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.

1
David Allen KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
‘David is exceptional. He is clear, very direct and tells it how it is. He is a robust advocate, who is very good at focusing on the key issues.’
1
Sean Brannigan KC
4 Pump Court
‘First an amazing advocate, second a brilliant strategist. A fierce intellect, a gritty fighter and a great manager, Sean is user-friendly and combines a UK and international practice with ease.’

1
Veronique Buehrlen KC
Keating Chambers
1
Helen Davies KC
Brick Court Chambers
1
Stephen Dennison KC
Atkin Chambers
1
Alexander Gunning KC
One Essex Court
1
Mark Howard KC
Brick Court Chambers
1
Simon Hughes KC
Keating Chambers
1
Paul Key KC
Essex Court Chambers
1
John McCaughran KC
One Essex Court
1
Luke Parsons KC
Quadrant Chambers
‘He is extremely clever and able very quickly get to the heart of complex cases. An excellent advocate with a real gift for expressing complicated points in a concise and easy-to-follow fashion.’

1
Laurence Rabinowitz KC
One Essex Court
‘The leading appellate court advocate for energy cases. A class act.’

1
Simon Rainey KC
Quadrant Chambers
‘Simon provides very insightful analysis, and tremendous legal and commercial judgement.’

1
David Streatfeild-James KC
Atkin Chambers
1
Daniel Toledano KC
One Essex Court
1
Andrew White KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Michael Ashcroft KC
Twenty Essex
2
Stuart Catchpole KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Alain Choo Choy KC
One Essex Court
2
Stephen Cogley KC
4 Pump Court
‘Stephen is one of the best commercial barristers in the City. He is a brilliant advocate - bold, aggressive and thoughtful, and a go-to barrister on challenging matters.’
2
Anneliese Day KC
Fountain Court Chambers
2
Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Vernon Flynn KC
Brick Court Chambers
‘The best in the business, the man you need on your side in court, he can sweet talk the most difficult judge with effortless charm. A brilliant leader who just nails it every time he is on his feet.’
2
Lucy Garrett KC
Keating Chambers
2
Karim Ghaly KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Lord Grabiner KC
One Essex Court
2
Sa’ad Hossain KC
One Essex Court
2
James Howells KC
Atkin Chambers
2
David Lewis KC
Twenty Essex
‘David is extremely clear in communicating complex legal opinions and, importantly, has a good grasp of clients’ commercial considerations. He is a great advocate, being calm under pressure.’

2
Simon Lofthouse KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Harry Matovu KC
Brick Court Chambers
‘He is the gold standard. His analytical capacity and advocacy is stellar, and he is second to none.’

2
Sean O’Sullivan KC
4 Pump Court
‘Very user-friendly and approachable. He is a very effective cross-examiner with strong oral and written advocacy.’

2
Jeffery Onions KC
One Essex Court
2
Andrew Rigney KC
Crown Office Chambers
2
David Thomas KC
Keating Chambers
2
Stephen Tromans KC
39 Essex Chambers
‘Stephen is simply the best nuclear barrister in the UK. His knowledge of international and UK nuclear regulation runs deep and the strength of his advocacy comes from the fact that he just knows everything.’

2
Steven Walker KC
Atkin Chambers
2
Sean Wilken KC
Keating Chambers
leader.’

3
Rachel Ansell KC
4 Pump Court

3
Monica Carss-Frisk KC
Blackstone Chambers
3
Serena Cheng KC
Atkin Chambers
3
Rupert Choat KC
Atkin Chambers
3
Nigel Cooper KC
Quadrant Chambers
3
Simon Croall KC
Quadrant Chambers
3
Nicholas Dennys KC
Atkin Chambers
‘Nick is wonderfully calm and has always makes himself available to assist wherever possible. He is an extremely articulate and intelligent advocate and is a pleasure to deal with.’
3
Graham Dunning KC
Essex Court Chambers
3
Jonathan Gaisman KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
‘Probably the best advocate of his generation. Always on top of the detail.

