3 Hardman Square > Manchester, England > Set Profile

Doughty Street Chambers
3 Hardman Square
Spinningfields
MANCHESTER
M3 3EB
England

London Bar > Inquests and inquiries Tier 1

Representing ‘the gold standard for its quality of barristers and clerking‘, Doughty Street Chambers is well known for its assistance to bereaved families during significant inquests and public inquiries, while the set is also increasingly instructed as counsel to Inquiries and Inquests. With extensive expertise in inquests, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC secured the sought-after instruction by Facebook in relation to the Molly Russell inquest, while Maya Sikand KC‘s long history of involvement in public inquiries includes the current Undercover Policing Inquiry. Within the junior pool, the recent experience of Fiona Murphy, includes being instructed in the Inquiry into the circumstances of Jermaine Baker’s death during a 2015 Metropolitan Police Service operation. Boosting the set further, public law and human rights expert Jude Bunting KC took silk in 2022.

Rising stars

Shanthi Sivakumaran – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Committed to her client’s cause and a very industrious practitioner- excellent attention to detail.‘

Ranked: Tier 1

Frederick Powell – Doughty Street Chambers ‘He is very committed and hardworking, and very good with the clients. He also has very good legal knowledge – analysis of the issues and knowledge of the material was excellent, and this led to his advocacy being clear and focused.‘

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘One of the most impressive senior barristers representing bereaved families in major inquiries and inquests. Her legal knowledge and acumen, especially in public law and human rights, are of the highest quality and enable her to produce inventive arguments. She is always on top of the detail of a case, and this shows in her highly effective submissions and examination of witnesses. ’

Ranked: Tier 1

Katy Thorne KC - Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Aswini Weereratne KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘A highly intelligent advocate, with an enviable knack for identifying the key issues and arguments, and presenting the client’s case with great skill and passion.‘

Ranked: Tier 4

2021 Silks

Maya Sikand KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Great for her meticulous attention to detail and the level of work and effort she puts into every matter, no matter how complex and low value the case. She has amazing client-care skills and extraordinary client care and humility.’

Adam Straw KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Dogged and effective advocate in front of difficult tribunals. Totally knowledgeable of his areas of expertise, inspires confidence with clients, and a good communicator with clients.’

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘The go-to barrister for any family concerned about the actions of the state. Jude is bright, delightful and a ruthless opponent. ’

Leading Juniors

Nick Brown - Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

Fiona Murphy – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Fiona is the best junior around for this area. She has an unrivalled grasp of the law and is a powerful advocate both in writing and orally. Undoubtedly she should be a silk.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Alison Gerry – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Alison is careful, measured, very clear as an advocate and extremely effective as a result.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Tom Stoate – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Tom is extremely dedicated to the people he represents and he is able to think through complex issues and come out with realistic solutions. His advocacy is impressive, effective in front of both juries and coroners, and leaves bereaved families that he represents feeling as though they have had someone truly fight for them.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Angela Patrick – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Angela has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. She has the ability to assimilate a large amount of evidence and identify the good from the weak points – a commanding advocate! ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Nick Stanage – Doughty Street Chambers ‘One of the most eloquent members of the Bar. He gets the Inquiry absolutely gripped by the power of his submissions, and he creates and delivers a perfectly pitched narrative for every client.‘

Ranked: Tier 4

Oliver Lewis – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Very friendly and compassionate to clients, being approachable and understanding, which is so important in an inquest context; and a collaborative approach which means all issues are examined and resolved where possible.‘

Ranked: Tier 4

Sam Jacobs – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sam is very articulate and his drafting is concise. He is quick to understand a case and how to tackle any issues, as well as being a strong advocate both in terms of questioning witnesses and making submissions.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Adam Wagner –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘DSC remains the gold standard for its quality of barristers and clerking.‘

‘An excellent set from top to bottom.‘

‘Doughty Street has some of the best barristers doing inquest work. It is particularly good at covering a broad range of inquest work (police, prison, mental health and clinical negligence deaths), and generally has bright and committed barristers doing this work.‘

‘Rightly a top-tier set for inquests, with barristers who are deeply committed to their clients’ interests.‘

‘One of the country’s leading sets for counsel representing families in complex inquests, particularly where state agencies are involved.‘

Clerking

‘The clerks responding quickly to emails, it follows that the communication between the clerks and myself is timely and efficient.‘

London Bar > International crime and extradition Tier 1

Considered a ‘first class set for extradition‘ Doughty Street Chambers’ background in this area includes not only appearing at the various international courts but also helping to set them up. Often defending, set members have been involved in high profile cases relating to allegations of war crimes, cybercrime, and multinational frauds for many years. On the extradition side, ‘legally innovative‘ Edward Fitzgerald KC recemtly represented Julian Assange in United States of America v Assange in 2021, an appeal brought by the United States Government against a district judge’s decision to block Assange’s extradition to the US on grounds of his mental health. Peter Caldwell is one of several members of chambers involved in representing Gabriel Popoviciu, an ultra-high net worth Romanian businessman who was convicted of bribery offences in Romania, in an appeal against extradition in the High Court.

Leading Silks

Edward Fitzgerald KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Edward is an exceptional advocate, able to persuade a court of the power of his points.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Tim Moloney KC –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Peter Carter KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘A superb lawyer and an intellectual heavyweight whom judges respect.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Steven Powles KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘He is well respected by judges and his peers.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Ben Cooper KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘He has an authoritative knowledge of the law in this field.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Peter Caldwell –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Peter is a very knowledgeable advocate who inspires confidence in the bench and those whom he represents. He is a very determined advocate and will pursue a point until there is no life left in it.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Malcolm Hawkes –Doughty Street Chambers ‘He is tenacious, has a great manner with clients and is an accomplished and fearless advocate in court.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Mary Westcott –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Mary is one of the hardest working advocates at the extradition Bar. She is extremely knowledgeable and unflappable in court.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Amelia Nice –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Amelia shows real strength in her crossover specialisms of family and extradition law.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Megan Hirst –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Megan is a highly skilled technical lawyer and litigator.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Tatyana Eatwell – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Jelia Sane – Doughty Street Chambers ‘She is a brilliant and thoughtful lawyer who brings rigour and insight to her analyses.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Amal Clooney –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Amal is one of the finest advocates for the rights of victims in the sphere of international criminal prosecution.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Graeme Hall –Doughty Street Chambers ‘A clever, hard-working and passionate junior.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Set

‘First class set for extradition. Strong international connections.’

‘Multi-disciplinary set who have real academics working for them. Every counsel is a true legal mind.’

‘Very strong extradition team with a number of counsel with 10-15 years plus experience.’

Clerking

‘Clerks are very professional.’

‘Very helpful and efficient.’

‘Matt Butchard has a wealth of experience in the profession. Will simply go out of his way to assist you time and time again. Offers real solutions which always work for our clients.’

London Bar > Social housing Tier 1

At Doughty Street Chambers, recent instructions include Zia Nabi representing the claimants in Elkundi & ors v Birmingham City Council, a Court of Appeal case concerning the main housing duty and the question whether the duty to secure suitable accommodation is immediate under Part 7 Housing Act 1996. The case was heard together with R (Imam) v Croydon, in which Sarah Steinhardt represented the claimant in a claim for mandatory relief where the council was in admitted breach of the duty under section s.193(2) Housing Act 1996 and which included a claim in respect of the council’s failure to make reasonable adjustments to its processes under the Equality Act 2010 in light of the claimant’s needs as a disabled person. In June 2022 Lindsay Johnson moved to Cornerstone Barristers.

