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Leading Silks

Paul Cairnes KC – No5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Paul is careful, considerate and always extremely well prepared. His ability to absorb information is incredible. He is an exceptional barrister.’ 
Peter Goatley KCNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Peter is really easy and approachable. He provides pragmatic and sensible advice that the clients can understand easily.’   
Paul Tucker KCKings Chambers ‘Paul is versatile. He has never put a foot wrong. He brings energy and strong leadership to the cases. He is immensely engaging and down to earth.’ 

Leading Juniors

Tim PoleNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Tim is very well prepared and focused. He has great commercial sense and is a very strong junior for environmental work.’ 
Gary GrantKings Chambers ‘Gary provides calm, clear, and commercial advice, which is invaluable to clients. He can always be relied on to engage with clients sensitively, and to depose opponents' arguments elegantly, but definitively.’ 
Timothy JonesNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Timothy is helpful, accessible and seeks to resolve issues in a conciliatory manner.’ 
Howard Leithead - No5 Barristers' Chambers ‘Howard has the ability to get to the nub of the main issues quickly and gives sensible and pragmatic advice which is easy to understand and explains in clear language his advice so that the client can readily understand and comprehend complex issues and risks.’ 
Thea Osmund-SmithNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Thea is able to get to the crux of complex matters very quickly. She is extremely approachable, has excellent interpersonal skills and fosters an enjoyable and productive team atmosphere. She is impressive during cross-examination and quickly adapts to changing situations.' 
Michael RuddKings Chambers ‘Michael is very personable and approachable. He is excellent with client officers from local government and clearly experienced.’ 
Jack SmythNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Jack is very quick to respond to the initial brief.  His advocacy is of a very high standard and his written work is first rate.’
Bernard ThorogoodNo5 Barristers’ Chambers ‘Bernard is a highly skilled prosecutor and has extremely good knowledge of criminal practice. He works extremely well with the client to reassure them and gives unmatched confidence in the work that he delivers.’ 

Planning and environment in Regional Bar

No5 Barristers' Chambers

The planning team of No5 Barristers’ Chambers is a team of barristers who are ‘great planning specialists with a range of experience and styles’ and the team works nationwide from its four offices in Birmingham, London, and Bristol. Paul Cairnes KC acts principally for developers throughout England and Wales and recently instructed Torbay & South Devon NHS trust on a matter related potential impact of a major residential development. ‘Hard working and experienced advocate’ Tim Pole recently successfully represented Severn Trent Water in relation to four prosecutions brought by the environment agency.

Testimonials

Set 

‘A great and growing set of barristers, always charming and capable. It offers a wide range of bright and informed barristers who are at the top of their game and able to provide first class representation.’

‘Excellent set with many skilled Barristers across all legal sectors.’

‘A highly regarded set in the field of planning law. They provide a range of levels of experience. Training programmes are always topical and delivered in an accessible manner with good support material.’

‘No 5 are a very strong regional set with a wide offering of legal services.’

‘No5 Barristers’ Chambers is a go-to set for planning appeals. They have an impressive choice of counsel at all levels. Their annual planning seminar in Birmingham is very good.’

Clerking

‘Fantastic clerks who are helpful and quick to respond, little things like printing proofs to allow greater time for writing, brilliant seminars covering industry wide practitioners.’

Kings Chambers

The planning team of Kings Chambers has ‘great strength in depth’ with ‘exceptional barristers available every time’. Michael Rudd specialises in planning, environmental and highways law, particularly in matters related to park homes. He recently handled a leading case in the Court of Appeal dealing with the extent of breach of condition on a planning permission relating to a mobile home park.

Testimonials

Set 

‘Kings Chambers is a go to set for all planning and development related matters. The planning team has strength in depth and there is always an exceptional barrister available.’ 

‘Kings Chambers is the first choice of counsel. It has a good range of excellent barristers at all levels, from juniors to silks.’ 

‘The chambers has a unique approach to the relationship with clients and instructing solicitors. It is interested in the wider business development play and development of enduring strong relationships.’ 

Clerking 

‘Kings is an exceptionally well clerked practice.’ 

‘The clerks are excellent. They know their barristers extremely well.’