The Legal 500

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

Henderson Chambers has strength in local government and procurement cases, and the clerks are ‘responsive and helpful’. 2010 silk Rhodri Williams QC is ‘one of the leading counsel on procurement law in the country’. Andrew Kinnier provides ‘constructive and innovative solutions to procurement problems’.

Within Banking and finance (including consumer credit), Henderson Chambers (Chambers of Charles Gibson QC) is a third tier firm,

Henderson Chambers’ position as a leading set for consumer credit work was significantly enhanced by the arrival of William Hibbert and the ‘excellent’ Julia Smith from Gough Square Chambers. Among the silks, Richard Mawrey QC is a good choice for those seeking a ‘high-quality opinion from a barrister whose views hold some weight’. Dennis Rosenthal, who despite only being called to the Bar in 2009, is also recommended for advisory matters after a long career as a partner and consumer credit specialist at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP.

Within Clinical negligence and healthcare Clinical negligence and healthcare – Leading Juniors

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation – Leading Silks

Within Consumer and product liability, Henderson Chambers (Chambers of Charles Gibson QC) is a first tier firm,

‘From the top silks through to the bright up-and-coming youngsters, Henderson Chambers is a pre-eminent set for product liability work’. Head of chambers Charles Gibson QC is praised for his ‘leadership, integrity, vision and humility’. Prashant Popat QC recently advised GlaxoSmithKline in a high-profile group action regarding alleged injuries from anti-depressants, and Oliver Campbell acted for BP in a group action brought by Columbian farmers. Malcolm Sheehan ‘encapsulates the term “a trusted adviser” ’, and Geraint Webb is ‘certainly among the stars’ of the product liability Bar. William Hibbert is ‘a real specialist in his field – his grasp of technical regulations is outstanding’. James Purnell, Noel Dilworth and Andrew Kinnier are all recommended. In consumer law, Richard Mawrey QC, Peter Susman QC and Toby Riley-Smith are all singled out. Riley-Smith is ‘exceptionally able in his field’.

Within EU and competition EU and competition – Leading Silks

Within Employment,

Other recommended silks include: Robert Griffiths QC at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square; FTB’s Simon Mehigan QC; Andrew Hogarth QC at 12 King’s Bench Walk, who is ‘a robust and forthright advocate and persuasive on paper’; and Gavin Millar QC of Doughty Street Chambers, who ‘always seeks strategic solutions’. At the junior end, the ‘exceptional’ Rachel Toney at Stone Chambers ‘demonstrates a keen grasp of the law and is a formidable asset in any Employment Tribunal case’; Ben Collins of One Crown Office Row has a ‘very calm, measured approach’; Tooks Chambers’ Jane Russell shows ‘excellent legal knowledge and very strong cross-examination skills’; and the ‘ten out of ten’ David Brook and ‘extremely bright’ Patrick Green at Henderson Chambers, who are also well respected in the field.

Within Environment, Henderson Chambers (Chambers of Charles Gibson QC) is a third tier firm,

Henderson Chambers provides ‘a sophisticated service reflecting the needs of clients in the context of complex claims’. ‘A highly effective and forceful advocate’, Charles Gibson QC ‘knows group actions and environmental claims inside out. He doesn’t back away from a scrap’. ‘A very effective right hand man’, Oliver Campbell is ‘diligent, hardworking and always delivers on time’.

Within Health and safety, Henderson Chambers (Chambers of Charles Gibson QC) is a first tier firm,

‘A very reliable and solid set of chambers ’, Henderson Chambers ‘leads the way with the sheer quality of its members and superb service ethos’. Charles Gibson QC is ‘meticulous on detail and preparation, and an outstanding strategist’. Prashant Popat QC is ‘a real expert on health and safety cases’, whose recent work highlights include the high-profile Buncefield litigation and the Potters Bar inquest; he is ‘magisterial in his advocacy and exceptionally hardworking’. Among the juniors, the ‘very knowledgeable and utterly dependable’ Oliver Campbell acted in HSE v Marks & Spencer; and Toby Riley-Smith ‘makes it his business to know his cases better than anyone else in the courtroom’, but is also ‘eloquent, polite and exceptionally skilful’. Other notable practitioners include Jonathan Harvey, the ‘impressive’ James Purnell and Angus Withington, who has ‘excellent legal knowledge’.

Within Information technology, tier 4

Well known for its work on local authorities’ IT disputes, Henderson Chambers’ reputation continues to flourish. Richard Mawrey QC appeared in St Albans City and District Council v International Computers Ltd, and Peter Susman QC acted for the claimant in TH Baker & Co Ltd v SDK Jewellers Ltd in the TCC. Geraint Webb is also highly regarded.

Within Insurance and reinsurance Insurance and reinsurance – Leading Juniors

Within International arbitration International arbitration – Leading Juniors

Within Personal injury, tier 4

Henderson Chambers’ Angus Withington is ‘bright and thorough’ with ‘a superb skill of conveying technical and detailed areas of law into easily understandable advice’. Malcolm Sheehan is ‘bright and thoughtful and expresses himself clearly both on paper and in court’.

Within Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law), Henderson Chambers (Chambers of Charles Gibson QC) is a third tier firm,

At Henderson Chambers, Adam Heppinstall is ‘calm, measured and extremely competent’.

Within Professional negligence Professional negligence – Leading Juniors

Within Property litigation (including agriculture and housing), tier 4

At Henderson Chambers, Jonathan Steinert has a ‘brilliant intellect which he combines with a street fighter’s “never say die” approach to litigation’; and Andrew Davies ‘conducts cross-examination calmly and politely, but with dogged determination that would test any witness’. Adam Heppinstall and ‘formidable advocate’ Malcolm Sheehan are also recommended.

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