Leading Silks

Martin Westgate KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Martin is an excellent barrister and a leader in his field. His housing and public law knowledge runs deep, and you know you are in safe hands if he is working on your case.’

Ranked: Tier 1

2021 Silks

Jamie Burton KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Jamie is one of the stars of housing law. He is an incredibly persuasive advocate in court.'

Leading Juniors

Zia Nabi – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Zia is the best barrister in the business for homelessness cases.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Dominic Preston – Doughty Street Chambers ‘A heavy hitter with a towering intellect.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Ben Chataway – Doughty Street Chambers ‘An effective advocate. He has a very calm and assured manner in court, and is very persuasive with judges.’

Ranked: Tier 2

David Carter – Doughty Street Chambers ‘David’s legal knowledge is second-to-none. A confident advocate who can think on his feet.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Sarah Steinhardt – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sarah is a first-rate advocate in Court. She is particularly adept at identifying challenges under the Equality Act 2010 and applying that in the context of housing cases.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Daniel Clarke – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Daniel constructs extremely clear and well-thought-through arguments and, is adept at getting the judge onside.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘One of the leading sets for housing law.’

‘Really impressive housing and public law set.’

‘Doughty Street is a key chambers when it comes to housing law, with several committed and knowledgeable barristers.’

‘Good strength in depth. The barristers are among the most committed and high-calibre working in tenant social housing.’

Clerks

‘The clerks are the best. They always try and find the right barrister for the case.’

London Bar > Police law (claimant) Tier 1

Doughty Street Chambers‘ Nicholas Bowen KC , who handles high-profile cases at first instance and on appeal, is instructed in a case by the former owner of London Fields Brewery, which was said to have been destroyed by HM Revenue and Customs out of revenge for a perceived lenient sentence the business owner received for cocaine trafficking, with it being alleged that the Revenue deliberately misled a judge. Several members of the ‘wide range of experienced counsel’ represent core participants in the ongoing high-profile Undercover Policing Inquiry, including ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ junior Fiona Murphy. ‘Strategic‘ barrister Nick Stanage has a strong track record in high profile claims against the police such as two high value High Court claims relating to human rights violations within policing in 2021.

Leading Silks

Nicholas Bowen KC – Doughty Street Chambers 'He has an ability to sniff out a novel point of law. He has a strong knowledge of the law concerning police and public authority liability and is creative with it.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Stephen Cragg KC – Doughty Street Chambers 'As a former solicitor, he has a keen understanding and empathy with solicitors and has great client care skills. He is very intelligent, exceptionally hard working, and takes on novel cases which push at the boundaries of the law.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Maya Sikand KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Maya is an excellent all round barrister. She is very knowledgeable and a formidable opponent but combines that with being very approachable and able to establish a good rapport with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Jamie Burton KC – Doughty Street Chambers 'Jamie is a strong all-rounder. Good with clients, good advocacy and very committed. He is phenomenally clever and brings an incisive analysis to every case he considers.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Adam Straw KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC - Doughty Street Chambers

Leading Juniors

Tom Stoate – Doughty Street Chambers 'Tom is a really gifted advocate, particularly in front of juries. His drafting is excellent and he has great strategic approach to guiding cases to success.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Fiona Murphy – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Clients absolutely love her. A fierce advocate, incredibly intelligent and always a calming presence. A real joy to work with.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Nick Brown – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Nick is a leading junior in his field. He has excellent knowledge, his written work is excellent. He works collaboratively with solicitors to get the best results for highly vulnerable clients’.

Ranked: Tier 1

Nick Stanage – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Nick is very strategic as a barrister. He quickly comes to a conclusion on the issues and plans a way forward.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Alison Gerry – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Sam Jacobs – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sam is brilliant, hugely in demand. Realistic and pragmatic. A strong intellect and he is pragmatic.’

Ranked: Tier 2

David Lemer – Doughty Street Chambers ‘A solid and hard working junior, who leaves no stone unturned. Technically good and easy to work with.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Testimonials

Set

‘There is a wide range of experienced counsel and the chambers is professional.’

‘Doughty Street are one of the best sets undertaking claimant police law work. They have a set of highly committed barristers who have been involved in some of the biggest cases involving the examination of police powers.’

‘Doughty Street is, in my opinion, the leading set in the field with an extraordinarily strong police law practice. It provides excellence.’

Clerking

‘The clerks are always responsive and helpful.’

‘They are approachable, friendly, accommodating and commercial.’

London Bar > Court of Protection and community care Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers has an ‘excellent expertise and depth of knowledge in community care and health and welfare Court of Protection matters’. Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC in R (EG) v Secretary of State for Justice and the Parole Board acted for the Official Solicitor in a series of cases concerning prisoners who lacked the capacity to engage in Parole Board proceedings. Mary-Rachel McCabe is also recommended.

Rising stars

Mary-Rachel McCabe – Doughty Street Chambers 'Mary-Rachel is concise and persuasive on her feet. Her advice is strategically minded, with a clear focus on the individual at the heart of the case. She can easy get to grips with complex cases. The quality of her written work is excellent.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Martin Westgate KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Stephen Cragg KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘In court Caoilfhionn is a relentless opponent, quick minded, confident and lethal.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Aswini Weereratne KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Aswini is very experienced and knowledgeable. She is confident and assured in her advocacy. She provides clear and cogent advice and ensures that the vulnerable client is at the forefront in every case. She is excellent at handling complex matters and does so with ease.’

Ranked: Tier 3

2021 Silks

Jamie Burton KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Leading Juniors

Ulele Burnham – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Ulele is standout counsel in the Court of Protection. She is considered to be one of the ‘original’ practitioners within this area and her gravitas is obvious in all instructions. She is trusted by practitioners and judges alike to lead the case to the right outcome.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Shu Shin Luh– Doughty Street Chambers 'Shu Shin is extremely thorough and absolutely committed to the client's best interests. She never gives up and is absolutely a force of nature. She leaves no stone unturned in support of a client's case.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Oliver Lewis – Doughty Street Chambers 'Oliver is good at cutting through complexity to get to the legal heart of the matter and good at truly understanding the complexity of the case. His advocacy is very clear, focused and extremely-well informed.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Sophy Miles – Doughty Street Chambers 'Sophy is an outstanding barrister. The depth of her knowledge is difficult to rival and her calm approach to cases placed both professional and lay client's at this ease. She is star practitioner in mental capacity and mental health law cases.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Dominic Preston – Doughty Street Chambers 'Dominic is a very intelligent and articulate man who has excellent analytical skills.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Stephen Reeder – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Antonia Benfield – Doughty Street Chambers 'Antonia is unparalleled in her knowledge and expertise in age assessment disputes. She is extremely efficient and sharp.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Daniel Clarke – Doughty Street Chambers 'Daniel is diligent and thoughtful. His drafting is clear, precise and persuasive. He is practical and gives considered and thoughtful advice within agreed timescales to get the best outcome for vulnerable clients.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Rowena Moffatt – Doughty Street Chambers 'Rowena is the epitome of a safe pair of hands. She has an incredible knowledge of the law and her advice is always clear and thorough.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Zia Nabi – Doughty Street Chambers 'Zia is a highly skilled advocate. He provides excellent and prompt advice and his drafting skills are excellent.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Tom Stoate – Doughty Street Chambers 'Tom is a practical and very constructive barrister. He is an excellent tactician and is superb on his feet. He is exceptionally talented and is very experienced in this field.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Sam Jacobs – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 5

Testimonials

Set

‘The chambers has experienced counsel in COP, and always has a choice of advocates.’

