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Leading Silks

Lesley Anderson KCKings ChambersLesley is demonstrably experienced. She is quickly able to dissect the detail and identify the issues where the client’s case had any potential weaknesses and address them. In court, she is impressive and is very comfortable in cross-examination. She also has an excellent manner with clients; she is a winning counsel in every way.’
Richard Chapman KC – 18 St John Street Chambers ‘Richard has an astonishing grasp of the law and is quick to evaluate and effectively analyse complex fact patterns. He is a superb barrister with a highly learned and simultaneously truly commercial understanding. He was a highly effective advocate and ally.’
Mark Harper KCKings Chambers 'Mark is prepared to provide clear and robust advice at the outset of a dispute and stand by it all the way to trial. He does not waiver and clients naturally warm to his no-nonsense approach delivered with impeccable client care.' 

2020 Silks

Louis Doyle KC – Kings Chambers Louis has a clear analytical mind and provides robust advice.
Andrew Grantham KC – Kings Chambers Andrew has meticulous attention to detail and nothing is ever too much trouble. A legal Midas, he sprinkles gold-dust on the cases he touches. He is always the complete professional – courteous to opponents and judges, whilst displaying robust and brilliantly intelligent analysis.’

Leading Juniors

Neil Berragan – Kings Chambers 'Neil is a tenacious and persuasive advocate. A master of his papers and able to debate points of law authoritatively and precisely. Judges respect him and clients appreciate his forthright advice and realistic appraisal of the commercial position.'
James Fryer-Spedding9 St John Street 'He is an excellent all-rounder. He is analytical and is great on the detail, but also excellent in building a rapport and delivering difficult messages to clients. He is a tough negotiator and has an excellent manner in court. The judiciary clearly listen to what he says and he has gravitas.'
Andrew Latimer – Kings Chambers 'Andrew is a perfect gentleman; always polite, gracious and impeccably prepared for any court hearing or conference with clients. His breadth of knowledge and experience is very impressive and his advice is always sound.'
Christopher McNall18 St John Street Chambers ‘Christopher has excellent knowledge of all issues involving agricultural disputes, TOLATA and general property, trusts and probate work. He provides timely advice and is willing to speak on the phone before instructions to help narrow issues. Christopher is often instructed on complicated issues of fact and law and on niche issues which require careful research due to his expertise in these matters. He is good with clients and opposing counsel.’
Charlotte Brown – Northgate Tax Chambers   'Charlotte is just excellent. In addition to being incredibly easy to work with, she is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and supportive at all times. Her advocacy skills are outstanding as is her written advice and submissions. Charlotte is a go-to barrister for tax related disputes.'
Andrew Clark – 9 St John Street 'Andrew is technically gifted, approachable and a very good advocate.'
Tom Gosling – 23 Essex StreetTom is a first-class barrister. He is very user-friendly and strikes an immediate rapport with clients, winning their trust in what are usually fractous proceedings given the nature of the work. He provides robust advice and defends client's corners vigorously, but he is also able to get clients to step back from the personal nature of the claims and see the bigger picture.'
Scott RedpathExchange Chambers ‘ Scott is very approachable and easy to work with. His advice on complicated subjects is clear and easily understood.’
George Rowell – Exchange ChambersGeorge has technical expertise and is also able to empathise with clients, which is a valuable skill in this arena.'
Jonathan Smith – 23 Essex Street ‘Jonathan is excellent in the detail, always provides practical advice and is prepared for all eventualities, both in conference and at court.’ 
Eleanor Temple – Kings ChambersEleanor has the ability to recall facts in prior instructions, assimilates complex information with ease and provides cogent concise and client friendly advice about prospects, strategy and timings. She commands the room and is a forceful advocate which is derived from her encyclopaedic knowledge of the law.’
Andrew VinsonExchange ChambersAndrew always offers sensible, pragmatic advice to achieve the best results for the Client. He is commercially minded and conscious of the costs consequences of the available courses of action. Although he always advises upon the pros and cons of seeking a settlement, he is not afraid to advise Clients to proceed to trial when this is in their best interests.'
Andrew WilliamsExchange ChambersExceptionally bright, Andrew has a knack for taking what can be mundane, dry, and complex legal points, and explaining them in a way to Clients, lawyers and judges that provides clarity.'
David GreenAtlantic Chambers ‘David is an excellent communicator and is able to explain complex legal matters to the lay client in a realistic way. He has an excellent knowledge of the law and the ability to analyse a dispute and provide sensible and cogent legal advice.’
Oliver Caplan – 18 St John Street Chambers Oliver is excellent at putting clients at ease.’
Fay Collinson – Kings ChambersFay has impressive skills, gets to grips with the arguments and knows what matters, explains everything very clearly both to solicitor and lay client, and responds rapidly. A barrister instructing solicitors will return to with confidence.
Richard Lander – Kings ChambersRichard completes meticulous preparation and has great attention to detail combined with compendious and detailed knowledge of the subject matter. He has a calm and unflappable authority as an advocate in Court, and an ability to get to the nub of the case.'
Jennifer Newstead-Taylor – 18 St John Street Chambers  ‘Jennifer is always very well prepared and has a good eye for detail. She has a very calming and measured approach to cases, as well as superb insight into difficult legal problems.’
Elisabeth Tythcott – 18 St John Street Chambers  ‘Elizabeth’s key strength is the very high quality of her preparation of cases. She invariably provides skeleton arguments and written submissions of a high standard. These demonstrate detailed and careful preparation combined with a high degree of knowledge of the relevant law and procedure. These are always helpful and persuasive documents. Her court appearances have always demonstrated careful, thorough, and thoughtful preparation and a real commitment to serving the interests of her client.’
John Waiting – Exchange ChambersJohn is supportive, responsive and has an in-depth legal knowledge which enables him to be able to assist on all matters. He will not give up even if it is an uphill struggle. He always ensures that he gives 110% and really puts himself out to ensure that he meets the client service and is very user friendly.'

