Set Profile > Doughty Street Chambers > Manchester, England

Doughty Street Chambers Offices

Doughty Street Chambers
3 Hardman Square
Spinningfields
MANCHESTER
M3 3EB
England
Visit website 0161 618 1066

Doughty Street Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

Inquests and inquiries Tier 1

Considered 'one of the very best' Doughty Street Chambers is an 'excellent set for inquest work', acting on behalf of bereaved families in cases including  deaths in clinical and custody settings such as immigration detention, secure hospitals and prison. As an example, Alison Gerry acted at an inquest on behalf of the sister of Kirsty Walker, a prisoner at Sodexo-run HMP Bronzefield who after engaging in over two hundred acts of self harm took her own life in the prison. Heather Williams QC represents the families of three of the deceased in the resumed inquests into the 1974 Birmingham Pub Bombings, which killed 21 and led to six men ("The Birmingham Six") being wrongfully convicted. Members are involved in all the major ongoing public inquiries, with Henrietta Hill QC acting as deputy counsel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Leading Silks

Henrietta Hill QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An acknowledged doyenne of the inquests Bar with an encyclopaedic knowledge of coronial law. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Heather Williams QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Intellectual hefty, a superb cross-examiner and total dedicated to her role. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Adam Straw - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His drafting is excellent, he has a sharp brain and is good to strategise with. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Jude Bunting - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Extremely intelligent, passionate and a phenomenal advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Jesse Nicholls - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He really is a powerful advocate, with encyclopaedic knowledge at his fingertips. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Alison Gerry - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She is impressively thorough in her analysis and advice as well as incredibly rigorous. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

International crime and extradition Tier 1

Doughty Street Chambers 'has a strong team dealing with extradition and at all levels of seniority', according to clients, and is also well known for acting in prominent international criminal cases. In a major instruction, Edward Fitzgerald QC, Tim Moloney QC, Peter Caldwell, and Graeme Hall successfully defended Arti Dhir and Kaval Raijada against an extradition request made by the government of India, on the grounds that the extradition would breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights; the defendants were requested for alleged conspiracy to murder a child.

Leading Silks

Edward Fitzgerald QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An outstanding practitioner in the extradition field. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Tim Moloney QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A silk you want on your side. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

2019 Silks

Steven Powles QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His manner in court is calm and authoritative. ’

Leading Juniors

Peter Caldwell - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A charming barrister who is very knowledgeable on extradition law. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ben Cooper - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A creative advocate with a keen eye for overlooked points of argument. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Malcolm Hawkes - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A fierce fighter with compelling advocacy skills. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Amal Clooney - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She acts in complex human rights cases and is unafraid to raise novel points of law. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Graeme Hall - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very intelligent and very committed to his clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Joe Middleton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Well known for his expertise in cases involving Interpol red notices. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Mary Westcott - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She is extremely thorough, and will consider all the angles of a case. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Clinical negligence Tier 1

Leading Silks

Robin Oppenheim QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A first-rate barrister who is meticulous, thorough and exceedingly well-prepared. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Christopher Hough - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He excels in cases involving multiple medical experts. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Product liability Tier 1

Leading Silks

Robin Oppenheim QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Technically very strong and has a phenomenal work rate. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Social housing Tier 1

Doughty Street Chambers garners praise from instructing law firms, who note that it 'provides excellent service and has a number of standout barristers'. Its reputation as one of the leading sets for social housing (notably on the tenant side) is underpinned by its consistent involvement in many of the leading decisions in this area, as well as cases involving novel legal issues. Martin Westgate QC and Dominic Preston acted for Abdelrahim Alibkhiet at the Supreme Court in Alibkhiet v Brent LBC, which concerns a challenge to the local authority's procurement and allocations policy in relation to the provision of temporary accommodation. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court. Also notable is that Westgate QC and others represented the non-governmental organisation Liberty as an intervening party in Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Goloshvili v Secretary of State for the Home Department. These are two linked, systemic challenges to the government's 'Right to Rent' scheme.

Leading Silks

Martin Westgate QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His contribution to housing, social welfare and public law is already immensely impressive and looks set to increase for years to come ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Jamie Burton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has a particularly strong track record in the area of homelessness, where has featured in a number of leading cases ’
Ranked: Tier 2
David Carter - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has expert knowledge and will always assist ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Lindsay Johnson - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His experience spans all areas of housing law. Homelessness cases are a notable area of strength ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Zia Nabi - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He manages to challenge settled thinking on a legal issue so often but so well that you end up seeing a case in a completely different light ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Dominic Preston - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His forensic and thorough approach is perfect on difficult cases. He digs in and it makes a real difference ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Jim Shepherd - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He is such a pleasure to work with and gives all cases his utmost attention ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ben Chataway - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He is particularly strong in cases involving discrimination and public law issues, such as those concerning homelessness and allocation schemes ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Sarah Steinhardt - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She is knowledgeable about mental capacity and discrimination in housing ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police) Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers is known for its 'excellence in bringing claims against the police and in the inquest field' and has vast expertise in immigration, extradition, and claims against the state. Recent instructions of note for members include Heather Williams QC representing clients in McGlone & Others v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police and Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, which concerns the role of the police in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster. She has also been instrumental in the Undercover Police Inquiry, undertaking considerable advisory work for the core participants which include Neville Lawrence and six victims of deceptive sexual relationships initiated by undercover officers. Edward Fitzgerald QC is acting for Maha El Gizouli, the mother of one of the 'IS Beatles', El Shafee Elsheikh, in her application for a judicial review into the Home Secretary's decision to cooperate with the US authorities and assurances that her son won't be subject to the death penalty. Others members of note include Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, who acted for Just for Kids Law in a test case concerning the use of children as ‘covert human intelligence sources’ by the police in R (Just for Kids Law) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Stephen Cragg QC who acted in Miah v Independent Police Complaint Commission challenging the use of illegal stops at Heathrow airport under the Terrorism Act 2010; and ‘standout junior’ Adam Wagner who acted for the Equality and Human Rights Commission in AB, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Justice regarding the prolonged detention of a minor in solitary confinement.

Leading Silks

Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An absolute titan in the human rights field. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Martin Westgate QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An extremely knowledgeable silk. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Heather Williams QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Incredibly hardworking, extremely persuasive and a bright leader.' ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Nicholas Bowen QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He is at the vanguard of developments in the police law field and is utterly charming. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Stephen Cragg QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very well respected due to the innovative cases he take and his breadth of experience. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Exceptionally tenacious and an expert in her fields. She combines her legal skills with her campaigning prowess. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

2019 Silks

Charlotte Kilroy QC - Blackstone Chambers ‘ Has a very good grounding in asylum, human rights law, and jurisprudence, and offers thorough and well-thought through advice. ’

Leading Juniors

Ruth Brander - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has a brilliant mind and is able to retain complicated detail going back years. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Alison Gerry - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An incredibly rigorous and exceptionally talented advocate who engages with the minutiae of cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Adam Straw - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Incredibly clever and very good on prison law.' ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Jude Bunting - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Thoroughly impressive and detailed in his analysis of the law and facts. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Jamie Burton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Tenacious and highly rated. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Laura Dubinsky - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She is a powerhouse of knowledge when it comes to immigration, detention, and EU law. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Nick Stanage - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A skilled and calm advocate who has worked across jurisdictions. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Adam Wagner - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A great legal mind who puts a lot of time into his material and gets very good results.' ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Court of Protection and community care Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers ‘is a formidable set with a depth of expertise’. This 'excellent' set's members handle the full array of community care and Court of Protection matters. In one example, Aswini Weereratne QC acted for MIND in Welsh Ministers v PJ. The case looked at whether it was lawful to deprive a patient of their liberty with a community treatment order under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended).

Leading Silks

Aswini Weereratne QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A highly recommended silk. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Martin Westgate QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A silk worthy of note. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Ulele Burnham - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Foresees the issues which are likely to arise and advises accordingly – her drafting is excellent and she is a very capable advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Sophy Miles - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ It’s her eye for detail that sets her apart. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Dominic Preston - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Experienced in deprivation of liberty issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Stephen Reeder - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and an impressive amount of practical experience in this field. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Crime Tier 2

