39 Essex Chambers > Manchester, England > Set Profile
39 Essex Chambers Offices

39 Essex Chambers
82 KING STREET
MANCHESTER
M2 4WQ
England
39 Essex Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Court of Protection and community care Tier 1
39 Essex Chambers is 'a go-to chambers for serious medical treatment cases due to the extremely high calibre of barristers within the set.' Property and affairs matters are another key area of strength for the team. Jenni Richards QC is representing the local authority in Surrey CC v Various Clinical Commissioning Groups, concerning alleged multiple failures on the part of clinical commissioning groups to assess and make appropriate provision for two young women with extensive care needs. In another matter, Vikram Sachdeva QC is acting in A Local Authority v JB, a high-profile case concerning whether the capacity to consent to sexual relations requires a person to understand that the other person must have the capacity to consent before and throughout sexual activity.
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Real strength in depth.’
‘Its strength in depth means that there is a barrister for every type of case.’
‘A highly regarded set – the members know their stuff and are a cut above their rivals.’
‘Great team with a wealth of experience across all types of public law.‘
Clerking
‘Clerks are excellent- notably Sheraton Doyle and Charlie Quant.’
‘Very helpful and friendly clerks. Peter Campbell and Jamie Tucker always go to great lengths to help.‘
London Bar > Environment Tier 1
‘The pre-eminent environmental set', 39 Essex Chambers 'has strength in depth and carries specialists in many areas of environmental law’. Environmental law is a major component of the set’s work, along with planning matters, and among its members are some of the leading practitioners in this area. Five members, including James Strachan QC and up-and-coming junior Rose Grogan, are involved in a challenge to the decision to grant consent for a tunnel under Stonehenge. Stephen Tromans QC is a leading light in matters relating to waste, nuclear energy, reservoir safety and nuisance claims, while Nigel Pleming QC has more than 30 years’ experience in environmental cases, including matters arising from the expansion of Heathrow Airport. Among the newer silks, Richard Wald QC recently acted for one of the UK’s largest minerals extraction companies in an appeal against a refusal to permit the construction of additional silt lagoons for processing extracted aggregates. Juan Lopez, who joined from Francis Taylor Building, is emerging as a force in matters concerning climate change, flood alleviation, coastal defence schemes and ecology.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Chambers is certainly up there with the very best, offering real depth in planning and environment work from the brilliance of its most senior silks to their new intake. They would always be in my top three for advising clients on who to appoint.’
‘Chambers’ strengths are in the broad range of barristers available to cover our areas of practice – environment, planning, highway and local government law.’
‘This set is the pre-eminent environmental set in my view. They now have strength in depth and carry specialists in many areas of environmental law. My go to set for environmental issues.’
‘Brilliant. Always responsive. Always willing to collaborate and to sound out issues to.’
‘They are brilliant and probably my favourite construction set – just because they have so much choice, so much knowledge and the set really gels in every single part from reception to the clerks to the members.’
Clerks
‘Always professional, approachable and responsive.’
London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud Tier 1
39 Essex Chambers continues to be seen as 'an undoubted leader in the personal injury arena', and is particularly 'well known for undertaking sterling work on behalf of defendant insurers'. The 'plethora of top quality QCs' at the set was recently increased even further; Emily Formby QC and Judith Ayling QC both took silk in 2021, while Nina Goolamali QC is a respected arrival from 2 Temple Gardens. Neil Block QC is leading Camilla Church for the defendants in the Court of Appeal case Al Najar v Cumberland Hotel, in which an intruder entered a hotel bedroom and attempted to murder several occupants, causing catastrophic injuries. In an illustration of the set's expertise in sports injury work, Susan Rodway QC and Emma Corkill are representing a group of former professional rugby union players in their landmark claims against Rugby Football Union, Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby.
Leading Silks
Personal injury - 2021 Silks
Insurance fraud - Leading Juniors
Personal injury - Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Excellent set – an undoubted leader in the personal injury arena.’
‘The available of a range of high-quality advocates handling a broad range of work is what sets 39 Essex apart.’
’39 Essex Chambers is in the front rank of personal injury claims.’
‘A strong set which is well known for undertaking sterling work on behalf of defendant insurers.’
’39 Essex is a strong set when it comes to defendant personal injury work, counting amongst its members a plethora of top quality QCs and also having many very competent juniors amidst its ranks, which makes for considerable strength in breadth and depth.’
Clerking
‘Excellent clerking, accessible and efficient.’
