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Data Protection

1
11KBW
2
5RB
Matrix Chambers
Monckton Chambers
3
39 Essex Chambers
Blackstone Chambers

Leading Silks

1
Andrew Caldecott KC –5RB
Charles Ciumei KC – Essex Court Chambers ‘He has proven to be innovative and practical in his approach, as well as highly intellectual. He is very approachable and a great communicator.’
Catrin Evans KC –Matrix Chambers ‘Brilliant advocate with excellent technical knowledge. Superb instincts and judgment. Balances technical understanding with sound commercial advice.’ 
Gerry Facenna KC –Monckton Chambers ‘Extremely practical, responsive, and client friendly. His understanding of the ICO is first class, as is his broader experience of dealing with regulators.’
Timothy Pitt-Payne KC –11KBW ‘Very thorough and clear. Fantastically prepared for hearings. Excellent advocacy.’
Anya Proops KC –11KBW ‘An amazingly strong legal brain, very adept in navigating difficult and unknown areas of data breach. A first rate advocate and tough as nails in cross examination.’
Hugh Tomlinson KC –Matrix Chambers ‘Hugh is a walking encyclopaedia. Also an excellent advocate and cross-examiner.’
Antony White KC –Matrix Chambers ‘Very strong data privacy lawyer, very much at the top of this field.’
2
Jason Coppel KC –11KBW
Philip Coppel KC –Cornerstone Barristers ‘Philip is the barrister any client would be lucky to have on their team. His advice is clear and pragmatic. His advocacy is persuasive and well structured.’
Rory Dunlop KC –39 Essex Chambers ‘An outstanding advocate. He is very clever, pragmatic and commanding.‘
James Eadie KC –Blackstone Chambers
Kate Gallafent KC –Blackstone Chambers
Julian Milford KC –11KBW ‘A great combination of intellectual and sharp but in a client friendly and team player oriented package. Overall a superb operator!‘
Justin Rushbrooke KC –5RB
Andrew Sharland KC –11KBW ‘A robust and confident advocate, with a keen understanding of the legal issues at the heart of a case.'
Adam Speker KC –5RB 'Adam provides commercial and practical advice.'
Victoria Wakefield KC –Brick Court Chambers ‘Victoria is an exceptionally talented barrister. Judges trust her and are persuaded by her.'

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC –Doughty Street Chambers
Estelle Dehon KC –Cornerstone Barristers ‘A highly experienced data protection expert who delivers practical compliance advice and excellent strategy on breach-handling.’
Aidan Eardley KC –5RB
Sara Mansoori KC –Matrix Chambers ‘Simply the go-to person for anything relating to the GDPR. She knows the law inside out and is a formidable advocate.’

Leading Juniors

1
Edward Craven –Matrix Chambers ‘He is incredibly knowledgeable. A total pleasure to work with. His knowledge of the workings of the Supreme Court is second-to-none.'
David Glen –11KBW ‘Exceptional analytical ability. Can convey detailed advice on complex issues clearly and succinctly.'
Robin Hopkins –11KBW ‘He is bright, willing to argue his corner, and happy to debate points of law.'
Christopher Knight –11KBW ‘Unparalleled junior barrister in data protection and FOIA. His advocacy is advocacy that judges and tribunals trust.' 
Julianne Kerr Morrison –Monckton Chambers
Rupert Paines –11KBW ‘Rupert is a real subject matter expert. He is deservedly the go to junior counsel for substantial data privacy disputes.'
Jonathan Scherbel-Ball –5RB
2
Julian Blake –11KBW ‘Julian has a superb grasp of the technicalities of information law, coupled with an unparalleled ability to recall details of an intricate and long-running dispute. Julian's advice is clear, concise and practical. As an advocate, Julian is quick-thinking, confident and persuasive.'
Heather Emmerson –11KBW
Clara Hamer –5RB 'Clara is exceptionally high quality. Her tactical acumen, attention to detail, analysis and communication skills are absolutely outstanding - she never misses anything. And her oral advocacy is excellent.'
Laura Elizabeth John –Monckton Chambers ‘Excellent, effective advocate. Very good at presenting complex issues in a clear way. Always a pleasure to work with.‘
Hannah Ready –11KBW ‘Hannah is good at dealing with clients and approachable, having an easy and straightforward manner. Her oral advocacy is particularly impressive, as she marshals complex arguments in a clear and straightforward style.‘
Gayatri Sarathy –Blackstone Chambers 'Gayatri is supremely talented, has huge intellectual ability and prepares arguments with precision. Her written work is masterful.'
Ben Silverstone –Matrix Chambers ‘Ben's advice is sensible, useable and fast. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the data protection legislation and always has a creative solution.'
3
Tom Cross –11KBW
Jacob Dean –5RB
Ian Helme –Matrix Chambers 'A very detailed knowledge of the area. Proactive, thinks through issues, is very committed and a pleasure to deal with.'
Stephen Kosmin – 11KBW
Peter Lockley –11KBW ‘Peter is an all-round star. He is thoughtful and thorough in his strategic thinking and pleading, engaged and attentive with clients, and forensic in his cross examination.‘
Felicity McMahon –5RB 'Very bright and knowledgeable, but what is particularly appealing is her down to earth nature and teamwork.  She tells it how it is but always in a clear and client friendly manner. Felicity is a calm and collected advocate, particularly notable when dealing with opponent litigants in person.'
Ravi Mehta –Blackstone Chambers 'Ravi is excellent and fantastic to work with. His approach is innovative and incredibly hard-working.'
Eric Metcalfe – Monckton Chambers 'He is very analytical and attentive to detail. His written work is extremely persuasive. He also handles tough questioning from judges really well.'
David Mitchell – 39 Essex Chambers
Richard Munden –5RB
Claire Overman –Doughty Street Chambers ‘She provides very practical advice and possesses excellent judgement, being able to read the court and her opponents well. Her written work is concise and very compelling, and she has a gentle authority.’
Zac Sammour –11KBW ‘Zac is exceptionally bright, has an incredible work ethic and demonstrates abilities well beyond his year of call. Zac is a complete star and absolutely someone you want on your team.‘
Kate Wilson –5RB