'One of the go-to sets for fighting cases against the state', Doughty Street Chambers has particular strengths in terrorism cases, criminal appeals, and cases where mental health issues are involved. Tim Moloney QC represented the first successful joint enterprise appellant after the Jogee Supreme Court case in 2016, and also represented the parents of Jack Letts (dubbed "Jihadi Jack" by the media), who received suspended sentences for sending money to their son; Letts had travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State group, which he subsequently left. Before trial, the matter went before the Supreme Court to consider if the test for mens rea in terrorism finance offences is objective or subjective. Rebecca Trowler QC represented autistic Islamist convert Lewis Ludlow, who was convicted of plotting a truck attack on Oxford Street. A number of the set's juniors handle terrorism work, unled, too: Liam Walker represented the reported leader of proscribed neo-Nazi group National Action, who was convicted of a plot to behead a Labour MP; in an entirely separate trial involving the same group, Piers Marquis represented the first of six defendants convicted of membership of the organisation. Walker also represented television personality Ant McPartlin in a drink-driving case. Paul Taylor QC represented one of two anonymised appellants in the R v AS Court of Appeal case concerning the sentencing of severely ill convicts.

Leading Silks

Joel Bennathan QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Particularly brilliant at appeal cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Tim Moloney QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Absolutely first-rate. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Isabella Forshall QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A personable advocate who can melt the hardest judicial heart. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Rebecca Trowler QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very bright and leaves no stone unturned. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
David Bentley QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A superb advocate who gets results. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Kirsty Brimelow QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in matters at the crossroads of crime and human rights. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Sarah Elliott QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ The go-to silk for sex cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Edward Fitzgerald QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in Privy Council criminal appeals. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
David Hislop QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A superb tactician who fights to the end. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
James Wood QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An intellectual titan compared to those around him. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

2018 Silks

Paul Taylor QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An excellent communicator both in court and conference. ’
Katy Thorne QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Great with forensics, especially baby-shaking cases, and appeal work. ’

2019 Silks

Steven Powles QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has a track record of terrorism cases and appeals. ’

Leading Juniors

Piers Marquis - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He fights for his clients like there is no tomorrow. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Liam Walker - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Fearless and able, he can argue the most unpalatable of points. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Farrhat Arshad - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has had particular success appealing against discretionary life sentences and IPPs. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Richard Thomas - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in high-profile terrorism cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Philippa Eastwood - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has a fantastic rapport with lay clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Emma Goodall - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A brilliant junior in serious and complex cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Garry Green - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He can be counted on to deliver a superb closing speech that is a delight to listen to. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Benjamin Newton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has an instinctive feel for the right approach and tactics. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Kate O’Raghallaigh - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has extensive knowledge in the field and sensitive to the vulnerabilities of clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Lauren Soertsz - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Excellent counsel – a top-class advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Sarah Vine - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has a track record of sex offence cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers is a 'go-to set for immigration' with 'depth and breadth of experience'. As such, chambers undertakes a broad spectrum of immigration work from personal immigration, EU, family, student and nationality applications to business and commercial migration, as well as asylum and human rights-related immigration claims. In one represenative instruction, Laura Dubinsky was leading counsel for a high profile former ETA (Basque separatist) militant convicted of 22 murders who resisted his deportation to Spain.

2019 Silks

Charlotte Kilroy QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A specialist in human rights and asylum work. ’

Leading Juniors

Laura Dubinsky - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She is one of the best juniors around and definitely a future QC. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Joe Middleton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An extremely astute barrister with exceptional knowledge of the law and the ability to use it to the client’s best advantage. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Phil Haywood - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Seriously intelligent, methodical and perfectionist in his preparation and written work. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Alasdair Mackenzie - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has both vast legal knowledge and a practical, down-to-earth approach. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Michelle Knorr - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Tenacious and legally innovative with a never say die attitude. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Michelle Knorr - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Tenacious and legally innovative with a never say die attitude. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
David Lemer - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very clear in his advice and has strength of winning the case. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Catherine Meredith - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ The go-to junior for trafficking work. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Rowena Moffatt - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very approachable and collaborative, excellent with vulnerable clients as well as very passionate. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Business and regulatory crime (including global investigations) Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Nichola Higgins - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A thorough and incisive junior barrister. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Employment Tier 2

Leading Silks

Heather Williams QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ An absolute brain box, puts legal knowledge quickly into context and has the ear of the court. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Juniors

David Stephenson - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Bright, hardworking and fights his client’s corner. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Amanda Hart - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Highly intelligent and has an excellent knowledge of employment law. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Defamation and privacy Tier 2