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 1
39 Essex Chambers is ‘up there with the market leaders for professional discipline‘, with an equally strong reputation in disciplinary proceedings involving a full spectrum of medical and legal matters. Gregory Treverton-Jones QC is ‘considered to be the expert for Solicitors Discipline and Regulation‘ – he represented a solicitor who, despite the fact that one allegation being substantiated, received £27,000 in costs after the case was described by the tribunal as being based on “errors and misunderstandings”. Top juniors include David Bradly QC, ‘scrupulously fair and even-handed, yet most effective in cross-examining witnesses’, and the ‘very knowledgeable‘ Peter Mant, who represented the Professional Standard Authority in joint appeals against the acquittal of two nurses of dishonesty charges relating to the production and use of a fabricated training certificate.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Good public law and regulatory set with wide experience.’
‘One of the leading chambers for professional discipline work for solicitors.’
‘Chambers has a good reputation for professional discipline, and when there is a complex case in the solicitors’ disciplinary tribunal it is common to see counsel from 39 Essex representing both sides.’
‘The set has a number of outstanding barristers with strong expertise in healthcare regulatory work. They provide outstanding training and good value for money.’
Clerking
‘Peter Campbell and his team are fantastic.’
‘The clerks/administration staff I have experience of are Jamie Tucker and Hannah Milne. I have found both to be receptive, helpful and prompt in dealing with queries.’
London Bar > Administrative and public law (including elections) Tier 2
'Leading set' 39 Essex Chambers are 'big hitters in judicial review', with members having expertise in a broad range of public law matters on top of its well-known expertise on medico-legal issues, immigration matters (an area in which some of the set's members are instructed for the government in their most sensitive cases), and planning law. James Strachan QC and Nicola Kohn represented the claimants in MDU v Secretary of State for Health, concerning the government's proposal to create a clinical negligence indemnity scheme that the claimants allege would not cover incidents before the policy was introduced. As sole counsel, Nicola Greaney represented the DVLA in a judicial review brought by a member of the public, who cited Article 1 Protocol 1 rights after being unable to renew an expired personalised number plate. Deok Joo Rhee QC defended the London Borough of Redbridge in judicial review to a policy challenge to the way in which the borough makes educational provision for visually impaired children in mainstream settings, with challenges brought on grounds of discrimination under both the ECHR and the Equality Act 2010. A number of members also have experience of acting as a special advocate.Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Leading set. Real strength in depth – you are getting the best for any level of seniority that the case demands.’
‘Excellent set of chambers, brilliant service and full of lovely people, both the barristers and clerks.’
‘Top tier in terms of knowledge and skills, and has the ability to deal effectively with cases that cross into other areas, such as commercial, environment and CoP.’
’39 Essex are big hitters in judicial reviews, and particularly in my area of immigration related issues, they seem to be one of the go to sets for important cases for the government.’
Clerking
‘Public sector clerks, Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell, provide an excellent service and have a real knowledge of the legal issues and market in the area of public sector work.’
‘Peter Campbell is very skilled at matching counsel to the client and will always listen to even the smallest of points to make sure there is a good fit.’
London Bar > Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police) Tier 2
39 Essex Chambers is ‘a proficient and excellent set‘, with particular strength in defendant work, however the set has a growing claimant-side practice. Key areas of instruction include protection of right to life and medical treatment, immigration and human rights, right to property and children’s rights. Katherine Apps represented United the Union in a judicial review of North Yorkshire Police’s declaration that picketing as part of industrial action was not “work purposes” under the second round of coronavirus regulations, making it an offence to leave one’s home without “reasonable excuse”. A number of members of the set have expertise in acting as special advocates in closed material proceedings, with Lisa Giovannetti QC particularly notable for her government-side work in national security cases.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘The best on public law, mental health, discrimination. Measured, consistently brilliant and committed.’
’39 Essex are amongst our go to choice of chambers. They have good clerks and breadth across the public law landscape.’
’39 Essex has a real depth of excellent barristers which makes instructing them a no-brainer. They are very much on top of their game when it comes to providing training.’
‘Easily the top set in mental capacity cases.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are brilliant. They genuinely understand the work the barristers do and, importantly, that the instructing solicitors do. Because of this they have good relationships with instructing solicitors who trust their judgment, meaning the very capable juniors get exposure to new and good quality work.’
‘A great set and great clerks, especially Hannah Milne.’
London Bar > Construction Tier 2
39 Essex Chambers offers ‘great strength in depth,’ with experience and top quality services across the silk and junior level. At the highest level, Paul Darling QC has been involved with the PTT vs Triplepoint Supreme Court case, concerning an employer is entitled to liquidated damages if the employer terminates the contract before completion, and “negligence” in a limitation of liability clause carries the same meaning as in tort or not. Across chambers, 25 barristers have been involved with phase two of the Grenfell inquiry, with Kate Grange QC in of particular visibility as part of the counsel to the inquiry team. Its barristers also work internationally, with arbitration matters worldwide and the set having a strong presence in Asia, including offices in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
’39 Essex Chambers is an excellent, all-round commercial set. I have worked with a number of their barristers, primarily in relation to construction, adjudication, and international arbitration. I have also had some dealings with them in relation to commercial matters. I think they offer a great service in all of these areas.’
