The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law (including local government), tier 4

Providing ‘great customer service’, 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square has local government and planning expertise. The ‘first-class’ James Findlay QC gives ‘no-nonsense, concise advice’. Ranjit Bhose’s landlord and tenant knowledge is ‘up there with the best’.

Within Consumer and product liability, Cornerstone Barristers (Chambers of Mary Cook and James Findlay QC) is a third tier firm,

2-3 Gray’s Inn Square continues to be instructed by retail groups and national firms. Anthony Scrivener QC specialises in consumer law, often with a financial element; Geoffrey Stephenson is regularly instructed by Somerfield Stores; and Peter Miller continues to be instructed by local authorities. Technical and industrial product claims specialist Gerard Forlin QC is ‘blessed with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and inner workings of the prosecution’.

Within Energy,

At 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square, the ‘very conscientious’ Morag Ellis QC was selected by EDF to advise on the IPC application for a new nuclear power station. Mark Lowe QC is praised as an ‘excellent silk’.

Within Environment, Cornerstone Barristers (Chambers of Mary Cook and James Findlay QC) is a second tier firm,

2-3 Gray’s Inn Square has a ‘strong team of environmental law specialists’, and clerks who provide ‘great customer service, being very approachable and easy to deal with’. James Findlay QC is ‘very approachable whilst being tactical, assertive and realistic as to outcomes’. Mark Lowe QC is ‘very experienced, with deep knowledge of the field and sound judgement’. Simon Bird QC ‘masters his brief with impressive thoroughness and is excellent at cross-examination’. Michael Bedford is ‘clear in his thinking and thorough in his approach to matters’.

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 Licensing, Cornerstone Barristers (Chambers of Mary Cook and James Findlay QC) is a first tier firm,

‘An excellent set of licensing specialists’, 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square provides ‘a broad range of expertise and experience for both high and lower level counsel in all licensing matters, and the clerking is attentive’. James Findlay QC is ‘first class, with excellent judgement and a good client manner’. He is ‘a leader in his field’, as is ‘very good advocate’ David Matthias QC. Philip Kolvin QC has ‘excellent analytical skills, knows every aspect of legislation and its practical effect intimately, and has a very practical approach and great rapport with clients’. In court, Josef Cannon ‘appears expert and persuasive, engaging well with both lay and professional tribunals, with a particular strength in explaining complex issues to lay magistrates’. Ranjit Bhose ‘gives down-to-earth, practical advice’, and Peter Miller is ‘very professional, very personable, and adaptable’.

Within Planning, Cornerstone Barristers (Chambers of Mary Cook and James Findlay QC) is a third tier firm,

2-3 Gray’s Inn Square has ‘excellent clerking’, which is ‘flexible and commercially minded’. James Findlay QC is ‘very approachable whilst being tactically assertive and realistic as to outcomes’. Reputed for his expertise in highways law, Stephen Sauvain QC’s ‘unassuming style belies a keen intellect that is highly effective, particularly in court’. Morag Ellis QC is ‘an extremely astute barrister with incredible intellectual capacity’. Mary Cook is noted for her ‘no-nonsense approach (she is never afraid to tell it like it is), superb attention to detail and hard work’. ‘One to watch’, Paul Shadarevian ‘can think laterally about complicated issues. He is good at leading a team and a complicated project’. Michael Druce is ‘a formidable advocate and strong in cross-examination’.

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 bright’ Patrick Rolfe at 5 Stone Buildings is also recommended. Recent moves include the 'exceptional’ Jeremy Cousins QC (formerly of Selborne Chambers) joining 11 Stone Buildings. At Field Court Chambers, Miles Croally and Adrian Davis are highly regarded.