Kings Chambers' members demonstrate expertise across contentious and non-contentious Chancery-related work, probate, trusts and estates, and tax. Lesley Anderson QC heads the team which includes Paul Chaisty QC, who represents financial services clients and has expertise advising on claims involving mis-selling of tax products. Fay Collinson is also noted and has a broad practice with a strong focus on contentious probate cases, particularly cases involving capacity and misappropriation. Other key individuals to note include David Casement QC,  Eleanor Temple and Neil Berragan.
Chancery, probate, and tax in Regional Bar
Kings Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Kings Chambers is viewed within the profession as the pre-eminent commercial set in Manchester. Housing talent which is the envy of other Chambers, Kings is a modern, progressive and tremendously successful set. A force to be reckoned with.’
‘They are very strong in almost all areas and at all levels of seniority. They are consistently excellent at securing the availability of suitable counsel, as I know having instructed them for years. They offer a good and comprehensive programme of seminars.’
Clerking
‘The set has huge strength in depth across all levels of experience in the commercial field and a responsive clerking team that is always on call and meets your needs; that said, the barristers, too, are available for direct contact, too, and do not stand on needless ceremony.’
‘Kings are a great set of Chambers, which we use frequently. They have a wide spread of counsel from baby-juniors all the way up to QCs and it’s always possible to find a good fit at the right level. They also cover a wide variety of practice areas and are well clerked and are always efficient in their dealings with us.’
‘Kings Chambers are the best set in the North of England, with a high quality of barristers across all areas of commercial law.’
Clerking
‘The clerking is efficient – calls are returned and the clerks speak knowledgably of the availability and skills of relevant counsel. Cost discussions are open and fair. I have good experience in the BPC area of Gary Young and of Harry Young.’
‘We work closely with Gary Young who knows his Counsel and clients well and who is always prepared to go the extra mile to get the job done, and done well. ‘
‘The clerks are very helpful and usually willing to negotiate fees. Louise Barnes is my go-to contact.’
‘As above, Kings are very efficiently clerks. The clerks are generally very responsive and will take steps to find solutions if any issues arise over availability and/or instructions. ‘
‘Helpful and accommodating clerks. I have dealt for a long time with Harry Young and Gary Young and rate them highly.’
9 St John Street
9 St John Street is a 'strong set' with an experienced Chancery, probate and tax offering with members covering a broad range of expertise. Key names to note include James Fryer-Spedding, who focuses on inheritance disputes, and Andrew Clark, who specialises in contentious trusts. Richard Price was previously a solicitor and is 'very knowledgeable' and has 'strong attention to detail'. Joanna Vicary is also noted.
Testimonials
Set
‘They are a very well respected set in Manchester. They have a strong chancery team and are able to deal with disputes of all complexities. They also have a strong mediation offering.’
‘I think the whole set is good. They are bright, engaging and easy to work with.’
‘9 St John St are an excellent set, and they are my first port of call in the NW for contentious trust and estate work. The newer, more junior members of the team appear to be of the same high standard as the more established members of chambers.’
Clerking
‘Clerks are very approachable and user-friendly. Julia Lanza in particular is excellent and can always be relied on.’
‘All clerks are responsive. We have particular experience with Julia Lanza and she provides an excellent service.’
‘The clerking is excellent, and a real differentiator for the set. They are very responsive, reasonable with fees, and never fall into the trap of overpromising but under-delivering as some of their competitors do.’
‘Ped McKinstry is very helpful and prompt at responding.’
Exchange Chambers
Exchange Chambers is a ‘go-to set‘ for Chancery, probate and tax law. David Mohyuddin QC handle a variety of Chancery and commercial disputes. For tax disputes, George Rowell and Scott Redpath are key individuals, while John Waiting is also noted and handles a variety of work involving real property, company law, wills and probate.
Testimonials
Set
‘Extremely approachable, responsive and hands on. Very much a group of team players. Legal and strategic advice is always clear and robust and advocacy is first rate.’
‘Exchange Chambers have very good strength in depth and are able to offer services from a large number of experienced barristers.’
‘The set as a whole has a number of very able members of the bar and availability has not at any time created any issue or difficulty. I do not recall for example that I have ever, at any time, had to instruct other chambers because of availability issues. I believe that the set hosts regular training courses and, indeed, I have attended one such course at its Leeds chambers which was excellent.’
‘Exchange have huge strength in depth and are our go-to set in the North West. This means that even when your preferred barrister is not available, they can always provide options without the standards dropping at all. Aligned to this, Exchange frequently provide training to us to showcase their expertise.’
‘Good set – the best in the North West.’
‘Always helpful and the go to set in the north for tax.’
Clerking
‘Always responsive and helpful’
‘Nick Buckley is a pleasure to work.’
‘A very good service.’
‘The clerks are really helpful and if you are looking for a barrister with certain strengths they are always happy to make recommendations. Joe Mawson always responds quickly and is happy to answer any queries.’
‘Ian Spencer is very easy to work with, and is able to identify suitable Counsel for different issues. So far he’s not recommended a duff one!’
‘Seamless clerking. All clerks I have had dealings with have been very helpful.’
18 St John Street Chambers
18 St John Street Chambers handles a range of Chancery work.  and Christopher McNall covers disputes, proprietary estoppel and Inheritance Act claims, often in an agricultural context, while Wayne Goldstein is experienced in Chancery and commercial law, in particular cases that involve allegations of fraud. Oliver Caplan is also noted and represented the claimant in Mina Dahou v Farida Dahou, where the claimant sought an interest in a residential property under TOLATA.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set has a number of good practitioners in these areas of law.’
‘A good set quality set lead by star performer Richard Chapman QC.’
’18 St John Street Chambers is a well kept secret. It has strength-in-depth across the departments and has had successful QC and judicial applications in recent years. Its clerks room has an in depth knowledge of both the clients and the barristers thereby ensuring excellent service, resulting in a loyal client base.’
‘This is an excellent set, particularly in Chancery work. ‘
‘As far as I can recall I have used this chambers for the entirety of my legal career dating back to the 1980s. There have been many excellent Counsel I have used over the years- in particular Malcolm McEwan (at the senior end) to many of the more junior members in recent years.’
Clerking
‘Very helpful and prompt.’
‘Katie Brown and Ryan Pugh are easy to deal with and get back to me promptly.’
‘I have over the years had exceptional service from the Clerks at this chambers. Always contactable, approachable ,adaptable and fair and reasonable on fees. Whenever there has been issues on fees we have always been able to resolve matters commercially and sensibly.’