Set Profile > Chambers of Charlie Cory-Wright QC and Richard Harwood QC > London, England

Court of Protection and community care Tier 1

39 Essex Chambers has a ‘real depth of counsel in the Court of Protection arena, from the most senior counsel through to excellent newly called juniors’. Members advise across all areas and are regularly instructed by claimants, relatives, statutory agencies, private bodies, and the Official Solicitor. ‘The depth of talent means someone is always available’, said one client. The set has particular expertise in health and welfare matters as well as strength in handling property and affairs issues. Recent examples of work include Jenni Richards QC acting for the Clinical Commissioning Group in an ongoing dispute between public bodies over an historic responsibility for funding the provision of services to a severely disabled young person. Elsewhere, Fenella Morris QC advised in a dispute between relatives and a hospital about whether a frail and elderly patient should be moved to palliative care.

Environment Tier 1

Environmental law is a significant element in the work of the planning, environment and property team at 'excellent' 39 Essex Chambers, which is known for its strength in public, commercial and civil liability law. Members of the chambers regularly appear in high-profile cases before the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court as well as undertaking public inquiry, Crown Court, and Magistrates' Court work.  Four members are involved in the judicial review of the government’s decision on a third runway at Heathrow Airport. Amongst those is Stephen Tromans QC, who is challenging the National Policy Statement on air quality, environmental assessment, transport, and other grounds. Richard Wald represented Natural Resources Wales in its objection to a proposed £1.1bn extension to the M4 motorway based on the impact on protected species. 'All the clerks are really helpful and friendly', remarks a client.

Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud Tier 1

'Undoubtedly one of the leaders in the personal injury arena', defendant-oriented set 39 Essex Chambers is 'an ever-growing set with a huge range of experience'. Members 'offer a first-class service at all levels' and have extensive expertise in high-value catastrophic injury cases, fielding a growing caseload for historical abuse claims. Neil Block QC was instructed by the Foreign and Colonial Office in the Kenyan Emergency Group Litigation, the largest and most complex personal injury claim brought against the UK government. Derek O’Sullivan QC is highlighted for acting in high-value, severe injury cases; Sadie Crapper often acts as sole in catastrophic injury claims, such as those involving brain and spinal injuries. Also of note, James Todd QC took silk in 2019.

Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 1

39 Essex Chambers is 'a very user-friendly set', especially noted for its 'good strength in depth in regulatory and disciplinary work at silk level'. Andrew Tabachnik QC represented the Law Society in the high-profile regulatory investigation into Malik Law Chambers, an immigration law firm, and the its managers, Dr Akbar Ali Malik and Imtiaz Ali, after the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) alleged dishonesty in connection with the business and failure to comply with the SRA Principles 2011; the firm was shut down. Also of note, Fenella Morris QC acted for one of the interveners in Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba's appeal against being struck off the medical register following a conviction for gross negligence manslaughter. Alison Foster QC has become a High Court judge in the Queen’s Bench Division.

Administrative and public law (including local government) Tier 2

'Full of able barristers', 39 Essex Chambers is 'a go-to set for public law matters in the healthcare field', as well as issues across public services and the welfare state. Jenni Richards QC represented a claimant in a High Court case concerning the Universal Credit system of calculating monthly income mismatching with their employers' end-of-month payroll. Kate Grange QC represented various government departments as interested parties in the R (Privacy International) v Investigatory Powers Tribunal, a case concerning an "ouster" clause purporting to shield decisions of the IPT from judicial review. Katherine Apps, unled, acts for the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions against a claim brought by an unmarried woman who was turned down for widowed parents' allowance and bereavement payments. Alison Foster QC has been appointed to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Construction Tier 2

39 Essex Chambers' construction team has 'strength in depth', with members often instructed by governments, contractors and construction professionals in international disputes. Stuart Catchpole QC is lead counsel for Kier Build in Kier Build Limited v Cameron Taylor One Limited, a dispute arising out of the defective design of the car park for a substantial retail complex. Meanwhile, the 'well-respected' Paul Darling QC acted in Blue Manchester v NWGR, a dispute about defects in the cladding of the Hilton Hotel Manchester.

International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 2

39 Essex Chambers hosts an increasingly deep pool of highly rated and very experienced arbitrators, many of whom have particularly experience in the construction and infrastructure space.

