The Legal 500

Within Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police), Tooks Chambers (Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC and Patrick Roche) is a second tier firm,

Offering ‘absolutely fantastic service’, the ‘prestigious’ Tooks Chambers is a ‘very good public law set’ rated for its experience advising on inquests, mental health, prison and police law, and immigration cases. The clerks, led by Martin Parker, are ‘excellent and accommodating’. Head of chambers Michael Mansfield QC is highly recommended, and ‘exceptionally insightful’ co-head Patrick Roche has ‘unwavering commitment to clients’ and ‘impressive tactical acumen’. 2010 silk Hugh Southey QC is a ‘brilliant technical lawyer with a thorough knowledge of human rights law at his fingertips’. ‘Among the cleverest juniors at the bar’, Adam Straw has an ‘impressive knowledge of inquest law’ and produces ‘novel and compelling arguments’. Amanda Weston is ‘excellent’, and Paul Troop is ‘extremely talented’.

Within Crime, Tooks Chambers (Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC and Patrick Roche) is a third tier firm,

Tooks Chambers is a ‘hardworking set’, which has ‘good cover throughout the ranks’. Michael Mansfield QC’s ‘commitment to unpopular causes and cases has raised his profile to that of a celebrity, not least because in so many cases he has been proven right’. Stephen Kamlish QC ‘is committed, hardworking and tenacious, and does not fear becoming unpopular with judges or other lawyers if it is in the interests of his clients’. Danielle Cooper is also recommended – ‘under her easy, fluid delivery lurks a fast mind and a tough constitution’.

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 Immigration (including business immigration), Tooks Chambers (Chambers of Michael Mansfield QC and Patrick Roche) is a third tier firm,

At Tooks Chambers, new silk Hugh Southey QC is ‘a brave and creative advocate, with excellent tactical judgement’. Rebecca Chapman is ‘very sensitive to clients’ concerns, and quick thinking’; Glen Hodgetts is ‘extremely thorough and will often go the extra mile in case preparation’; and Amanda Weston ‘rapidly identifies the issues and finds novel solutions’. Grace Brown has ‘deep expertise’, and Abigail Smith ‘remains amazingly calm in a crisis and instinctively takes the right course of action’.

Within Other New Silks Other New Silks