief)

Within Family law (including divorce and ancillary relief), Field Court Chambers (Chambers of Lesley Tapson and John Critchley) is a third tier firm,

Field Court Chambers covers both children and financial work, with Ruth Cabeza specialising in children and adoption cases. Lucy Theis was recently elevated to the High Court.

Media, entertainment and sport

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 CloistersCaspar Glyn provides ‘strong technical analysis’. Also recommended are: John Critchley of Field Court Chambers; Madeleine Heal of Hardwicke; the ‘talented and tenaciousLouis Weston at 3PB; and XXIV Old BuildingsIan Meakin. Simon Malynicz (formerly of Hogarth Chambers) joined Three New Square in 2011.

Other New Silks

Within Other New Silks Other New Silks

Property litigation (including agriculture and housing)

Within Property litigation (including agriculture and housing),

Also recommended are: Vivian Chapman QC at 9 Stone Buildings, who has ‘vast expertise in village green issues’; and David Halpern QC of Four New Square. Of the juniors, Ranjit Bhose’s knowledge of landlord and tenant matters is ‘up there with the very best’ at 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square; and Paul Letman of 3 Hare Court is ‘very well versed in enfranchisement legislation’. The ‘very brightPatrick Rolfe at 5 Stone Buildings is also recommended. Recent moves include the 'exceptionalJeremy Cousins QC (formerly of Selborne Chambers) joining 11 Stone Buildings. At Field Court Chambers, Miles Croally and Adrian Davis are highly regarded.


Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • HOUSING

    In Nzinga Maswaku v Westminster City Council [2012] EWCA Civ 669 the Court of Appeal clarified that in offering a homeless person with alternative temporary accommodation the local authority is obliged to point that if the offer is refused it has discharged its Part VII duties under the Housing Act 1996.
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  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
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  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
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  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
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  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
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  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
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  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
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  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue: