The Legal 500

Within Treasury Panel Lists Region 6

Within Commercial, insolvency and property,

Guildhall Chambers has an ‘acknowledged reputation for insolvency work’. The outstanding team includes Stephen Davies QC (‘coruscatingly bright’ and a ‘stellar performer’); Jeremy Bamford (‘exceptionally intellectually able’); Paul French (‘his knowledge of law and, in particular case law, is legendary’); Hugh Sims (‘very user-friendly’, ‘incredibly bright and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of insolvency law’). Stefan Ramel, who has a growing cross-border practice, Christopher Brockman, Richard Ascroft and Katie Gibb are the other linchpins.

Within Construction, planning, licensing and environmental,

Guildhall Chambers’ William Batstone provides ‘very careful and detailed advice and pleadings’ on complex agricultural land disputes. Rajinder Sahonte has a traditional chancery practice and is particularly recommended for property litigation matters. Kerry Barker, who has ‘excellent knowledge of licensing and environmental areas of the law and the experience to match’, has a national licensing practice, and Susan Cavender is an up-and-coming junior in the field.

Within Crime,

Guildhall Chambers’ Richard Smith QC is ‘thoroughly professional and conscientious’, and balances his criminal and sports practice effectively. Rosaleen Collins builds an ‘excellent rapport with clients and is able to clearly set out, in easy-to-understand language, the pros and cons of their cases.’ Anna Vigars’ ‘legal knowledge and advocacy skills are excellent; but it is her caring attitude and ability to relate to clients from all walks of life that sets her apart’. Ramin Pakrooh is ‘exceptional at representing difficult clients’, and Nicolas Gerasimidis is ‘one of the best barristers available’. The ‘strikingly good’ Ray Tully ‘doesn ’t shirk from advising clients as to the difficult elements of a case’. Christopher Quinlan QC’s practice comprises heavyweight criminal matters and sports disciplinary cases. Andrew Langdon QC’s strengths include his ‘exceptionally effective cross-examinations’ and his ‘instincts as a jury advocate’.

Within Health and safety, and regulatory,

Guildhall Chambers is ‘well ahead’ of other local sets in this field. Andrew Langdon QC is currently leading the prosecution team in the high-profile Buncefield litigation, and is nationally renowned for his HSE work. Ian Dixey has a full-time HSE practice and is a recognised practitioner on circuit. James Bennett, who is ‘pragmatic and extremely user friendly’, handles high-profile HSE matters for both sides. Peter Blair QC is recommended for his environmental regulatory practice.

Within Overview, Guildhall Chambers (Chambers of Peter Blair QC) is a first tier firm,

With five specialist teams in place and as a holder of BARMARK, Guildhall Chambers is ‘truly a viable alternative to London chambers’. It has a national and international insolvency reputation, a niche sports law offering and an ever-growing personal injury and clinical negligence team. St John’s Chambers’ clerks ‘really do appear to consider carefully recommendations when they are asked for them’, and the set continues to have the leading family team in Bristol. Despite several losses to the bench, Albion Chambers remains a prominent crime and family set and has an ‘extremely high standard of clerking’. Queen Square Chambers is a ‘very friendly and professional set’ that continues to have a leading employment team. Outside of Bristol, 12 College Place, which is also a holder of BARMARK, and College Chambers service Southampton, as does Devon Chambers in Plymouth. The ‘very good’ Colleton Chambers and Rougemont Chambers, along with Walnut House, are the pre-eminent sets in Exeter and Taunton. Leading Bristol annexes include Old Square Chambers, whose clerks are ‘very helpful and flexible to ensure suitable counsel is available’, and 3PB that provides a ‘“Rolls-Royce” service; right from head of chambers at the top, to junior clerks’. 3 Pump Court and Doughty Street Chambers also have a presence on circuit, and No5 Chambers’ Bristol annex provides a ‘niche, almost boutique service which distinguishes itself from the Birmingham and London chambers’. 1 Paper Buildings is highly visible on this circuit, particularly in Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. With the opening of the new Bristol Civil Court Centre, it is expected that an increasing volume of work will stay in the hands of local sets.

Within Personal injury and clinical negligence,

Guildhall Chambers’ clerks ‘always “bend over backwards” to assist’. James Townsend has a ‘marvellously understated approach’ and is ‘a consummate advocate’. Selena Plowden ‘emanates an aura of intellect and confidence’, and ‘always adopts a sensible and pragmatic approach’. Julian Benson is highly rated for complex PI matters. Practice head Gabriel Farmer is a ‘good tactician, highly effective negotiator and ultimately the advocate you want on your side’. Anthony Reddiford is ‘always calm and collected, presents arguments well, and is very approachable’. John Snell ‘thinks about things from all angles (and from both a claimant and defendant perspective) so that he gives a well thought out and balanced view at all times ’. The team was enhanced by the arrival of Robert Sowersby, who exhibits ‘a ruthless professionalism in court’, provides advice that is ‘to the point and easy to understand’, and is ‘superb with experts’. Abigail Stamp’s ‘greatest asset is that she is an “all-rounder”’; she is ‘very methodical in her analysis and extremely personable’. Adrian Palmer QC is ‘one of the best personal injury silks with a sound understanding of the most complex of claims’, and Adam Chippindall is ‘a tremendous advocate’.