‘Chambers offers a wealth of experienced COP counsel. Counsel’s experience is wide ranging, to include academic and research backgrounds which adds real depth to the quality of advice.’

‘Doughty Street Chambers is a very strong set in Court of Protection, civil liberties, human rights and healthcare areas of practice. They have a broad and sympathetic practice, which puts vulnerable clients at the heart of what they do.’

‘Doughty Street Chambers has an excellent community care practice. They have a good range of counsel at the junior end as well as excellent leaders.’

‘Doughty Street has wide range of experienced counsels and they are always available to provide advice even at a short notice.’

‘Doughty Street Chambers is a hugely impressive set. They have so many impressive juniors, and there is always someone on hand to help. They offer great collaboration, training and networking opportunities.’

Clerking

Work highlights

London Bar > Crime Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers remains ‘a very strong set for criminal defence and international human rights work’, representing clients on high-profile cases involving allegations of murder, terrorism and sexual offences. David Hislop KC successfully defended a man who was tried for murder after disarming and fatally stabbing an ex-paratrooper on cocaine and steroids who abruptly entered the defendant’s bedroom in the early hours of the morning. Tim Moloney KC represented Ronan Hughes, the lead defendant in a highly-publicised manslaughter case involving 39 Vietnamese nationals found dead in a lorry in Kent. Moloney KC also defended a man alleged to be a hitman commissioned by Pakistani intelligence and sent on a mission to the Netherlands to assassinate a dissident blogger.

Rising stars

Rabah Kherbane - Doughty Street Chambers 'Rabah is probably one of the outstanding talents of his generation . Hugely sought-after as a junior in cases of the utmost gravity by experienced solicitors.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Isabella Forshall KC – Doughty Street Chambers 'Isabella is one of the most persuasive barristers around. Her down-to-earth, no-nonsense, style means she is able to speak to juries in such a way as to get them on her side in case after case.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Tim Moloney KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Tim is at the top of his game. One of the few silk stars of the criminal Bar. Extremely able advocate. Fearless. Has complete authority with the court. Highly-regarded.’

Ranked: Tier 1

James Wood KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘One of the finest silks in the UK. Real courtroom presence, excellent to work with, knows the case inside-out and excellent client care skills. One of the old-school legends still at the Bar.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Steven Powles KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Very competent criminal silk. Lots of heavy overseas work. Very personal and easy to work with.’

Ranked: Tier 3

David Bentley KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘David is a compelling advocate. When he speaks, both judges and juries listen. In addition, he has a masterful command of the criminal law, and his submissions on the law are always well-thought-out and persuasive.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Kirsty Brimelow KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Kirsty is a committed and highly-effective advocate, who combines vast knowledge of the law, with industry, tact, charm and compelling advocacy in securing the best possible outcomes for those she represents.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Edward Fitzgerald KC – Doughty Street Chambers 'Edward is very adept at seeing how the law can be developed and is committed to his client's cases.'

Ranked: Tier 3

David Hislop KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘David is very charismatic as well as being able to apply his formidable mind to a wide range of legal predicaments.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Katy Thorne KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Katy is an exceptional advocate. Her arguments are well put and persuasive and she is very tenacious.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Sarah Elliott KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sarah is fantastic with clients, nothing is ever too much trouble. A powerhouse in court but shows real empathy, understanding and sensitivity with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Paul Taylor KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Andrew Hall KC - Doughty Street Chambers 'Andrew is in the upper echelon of silks. His work rate is phenomenal.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Melanie Simpson KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Melanie is a first-class advocate. Strong on the law. Unflappable. Excellent cross examiner of professional witnesses. A go-to silk.’

Ranked: Tier 4

2021 Silks

Emma Goodall KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Emma is a fantastic advocate and is always well-composed in whatever case is before her. ‘

2022 Silks

Liam Walker KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘He has a reputation for being excellent in cases involving allegations of murder, drugs offences, gang violence and cross-examination of experts.’

Sarah Vine KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘It is difficult to express the relief one feels with Sarah by your side on a tricky case. She has the ability to really identify the key issues and plan to deal with them one by one.’

Liam Walker KC - Doughty Street Chambers 'Liam is a force to be reckoned with in court. He is one of the very best when it comes to advocacy.'

Richard Thomas KC - Doughty Street Chambers

Richard Thomas KC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Richard is a fantastic advocate and strategist. He really has the ear of the court. He is great on his feet and is a fearless cross-examiner. ’

Sarah Vine KC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Sarah is an incredibly hard worker, and diligent in her preparation. Her use of English in her written pleading phenomenal, which makes any written argument succinct and effective. Sarah also has an easy and affable charm which puts clients at their ease, which professional clients love her for. ’

Leading Juniors

Piers Marquis – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Piers is very bright, hard-working and gets brilliant results. He cares about and has a very good manner with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Farrhat Arshad – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Farrhat is a clear authoritative advocate with a strong intellect. She thinks hard and bravely about her cases, always looking for a way to promote her clients' interests.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Kate O’Raghallaigh – Doughty Street Chambers ' Kate is incredibly clever. Excellent tactical strategy. Superb client care. Brilliant skeleton arguments and ability to navigate complex factual issues, law and admissibility issues.'

Ranked: Tier 2

David Rhodes - Doughty Street Chambers 'David is an excellent lawyer who has no difficulty in mastering complex and extensive material. His legal arguments are both insightful and tenacious.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Garry Green – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Garry is exceptional. His dedication to his professional and lay client alike is outstanding. He takes every point and will fight all the way.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Benjamin Newton – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Ben is just extraordinary. He is super bright with a forensic eye for detail. He is super efficient and organised, carefully managing and analysing material. However small and apparently inconsequential a detail or document may be, he will be able to identify and comment on it in an instant. He is the real deal.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Peta-Louise Bagott - Doughty Street Chambers 'Peta-Louise is very assured in her manner, the advice she gives is on the money.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Daniella Waddoup - Doughty Street Chambers 'Daniella is intellectually considered and hard working with a brilliant mind.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘Doughty Street are an impressive set with a number of highly regarded barristers.’

‘Doughty Street are committed to social and access to justice but also have an incredibly bright and committed team from junior to senior and excellent cross over skills in criminal and public law. They also have a very strong extradition team and are exceptional when human rights issues interplay with criminal law and extradition.’

‘A very strong set for criminal defence and international human rights work. Often involved in cutting edge work, and public interest litigation.’

‘Doughty Street has an excellent reputation in the market for its work defending those charged with the most serious offences, especially in cases of terrorism and protestor cases.’

‘Doughty Street Chambers is a strong set and a go-to set for serious general Crime cases. They have a strong set of KCs and are strong in their depth.’

Clerking

‘The senior clerk Matthew Buchard is simply superb.’

London Bar > Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 2

Doughty Street Chambers has a strong and growing immigration team, bolstered over the last year by several arrivals including Shu Shin Luh and Anthony Vaughan. Vaughan acted for the appellant in R (Majera) v SSHD, a case concerning the Home Office's unilateral decision to ignore a tribunal order based on a legal defect. Elsewhere, highly-regarded junior Alasdair Mackenzie led Antonia Benfield on Sri Lanka country guidance case KK & RS (Sur place activities: risk) Sri Lanka CG.

Rising stars

Zoe Harper - Doughty Street Chambers 'Expert knowledge and extensive experience of cases involving victims of trafficking and modern slavery.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Camila Zapata Besso – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Wonderful tenacity. Attention to detail, and a great ability to communicate with clients and instructing solicitors.‘

Ranked: Tier 1

2022 Silks

Laura Dubinsky KC - Doughty Street Chambers 'Laura is, put simply, an intellectual powerhouse. Her strategic nous is incomparable to most, and her work ethic is unlike anything that I have ever before encountered.'

Laura Dubinsky KC - Doughty Street Chambers ‘ Laura has an unparalleled work ethic and is forensic when it comes to detail. She puts the needs of her clients at the forefront of her litigation and is an extremely compelling advocate. Put simply, Laura is a legal powerhouse. ’

Leading Juniors

Alasdair Mackenzie –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Unrivalled expertise in immigration, asylum and public law. A standout of the immigration bar. Forensic in his approach, and a powerhouse of knowledge and a fearless advocate on behalf of his vulnerable clients.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Joe Middleton –Doughty Street Chambers ‘He understands the way the Home Office operate and what arguments will be persuasive. He is calm and great to work with. His advocacy is brilliant, and his client care and team skills are excellent.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Anthony Vaughan –Doughty Street Chambers ‘His advocacy is crisp and does not waste time: not overly florid, but focussed and precise. His preparation is excellent, showing a mastery of detail.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Graham Denholm – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Graham is a go-to barrister for unlawful immigration detention, judicial review, and damages claims. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, produces impeccable written work, provides sensible advice, and is a very effective court advocate.‘

Ranked: Tier 2

Phil Haywood –Doughty Street Chambers ‘His knowledge of immigration and asylum law is first class and he is an excellent advocate. A great strength of his is an ability to train and guide solicitors and paralegals who may not have the in-depth knowledge with patience.‘

Ranked: Tier 3

Michelle Knorr –Doughty Street Chambers ‘What Michelle doesn't know about immigration law isn't worth knowing; she is a brilliant immigration junior who is also a great public and human rights lawyer.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Simon Cox - Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Antonia Benfield –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Go-to counsel for complex cases and those involving vulnerable clients. She is very sharp and will often pick up on issues others would miss. In court, she is a powerful advocate and fights fearlessly for her clients.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Agata Patyna –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Very good knowledge of unlawful detention and migrant support claims. Extremely hardworking with a forensic approach to evidence - she will leave no stone unturned. Goes above and beyond for every client - and is usually successful.'

Ranked: Tier 4

David Lemer –Doughty Street Chambers ‘David has no weaknesses. He is good with clients and very honest.‘

Ranked: Tier 4

Catherine Meredith – Doughty Street Chambers 'Careful, considered approach. Takes care to ensure favourable outcomes for clients are implemented effectively, even where settlement is offered at early stage.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Rowena Moffatt –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Rowena’s drafting is excellent. She is able to present persuasive and well evidenced arguments. Rowena is also wonderful to work with. Her work is brilliant and always to deadline.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Shu Shin Luh – Doughty Street Chambers 'Always completely on top of her brief. Reliable and clever. She has an amazing capacity to draft detailed and persuasive submissions at speed.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘Doughty Street is one of the best sets in the UK, with excellent client service.’

‘A brilliant set, which offers unrivalled depth and breadth of expertise.’

‘Very strong in immigration and deportation, and finding good legal challenges to urgent questions.’

‘A great set with many young and experienced barristers who are hardworking and who work to a high standard. They offer great training programmes too.’

‘Doughty Street is one of the leading sets for immigration/asylum law work.’

Clerking

‘Clerks are amazing and run the whole operation like clockwork.’

Work highlights

London Bar > Administrative law and human rights Tier 3

Doughty Street Chambers is a ‘top-notch’ chambers for claimant lawyers, a set focused on representing individuals and companies in public law cases against the state, particularly cases at the intersection of immigration and public law. This is embodied by Shu Shin Luh , who works on issues relating to nationality including the rights of migrants and victims of trafficking. She recently appeared at the Administrative Court in R (NB and Ors) v Secretary of State for the Home Department, a case concerning the use of the derelict former Napier Barracks site to house vulnerable and destitute asylum seekers. Edward Fitzgerald KC, whose expertise crosses over with criminal matters and is active in human rights matters concerning smaller jurisdictions, appeared before the Privy Council in February 2021 in Day and Bush v The Attorney General of the Cayman Islands , a case concerning the absence of same-sex marriage or civil partnerships in the British Overseas Territory.

Leading Silks

Edward Fitzgerald CBE KC –Doughty Street Chambers 'He has been at the forefront of public law matters for so many years, and is able to recall case law and apply it to the case in hand.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC –Doughty Street Chambers 'Caoilfhionn is an intellectual powerhouse. The speed and level at which she operates is truly remarkable. She is a formidable advocate and widely respected amongst solicitors, her peers and the judiciary.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Martin Westgate KC –Doughty Street Chambers 'Martin is technically brilliant, with an ability to assess and distil the legal issues quickly and in a way that the lay client will understand.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Nicholas Bowen KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Excellent attention to detail and drafting skills. Nicholas is extremely knowledgeable and willing to challenge the status quo.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Stephen Cragg KC –Doughty Street Chambers 'Steve is a safe pair of hands and tactically astute.'

Ranked: Tier 3

2021 Silks

Adam Straw KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Adam is extremely bright, very calm and measured, with a solution for every situation. His written work is excellent, and you can tell judges love to hear from him. ’

Jamie Burton KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Extremely intelligent and committed. Focused and effective analysis. Very calm and authoritative advocate.'

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC –Doughty Street Chambers 'Extremely knowledgeable and quick on his feet. Top of his game.'

Laura Dubinsky KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Laura is one of the best public law and human rights lawyers in the country, specialising in immigration law, immigration detention and the rights of people facing deportation after having been convicted of criminal offences.’

Leading Juniors

Alison Gerry –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Ruth Brander –Doughty Street Chambers 'Wonderful with clients and very easy to work with.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Shu Shin Luh –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Shu Shin is frighteningly talented, with an impressive ability to handle exceptionally complex matters with ease and masterful attention to detail.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Jennifer Robinson –Doughty Street Chambers 'Jennifer is a powerful advocate who harnesses the full power of the law for her clients. Not afraid to use the media and communications to amplify her cause, she is supremely gifted and a superstar in the making.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Leonie Hirst –Doughty Street Chambers ‘An excellent advocate. Her drafting is very persuasive and thorough. Able to see the big picture and get things done.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Nick Stanage – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Nick is very strategic as a barrister. He quickly comes to a conclusion on the issues and plans a way forward.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Adam Wagner –Doughty Street Chambers 'Adam is a future public law and human rights star. A really great asset.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Graham Denholm – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Graham is very bright and meticulous in his work. His judgement is excellent and he really brings worth to cases in terms of legal analysis.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Angela Patrick –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Angela provides detailed, strategic and comprehensive advice. She is engaged at every stage of a case and is fantastic to work with.'