Rising Stars

Jen Coyne – 11KBW
Ben Hamer – 5RB 'Ben has a depth of knowledge that is years beyond his call and an ability to demonstrate his expertise through written work and advocacy of the highest standard. He combines this with being unwaveringly calm, personable and courteous.'
Daniel Isenberg –11KBW ‘Very strong on data protection law and also on technical side of data breaches. Good overall understanding of issues, both practical and legal.‘
Will Perry – Monckton Chambers ‘Will is really friendly, picks things up quickly and is very thorough in his work.'
Aidan Wills – Matrix Chambers 'Aidan has extensive knowledge and understanding of data protection law and the overlapping areas, as well as good judgement. He is a good communicator and is able to deliver advice in an accessible manner to clients.'

Data protection in London Bar

11KBW

11KBW stands out for being the ‘the go-to set for data protection‘, with a range of practitioners focused on information law. Considered ‘a first rate advocate‘, Anya Proops KC, leading Rupert Paines and Daniel Isenberg, acted on behalf of BA in Various Claimants v British Airways Plc, a group litigation action in the High Court in relation to a cyber-attack on the airline, for which it has been fined by the ICO. In addition, ‘exceptionally bright‘ Zac Sammour represented the Chinese-owned social media company in SMO v TikTok, a representative claim brought by a large collection of users concerning the app’s use of the personal information of British children.

Testimonials

Set

‘Real market leaders on data protection/data law issues.‘

‘The go-to set for data protection.‘

‘Very experienced and respected counsel in this area who is effective all round and commands the confidence of clients and also the courts.‘

‘11KBW is the clear leader in the ‘information law’ space, with a number of top KCs and juniors.‘

‘11KBW is pre-eminent data and privacy set. All have same combination of keen intellect and client friendly approach.‘

Clerking

‘Very good service from the clerks.‘

‘The service provided by clerks is first class – Chris Smith in particular is helpful, knowledgeable and astute.‘

‘Lee Cutler outstanding. Friendly and responsive.‘

‘The clerks are great – Mark Dann is always very responsive.‘

‘Excellent. Mark Dann is brilliant senior clerk and runs a tight, helpful and responsive ship.‘

5RB

As a ‘main set in this area‘, members of 5RB appear in a range of FOIA request, appeals, ICO investigations, and data protection regulatory matters.  Jonathan Barnes KC represented the Duchess of Sussex in Duchess of Sussex v Splash, a privacy and data protection claim arising from the syndication of paparazzi photographs taken of the Duchess and her son. Jonathan Scherbel-Ball represented Newsquest Media Group in judicial review proceedings concerning a purported anonymity and privacy order in relation to a dismissed police officer. In ZXC v Bloomberg LP, Clara Hamer acted on behalf of Bloomberg in the Supreme Court in a high-profile privacy and data protection claim.

