The Legal 500

Chambers of James Goss QC

6 PARK SQUARE, LEEDS, LS1 2LW, ENGLAND

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

North Eastern Circuit

Within Commercial, insolvency and property,

No. 6’s Andrew Mitchell continues to receive instructions from leading commercial firms and is highly regarded for dealing with niche claims such as cable damage and construction disputes. David Rose has a particular strength in probate work and was involved in the landlord and tenant case Perriam Ltd v Wayne & Daly.

Within Crime,

Richard Wright of No. 6 is thought of by many instructing solicitors as ‘the standout junior’, along with Kama Melley. Head of chambers Rodney Jameson QC continues to attract instructions in heavyweight crime. Highlights for the sought-after Richard Mansel included the successful prosecution in R v Peter Brown. Andrew Dallas remains a strong junior.

Within Employment,

No. 6’s employment team includes the well-respected Nicholas Hill and Mark Gargan, who is frequently instructed on complex issues (including teacher stress claims) on behalf of local authorities.

Within Family,

No. 6’s Natalia Korobowicz is ‘outstanding’ with an ability to be ‘insightful and persuasive’ in the courtroom. Other names of note include Jill Troy, Charles Prest, Adam Wilson and Stephen Switalski.

Within Overview , No. 6 (Chambers of James Goss QC) is a second tier firm,

Chancery House Chambers has seen a number of defections of late to Exchange Chambers, a new player in the Leeds market, but remains a strong set. No. 6 continues to house ‘strong advocates’, and St Paul’s Chambers maintains its ‘great reputation’ through its ‘proficient and hardworking’ individuals. Clients praise Trinity Chambers’ ‘excellence’ although, some note inconsistencies. However, the set has been strengthened by a number of key arrivals during 2010. The clerks are ‘reliable’ and ‘easy to communicate with’.


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.
    - 11KBW
  • 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.
    - 11KBW
  • 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.
    - 11KBW
  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW
  • 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.
    - 11KBW
  • 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.
    - 11KBW
  • 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: