The Legal 500

Within Administrative and public law (including local government),

Also recommended are: ‘one of the best community care barristers in practice’ Hilton Harrop-Griffiths at Field Court Chambers; Kerry Bretherton and the ‘highly diplomatic’ Barbara Hewson at Hardwicke for Court of Protection matters; the ‘really impressive’ Robin Tam QC and the ‘encyclopaedic’ Nicholas Moss at Temple Garden Chambers; and the ‘very concise’ Hugo Keith QC, the ‘methodical and thorough’ Richard Horwell QC, the ‘exceptionally bright and incisive’ Patrick Gibbs QC and ‘brilliant tactician’ James Lewis QC at Three Raymond Buildings.

Within Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police) Civil liberties and human rights – Leading Juniors

Within Crime, Three Raymond Buildings (Chambers of Alexander Cameron QC) is a first tier firm,

Three Raymond Buildings is ‘one of the top sets for extradition, fraud and criminal work’. Head of chambers Alexander Cameron QC is ‘very strong’, as is Patrick Gibbs QC, who ‘has a wonderful advocate’s voice’. Richard Horwell QC joined from Cloth Fair Chambers, and brings with him a significant track record in appellate cases, and Trevor Burke QC arrived from Charter Chambers. Since taking silk in 2009, Hugo Keith QC has cemented his reputation for his ‘solid-gold intellect coupled with a voracious work ethic’. Hugh Davies’ ‘sensitive handling of emotional situations and robust approach to situations which need firmer resolution’ make him an ideal candidate for prosecuting child exploitation and human trafficking cases. Richard Wormald is ‘unflappable in a crisis’.

Within Fraud: crime (including money laundering and asset forfeiture), Three Raymond Buildings (Chambers of Alexander Cameron QC) is a first tier firm,

Three Raymond Buildings is a ‘first-class set, with excellent clerking to complement its excellent barristers’. 2010 saw the arrival of Richard Horwell QC from Cloth Fair Chambers, who is ‘an exceptionally talented counsel with a huge breadth of experience’, and Trevor Burke QC, who joined from Charter Chambers, and recently led the defence in a £500m fraud claim against various international banks. ‘Quite simply a class act’, Patrick Gibbs QC’s ‘outstanding ability is reflected in the quality of the work he undertakes’. James Lewis QC has ‘a clarity of judgement and wisdom that few can match’. Jonathan Ashley-Norman ‘argues on his feet as strongly as he does on the page’. Neil Saunders has ‘a very thorough knowledge of forensic matters and experience of criminal litigation at all levels’. Ben Brandon has ‘vast and practical knowledge of extradition and regulatory offences’, and ‘all-round good advocate’ Nicholas Yeo has continued to act in large money laundering and VAT fraud cases. Philip Hackett QC joined Argent Chambers.

Within Health and safety Health and safety – Leading Juniors

Within Licensing, Three Raymond Buildings (Chambers of Alexander Cameron QC) is a first tier firm,

Three Raymond Buildings is ‘accommodating and exceedingly commercial’. Stephen Walsh QC is ‘always practical and commercial’ and ‘the QC to go to for complex licensing, gambling and regulatory cases’. Michael Bromley-Martin QC is also recommended. Among the juniors, Richard Wormald has the ‘absolute confidence’ of instructing solicitors, and Saba Naqshbandi is ‘very bright, hardworking, dedicated and good with clients. She is very persuasive, yet measured. Her written work and her advocacy are both top class’. The ‘robust and excellent’ Sarah Le Fevre is ‘a very good advocate and tactician. She has a wealth of experience running her own licensed premises which shows in grasping crucial points and giving excellent commercial advice’. Matthew Butt is ‘an excellent academic barrister who provides reasoned, constructive and practical advice’.

Within Professional discipline and regulatory law (including police law), Three Raymond Buildings (Chambers of Alexander Cameron QC) is a third tier firm,

Three Raymond Buildings is a ‘first-class set of chambers’ where the ‘clerks always strive to be of assistance’. The ‘highly intelligent’ Patrick Gibbs QC was the lead advocate for British Transport Police and its individual officer witnesses in the 7/7 inquests. Hugh Davies is ‘very professional, calm and assertive’.

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