Leading Silks

Heather Rogers QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ 'Re-emerging as one of the foremost advocates and advisors in defamation and privacy law.’ ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Caroline Addy - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Able and experienced senior junior with a broad practice. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Claire Overman - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Specialised in all aspects of media and information law. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Personal injury Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Andreá Risoli - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His judgement of client character and claim value is extremely good. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Proceeds of Crime Act and asset forfeiture Tier 2

Leading Silks

Richard Fisher QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He is a first-rate advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Administrative and public law (including local government) Tier 3

Doughty Street Chambers handles various public law matters, frequently crossing over with its other areas of expertise where it acts for individuals against the state. Edward Fitzgerald QC represented a Grenadian revolutionary convicted of murder after the Grenadian Bar rejected his application to practice law due to a failure to meet its "good character" requirement. Among the juniors, Jude Bunting represented Michael Segalov, a left-wing commentator and Labour Party activist, in a challenge to Sussex Police's decision to refuse him accreditation to attend the 2017 Labour Party conference; in court proceedings it transpired that this was based on his reporting.

Leading Silks

Edward Fitzgerald QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A brilliant advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Martin Westgate QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A seriously respected public lawyer. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Stephen Cragg QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in various challenging public law cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in benefits cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Juniors

Jude Bunting - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He has an in-depth knowledge of practice, procedure and tactics. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Adam Straw - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He represents claimants against public authorities. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Adam Wagner - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He represents various claimants and is particularly good at explaining complex points of law in a straightforward and convincing manner. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ruth Brander - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ She has a track record of prison law. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
James Burton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Effective at carving a legal argument out of a mass of facts. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Laura Dubinsky - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Her practice crosses over public law and immigration. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Fraud: crime Tier 3

Doughty Street Chambers houses 'a solid team of fraud practitioners'. Rupert Bowers QC is representing West Ham United in an ongoing investigation into alleged tax evasion regarding the transfer of football players, while Benjamin Newton successfully defended Barry Jefferd, an accountant who was acting as financial advisor to Armande Cohen, a former member of the French Resistance, against allegations of fraud by abuse of position and forgery.

Leading Silks

Rupert Bowers QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Strong on his feet, with an excellent court presence. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Richard Fisher QC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ He gives clear and concise advice and is a calming presence when clients are in stressful situations. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Benjamin Newton - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very robust, and demonstrates exceptional client care. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Philippa Eastwood - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Her advocacy and written work are compelling and cogent. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Peter Caldwell - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ His courtroom manner is one of unruffled, steely calmness. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Liam Walker - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A fearless junior. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Public international law Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Amal Clooney - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Extremely good at handling a case, and really, really competent, with a knack for making things happen. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 4

Leading Juniors

Gemma Hobcraft - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Very knowledgeable on GMC disciplinary cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Louise Price - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Instructed in cases from the healthcare and education sectors. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Sue Sleeman - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ A versatile advocate who provides great strategic advice. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Crime

Amos Waldman at Doughty Street Chambers specialises in defendant work, including serious drug-related crime. Additionally, Waldman has expertise representing professionals facing criminal prosecution, as well as appearing in the International Criminal Court, recently representing former child soldier Dominic Ongwen.

Leading Juniors

Amos Waldman - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Recommended for drug conspiracy cases. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Employment

Doughty Street Chambers northern offering is home to Paras Gorasia, who primarily focuses on respondent work including discrimination, whistleblowing, and union disputes, as well as Paul Draycott, who acts primarily for claimants and is particularly prominent in cases which overlap with issues covered by the European Convention On Human Rights.

Leading Juniors

Paul Draycott - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Quickly grasps the key issues in a case. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Paras Gorasia - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Approachable, knowledgeable, and excellent with clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Immigration

Paul Draycott at Doughty Street Chambers has a strong asylum and immigration practice, with recent highlights including a successful judicial review against a Home Office decision to revoke indefinite leave, which was the third such case undertaken for the same claimant.

Leading Juniors

Paul Draycott - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Recommended for judicial reviews. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Property

Doughty Street Chambers' John Hobson specialises in homelessness and housing proceedings, acting for tenants in  possession claims, disrepair claims, unlawful eviction, and rent arrears.