3
Charles Graham KC
One Essex Court
3
Alexander Hickey KC
4 Pump Court

3
Stephen Hofmeyr KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
3
Philippa Hopkins KC
Essex Court Chambers
3
Timothy Howe KC
Fountain Court Chambers
‘Tim is first-class when grappling with complex issues of contractual construction.  He works cohesively in a team environment, which is rare for a silk of his stature and seniority.’
3
Adrian Hughes KC
39 Essex Chambers
‘He is always reliable and trustful. He is able to manage the case efficiently, and his advocacy is always persuasive.’

3
Daniel Jowell KC
Brick Court Chambers
3
Charles Kimmins KC
Twenty Essex
3
Yash Kulkarni KC
Quadrant Chambers
‘His attention to detail is superb and he can distil complex financial arguments into easily digestible submissions. Clients love him.’

3
James Leabeater KC
4 Pump Court
‘An excellent advocate who provides consistently solid advice on complex shipping and offshore cases.’
3
Gwion Lewis KC
Landmark Chambers
'Gwion is very down-to-earth and relatable. He makes clients feel at ease and part of the process, clearly explaining everything in plain English.’
3
Tim Lord KC
Brick Court Chambers
3
Alan Maclean KC
Blackstone Chambers
‘His advice is always technically excellent but also commercially pragmatic and eminently sensible.'
3
Hodge Malek KC
3 Verulam Buildings
3
Duncan Matthews KC
Twenty Essex
3
James McClelland KC
Brick Court Chambers
3
Manus McMullan KC
Atkin Chambers
3
David Mildon KC
Essex Court Chambers
3
Wendy Miles KC
Twenty Essex
3
Vincent Moran KC
Keating Chambers

3
Fionn Pilbrow KC
Brick Court Chambers
3
Alistair Schaff KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
‘The Thierry Henry of insurance silks, Alistair is a first-rate advocate who is able to establish a real rapport with the court.’
3
Thomas Sharpe KC
One Essex Court
3
Chris Smith KC
Quadrant Chambers
3
Marion Smith KC
39 Essex Chambers
3
James Strachan KC
39 Essex Chambers
3
Nigel Tozzi KC
4 Pump Court
‘He puts arguments firmly but is always sensible, so keeps confidence of the tribunal.  He has very thorough and superb expertise on the commercial/ construction side.’

3
Crispin Winser KC
Crown Office Chambers
‘A brilliant advocate who has the ear of the court, Crispin is measured but persuasive, and not afraid to take positions when advising.’

3
Lord Wolfson KC
One Essex Court
‘David is one of the top advocates practising at the Commercial Bar at present. He has fantastic analytical skills aligned with incredible advocacy strengths, plus the ability to read the court well.’
4
Lord Banner KC
Keating Chambers
4
Lucas Bastin KC
Essex Court Chambers
4
Kieron Beal KC
Blackstone Chambers
4
Michael Bools KC
Brick Court Chambers
4
Paul Buckingham KC
Keating Chambers
4
Mark Chennells KC
Atkin Chambers
‘He can sort information like a super-computer and turn out poetry in his resulting submissions. A robust and engaging advocate who tends to have the ear of the court or tribunal.’

4
Nicholas Craig KC
3 Verulam Buildings
4
Siddharth Dhar KC
Essex Court Chambers
4
David Elvin KC
Landmark Chambers
‘A superb KC, the best energy and planning KC in the UK. He is at the very top of his game and is a superb strategic thinker and always provides clear and decisive advice.’
4
Laurence Emmett KC
One Essex Court
4
Richard Eschwege KC
Brick Court Chambers
4
Gerry Facenna KC
Monckton Chambers
‘Gerry has an insightful, targeted, and devastating approach to advocacy. He is incredibly approachable and supportive of his team, and has the all-important calm and considered manner.’

