St Philips Chambers

Oliver is an experienced Senior Clerk with over 20 years of clerking expertise. As Senior Clerk to the Employment, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence groups, he oversees all aspects of strategic planning, client care, business development and marketing, governance, practice development and case/diary management. He began his career in 2002 and has gained an in-depth understanding of civil practice areas through roles at leading London sets Gatehouse Chambers and Crown Office Chambers. He relocated to the Midlands in 2020, initially taking the role of Civil Senior Clerk at Guildhall Chambers in Bristol, before joining St Philips Chambers in 2023. Known for his approachable style, strategic mindset, and commitment to delivering excellent client care, he works closely with the Team Leaders and clients to deliver strategic growth and development of the teams’, focussed on our core value of building strong and long-lasting client relationships. “I am a strong believer that the overall success of our barristers/teams, is founded on the quality and longevity of the relationships we forge with our clients. I am always keen to understand our client’s business goals and aspirations, finding ways in which we can mutually benefit each other. The relationship is central to working effectively as a team, and that is what enables us to provide clients with the best possible experience” Oliver is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks. He has previously presented via the Bristol Law Society to aspiring barristers, providing practical guidance and insights for a successful pupillage. Oliver is married with two children. Most of his spare time is spent enjoying family time together – finding new ways to build elaborate dens out of bed sheets, pretending to be a dinosaur, being drenched in water fights, or even re-enacting episodes of Bluey! On very rare occasions, he will be found out on the golf course looking for lost balls, or alternatively enjoying some great food and drink at a good restaurant.

Justin is Senior Clerk of the St Philips Business and Property Group, having joined chambers in 2011. He commenced his career as a Bar Clerk at 3 Fountain Court before moving to No 5 Chambers as Senior Practice Manager of their Commercial Team. With over 30 years’ experience in barristers’ chambers, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the role here. “The role of the barrister’s clerk has changed a great deal since I first started in chambers. Although I’m ultimately accountable for the daily supervision of the clerking team, I work closely with senior members of St Philips Business and Property in the planning and development of the business and our members practices. Along with the administration and promotion of the practice teams across the group, my responsibilities also include the management and development of our client relationships. I believe listening to our clients and incorporating what they want from chambers into the services that we provide, is key to the success of our business and the long-term relationships that we aim to build with all of our clients. I’m very lucky to have a team around me which also buys into this philosophy and takes pride in the service that we provide.” Married to a partner of a Top 20 UK Law Firm and with 3 growing boys, Justin’s time is free time is mostly spent ferrying them between rugby matches and helping run junior sides at Market Bosworth RFC. If a window does appear in his diary, he has been known to enjoy good quality restaurants where he can focus on his wife rather than liaising with her via e-mail. Justin is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.

Mark has over forty years experience of clerking and has been with St Philips for 20 years since the merger with 1 Fountain Court in 2002. He is responsible for the management of more than forty barristers within the Family Group as well as five members of the Family clerking team. During his tenure at St Philips Chambers Mark has overseen three members of the group successfully apply for Silk and a further nine members obtain Judicial appointments, including a High Court Judge and a Deputy High Court Judge. Mark is a self-confessed Cricket Badger who is a member of both his local club side (Earlswood CC) and his beloved Warwickshire CCC. Though retired from playing these days he is still happy to recount tales of his one and only century or his one and only “5-Fer” while holding court on the decking during match days at Earlswood. Trips to the local golf course are now sadly limited and Mark now tends to agree with the sage words of Mark Twain that golf, is in fact, a good walk spoiled. Away from chambers, the cricket field or the clubhouse bar, Mark enjoys relaxing at home with his wife, son, dog and three cats. When time permits, he will often have his head buried in the latest sporting biography or earphones plugged in listening to his favourite rock bands.

Andrew Rourke is Senior Clerk of St Philips Crime Group, having worked in the Criminal Justice System for 19 years. He commenced his career as a Bar Clerk at No5 Chambers in the Crime Group before moving to the Courts Service where he spent 7 years as a Crown Court Clerk and Listing Officer. Andrew joined St Philips in 2022 having spent 6 years at St Ives Chambers as the Crime Group Practice Manager. Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the role of Senior Clerk. As evidenced by testimonials in legal directories Andrew prides himself on providing excellent service to his clients as well as developing relationships with new clients whilst building networks for future work. Andrew has an ability to keep his ear to the ground to ensure Chambers are briefed in cases of the highest profile. With three young children and being the coach of his son’s football and rugby team, Andrew’s free time is limited, but given the opportunity, nothing makes him happier than to be watching NFL and going to the horse racing.

James studied History at Newman University with the intention of pursuing a career in law. He initially joined St Philips as Junior Criminal Clerk in 2016 and quickly became enthralled with Chambers and the role of a clerk within the legal system. James then progressed to the position of First Junior Criminal Clerk in 2017 and has continued his development amidst an ever-changing legal landscape. In February 2023, James was appointed Senior Clerk within our Regulatory Group.