‘Large and wide-ranging chambers but for construction an excellent place for QC and junior support.’
‘The Chambers has some very experienced counsel in the field of construction. Their training programmes are topical and very well delivered.’
Clerks
‘The clerks’ room at 39 is the best at the construction and engineering bar. Niki Merison and Mark Winrow care about you, they care about the work and the clients and go above and beyond to ensure everything is running smoothly on matters. Superb.’
‘Very responsive, friendly and accommodating staff.’
‘The clerks are helpful and friendly. They are able to direct you to the appropriate counsel and give adequate advice on the same. They are generally responsive and easy to work with.’
London Bar > European Union law Tier 2
A number of members of 39 Essex Chambers advise extensively on EU law. Timothy Lyons QC has a strong reputation for EU customs issues, in addition to representing professional bodies in relation to EU money laundering directive. Fellow silk Deok Joo Rhee QC is representing the trustees in Bankruptcy in Case C-168/20 Joint Trustees in Bankruptcy of Mr M, a case pending before the CJEU regarding the compliance of UK insolvency law under EU freedom of establishment and citizenship provisions. As regards juniors, Katherine Apps represented European Public Service Unions as sole counsel before the CJEU.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Clerking
‘The clerks have been very helpful in my dealings with them.’
‘They are excellent. Alastair Davidson in particular.‘
London Bar > International arbitration: arbitrators Tier 2
39 Essex Chambers is 'a solid construction law set with a number of good arbitrators'. The set has an especially strong standing for disputes in the Middle East, Asia and the Chinese-speaking world, where members such as Adrian Hughes QC have built up extremely good reputations, both as arbitrator and counsel. The set fields a selection of eminent full time arbitrators, including Peter Rees QC, a leading choice to chair major energy and construction disputes, David Bateson, who is based in Singapore, and Lord Dyson, a former Justice of the Supreme Court and Master of the Rolls.
Testimonials
Clerking
‘The clerks room works very well and efficiently.’
London Bar > Travel law (including jurisdictional issues) Tier 2
39 Essex Chambers ‘is particularly well equipped to deal with cross-border disputes, especially in the field of tort claims’. Bernard Doherty represents an Ibiza nightclub in defending a £8.5m personal injury claim brought by former footballer Joey Hutchinson, who suffered a spinal injury.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Great set – excel at international law matters.’
‘Good depth of knowledge in travel and jurisdictional matters.’
’39 Essex has very many barristers and so great strength in depth. The facilities are excellent – very modern.’
’39 Essex has some excellent practitioners, most particularly Bernard Doherty, who is one of the best in the field.’
Clerking
‘Excellent.’
‘Very approachable and responsive.’
London Bar > Clinical negligence Tier 3
'Fantastic set' 39 Essex Chambers' team was recently bolstered at the senior end, following Judith Ayling QC and Emily Formby QC's elevation to silk in March 2021. Neil Block QC (who 'knows exactly what his best points are') and Romilly Cummerson, whose 'advice is succinct, to the point and balanced', continue to defend the NHS against multiple claims brought by patients arising from hip replacement surgery. The 'always thorough and well-prepared' James Todd QC is well versed in handling high-value, catastrophic claims, and recently represented the NHS in a misdiagnosis claim concerning infant hydrocephalus. Charlie Cory-Wright QC is 'confident in his interactions with the judge'; he continues to act in the Infected Blood Inquiry.
Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘39 Essex Street is one of the premier sets around and has undoubted depth and experience.‘
‘Excellent chambers – well known and respected.‘
‘39 Essex is a fantastic set.‘
‘Excellent set of leading counsel.‘
‘This set has real strength in depth and has recruited well to ensure that you are getting the best for any level of seniority that the case demands.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks provide a fantastic service. They are part of the team.‘
London Bar > Costs Tier 3
‘One of the best sets around‘, 39 Essex Chambers houses a ‘very strong costs team‘ that was again involved in some of the market’s landmark costs disputes in the past year. Vikram Sachdeva QC is particularly noted for commercial costs, disciplinary costs, and costs in public law, frequently appearing at the Court of Appeal. Judith Ayling QC took silk in 2021 and instructed in connection with funding issues pertaining to an application in the Competition Appeals Tribunal, as part of UK Trucks Claim Limited v Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and others, with Simon Edwards also acting in the case on matters relating to damages-based agreements. Shaman Kapoor has been very busy on the costs front as well, including handing the costs elements of high-value group actions, and fellow junior Nicola Greaney stands out in costs matters related to personal injury and clinical negligence.Leading Silks
2021 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A very strong costs team.‘
‘One of the strongest sets in the UK and has top practitioners in a wide range of disciplines.‘
‘Good quality throughout.‘
‘One of the best sets around.‘
Clerking
‘I have found Oscar Redif, Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell to be very helpful.‘
‘Alistair Davidson is a great leader and Hannah Milne is diligent, hard working and provides a fantastic service.‘
London Bar > Data protection Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers is strong in public and regulatory law, and has particular expertise in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Eleanor Grey QC acts for a number of public sector clients, with a focus on the health and social care sector. The ‘very clear, reasonable and clever’ Rory Dunlop QC is ‘an excellent advocate who commands respect’. Dunlop successfully acted for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in Maurizi v ICO and CPS in the Upper Tribunal in relation to the CPS' refusal to disclose e-mails with the Swedish Prosecution Authority regarding Julian Assange.