4
Andrew Fulton KC
Twenty Essex
4
Orlando Gledhill KC
One Essex Court
4
Alec Haydon KC
Brick Court Chambers
‘Alec is great to work with: hardworking, thorough and collaborative.’

4
Siobán Healy KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
4
Timothy Hill KC
Twenty Essex
‘He is very hands on in terms of drafting and also very good, and assertive, in his advocacy skills as well as in cross-examination of witnesses.’

4
Calum Lamont KC
Keating Chambers
‘Calum is incredibly smart and immersed in the detail of a case, not only the legal aspects, but also the technical components, no matter how challenging they are.’

4
Christopher Lewis KC
Atkin Chambers

4
Shantanu Majumdar KC
Radcliffe Chambers
4
Ali Malek KC
3 Verulam Buildings
4
Lynne McCafferty KC
4 Pump Court
‘A good brain, hardworking and yet approachable, and very good to work with.’

4
Stephen Midwinter KC
Brick Court Chambers
‘Stephen’s incredible speed of analysis is accompanied by great judgment on the big calls. When on his feet, the advocacy was crisp and effective.’

4
Hanif Mussa KC
Blackstone Chambers
4
Gordon Nardell KC
Twenty Essex
4
Alexander Nissen KC
Keating Chambers
4
Claire Packman KC
4 Pump Court
‘Claire is an outstanding barrister. She gives clear and sensible advice, is very personable with clients, and is a real team player.’

4
Fiona Parkin KC
Atkin Chambers
4
Conall Patton KC
One Essex Court
Conall has an outstanding intellect and a highly persuasive advocacy style. He is a team player with a good sense of humour.’
4
Rajesh Pillai KC
3 Verulam Buildings
'Raj mixes smooth but forceful advocacy with a forensic eye for detail. He is great with clients and always has in mind the commercial objective.’
4
Iain Quirk KC
Essex Court Chambers
‘Flexible, robust, and hardworking, he gets to the point.  A go-to barrister for any sort of case.’

4
Dominique Rawley KC
Atkin Chambers
4
Philip Riches KC
Twenty Essex
‘Philip is a well-respected and excellent silk. He is bright, approachable, hardworking, and is able to read the court well.’
4
Samuel Townend KC
Keating Chambers
4
Nick Vineall KC
4 Pump Court
4
David Wolfe KC
Matrix Chambers
'David is indefatigable and refuses to be put off by hostile judges.  He is genuinely fearless in pursuit of his clients' objectives and leaves no stone unturned.’
4
Emily Wood KC
Essex Court Chambers
'Emily is a rare and exceptional talent in the energy space. Her ability to synthesise and present complicated cases and topics, and to master the details of the documents in any case, is unparalleled.’
4
Alexander Wright KC
4 Pump Court
‘Calm and persuasive, and a good strategist, he is very hardworking and fits in well with the team.’

4
Jern-Fei Ng KC
Duxton Hill Chambers

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.

1
Tariq Baloch KC
Essex Court Chambers

1
Anton Dudnikov KC
Essex Court Chambers
1
Ciaran Keller KC
Essex Court Chambers
1
Jason Robinson KC
7 King’s Bench Walk
1
Niranjan Venkatesan KC
One Essex Court
One of the next generation of super-silks in the energy sector. One of the outstanding lawyers of his generation.’

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.

1
Jane Davies Evans KC
3 Verulam Buildings
‘Jane works extremely hard and is really on top of the dispute. She is very well experienced in construction and energy disputes, and clients really like her commitment.’
1
Tom Owen KC
Keating Chambers
‘Tom is really good with clients.  He is thoughtful, empathetic, and not afraid to give clear and unequivocal advice on strategy, merits and next steps.’

1
Sanjay Patel KC
4 Pump Court
1
Nicholas Sloboda KC
One Essex Court
He is amongst the first pick of people when you are building a team for a case that really matters. Also, completely charming and funny and so will make everyone’s participation more pleasurable.’