Chancery, probate, and tax in Regional Bar

Kings Chambers

The members of Kings Chambers display contentious and non-contentious expertise in Chancery-related work, including across wills, trusts, tax and estate planning matters. Lesley Anderson KCPaul Chaisty KC and Andrew Grantham are key names of note in this area.

Testimonials

Set

‘Kings are one of our main sets of chambers for Chancery matters in Manchester. They have some excellent senior counsel and a good mix of juniors.’

‘Kings Chambers is the premier set in the North and is blessed with a number of top ranked silks who can stand against the London Bar.’

‘The set is well established as a strong Manchester chambers. They have strong barristers.’

‘An excellent Chambers with a strong set of counsel from junior to silk, and the clerks go above and beyond to find a suitable counsel available to deal with a matter.’

‘Kings Chambers have very good strength in depth for commercial and chancery matters and are able to offer very competent counsel across a range of experience levels.’

Clerking

‘The senior clerks are brilliant, especially Gary Young and Harry Young. They know their client base and their counsel, and are always prepared to be accommodating and listen to queries.’

9 St John Street

9 St John Street thrives in Chancery litigation, including disputes involving land, trusts and administration of estates. Lancashire and Cumbria in particular are strong client bases for the set. James Fryer-Spedding , who focuses on inheritance disputes, successfully acted for the claimants in the High Court case of Goodwin v Avison, a contentious probate action for a multi-million-pound estate. Andrew Clark  focuses on contentious chancery work, and has recently been instructed by the claimants in Bertorelli v Hazlem Fentons and Palmkarn LLP, a case concerning allegations of professional negligence by tax advisors. Joanna Vicary  is noted for her taxation work for HMRC.

Testimonials

Set

‘They have strength across many areas and counsel are excellent at working with instructing solicitors. The barristers themselves are easy to contact and are responsive.’

‘Excellent set of chambers. A ‘go to’ set in the North West.’

Exchange Chambers

Members at Exchange Chambers thrive in Chancery, probate and tax law matters. Scott Redpath and George Rowell both have expertise in tax law mandates, and John Waiting is noted for his work in property, company law, wills and probate. Andrew Williams has a property-based Chancery practice and Andrew Vinson has expertise in company, insolvency, property and contractual matters.

Testimonials

Set

‘Exchange Chambers offers considerable strength in depth in commercial, chancery and general litigation matters. They have a broad range of exceptional barristers of all levels of experience available to advise as and when required.’

‘Wide range of skills and expertise across chancery work. A ‘go to’ Chambers for many disputes.’

‘This exceptional set has a number of silks and there are a number of very capable juniors to take up the case on the client’s behalf.’

‘The training hosted by Exchange Chambers is good.’

‘It is appreciated that they aim to provide London quality in the north.’

Clerking

‘Joe Mawson develops excellent relationships with instructing solicitors with his helpful and responsive approach.’

18 St John Street Chambers

The members at 18 St John Street Chambers handle a wide range of Chancery work. Christopher McNall’s Chancery practice has a strong focus on farming and agriculture, as well as Inheritance Act claims in which he represents the HMRC. He also acted for HMRC in Trustees of Batley Settlement v HMRC, a case concerning whether a chain of apart-hotels provided sufficient services to be classed as hotels for taxation purposes. Oliver Caplan has expertise in handling chancery litigation, including real property, landlord and tenant, insolvency, trusts of land, wills and estates and partnerships, while Richard Chapman KC specialises in tax disputes. Elisabeth Tythcott is also active in the business and property courts.

Testimonials

Set

‘Chambers is excellent at the senior end in the business and property department.’

‘Chambers offer a broad range of quality junior to senior tax counsel.’

‘The chambers are one of the leading sets in this area of practice in the North-West with appropriate practitioners at all levels of seniority.’

’18 St John St Chambers has an enviable pool of talent in this practice area.’

’18 St John Street Chambers is a highly regarded set in Manchester. It has strength-in-depth across all areas of practice. In respect of tax law, it has the particular advantage of having three members of Chambers who sit as Fee Paid Judges of the First-tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber).’

Clerking 

‘Katie Brown and Ryan Pugh in the clerks room are both excellent, are always attentive and will help find counsel when needed. Two of the best clerks.’