Ranked: Tier 3

David Lemer –Doughty Street Chambers ‘David does a great job at identifying the potential grounds of challenge in unusual and tricky judicial reviews. His advice is clear and realistic.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Katherine O’Byrne –Doughty Street Chambers 'Extremely intelligent and committed. Focused and effective analysis. Very calm and authoritative advocate. Very perceptive and adaptable to judicial insight and to developments during advocacy.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Daniel Clarke – Doughty Street Chambers 'Very thorough and responsive. Very knowledgeable on procedure.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Anthony Vaughan –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Tony is a superb leading junior. He has excellent knowledge of immigration and public law. His questioning is razor sharp and incisive.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘Doughty Street always remains one of the sets that is claimant focused. They attract many of the brightest and most passionate counsel.’

‘Doughty Street are a top notch chambers filled with stellar brains. They are extremely bright, creative and tenacious.’

‘A fantastic set of barristers.’

Clerking

‘The clerks are approachable, efficient and provide instructing solicitors with everything that one could ask for.’

‘The clerks are very helpful.’

‘The clerks room is efficient and responsive.’

London Bar > Defamation and privacy Tier 3

With a ‘first rate team‘, members of Doughty Street Chambers act in a range of defamation, privacy, and data protection matters, representing media organizations and high-net-worth individuals. In Brake v Guy & Others, Heather Rogers KC led Jonathan Price, representing the claimant in the Court of Appeal case concerning the misuse of private information in relation to personal emails on a work account. In Stocker v Stocker, Claire Overman acted on behalf of the claimant in the Supreme Court, with respect to Facebook posts between ex-spouses, with the court clarifying certain issues in relation to defamatory social media publications. In addition, Jude Bunting KC – who took silk in 2022 – focuses on issues relating to anonymity in criminal proceedings.

Rising stars

Beth Grossman –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Beth is keen and versatile with a mind that can analyse and strategise laterally.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Heather Rogers KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Heather is super responsive and is all over the detail. She covers the relevant issues thoroughly, and lays out practical options for next steps.'

Ranked: Tier 1

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Jude is a star. He can pick up a brief and provide advice very quickly. Urgent instructions are no issue. He is a great advocate in court and gets on well with both his opponents and judges.'

Leading Juniors

Claire Overman –Doughty Street Chambers ‘She rolls up her sleeves and provides very practical advice and possesses excellent judgement, being able to read the court and her opponents well. Her written work is concise and very compelling and she has a gentle authority on her feet.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Sarah Palin –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Extremely thoughtful, knowledgeable and practical. Her advocacy is strong.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Mark Henderson –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Mark has a real commitment to his clients. He is prepared to back his own judgement and has obtained some notable successes while doing so.‘

Ranked: Tier 3

Jonathan Price –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Jonathan knows the law inside out, on the back of involvement in some of the most significant cases. He is very responsive and has a very good sense of how to present things to a judge.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Caroline Addy –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Jennifer Robinson –Doughty Street Chambers 'Exceptionally knowledgeable with a wide range of experience and contacts. Very good with lay clients; gains their trust easily. Very responsive.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘Doughty Street is a great set and services whatever is required.‘

‘Chambers has experience in this area at every level.‘

‘Doughty Street are beginning to develop a reputation as a ‘player’ in the media litigation field and are also developing their civil practice generally.’

‘Lawyers are of excellent quality.‘

‘Doughty Street has a first rate team. It has increasing strength in depth.‘

Clerking

‘Melvin Warner is a great clerk.‘

London Bar > Employment Tier 3

Doughty Street Chambers‘ ‘employment, discrimination and equality team’s reputation for excellence is well deserved‘. Acting for both claimants and respondents, chambers’ members are particularly well known for their expertise in high-value and complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Among the set’s senior-level juniors, David Stephenson is regularly instructed in high-value, multi-day, whistleblowing, discrimination, employment status and holiday pay cases; and Amanda Hart‘s enviable track record includes successfully representing clients in the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeals Tribunal, and the Court of Appeal. In late 2021, former founding member of chambers, Heather Williams KC, was appointed a High Court Judge to the King's Bench Division.

Rising stars

Beth Grossman - Doughty Street Chambers ‘Beth is an exceptionally bright barrister, who is going to go onto much bigger and better things. Her thorough analysis of the law is breathtaking, and she is unfazed by a challenge, adeptly delivering her arguments in a way that often leaves more experienced barristers standing. She focuses on the core issues of a case, quickly weeding out irrelevant points, and is able to ensure that cases remain focused, even when those around her may be drifting off down a blind alley!’

Ranked: Tier 1

Margherita Cornaglia - Doughty Street Chambers 'Margherita is able to provide clear, concise advice that gets straight to the heart of a matter - her client care is excellent, and her calm manner puts clients at ease immediately.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

David Stephenson - Doughty Street Chambers ‘He is a tenacious, brave and persuasive advocate. He is not afraid to take on difficult cases and run difficult arguments and he won't give up, and he's never daunted by acting against more senior opponents. His written advocacy is clear and comprehensive, while his oral advocacy is compelling but polite.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Paras Gorasia – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Paras is an excellent barrister and his responsiveness and client-care skills are second to none. Paras will always give clients a view about a case and will always go the extra mile to respond, whether late in the evening or over the weekend – a genuine employment law expert and a go-to barrister for employment law work.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Louise Mankau - Doughty Street Chambers ‘Louise puts clients at ease with her friendly demeanour. She is tenacious and meticulous in her preparation and advocacy, often identifying key issues at an early stage and achieving fantastic results for clients.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Amanda Hart - Doughty Street Chambers ‘Amanda is meticulous with detail and absorbs the pertinent arguments at lightening speed. She is measured but tenacious in her advocacy, often eliciting key information from opponents' witnesses with ease and simplicity.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Nicholas Toms - Doughty Street Chambers ‘A great trial lawyer who is committed from the outset of a brief, and is approachable and collaborative to the utmost degree.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Kate Annand - Doughty Street Chambers ‘An exceptionally efficient, conscientious and reliable barrister, for whom nothing is too much trouble. Kate is a calm and reassuring presence, who has fantastic client-care skills and an impressive knowledge of the gamut of employment law issues. Highly recommended for discrimination claims.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Mukhtiar Singh – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Fantastic with clients – he is very likeable, personable and treats clients with great empathy. Technically strong and a fierce advocate, who is able to adopt a range of styles as necessary – very well respected by all that come across him.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Sue Sleeman - Doughty Street Chambers ‘Warm demeanour, putting clients at ease from the beginning. Measured and tenacious advocacy, and achieves great results.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Louise Price - Doughty Street Chambers 'Supremely intelligent, thorough, and with great attention to detail; and her advocacy is measured and always received well by judges. She cuts through the nonsense and provides excellent advice on what really matters in a case. Clients can trust her with the most complex and sensitive of claims, and react very well to her calm and sensible approach.'