Sport Tier 2

Planning Tier 2

'A leading set for planning', 39 Essex Chambers includes members instructed to assist with all manner of infrastructure and house-building projects. The plans for Heathrow's third runway, and aviation in general, has been a key source of work for the set, with Stephen Tromans QC representing Transport for London and John Steel QC representing Heathrow Hub; Steel also advised Plymouth City Council on the re-opening of its airport. Paul Stinchcombe QC represented New World Payphones in a test case concerning the use of permitted development rights to install what are described as "telephone kiosks", which feature large advertising displays. In the junior ranks, Christiaan Zwart is instructed by the States of Jersey to promote a proposed new hospital in St. Helier. James Strachan QC and Jonathan Darby act for United Utilities in proposals for the first compulsory purchase using section 155 of the Water Industry Act 1991.

Travel law (including jurisdictional issues) Tier 2

39 Essex Chambers is 'one of the leading sets in personal injury work' and it is 'extremely well-regarded for international claims'. Neil Block QC successfully defended the government in Kimathi and others v Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a significant claim brought by 40,000 Kenyans relating to the alleged actions of the British colonial administration in Kenya during the state of emergency in 1952. The travel practice was recently bolstered by the arrival of Michael McParland QC , who joined the set in November 2018 from Quadrant Chambers.

Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police) Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers is a 'strong government and claimant practice' with its members using their significant public law expertise to regularly act in judicial review claims on human rights issues. Recent instructions include Nigel Pleming QC acting in Core Issues Trust v Transport for London surrounding the use of advertising space which may cause offence and the right of corporate bodies to control access. Elsewhere, Lisa Giovannetti QC is acting in  R (W2 & IA) v SSHD, a SIAC Court of Appeal case regarding the deprivation of British citizenship on the basis of national security reasons, as well as drafting the UK response to the European Court of on Human Rights in Ndidi v UK, a case concerning a deportation matter of an applicant with a history of drug offences. Also of note are Vikram Sachdeva QC for his niche expertise in medical human rights, and James Strachan QC who acted for the government in R (Conway) v Secretary of State for Justice which saw a challenge to the ban on assisted dying following the Supreme Court’s early decision in Nicklinson. Alison Foster QC has joined the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court.

Clinical negligence Tier 3

The 'approachable' 39 Essex Chambers has a 'breadth and depth of expertise' and 'good range of counsel' who cover the full array of clinical negligence claims, from minor injuries to complex litigation involving catastrophic injury and difficult group actions. The assessment of quantum in high-value cases is a particular area of expertise for barristers. James Todd QC represented an NHS Trust in contempt of court proceedings (Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust v Atwal), arising out of an £835,000 personal injury claim brought by a disk jockey, which was found to have been exaggerated following social media and surveillance evidence - the claimant was committed to prison for three months. Fiona Paterson joined from Serjeants' Inn Chambers and Samantha Jones joined from 7BR in September 2018.

Costs Tier 3

Well-regarded set 39 Essex Chambers has broad expertise in costs litigation. Among Vikram Sachdeva QC's recent caseload was his work in Jolyon Maugham QC v Uber London Ltd, where he was instructed to obtain a Protective Costs Order against Uber, while Judith Ayling advised on costs issues and likely costs recovery in two high-value personal injury claims.

Data protection Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers stands out for its Freedom of Information Act knowledge through the expertise of Eleanor Grey QC and new silk Rory Dunlop QC. Both regularly act for public sector bodies and governmental departments; Dunlop recently acted for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Maurizi v ICO & CPS, an appeal relating to the agency's refusal to disclose certain emails between itself and the Swedish Prosecution Authority regarding WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

Education Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers is 'a well-known player both in public law and in education specifically'. Its barristers are noted for their 'professional approach', and have experience representing individuals, schools, and local authorities before the First Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and higher courts. Rory Dunlop QC, who was appointed silk in 2019, acted for the defendant in Wong v Anglia Ruskin University; the claimant sued for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation on the basis that her degree is a 'Mickey Mouse' degree. Jennifer Thelen acted for Ofsted in a claim for judicial review by a nursery challenging an Ofsted inspection report.

Energy Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers is 'a fantastic set' and clients remark of the barristers that 'their analysis is in-depth and to the point' and that 'they work hard to come up with practical solutions'. Karim Ghaly QC's recent work includes acting for the world’s largest independent oil producer, a leading oilfield contractor, and one of the largest power generation contractors in the Middle East. The clerks are 'highly efficient – always responsive and a pleasure to work with'.

Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers 'is full of powerful performers' appearing in both the domestic and international courts, including the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and the Court of Justice of the European Union, to handle judicial reviews that challenge removal and detention, control orders, or the immigration rules. In the Supreme Court, Lisa Giovannetti QC acted on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in a case concerning applications for British citizenship based on false information. Further strengthening chambers, Zane Malik joined the set from 12 Old Square in February 2019.

International arbitration: counsel Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers has some 'outstanding and world-class advocates with a team-focused and goal-oriented approach'. The set has a good balance of barristers with expertise in infrastructure and insurance-related disputes. Adrian Hughes QC is noted for his experience in Asia-based arbitrations.

Public international law Tier 3

Insurance and reinsurance Tier 3

Inquests and inquiries Tier 3

Health and safety Tier 3

EU Law Tier 3

Competition Tier 3

Commodities Tier 3

Product liability Tier 3

Aviation Tier 3

Financial services regulation Tier 3

Mediators Tier 3

39 Essex Chambers' Edwin Glasgow CBE QC is widely known for his mediation of complex financial, commercial and construction disputes; he is also a specialist in professional negligence mediations.

Employment Tier 4

Pensions Tier 4

Social housing Tier 4

Professional negligence Tier 4

39 Essex Chambers is noted for its 'exceptionally talented' members' professional negligence experience in the construction and engineering fields. In one example, Stuart Catchpole QC and Adam Robb QC appeared in Kier Build Limited v Cameron Taylor One, a claim arising out of the defective design of the car park for a retail complex.

Shipping Tier 5

Court of Protection and community care

Following his move from No5 Barristers Chambers in June 2020, 39 Essex Chambers is the new home to Ian Brownhill, who specialises in health and welfare cases, particularly those involving safeguarding concerns.

Set overviews: England and Wales

The ‘ever-growing' 39 Essex Chambers has ‘a good selection’ of ‘outstanding, world-class, user-friendly advocates’ who have ‘a team-focused and goal-oriented approach’. Chambers has a wide range of specialties but it is particularly noted for being ‘one of the market leaders for defendant personal injury’; the ‘top set for Court of Protection work’; ‘great for public law matters’ and professional discipline; and for having ‘an impressive set of international arbitrators’. Since our last guide, Rory Dunlop QC, Victoria Butler-cole QC, James Todd QC, and David Brynmor Thomas QC all took silk in 2019; Michael McParland QC and Zane Malik joined from Quadrant Chambers and 12 Old Square respectively, while Justine Thornton QC and Alison Foster QC have been made High Court judges in the Queen’s Bench Division. Chief executive and director of clerking Lindsay Scott has ‘done a good job’ of growing the set’s Asian business, as chambers now boasts one of the largest stables of Singapore-based barristers; director of Asian Business Rod Noble is well-connected across the region. Back home, the set’s Chancery Lane location is superb, with ‘all the facilities a solicitor could hope for’. Senior clerks Alastair Davidson (‘extremely helpful and efficient’) and Michael Kaplan (‘helpful, diligent, and convivial’) run a ‘five-star’ clerks’ room that is ‘responsive, practical, proactive, and client friendly’; a ‘second to none’ team that is ‘always willing to go the extra mile’ for clients. Deputy senior clerk Andrew Poyser is ‘one of the most reliable clerks’ at the Bar. Senior practice managers Peter Campbell, Jamie Tucker, and Sheraton Doyle are ‘what all clerks should aspire to be’; Ben Sundborg is ‘excellent and provides a high level of service’. Hannah Milne, Harry Airth, and Tom Gibbons are all ‘really friendly, helpful, and provide solicitors with what they need’. Practice manager Nathan Hitchman has joined New Square Chambers. Offices in: London, Manchester, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur

Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax

39 Essex Chambers is noted for an outstanding offering in VAT and other indirect tax disputes, drawing as it does on significant experts within the set, including Timothy Lyons QC, who is 'a recognised leader in customs law'. Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho's practice encompasses EU and International Tax, corporate tax, income tax, VAT, customs and environmental taxes. In a recent development, Alison Foster QC has been appointed a High Court judge.

Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Court of Protection and community care

Following his move from No5 Barristers Chambers in June 2020, 39 Essex Chambers is the new home to Ian Brownhill, who specialises in health and welfare cases, particularly those involving safeguarding concerns.