Leading Juniors

John Hobson - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Recommended for social housing cases on behalf of the tenant. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Public law

At Doughty Street Chambers, Paul Draycott recently represented a claimant in challenging a court fee charged by Liverpool County Court during a low-value personal injury claim, which had been overcharged by almost 50% and which may affect large numbers of similar claims.

Leading Juniors

Paul Draycott - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Represents claimants in a wide range of judicial review proceedings. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Set overviews: England and Wales

The ‘top-class’ Doughty Street Chambers ‘tends to be involved in most high profile and/or legally significant cases’. It is ‘one of the best sets for civil liberties and criminal instructions’ and, with a ‘solid team’ of fraud practitioners, it is building itself ‘a strong reputation as a business-crime set’. Chambers also provides pro bono assistance in death penalty and constitutional/human rights cases in the Caribbean and other Commonwealth countries. ‘They have a big team of gifted advocates at all levels who can do the most serious trials as well as appeal work. They are the go-to set for fighting cases against the state.’ Overall, chambers is described as ‘excellent; from reception to senior management they have a real friendly, can-do attitude and a professional feel about how they conduct themselves that can be missing at other sets’. The set also ‘regularly hosts interesting legal events and see the bigger picture in trying to keep their solicitors happy’. The clerks are praised for resolving listing issues thanks to the maintenance of good relationships with both listing offices and other sets, which ‘allows for collaborative resolutions’. Senior practice manager (civil) Sian Wilkins is ‘excellent, friendly, and helpful’. ‘She suggests the right barrister for the work at hand and knows solicitors requirements without prompting.’ Matthew Butchard, senior practice manager (crime), is also a name to note. At practice manager level, Marc Gilby and Rebecca Gilchrist are ‘efficient and easy to deal’, while Callum Stebbing is ‘always very helpful and pleasant’ and Richard Vile ‘is extremely responsive, efficient, and friendly – just what you want from a clerk’. In recent news, general crime practitioner Karlia Lykourgou joined from 3 TEMPLE GARDENS; Adrian Waterman QC moved to Matrix Chambers; the set has moved its Manchester office to 3 Hardman Square in the business district of Spinningfields; and what seems to be becoming a trend at the Bar, after five years in chambers former business development director Marurice MacSweeney has joined Harbour Litigation Funding as a director; and in the clerking team, Georgia Pilbro joined Wilberforce Chambers . Offices in: London, Bristol, Manchester, and The Hague

Doughty Street Chambers > Firm Profile

 

This buoyant and cutting-edge set, renowned for and committed to defending freedom and civil liberties, has a truly national and international profile across its wide range of practice in criminal law, civil law, administrative and public law, international law and human rights.

The set: Doughty Street Chambers was set up in 1990 with the aim of ‘breaking the mould’ and setting new standards of excellence in the legal world. Striving for justice, professionalism and excellence remains the driving force behind all that chambers does today, along with the desire for innovation in its approach to business. It has grown to become one of the largest sets in the country, with 133 members, of whom 33 are QCs, and now has established chambers in Manchester and Bristol as well as London. Standards of excellence and quality have been both maintained and improved with this expansion, with 8 new silk appointments in the last three years and targeted recruitment at all levels of seniority to ensure a balanced structure to each of the practice teams. Members are noted as leaders in their field, for intellectual excellence and a collegial, team-based approach which allows the set to commit to providing a genuinely first-class, fully accountable service to clients. Many barristers are qualified to accept work directly from lay clients through the public access scheme and chambers can provide mediators and facilities for dispute resolution.

Types of work undertaken: Doughty Street provides specialist practitioners at all levels of seniority in civil and criminal work, offering advice and representation before all the courts of England and Wales and the rest of the UK as well as in Europe and other jurisdictions worldwide. Members are often involved in high-profile, precedent-setting cases. Principal areas of practice include administrative and public law, civil liberties and all aspects of criminal law including the following:

Actions against the police and public authorities; administrative and public law; clinical negligence and personal injury; community care and health; corporate governance and policy; education law; employment law and industrial relations; equality and discrimination; freedom of information and data protection; housing and social welfare; asylum and personal immigration; business and commercial immigration; inquests and public inquiries; public and private international law; land and property; media law and defamation; mental health and Court of Protection; national security; prison law and criminal justice; product liability and group actions; professional discipline and regulation; solicitors’ negligence and professional liability; sports law.

