Six Pump Court > Maidstone, England > Set Profile
Six Pump Court Offices
Six Pump Court
6-8 MILL STREET
MAIDSTONE
ME15 6XH
England
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Six Pump Court > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Environment Tier 1
'Leading set in environmental law' Six Pump Court is well regarded for housing a team of 'specialists in environmental law'. In a prominent highlight for the set, a silk and two juniors - Stephen Hockman KC, Charles Morgan and Nicholas Ostrowski respectively - appeared before the Supreme Court in The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd v United Utilities Water Ltd, a case arising from longrunning litigation over alleged sewage discharges into the Manchester Ship Canal. The main issues in the case focus on the operation of the sewerage system in England and Wales, and the liability of undertakers for polluting discharges. In another matter, Christopher Badger is representing a waste recycling company in judicial review proceedings concerning the company's proposed exportation of hazardous waste to Norway.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Richard Constable and Ryan Barrow engage and take active control of case management.’
‘Richard Constable and Ryan Barrow are excellent. They make a formidable team.’
‘The clerks are all fantastic but Ryan Barrow really stands out – he is a pleasure to deal with, nothing ever feels too much trouble and he’s very proactive.’
‘The clerks provide an excellent service.’
‘This set punches above its weight and have a number of counsel who are absolutely at the top of the game.’
‘The set’s regulatory and environmental work is particularly strong.’
‘The clerks are highly efficient and proactive.’
‘I always feel in safe hands with the clerks at Six Pump Court.’
South Eastern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 1
Six Pump Court is an ‘excellent set with a wide range of talents and outstanding clerks’, with specific expertise in cases involving sexual offences and serious violent crime. The set, which is based in London and Maidstone, is particularly active in Kent. Danny Moore is defending a homeless woman charged with the murder of a homeless man, while Nina Ellin KC, who took silk in the 2023 round, successfully prosecuted a man who killed two and seriously injured three other members of the same family in a motor collision. Turning to the set's more junior names Emin Kandola secured the acquittal of two defendants alleged to have been involved in a prison mutiny.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Six Pump Court provide an excellent high-quality service in all areas of criminal work.’
‘Good quality criminal set with a very high profile, particularly in Kent. Chambers has both breadth and depth in prosecution and defence work.’
‘Six Pump Court have high-quality barristers who are very approachable and user-friendly.’
‘Six Pump Court is inevitable in criminal defence work and can cover a case listed at short notice.’
‘Six Pump Court as a whole, extremely accommodating. Michael Hearn is always very helpful and honest.’
‘The clerks go the extra mile to provide excellent service. Graham Colloff excels at ensuring that the client’s needs are met.’
Work highlights
South Eastern Circuit > Employment Tier 1
Six Pump Court chambers is praised for being ‘always on hand to provide expert advice and answer any questions that one has’ across the full spectrum of employment law, including on cases involving unfair dismissal, TUPE transfers, redundancy and deductions of wages. Grace Cullen handles work for claimants, including disability discrimination cases, and Gordon Menzies has been busy advising on cases involving allegations of race and disability discrimination.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Ryan Barrow and Daniel Jenkins are both very friendly and approachable and go the extra mile to help.’
‘Ryan Barrow is responsive and helpful.’
‘The clerks are friendly, approachable and very knowledgeable. They are always looking for a solution to a problem, even with last-minute instructions. Richard Constable and Ryan Barrow are a credit to Six Pump Court.’
‘The set is incredibly helpful and will offer assistance where they can. They also help at short notice and have always been a source of professional and reliable assistance for the firms.’
‘The chamber is really well run. The barristers and clerks are always willing to go the extra mile to assist when they can. They have a good selection of expertise and characters, which means they can cater for all types of matters and clients.’
‘The chamber is friendly and personable with available and supportive counsel.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Consumer Tier 2
Six Pump Court is well known for its expertise in handling regulatory matters, and fields a team with strength in advising on a broad range of consumer law issues. Mark Watson KC has a solid track record in prosecuting and defending in food safety cases, and Ian Thomas‘ ‘technical knowledge of the law on food safety and allergen labelling is excellent‘. Pascal Bates is a key name for environmental or safety-related consumer matters. David Hercock regularly defends national and multinational organisations against actions brought by regulatory bodies, such as the Food Standards Agency.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Richard Constable, Ryan Barrow and Michael Hearn are stand-out names.’
‘Michael Hearn works incredibly hard to provide an excellent service to all clients of the chambers.’
‘Richard Constable and Ryan Barrow are excellent.’
‘The service was excellent.’
‘The set is very knowledgeable on all regulatory matters.’
London Bar > Health and safety Tier 2
Six Pump Court is sought out by high profile clients, including multinational organisations, across a broad range of industries, such as manufacturing, rail, nuclear, maritime, construction and retail. Mark Watson KC prosecuted a manslaughter prosecution arising from a worker being fatally injured as a result of being run over by a reversing lorry. Mark Harris represented the Environment Agency in an inquest arising from the death of an employee of the organisation whilst felling trees near Shepperton Lock.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Richard Constable and Ryan Barrow in the clerks room are excellent at what they do. Not least, they make their work seem effortless, which is the sign of a very able clerk.’
