The Legal 500

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

FTB is regarded as a ‘go-to chambers for rating disputes’. Robin Purchas QC’s ‘reputation as a leading public law barrister is very well deserved’. Richard Glover QC has ‘unsurpassed expertise’ and is ‘a pleasure to work with’, as is Guy Roots QC. Gregory Jones QC is a ‘truly consummate barrister with oodles of natural charm’ and is a ‘gem of the public law Bar’. Denis Edwards is ‘steadily building up a strong government practice across a range of public law areas’.

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 EU and competition EU and competition – Leading Silks

Within Education Education – Leading Juniors

Within Employment Employment – Leading Silks

Within Energy,

Also recommended are Hodge Malek QC* at 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square; Andrew Newcombe QC and Robert Fookes at FTB; and the ‘bright, responsive, and user-friendly’ Ciaran Keller at Maitland Chambers. *Hodge Malek QC is * now at Thirty Nine Essex Street).

Within Environment, FTB Francis Taylor Building is a first tier set,

FTB provides ‘excellent, speedy and pertinent advice at competitive fee rates’. ‘A real pleasure to work with’, Douglas Edwards QC is ‘excellent at handling all types of clients’, with expertise that covers private nuisance, the agricultural sector and the water industry. Recommended juniors include Meyric Lewis; James Pereira, who is ‘one of the best senior juniors at the set’; and Richard Honey, who is many clients’ ‘preferred junior counsel for environmental matters’.

Within Health and safety Health and safety – Leading Silks

Within Licensing, FTB Francis Taylor Building is a first tier set,

FTB is noted for its sheer number of heavyweights in the licensing arena; it has ‘tremendous strength in depth’. At silk level, Gerald Gouriet QC has a ‘polished and eloquent courtroom manner’ and is ‘streets ahead’ for gambling and liquor matters, and Kevin de Haan QC is highly regarded for his gambling expertise. David Matthias QC is ‘a committed fighter and articulate advocate’, and Simon Mehigan QC has a strong betting and gaming advisory practice. ‘Standout’ junior James Rankin is ‘without parallel’, and Gary Grant is ‘one of the licensing stars of the future’. Former solicitor Jeremy Phillips is ‘formidable in this area of law’, and Juan Lopez is a ‘fighter’.

Within Planning, FTB Francis Taylor Building is a second tier set,

FTB’s clerks are ‘very helpful’ and ‘open to sensible, mature discussions on all matters’. Robin Purchas QC offers ‘clearly articulated and commercial advice’ that is ‘of the highest quality’. Richard Phillips QC’s ‘exceptional knowledge in the waste field’ and ability ‘to master a brief in minute detail’ make him ‘the person to instruct on waste projects’. ‘Top London silk’ Michael Humphries QC is ‘well versed in direct consent orders and other forms of the consent process’. Leading junior James Pereira is ‘in constant demand’ for his ‘knowledge of all fields of planning law’, and impresses with his ‘diligence, legal strategy and advocacy’. The ‘thorough’ and ‘focused’ Hereward Phillpot has ‘an authoritative, yet collaborative style’ and ‘a clear approach to legal, evidential and policy issues’.

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