Testimonials

Set 

‘Great defendant-oriented set for public law and information law.‘

‘5RB is a main set in this area.‘

Work highlights

    Matrix Chambers

    Matrix Chambers stands out for being ‘at the forefront of data protection work‘, with its members acting in matters involving media organisations, public authorities and companies. Pitted against Hugh Tomlinson, Antony White KC,  and Edward Craven acted on behalf of the defendant in Lloyd v Google, a class action before the Supreme Court concerning cookies on iPhone devices. Catrin Evans KC acted for techUK in Google LLC v Lloyd, intervening successfully on the side of the claimant on a data breach matter regarding representative claims under the Data Protection Act 1998. In addition, White represented the defendant in ZXC v Bloomberg, appearing against Craven before the Supreme Court in a landmark case surrounding a question of whether criminal suspects have a reasonable expectation of privacy as to the existence of the investigation.

    Testimonials

    Set  

    ‘All are a joy to work with as they are knowledgeable, modern, and have a great understanding of how traditional legal issues apply in the 21st century.’    

    ‘They have an excellent practise in the field of data protection and privacy combined with commercially savvy clerks and counsel.’

    ‘Matrix are outstanding in this area. There is an excellent selection of brilliant barristers, who also have skills in complimentary areas.’

    ‘The set as a whole is very strong in data protection and privacy law, with a sizeable number of counsel specialising in this area.’ 

    ‘Matrix are clearly at the forefront of data protection work.’   

    Clerking

    ‘The clerks are attentive. They work hard to provide a good service.’   

    ‘Faultless. Always available and a pleasure to deal with.’      

    ‘Chris Beard has been quick and efficient; Nina Russell is courteous, organised and client-friendly. All of the clerks have been great in my experience.’ 

    ‘The set seems to be a very slickly run operation. Alison Scanes is an excellent professional, very personable and keen to assist. George Hack is also very good and always keen to assist.’ 

    Monckton Chambers

    Considered a ‘leading chambers in terms of data breaches‘, the barristers at Monckton Chambers often act in cases involving the ICO. Gerry Facenna KC represented the ICO, an intervener,  before the Supreme Court in Lloyd v Google. Julianne Kerr Morrison successfully acted on behalf of the claimant in Open Rights Group and the3million v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a judicial review within the scope of a a new exemption applicable to immigration control, focusing on the degree of compliance of the Data Protection Act 2018 with the GDPR.

    Testimonials

    Set

    ‘Moncktons is an incredibly impressive set of chambers with a number of outstanding barristers. They are very client focused and provide excellent service in all respects. Absolutely top notch!‘

    ‘Monckton Chambers are definitely a leading chambers in terms of data breaches.‘

    ‘Monckton have real strength in depth in a wide range of practice areas, including data protection.‘

    ‘Moncktons are a really strong set. You know you are in safe hands.‘

    ‘They have always provided an excellent service in relation to regulatory enforcement actions. Good strength in depth.‘

    Clerking

    ‘Gemma Rawlinson is extremely helpful and understanding of last minute requests.‘

    ‘Excellent and always helpful and friendly.‘

    ‘The clerks are always helpful and respond promptly to any enquiries.‘

    ‘I have found them to be very organised, diligent and helpful.‘

    Work highlights

      39 Essex Chambers

      With expertise in matters relating to the Freedom of Information Act, the barristers at 39 Essex Chambers often handle matters in the public and regulatory law sphere. In Maurizi v ICO & CPS, Rory Dunlop KC, who is widely regarded as ‘an outstanding advocate‘, successfully represented the Crown Prosecution Service in an appeal brought to the Upper Tribunal, stemming from the CPS’ refusal to disclose emails in connection to Julian Assange. In addition, David Mitchell acted for the defendant in Lownie v Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office & ICO, a case concerning the public body’s refusal to provide records on Guy Burgess, a member of the Cambridge spy ring from the 1930s through to his defection to the Soviet Union in 1951.

      Testimonials

      Set 

      ‘The set has hosted some useful and interesting webinars in relation to information law matters.‘

      Clerking

      ‘The clerks are professional, friendly and respond in a timely manner.‘

      ‘Anthony King is particularly helpful and does his utmost to secure us with appropriate Counsel as quickly as possible.‘

      Blackstone Chambers

      The practitioners at Blackstone Chambers are active across a variety of data protection and FOIA matters. Kate Gallafent KC advises various institutions within the Catholic Church of England and Wales on the applicable data protection framework within the context of statutory inquiry and subject order requests. In Big Brother Watch and ors. v United Kingdom, Ravi Mehta represented a campaign group in a challenge to British communication surveillance legislation in the European Court of Human Rights, a case spilling over from the Edward Snowden leaks.

      Testimonials

      Set

      ‘All the barristers at Blackstone Chambers are of a very high quality. They never disappoint.‘

      ‘This is one of the most experienced sets with some of the country’s leading silks and most talented juniors.‘

      ‘Excellent.‘

      Clerking

      ‘Responsive and helpful.‘

      ‘The chambers set-up is slick and helpful, they are entirely responsive.‘