Ranked: Tier 5

Testimonials

Set

‘Doughty Street provides unwavering support to law firms, as well as valuable and specialist training programmes. It has a wide selection of relevant counsel, who can provide the service firms require.‘

‘A go-to set with great strength in its employment counsel, from the very seasoned and experienced, to the more junior but bright.‘

‘Barristers who are always willing to work with clients to find a solution to problems. Acutely alive to the commercial reality of instructing counsel, while the suite of training to clients is second to none, and always very topical and practical.‘

‘The chambers houses some of the most esteemed barristers in the field. It is an essential go-to chambers for issues involving equalities and human rights. ‘

‘Doughty Street’s employment, discrimination and equality team’s reputation for excellence is well deserved. It has strength in depth, and all members share a common ethos and commitment to helping individuals challenge discrimination and other injustices. Furthermore their fees are very reasonable and represent excellent value for money.‘

Clerking

‘All the clerks are most helpful and accommodating.‘

London Bar > Fraud: crime Tier 3

With ‘real strength in depth’, Doughty Street Chambers is ‘a go-to set for financial crime’, defending and prosecuting high-profile cases and major investigations brought by the SFO, FCA and other regulatory bodies. In R v James Stunt & 12 others Richard Fisher KC represents James Stunt, former son-in-law of ex-Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone, in a high-profile money-laundering prosecution concerning events which allegedly saw £266m deposited in the account of a gold dealer in Bradford. Peter Caldwell defended a Lebanese businessman, who was the subject of a private prosecution related to fraud, the proceeds of which were alleged to fund his divorce from his wife, who left him for footballer Cesc Fabregas. In another case Benjamin Newton defends a woman accused of exaggerating her care needs to receive £700,000 in direct payment from Hertfordshire County Council for over a decade.

Leading Silks

Richard Fisher KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Richard is an excellent advocate and good on his feet.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Rupert Bowers KC – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Juniors

Benjamin Newton – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Benjamin is great with clients and a pleasure to work with. He is very calm and reassuring. He gives clear, accessible and smart advice. He is one of the best senior juniors around.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Peter Caldwell – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Peter is an excellent advocate, hard worker, sound judgement, easy to work with, very good with clients, excellent drafting skills, talented all-round counsel.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Philippa Eastwood – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Jonathan Lennon – Doughty Street Chambers 'Jonathan is a first-rate criminal defence barrister. He is a thorough, diligent and persuasive advocate.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘They have many really good silks and juniors so real strength in depth. They are a go-to set for financial crime.’

‘Very busy set, with great depth and experience at all levels.’

‘Top quality set with some of the brightest in the profession.’

‘Doughty Street is a well-known and high calibre set of chambers.’

Clerking

‘Very efficient, reliable, helpful and always willing to assist.’

London Bar > Education

Rising stars

Alice Irving –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Alice has an in-depth knowledge of, and is passionate about, education and public law work. The quality of her drafting is second to none, having an uncanny ability to absorb large amounts of information and distil this into clear and coherent submissions.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Nicholas Bowen KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Nicholas is a wonder to work with - his extensive experience combined with creative thinking allows for innovative arguments. His knowledge is beyond impressive, yet he remains extremely approachable and is able to communicate complex legal arguments to lay clients. ’

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Louise Price –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Louise is very reliable, realistic and pragmatic.'

Ranked: Tier 4

Sarah Steinhardt – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Sarah is hugely knowledgeable when it comes to the interface between disability, discrimination and education law. She is very hardworking, possessing great judgement and a keen eye for detail. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Shu Shin Luh –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Her written and oral submissions are superb, consistently identifying new and emerging legal issues and not being afraid to pursue novel points to further the needs of her client. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law

Rising stars

Christopher Sykes – Doughty Street Chambers 'A rising star.'

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Louise Price –Doughty Street Chambers ‘A formidable opponent, Louise has mastery of the brief, is incisive in cross examination, and her submissions are perfectly pitched.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Sue Sleeman –Doughty Street Chambers ‘A wonderful client manner and a very caring barrister. This does not mean that Sue shies away from difficult cases, quite the opposite. She is a very effective advocate.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Gemma Hobcraft –Doughty Street Chambers 'Gemma is an excellent barrister, she is academic and has a practical and robust approach to all her cases. She has a wealth of knowledge in regulatory work and brings a unique approach to cases.'

Ranked: Tier 4

London Bar > Clinical negligence

Leading Silks

Robin Oppenheim KC –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

London Bar > Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture

Leading Silks

Richard Fisher KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Richard has an in depth knowledge of the area and also very good experience of advising and representing clients in court.'

Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Jonathan Lennon –Doughty Street Chambers ‘A class act – Jonathan is a first rate advocate, who is incredibly incisive, very strategic and exceptionally good at cutting through fine detail quickly and with ease. He has an elegant and captivating style to his advocacy, achieving the right results form a tribunal.'

Ranked: Tier 2

London Bar > Product liability

Leading Silks

Robin Oppenheim KC –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Robin is a very intellectual barrister with an encyclopaedic knowledge of product liability.’

Ranked: Tier 2

London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

Leading Silks

Theo Huckle KC –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 4

Personal injury - Leading Juniors

Christopher Johnson – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 5

London Bar > Data protection

2022 Silks

Jude Bunting KC –Doughty Street Chambers

Leading Juniors

Claire Overman –Doughty Street Chambers ‘She provides very practical advice and possesses excellent judgement, being able to read the court and her opponents well. Her written work is concise and very compelling, and she has a gentle authority.’

Ranked: Tier 3

London Bar > Public international law

Leading Juniors

Amal Clooney –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Her courtroom advocacy is crystal clear in focus and highly persuasive.’

Ranked: Tier 1

Jennifer Robinson - Doughty Street Chambers 'Jennifer is a superb barrister. She is very quick at gathering the key evidentiary and argument elements of a case and determining the best approach to take. She is intelligent and enormously capable, and a formidable advocate for her clients.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Paul Barker –Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Northern Circuit > Employment

Leading Juniors

Paras Gorasia – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

Paul Draycott – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Northern Circuit > Immigration

Leading Juniors

Paul Draycott – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)

Leading Juniors

Nick Stanage – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Northern Circuit > Social housing

Leading Juniors

John Hobson - Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Northern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)

Leading Juniors

Erimnaz Mushtaq – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Erimnaz is a born fighter who combines hard work and thorough preparation with the willingness to stand her ground on behalf of her client. An astute tactician and devastatingly effective in court, she has the rare ability to really turn the direction of a case. She is rightly in high demand.'