Criminal appeals; courts martial; extradition; homicide and related grave offences; international crime; protest cases; regulatory and financial crime; terrorism.

 

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Members of Chambers ROBERTSON QC, Geoffrey (1973)
Members of Chambers FITZGERALD CBE QC, Edward (1978)
Members of Chambers KENNEDY QC, Helena (1972)
Members of Chambers O'CONNOR QC, Patrick (1970)
Members of Chambers SALLON QC, Christopher (1973)
Members of Chambers CARTER QC, Peter (1974)
Members of Chambers WOOD QC, James (1975)
Members of Chambers HALL QC, Andrew (1991)
Members of Chambers ROGERS QC, Heather (1983)
Members of Chambers BENNATHAN QC, Joel (1985)
Members of Chambers WILLIAMS QC, Heather (1985)
Members of Chambers OPPENHEIM QC, Robin (1988)
Members of Chambers WATERMAN QC, Adrian (1988)
Members of Chambers BOWEN QC, Nicholas (1984)
Members of Chambers BENTLEY QC, David (1984)
Members of Chambers FORSHALL QC, Isabella (1982)
Members of Chambers WESTGATE QC, Martin (1985)
Members of Chambers WHITFIELD QC, Jonathan (1985)
Members of Chambers HUCKLE QC, Theo (1985)
Members of Chambers WEERERATNE QC, Aswini (1986)
Members of Chambers HISLOP QC, David (1989)
Members of Chambers STONE QC, Joe (1989)
Members of Chambers BRIMELOW QC, Kirsty (1991)
Members of Chambers FISHER QC, Richard (1994)
Members of Chambers TROWLER QC, Rebecca (1995)
Members of Chambers ELLIOTT QC, Sarah (1996)
Members of Chambers CRAGG QC, Stephen (1996)
Members of Chambers HILL QC, Henrietta (1997)
Members of Chambers GALLAGHER QC, Caoilfhionn (2001)
Members of Chambers MOLONEY QC, Tim (2010)
Members of Chambers BOWERS QC, Rupert (1995)
Members of Chambers THORNE QC, Katy (1994)
Members of Chambers POWLES QC, Steven (1997)
Members of Chambers KILROY QC, Charlotte (1999)
Members of Chambers CARTER, David (1971)
Members of Chambers HOUGH, Christopher (1981)
Members of Chambers SAMUEL, Gerwyn (1986)
Members of Chambers SOERTSZ, Lauren (1987)
Members of Chambers MILES, Sophy (2015)
Members of Chambers TAYLOR QC, Paul (1989)
Members of Chambers BROWN, Nick (1989)
Members of Chambers MAIDMENT, Kieran (1989)
Members of Chambers WHITAKER, Quincy (1991)
Members of Chambers REEDER, Stephen (1991)
Members of Chambers NABI, Zia (1991)
Members of Chambers ADDY, Caroline (1991)
Members of Chambers COOPER, Jonathan (1992)
Members of Chambers MURPHY, Fiona (2013)
Members of Chambers WALSH, John (1993)
Members of Chambers HENDERSON, Mark (1994)
Members of Chambers DRAYCOTT, Paul (1994)
Members of Chambers RAWLINGS, Clive (1994)
Members of Chambers MACKIE, Jeannie (1995)
Members of Chambers BROWN, Althea (1995)
Members of Chambers PRESTON, Dominic (1995)
Members of Chambers CALDWELL, Peter (1995)
Members of Chambers CHATAWAY, Ben (1995)
Members of Chambers GOODALL, Emma (1996)
Members of Chambers MUKHERJEE, Krishnendu (1996)
Members of Chambers TOMS, Nicholas (1996)
Members of Chambers BURNHAM, Ulele (1997)
Members of Chambers JOHNSON, LIndsay (1997)
Members of Chambers MIDDLETON, Joe (1997)
Members of Chambers STANAGE, Nick (1997)
Members of Chambers VINE, Sarah (1997)
Members of Chambers ARSHAD, Farrhat (1998)
Members of Chambers SHEPHERD, Jim (1998)
Members of Chambers BURTON, Jamie (1999)
Members of Chambers COOPER, Ben (1999)
Members of Chambers GREEN, Garry (1999)
Members of Chambers HOBSON, John (1999)
Members of Chambers NARAIN, Benjamin (1999)
