Michael Ashcroft KC
Twenty Essex‘With strong analytical skills and very clear written communications, he has a manner and calm authority that persuades judges and tribunals to listen to him.’
Commodities
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Michael Collett KC
Twenty Essex‘Very hard-working, and exceptionally polite and calm, he has an impressive ability to communicate his knowledge to solicitors, clients, courts and tribunals.’
Timothy Hill KC
Twenty Essex‘A tenacious and an excellent advocate, and one of the very best for commodities disputes. He has first-rate knowledge and shows incredible attention to detail in his hearing preparation.’
Simon Rainey KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Simon is a brain. His approach is one of practical and commercial experience applying the law at every step. He is excellent to work and that is an unrivalled trait for a barrister so senior.’
Richard Southern KC
7 King’s Bench Walk'He has very good judgment, a pleasant courtroom demeanour, and is on top of the details.’
Timothy Young KC
Twenty Essex‘Frighteningly clever, very inventive, and a good cross-examiner.’
Simon Croall KC
Quadrant Chambers‘He understands the client very well and his advice is always helpful. He works hard to provide his feedback efficiently.’
Peter MacDonald Eggers KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘A real market-leader. Peter is a first-class silk with a huge intellect.’
Siobán Healy KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘Very thorough with high-level legal analysis, she is always balanced and focuses on the relevant questions.’
Chirag Karia KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Chirag’s written work is clear and thorough and he is good to work with.’
Stephen Kenny KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘Stephen is super to work with. He gets to the heart of an issue and is highly commercial.’
Charles Kimmins KC
Twenty Essex‘He is exceptionally user-friendly, particularly when breaking down complicated points of law for the lay client. He is also excellent in court.’
David Lewis KC
Twenty Essex‘Simply outstanding and a pleasure to deal with, his greatest strength is his ability to reach clear, concise, commercial conclusions on complex and high-value problems in prompt fashion.’
Duncan Matthews KC
Twenty Essex‘He has a firm, clear grasp of the law and a conscientious approach to getting on top of the facts.’
Sean O’Sullivan KC
4 Pump Court
John Russell KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Excellent on paper and on his feet, he is insightful and succinct, and he has a gift for getting the judge on his side from the outset.’
David Allen KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘David is an excellent silk who brings real insight. He is accessible, straight-talking, and pragmatic, and when you instruct him, you know you have him 100%.’
Nicholas Craig KC
3 Verulam Buildings'Nick is smart, responsive and commercially minded, and his advocacy is focused and persuasive.'
Philip Edey KC
Twenty Essex‘Philip is an absolute dream to work with: fantastic at client handling, a wonderful leader and a class act on his feet.’
Julian Kenny KC
Twenty Essex
Jawdat Khurshid KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘Jawdat shows clarity of thought, a personable and collaborative approach, confidence, and a firmness of view.’
Yash Kulkarni KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Calm and measured on his feet and a shrewd tactician, he is much liked and respected by courts and tribunals and gets them on his side quickly.’
Sara Masters KC
Twenty Essex‘Sara is very measured, calm, sensible and very efficient, and she manages proceedings with ease.’
Michael Nolan KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Michael is strong on the law, providing sharp and incisive legal advice in a user-friendly manner. He is always alive to the commercial background to a dispute.’
Luke Parsons KC
Quadrant Chambers‘He is extremely clever and able very quickly get to the heart of legally and factually complex cases. He has a real gift for expressing complicated points in a concise fashion.’
Alistair Schaff KC
7 King’s Bench Walk‘He shows clear and precise legal analysis and presentation, and has in-depth knowledge of the law.’
Vasanti Selvaratnam KC
The 36 Group‘Her legal acumen is undeniable, she is meticulous in her preparation, and her courtroom presence is confident and effective.’
Guy Blackwood KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Guy is knowledgeable and able to express submissions and conduct cross-examination in a succinct and focused manner. He has an engaging manner and is a pleasure to listen to.’
Stewart Buckingham KC
Quadrant Chambers
Henry Byam-Cook KC
Twenty Essex‘Calm, insightful, and responsive, Henry has a very natural style of advocacy.’
Nigel Eaton KC
Essex Court Chambers
Philippa Hopkins KC
Essex Court Chambers‘Fiercely intelligent and an excellent advocate, orally and in writing, Philippa is a real asset to the team.’
Adam Kramer KC
3 Verulam Buildings‘Adam is an outstanding silk and an excellent cross-examiner who has a really impressive intellect and is all over the detail of case.’
Simon Milnes KC
Twenty Essex‘An exceptional advocate who combines legal expertise with a practical, results-driven approach. His ability to simplify and clearly communicate intricate legal issues really stands out.’
Luke Pearce KC
Twenty Essex‘Luke is a first-rate junior silk whose legal analysis is always insightful and spot on. He is an ideal choice for tricky disputes where mastery of the detail is imperative.’
Fionn Pilbrow KC
Brick Court Chambers‘Fionn is a smooth and persuasive advocate who holds the confidence of the tribunal.’
Nathan Pillow KC
Essex Court Chambers‘Nathan can take anything and make it better, and his ability to read judges is second to none.’
Philip Riches KC
Twenty Essex‘Philip is always calm and presents advice and options in a measured and clear way, and deals with technically complex issues in a clear and concise manner.’
Chris Smith KC
Quadrant Chambers‘He listens, is responsive, and provides helpful insights. He is also incredibly sharp and excellent on his feet, both in submission and cross-examination.’
2026 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Oliver Caplin KC
Twenty Essex‘Oli’s great advantages are his ability to give clear, commercial advice, his willingness to make himself available at short notice, and his mindfulness of the strategy for a whole dispute.’
Josephine Davies KC
Twenty Essex‘Josephine is incredibly hardworking and thinks strategically and carefully. She provides practical and succinct advice and never stops turning a problem over in her mind.’
Paul Toms KC
Quadrant Chambers‘Paul is an outstanding advocate, precise and incisive. He brings a great deal of clarity and strategic thinking to every case.’
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Angharad Parry KC
Twenty Essex‘Intelligent, responsive and approachable, her written work is extremely good - clear, concise and persuasive, even under time pressure.’
David Walsh KC
Essex Court Chambers‘An outstanding new silk with excellent written skills and an incredible ability to get to the heart of complex matters.’