‘The clerks provide the exact service you require, prompt and friendly, easy to communicate with.’
‘The clerks are always willing to go the extra mile and find a solution to a problem. The clerks are a credit to the set. They are approachable and friendly.’
‘The clerks are very good, proactive, personable and accommodating. Very prompt and contactable and always willing to help.’
‘The senior clerk Richard is extremely knowledgable and helpful. He is proactive in dealing with the crown court list offices and assists our paralegals immensely in ensuring the smooth progress of the case.’
‘Michael Hearn at 6 Pump Court is the best clerk I have worked with. He responds quickly to emails, is always willing to negotiate on fees and is friendly and approachable. ‘
‘6 Pump Court is a brilliant set. It has a large portfolio of health and safety lawyers, all of whom are dedicated and talented.’
‘I have always been extremely happy with the set as a whole. A decent bunch of people from the clerks all the way up to KC’s’
Work highlights
London Bar > Planning Tier 4
Six Pump Court is a ‘very capable set with a strong expertise in planning‘, bolstered by the chambers’ regulatory and environment teams. The set’s ‘wealth of planning barristers‘ acts for a wide range of clients, from private sector parties, such as landowners, developers, infrastructure providers and interested third parties, to local authority clients across England and Wales. William Upton KC represented the Mears Group in the high-profile case of East Riding of Yorkshire Council v Mears Group and others concerning the accommodation of asylum seekers in local hotels and the distinction between hotels and hostels under planning law. Megan Thomas KC has promoted several plans for local planning authorities, appearing at the examinations of the local plans for Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells – examples of the set’s strengths in the South East of England outside London.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Michael Hearn is a top-drawer clerk, highly likable and very professional.’
‘Michael Hearn at 6 Pump Court is the best clerk I have worked with. It is clear that Michael works incredibly hard to provide an excellent service to all the clients of the chambers, treating solicitors as valued customers. Daniel Jenkins, although very junior, is showing promise of becoming an excellent clerk.’
‘I regularly deal with Ryan Barrow who is my main point of contact. However, over time I have dealt with all the clerks who are all very accessible and helpful.’
‘The clerks at 6 Pump Court are excellent. Ryan Barrow in particular is always very quick to respond.’
‘6 Pump Court have a wealth of planning barristers; each barrister I have worked with has been friendly as well as extremely knowledgeable within their field. They run regular training events which are always excellent and very informative.’
‘Very capable set with a strong expertise in planning and members who will go the extra mile.’
‘All counsels that I have worked with have in-depth knowledge of planning law and they are able to explain in a clear manner any complexities that may arise. ‘
‘6 Pump Court is a set that is small by modern standards, but it does offer a breadth of experience and personal service.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Crime
Western Circuit > Planning and environment
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Costs
London Bar > Employment
Leading Juniors
Six Pump Court > Set Profile
This is one of the leading common law sets in London and the south east, with particular specialist expertise in civil and commercial, criminal, employment, family, inquests and inquiries, licensing personal injury, public, planning and environmental, and regulatory law.
The set: Chambers was founded in the 1920s and whilst originally recognised as a specialist criminal, civil and family set, has evolved to become one of the strongest sets in environmental, local government, planning, health and safety and all forms of regulatory law as well.
The profile of chambers and the quality of work continues to be maintained at a very high level. Six Pump Court has an ethos of approachability and friendliness, as well as strong administration that delivers solutions. It offers a first-class team of advocates and advisers.
Types of work undertaken
Regulatory and competition law: chambers prosecutes and defends regulatory criminal offences particularly health and safety (including the construction, energy and transport sectors), food, consumer protection/trading standards, licensing, intellectual property protection, environmental protection, and planning enforcement. All financial litigation including fraud, confiscation, corporate governance and financial conduct.
Public: members undertake a full range of judicial review and related advisory work, often with a planning/environmental or regulatory subject matter.
Planning and environmental: members appear for and against regulators and public authorities. Proceedings include public inquiries and regulatory criminal proceedings. The team has established a particular niche in relation to work on the interface between environmental, planning and human rights law.
Personal injury: chambers covers all aspects of personal injury for both claimants and defendants. Cases include employers’ liability, RTA, clinical negligence and professional negligence arising out of the conduct of claims. Claims at all levels of value are conducted from the earliest stages through to trial including settlement through ADR.
Inquests: members appear for the full range of interested persons (including regulators, employers, site operators and families) at inquests and inquiries, tackling the wider issues raised by Article 2 inquests and reports to prevent future deaths.
Family: members of the family team advise and appear in the private and public law arenas. In private cases dealing with financial and child care applications, including removal from the jurisdiction. The expertise in matrimonial finance extends to corporate, agricultural and high-value matters, including overseas trusts.