Members of Chambers LEMER, David (2000)
Members of Chambers MUSHTAQ, Erim (2000)
Members of Chambers LEWIS, Oliver (2000)
Members of Chambers BRANDER, Ruth (2001)
Members of Chambers HART, Amanda (2001)
Members of Chambers HAYWOOD, Phil (2001)
Members of Chambers MARQUIS, Piers (2001)
Members of Chambers SLEEMAN, Sue (2001)
Members of Chambers WALDMAN, Amos (2001)
Members of Chambers WALKER, Liam (2001)
Members of Chambers DUBINSKY, Laura (2002)
Members of Chambers RHODES, David (2002)
Members of Chambers THOMAS, Richard (2002)
Members of Chambers EASTWOOD, Philippa (2003)
Members of Chambers GERRY, Alison (2003)
Members of Chambers PATRICK, Angela (2003)
Members of Chambers MACKENZIE, Alasdair (2004)
Members of Chambers NEWTON, Benjamin (2004)
Members of Chambers PRICE, Jonathan (2004)
Members of Chambers STRAW, Adam (2004)
Members of Chambers HAINES, David (2005)
Members of Chambers HIGGINS, Nichola (2005)
Members of Chambers MANKAU, Louise (2005)
Members of Chambers GORASIA, Paras (2005)
Members of Chambers STEPHENSON, David (2005)
Members of Chambers BUNTING, Jude (2006)
Members of Chambers NICE, Amelia (2006)
Members of Chambers HAWKES, Malcolm (2006)
Members of Chambers HOBCRAFT, Gemma (2006)
Members of Chambers HIRST, Megan (2015)
Members of Chambers ROBINSON, Jennifer (2016)
Members of Chambers PRICE, Louise (2006)
Members of Chambers ANNAND, Kate (2007)
Members of Chambers BEATTIE, Kate (2007)
Members of Chambers EATWELL, Tatyana (2007)
Members of Chambers OKEWALE, Tunde (2007)
Members of Chambers TIMAN, Annabel (2007)
Members of Chambers WAGNER, Adam (2007)
Members of Chambers WESTCOTT, Mary (2007)
Members of Chambers GASK, Alex (2008)
Members of Chambers KNORR, Michelle (2008)
Members of Chambers MEREDITH, Catherine (2008)
Members of Chambers SAMUEL, Zimran (2008)
Members of Chambers STEINHARDT, Sarah (2008)
Members of Chambers STEVENS, Tom (2008)
Members of Chambers MOFFATT, Rowena (2009)
Members of Chambers BRIGHT, Abigail (2010)
Members of Chambers CLOONEY, Amal (2010)
Members of Chambers COHEN, Marisa (2010)
Members of Chambers JOHNSON, Harriet (2010)
Members of Chambers MIR, Maryam (2010)
Members of Chambers NICHOLLS, Jesse (2010)
Members of Chambers ROCHE, Maria (2010)
Members of Chambers HALL, Graeme (2011)
Members of Chambers JACOBS, Sam (2011)
Members of Chambers KIRK, James (2011)
Members of Chambers MASON, Paul (2011)
Members of Chambers O'RAGHALLAIGH, Kate (2011)
Members of Chambers SCOTT, Emma (2011)
Members of Chambers GONIN, Emilie (2015)
Members of Chambers COOKE-HURLE, Tim (2012)
Members of Chambers DOUGLAS, Hayley (2012)
Members of Chambers TAYLOR, Jake (2012)
Members of Chambers BENFIELD, Antonia (2013)
Members of Chambers CLARKE, Daniel (2013)
Members of Chambers O'BYRNE, Katherine (2013)
Members of Chambers SANE, Jelia (2013)
Members of Chambers YOSHIDA, Keina (2013)
Members of Chambers LYKOURGOU, Karlia (2013)
Members of Chambers JOHNSON, Christopher (2014)
Members of Chambers PATYNA, Agata (2014)
Members of Chambers WADDOUP, Daniella (2014)
Members of Chambers WOODROW, Pippa (2014)
Members of Chambers OVERMAN, Claire (2014)
Members of Chambers BARKER, Paul (2015)
Members of Chambers MCCABE, Mary-Rachel (2015)
Members of Chambers SYKES, Christopher (2015)
Members of Chambers HARPER, Zoe (2015)
Members of Chambers DALY, Gemma (2017)

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