Ranked: Tier 3

Amos Waldman – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

South Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation

Leading Juniors

Mukhtiar Singh – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

South Eastern Circuit > Employment

Leading Juniors

Mukhtiar Singh – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Employment

Leading Juniors

Paras Gorasia – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

Paul Draycott – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Immigration

Leading Juniors

Paul Draycott – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 1

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)

Leading Juniors

Nick Stanage – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Social housing

Leading Juniors

John Hobson - Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 2

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)

Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 3

Amos Waldman – Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked: Tier 3

Heads of chambers: Geoffrey Robertson KC, Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC
Senior practice managers: Sian Wilkins, Matthew Butchard
Tenants: 159

The chambers: Doughty Street Chambers is a set of internationally renowned barristers with a reputation for excellence, passion, and the provision of fresh perspectives on the law. Chambers specialises in many fields across multiple jurisdictions, often in cases with a strong emphasis on human rights and civil liberties. Clients are offered a commitment to hard work and an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach. The set comprises over 150 barristers all with a fundamental commitment to going ‘above and beyond’ for clients. Clients include homeless families, children, victims of trafficking, the socially disadvantaged, the mentally and physically disabled, asylum seekers, those accused of criminal offences, regulated professionals, company directors, magic circle and Big 4 firms, United Nations officials, ministers and heads of government, and sovereign states as well as the instructing solicitors who represent them. Members practise in crime, civil law, public and administrative law, international law, mediation, and arbitration from our offices in London and Manchester.

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.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Members of Chambers	ROBERTSON KC, Geoffrey (1973; 1988)
Members of Chambers	FITZGERALD CBE KC, Edward (1978; 1995)
Members of Chambers	KENNEDY KC, Helena (1972; 1991)
Members of Chambers	CARTER KC, Peter (1974; 1995)
Members of Chambers	WOOD KC, James (1975; 1999)
Members of Chambers	ROGERS KC, Heather (1983; 2006)
Members of Chambers	BOWEN KC, Nicholas (1984; 2009)
Members of Chambers	BENTLEY KC, David (1984; 2013)
Members of Chambers	FORSHALL KC, Isabella (1982; 2010)
Members of Chambers	WESTGATE KC, Martin (1985; 2010)
Members of Chambers	WHITFIELD KC, Jonathan (1985; 2010)
Members of Chambers	WEERERATNE KC, Aswini (1986; 2015)
Members of Chambers	OPPENHEIM KC, Robin (1988; 2006)
Members of Chambers	HISLOP KC, David (1979; 2010)
Members of Chambers	STONE KC, Joe (1989; 2013)
Members of Chambers	TAYLOR KC, Paul (1989; 2018)
Members of Chambers	BRIMELOW KC, Kirsty (1991; 2011)
Members of Chambers	HALL KC, Andrew (1991; 2002)
Members of Chambers	MOLONEY KC, Tim (1993; 2010)
Members of Chambers	FISHER KC, Richard (1994; 2015)
Members of Chambers	THORNE KC, Katy (1994; 2018)
Members of Chambers	BOWERS KC, Rupert (1995; 2015)
Members of Chambers	CRAGG KC, Stephen (1996; 2013)
Members of Chambers	ELLIOTT KC, Sarah (1996; 2014)
Members of Chambers	GOODALL KC, Emma (1996; 2021)
Members of Chambers	LENNON, Jonathan (1997)
Members of Chambers	POWLES KC, Steven (1997)
Members of Chambers	SIKAND KC, Maya (1997)
Members of Chambers	VINE KC, Sarah (1997)
Members of Chambers	SIMPSON KC, Melanie (1998)
Members of Chambers	BURTON KC, Jamie (1999)
Members of Chambers	COOPER KC, Ben (1999)
Members of Chambers	GALLAGHER KC, Caoilfhionn (2001)
Members of Chambers	WALKER KC, Liam (2001)
Members of Chambers	THOMAS KC, Richard (2002)
Members of Chambers	DUBINSKY KC, Laura (2002)
Members of Chambers	STRAW KC, Adam (2004)
Members of Chambers	BUNTING KC, Jude (2006)
Members of Chambers	CARTER, David (1971)
Members of Chambers	SAMUEL, Gerwyn (1986)
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	COX, Simon (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	BROWN, Althea (1995)
Members of Chambers	PRESTON, Dominic (1995)
Members of Chambers	CALDWELL, Peter (1995)
Members of Chambers	CLIFT-MATTHEWS, Amanda (1995)
Members of Chambers	CHATAWAY, Ben (1995)
Members of Chambers	MUKHERJEE, Krishnendu (1996)
Members of Chambers	TOMS, Nicholas (1996)
Members of Chambers	BURNHAM, Ulele (1997)
Members of Chambers	MIDDLETON, Joe (1997)
Members of Chambers	STANAGE, Nick (1997)
Members of Chambers	ARSHAD, Farrhat (1998)
Members of Chambers	GREEN, Garry (1999)
Members of Chambers	HOBSON, John (1999)
Members of Chambers	NARAIN, Benjamin (1999)
Members of Chambers	PALIN, Sarah (1999)
Members of Chambers	LEMER, David (2000)
Members of Chambers	MUSHTAQ, Erim (2000)
Members of Chambers	LEWIS, Dr Oliver (2000)
Members of Chambers	DENHOLM, Graham (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	RHODES, David (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	MANKAU, Louise (2005)
Members of Chambers	GORASIA, Paras (2005)
Members of Chambers	STEPHENSON, David (2005)
Members of Chambers	NICE, Amelia (2006)
Members of Chambers	LUH, Shu Shin (2006)
Members of Chambers	HIRST, Leonie (2006)
Members of Chambers	VAUGHAN, Anthony (2006)
Members of Chambers	HAWKES, Malcolm (2006)
Members of Chambers	HOBCRAFT, Gemma (2006)
Members of Chambers	HIRST, Megan (2015)
Members of Chambers	SIVAKUMARAN, Shanthi (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, Dr Tunde (2007)
Members of Chambers	TIMAN, Annabel (2007)
Members of Chambers	WAGNER, Adam (2007)
Members of Chambers	WESTCOTT, Mary (2007)
Members of Chambers	KNORR, Michelle (2008)
Members of Chambers	MEREDITH, Catherine (2008)
Members of Chambers	SAMUEL MBE, Zimran (2008)
Members of Chambers	KRAMO, Yvonne (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	HALL, Graeme L. (2011)
Members of Chambers	JACOBS, Sam (2011)
Members of Chambers	MASON, Paul (2011)
Members of Chambers	BAGOTT, Peta-Louise (2011)
Members of Chambers	O'RAGHALLAIGH, Kate (2011)
Members of Chambers	SINGH, Mukhtiar (2011)
Members of Chambers	STOATE, Tom (2011)
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	SANE, Jelia (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	MCCABE, Mary-Rachel (2015)
Members of Chambers	MILES, Sophy (2015)
Members of Chambers	HARPER, Zoe (2015)
Members of Chambers	BELHADI, Omran (2016)
Members of Chambers	PROFUMO, Laura (2016)
Members of Chambers	GROSSMAN, Beth (2016)
Members of Chambers	KHERBANE, Rabah (2016)
Members of Chambers	BESSO, Camila Zapata (2016)
Members of Chambers	DALY, Gemma (2017)
Members of Chambers	POWELL, Frederick (2017)
Members of Chambers	CORNAGLIA, Margherita (2017)
Members of Chambers	DUFFY, Clare (2017)
Members of Chambers	SPENCER, Michael (2017)
Members of Chambers	GREENE, Donnchadh (2018)
Members of Chambers	IRVING, Alice (2018)
Members of Chambers	TURNER, Matthew (2018)
Members of Chambers	BAJWA, Tayyiba (2019)
Members of Chambers	STOCKDALE, Laura (2019)
Members of Chambers	FADIPE, Adeola (2019)
Members of Chambers	WALCOTT, Katrina (2019)
Members of Chambers	NIMMO, Caragh (2020)
Members of Chambers	MURPHY, Cian (2020)
Members of Chambers	DAVIN, Stephanie (2021)
Members of Chambers	DEVLIN, Cormac (2021)
Members of Chambers	PARIS, Marie (2021)
Members of Chambers	POLASCHEK, Rosa (2021)
Members of Chambers	IQBAL, Lameesa (2021)