Employment: the team covers all aspects of employment law and provide a service that is available from advising on the formation of company disciplinary and grievance procedures through to representing at Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Criminal: the team has a proven track record in the whole range of criminal work from pre-charge advice onwards, both for the prosecution and the defence. It undertakes publicly and privately funded work. Members represent individuals and corporations (and officers thereof) in proceedings brought against them; and also undertakes private prosecutions brought by business and local authorities, as well as by the orthodox prosecuting agencies.
Civil and commercial: commercial disputes (including arbitration), professional negligence, and landlord and tenant work. The work is split between claimants and defendants and undertaken, inter alia, on behalf of a range of substantial insurers, public companies, local authorities and government departments.
For more information visit www.6pumpcourt.co.uk.
Languages spoken: French, German, Russian and Japanese.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior clerk | Richard Constable | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOCKMAN KC, Stephen (1970) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRIFFITHS KC, Robert (1974) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BARRACLOUGH KC, Richard (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | THOMAS KC, Megan (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | UPTON KC, William | ||
| Members of Chambers | WATSON KC, Mark (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WRIGHT KC, Richard (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ARMSTRONG, Grant (1978) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MORGAN, Charles (1978) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRIS, Mark (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Anne (1980) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BALDOCK, Nicholas (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TAYLOR, Paul (1985) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WIGNALL, Gordon (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FORBES, Peter (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MOORHOUSE, Brendon (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | THOMAS, Ian (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOGBEN, Paul (1993) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ELLIN, Nina (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MOORE, Danny (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BATES, Pascal (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ALCOCK, Peter (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STERN, Thomas (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BEARD, Mark (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROBINSON, Tanya (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BANWELL, Richard (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MENZIES, Gordon William (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FITZGERALD, John (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BENNETT, Lee (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DUNN, Tom (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NICHOLSON, Amy (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LUTTMAN, Lucy (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HERCOCK, David (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ATKINSON, Giles (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JESSOP, Stuart (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STEVENSON, Daniel (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BADGER, Christopher (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BYRD, Noémi (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CULLEN, Grace (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NICHOLSON, Amy (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KHAN, Thaiza (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | IRWIN, Ben (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STRACHAN, Nicola (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CROWDY, Isabella (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRAND, Kieran (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | REES PHILLIPS, Ian (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | OSTROWSKI, Nicholas (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Fiona (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EVANS, Craig (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROKAD, Angelica (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | KANDOLA, Emin (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HAUSDORFF, Natasha (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DAVIES, Mark (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | McBARNET, William (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FOXWELL, Jessica (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRISON, James (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DOBBIE, Alice (2007)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOTHAM, William (2009)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | McGRENERA KC, Noelle (1978)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALKER KC, STEVEN (2008)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | WOOD, Simon (2001)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | REED, Kristiina (2013)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | MORAN KC, Andrew (1976)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUMPHREYS KC, Richard (1986)* |
Diversity
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
Chambers is committed to the principle of equality of opportunity without discrimination.
We are committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion (‘EDI’) amongst all our members and staff.
In relation to all our recruitment exercises, we encourage and welcome applications from women, people of minority ethnic origin and people with disabilities, as well as candidates from other groups which are underrepresented in the legal sector.
Our EDI policies and procedures are intended to support and facilitate our underlying commitment on a day to day basis. A copy of Chambers’ overarching Equality and Diversity Policy may be viewed here
An Equality and Diversity Officer and a Diversity Data Officer are appointed in Chambers. Lee Bennett is our Equality and Diversity Officer and Grace Cullen is our Diversity Data Officer.
We also have a Steering Group set up to further consider and review EDI matters including, amongst others, race and the position of women at the Bar and in Chambers.
We recognise that to ensure the effective implementation of our policies and to realise an equal, diverse and inclusive workplace in Chambers we must all work to that end.
We also recognise that the Bar needs to make better progress in encouraging people from diverse backgrounds to enter the profession. Members of Chambers accept this as a responsibility we can all commit to.
Regularly monitoring diversity data is one tool we use. In accordance with the Bar Standards Board Handbook, we collect and publish the results of our diversity data monitoring exercises. The results of this and more detail on our policies can be viewed here
PRO BONO
“Pro bono” work is legal advice and representation provided free of charge, for clients of limited financial means, in the public interest. Clients can be individuals or groups – for example community campaign or interest groups.
Our members regularly accept pro bono instructions, usually through other organisations like Advocate, the Environmental Law Foundation, and Planning Aid, in all areas of chambers’ work but particularly Public and Administrative Law, Planning, and Environment.
For example, Grace Cullen is an honorary legal assistant providing regular advice and drafting for clients at Citizen’s Advice. Nicholas Ostrowski has successfully represented an asylum-seeker in judicial review proceedings, a local authority tenant in a dispute about water charges (securing a pro bono costs order for several thousand pounds), and has also advised an environmental water charity on changes to the Environment Bill as it travelled through Parliament, to protect watercourses from discharges from combined sewer overflows. Noémi Byrd and James Harrison have also worked pro bono in environmental cases, on planning judicial review and noise nuisance respectively.