Katherine Apps KC > 39 Essex Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

The well-regarded immigration team at 39 Essex Chambers has expertise in broad range of immigration appeals and judicial reviews, and ‘especially those at the cutting edge of immigration policy‘. Notable for representing both claimants and the Home Office, the set appears in all courts including the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union, and with members such as Charlie Cory-Wright KC – notable for his activity as a security-cleared special advocate – sought-after in cases before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission. Members like Lisa Giovannetti KC are regularly instructed by the government in immigration test cases, and Alan Payne KC recently acted for the Secretary of State in a case involving the obligation to consult and addressed a policy challenge that, as a result, impacted on the payments owed to thousands of trafficking victims. Rory Dunlop KC led the government side in R3 v SSHD, the leading case on the territorial scope of Article 8 ECHR in immigration cases, whilst Katherine Apps KC was instructed by the SSHD in a case concerning the principles that can be used to challenge refusals of citizenship.

39 Essex Chambers offers a multi-disciplinary approach, with specific expertise in commercial disputes, anti-doping, and disciplinary matters. The set has in-depth experience of acting for major clients in football, rugby, and horse racing, as underlined by Nina Goolamali KC acting for World Rugby in the ongoing litigation surrounding concussions in rugby. Katherine Apps KC is representing the International Tennis Integrity Agency in an anti-doping case concerning Sydney Dorcil, who received a four-year doping ban after testing positive for boldenone, whilst Jonathan Bellamy is highly regarded for his knowledge in disciplinary proceedings, primarily in the field of football.

‘Impressive set‘ 39 Essex Chambers fields ‘an excellent and versatile range of counsel in the field of administrative and public law‘. The ‘succinct‘ Fenella Morris KC has established strength in advising on high-profile administrative law cases, with notable expertise in handling matters involving healthcare issues and challenges concerning public sector pensions. Recent work highlights include Katherine Apps KC acting for the Lord Chancellor in R (Gulshan) v Lord Chancellor, concerning the lawfulness of HMCTS’ policy on kirpans – small ceremonial swords carried by observant Sikhs – into court buildings. Among the junior end of chambers, the ‘brilliant‘ Catherine Dobson has ‘an incredibly sharp legal mind‘, and Katherine Barnes is ‘extremely knowledgeable‘, ‘adapts well to challenging situations and remains composed under pressure‘. Bolstering the team at the senior end, Colin Thomann KC took silk in March 2024.

39 Essex Chambers has a strong reputation for its expertise in EU law, with members remaining active in the post-Brexit landscape. Deok Joo Rhee KC has been providing ongoing advice to the Cabinet Office on aspects of the Procurement Act 2023, specifically the ECHR and EU exclusions regime. Timothy Lyons KC, who offers a ‘very thorough understanding of the EU’s legal order’, is appearing before the FTT in Electric Mobility Euro Ltd & Ors v HMRC, with the EU tariff classification of mobility scooters, the impact of EU tariff regulations and the ability to challenge EU retained law all in issue. 2023 Silk Katherine Apps KC has ‘a brilliant grasp of EU law and the changes as a result of Brexit at her fingertips’.