Name	Position	Profile
Paul Draycott	Paul is an experienced practitioner in the fields of public law and…	View Profile
John Hobson	John specialises in Housing Law, Inquests and Administrative & Public Law. Recommended…	View Profile
Harriet Johnson	Harriet acts in cases involving the most serious allegations of criminal and…	View Profile
Erimnaz Mushtaq	Erim is a specialist criminal defence practitioner who is instructed in serious…	View Profile
Erimnaz Mushtaq	Erim is a specialist criminal defence practitioner who is instructed in serious…	View Profile

At Doughty Street Chambers, diversity is welcomed, celebrated, essential. We aim to stifle the myth that there is an acceptable way to look, talk or act to be a member of the Bar.

A commitment to promoting human rights and equality has always been part of our ethos. Securing equality, diversity and inclusion is one our five key values.

Diversity at the Bar is a driver of excellence. It is necessary to improve public confidence in the justice system: legal representatives need to reflect the society we live in. We also know that diversity is not just a fad, nor is it merely a ‘numbers’ game.

Our policies and culture play a vital role in ensuring we build an inclusive environment where all our people can grow and flourish. To achieve this, Doughty Street takes a systematic approach, with bold action on diversity and inclusion. We have a clear, innovative, impactful and joined-up diversity and inclusion strategy across Chambers that reflects our values and needs.

Our Equality, Diversity, Wellbeing and Inclusion Strategy Committee co-ordinates the initiatives of all diversity groups within chambers through a dynamic action plan for chambers towards achieving its diversity and inclusion goals. Doughty Street ensures there is cross representation of diversity across all governing committees within Chambers, as represented in all KPI data.

Doughty Street promotes diversity-targeted initiatives via partnerships and chambers diversity groups which cover all EDI aspects of Chambers life, including: Anti-Racist Pledges, OUTy Street LGTB+ group, #DoughtyStWomen, Fair Allocation of Work, Wellbeing, Neurodiversity in Law, Disabled Lawyers Network, City Disabilities (we are a Disability Confident Employer), The Sutton Trust Pathways to Law Programme, The Bar Council, Diversity Working Group, Bridging the Bar, 10,000 Black Intern Scheme, PASS (Inner Temple) and Urban Synergy. We hold selected inclusive events such as Holocaust Memorial Day, International Justice Day, and the International Women’s Day conference.

Our website clearly showcases Doughty Street’s commitment to securing equality, diversity and inclusion, and our Diversity-specific page demonstrates best practice throughout for the legal profession with regard to this agenda.

We are committed to promoting careers in the law to those from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds. Our outreach initiatives page details more information about this, together with Chambers’ E&D Policy and Chambers’ Bullying and Harassment Policy.

Some of the improvements achieved in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace at Doughty Street Chambers are indicated by diversity data and statistics covering the past 3 years to date, which can be found here

CLIENT: Nick Dent, Managing Associate
COMPANY/FIRM: Mishcon de Reya
TESTIMONIAL: Doughty Street Chambers is a leading set of criminal defence barristers renowned for the advocacy skills of its Counsel, from Pupils to Senior QCs. Barristers cover the full spectrum of criminal defence work, from serious crimes to complex white collar investigations. The set is also well known for its international work, commitment to human rights and access to justice. Many of the practitioners are also experts at dealing with public law and judicial review matters arising from criminal cases. Matt Butchard leads an excellent team of hard working and committed clerks, who are personable and conscientious. It is a pleasure working with a team that has such a collegiate approach.

CLIENT: Neal Gozzett
COMPANY/FIRM: Monan Gozzett LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Doughty Street Chambers are a fantastic set of barristers from junior to silk with excellent, around the clock, support from knowledgeable clerks. They are always quick to respond with any queries and offer solutions immediately, fees are always transparent which is important for the client relationship. They also offer an array of services which support our needs from start to finish, I would not hesitate to recommend the set to any other solicitors.

CLIENT: Angela Jackman QC
COMPANY/FIRM: Partner, Irwin Mitchell LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I have instructed Counsel at Doughty Street Chambers (DSC) for well over 10 years and have always been impressed by the consistently high standard of work and outcomes achieved. The clerks are approachable, efficient and flexible. DSC is renowned for its outstanding barristers who regularly lead the way in bringing innovative, cutting-edge cases of wider public interest. DSC’s training and conference programme also sets it apart from other chambers with high profile panels on topical legal issues, delivered in engaging formats with immaculate planning. DSC’s policy and campaign work complements its legal work, to the significant benefit of clients.

CLIENT: Anne-Marie Irwin, Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: Rook Irwin Sweeney
TESTIMONIAL: We have instructed Counsel at Doughty Street for over 10 years; quite simply, they are a first-class set of Chambers. They complement their immense technical expertise with a rare depth of understanding of the wider public interest in cases. Their commitment to their client group is rightly renowned, supported by their clerking team, which is knowledgeable and responsive. We look forward to continuing to work with DSC for many years to come, and would not hesitate to recommend them.

CLIENT: Anita Vasisht
COMPANY/FIRM: Wilson Solicitors LLP
TESTIMONIAL: We are immensely proud of our longstanding and close relationship with Doughty Street’s recently expanded “elite force” immigration team led by the brilliant Joe Middleton and Alasdair Mackenzie. There are so many stars in the team it seems unfair to name individuals: every single counsel is thoroughly committed, supportive, client-focused, extraordinarily able, tenacious and ferocious when it counts. Those with greater experience possess the most in depth legal knowledge as well as the ability to skillfully prosecute cases in the highest courts.

CLIENT: Anna Lees
COMPANY/FIRM: Analysis Legal LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Analysis Legal have been working with Doughty Street for a number of years and they are our “go to” Chambers. The team at Doughty Street offer high quality advice at competitive rates. They offer excellent Clerking via a great team who are helpful and responsive. The Barristers are first class, they are knowledgeable but also commercial and accessible, which is very important to us. They are pragmatic, approachable and down to earth and we can’t speak highly enough about them. We work with them regularly and feel like they are an extension to our team of Employment Lawyers. We work with their junior barristers on certain cases, and know that we will receive high quality, well beyond their level of qualification and we also work with their senior barristers on the more complex claims and know that we will get first class service.

CLIENT: Amirah Ajaz
COMPANY/FIRM: ABV Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: Doughty Street ticks all the boxes. It is one of the most reputable chamber sets out there. The clerks are super-efficient and work tirelessly to provide a professional and first class service. Doughty Street has a wealth of outstanding Counsel and Queens Counsel who are very well respected within the industry and are highly sought after for their excellence. Their expertise is multi-disciplinary and multi-jurisdictional making them a leading set in the UK.