Leading Silks
Testimonials
Set:
‘The set has hosted a number of useful and interesting webinars in relation to information law matters’.
‘One of the top two or three sets in data protection’.
Clerking:
‘The clerks are professional, friendly and respond in a timely manner’.
‘They provide a good service’.
London Bar > Education Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers are 'responsive', 'progressive' and 'outstanding' when it comes to education work. Rory Dunlop QC successfully acted for the claimant in R (AW) v St George’s University of London, resulting in the termination of the claimant's registration for failure to attend an occupational health appointment being quashed on grounds of unfairness. Steve Broach represented the claimant in R (Shaw and another) v Secretary of State for Education, a challenge to a number of statutory instruments issued by the Secretary of State for Education downgrading duties owed to children and young people with special education needs and disabilities, citing the coronavirus pandemic.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Responsive. Progressive.’
’39 Essex are one of my ‘go to’ chambers for education work. They have a range of specialists in education.’
Clerking
‘All of the clerks I have spoken to are friendly and very helpful and they will always do their best to assist you. They ensure the transition between counsel and clerk is seamless, saving time.’
‘I mainly deal with Peter Campbell and Jamie Tucker, both of whom are really approachable and really helpful. They are quick to respond to enquiries and will find the ideal barrister to assist with a particular job.’
London Bar > Energy Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers is ‘a fantastic and energetic set that always has a “can do” attitude’ and clients remark that it is ‘an excellent set for construction, infrastructure and energy matters with impressive talent at all levels of seniority’. The set has a different approach to that of many others active in this area, particularly due to the emphasis on regulatory matters in its energy caseload. Its members frequently act for oil exploration and refining companies, infrastructure contractors, utilities, state-owned corporate entities, regulators, insurers and commodity traders in policy, regulation and construction matters. Among its recent work is extensive advice to nuclear risk insurers on the revision to terms of insurance to comply with revised Paris Convention on Nuclear Liability. Stephen Tromans QC is the leading adviser on such matters.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
’39 Essex is a great set offering an extremely high-quality service. They have a strong offering of barristers who specialise in energy disputes.’
’39 Essex Chambers remains an excellent set for construction, infrastructure and energy matters with impressive talent at all levels of seniority.’
’39 Essex is an excellent chambers and I have worked with a number of barristers through the years. They are my go to chambers.’
’39 Essex Chambers is an outstanding energy set. It now has great strength in depth, from the top-rated silks, through more junior silks, excellent senior juniors and outstanding junior juniors.’
‘39 Essex Chambers has strength in depth in relation to environmental law. It also offers extremely useful and informative training sessions on a variety of topics.’
Clerks
‘They are simply brilliant. Approachable, efficient, and very friendly and professional.’
London Bar > Immigration (including business immigration) Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers' immigration set includes, Lisa Giovannetti QC 'quite simply the best immigration lawyer in the country' and national security expert Charlie Cory-Wright QC. Experienced in judicial reviews and challenges to control orders, its barristers regularly appear across all levels of the court system, including regular representation of the Home Office. Standout highlights include Giovannetti's representation of the Home Office in AM (Zimbabwe) v SSHD in a matter concerning deportations of individuals to places where they will receive inadequate medical treatment and Rory Dunlop QC's representation of the same body in S3 v SSHD, a sensitive matter pertaining to alleged support of foreign terrorists).
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
“39 Essex are big hitters in this area and are one of the go to sets for the government. They have a huge amount of talent in their team at all levels.”
“For public law with an immigration focus, 39 Essex is an excellent set.”
“I work with a few barristers at 39 Essex and have found them all to be of a very high quality.”
Clerking
“Peter Campbell is excellent.”
“The service and clerks’ room has as its foundation and strong and tight knit community with strong internal communication. This is one of the striking and best features of 39 EC.”
London Bar > International arbitration: counsel Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers is a strong choice for international arbitration, particularly for construction, infrastructure and energy-related disputes. The set's international reach, with outposts in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, makes it particularly popular for disputes in the Middle East and Asia. Among the senior and junior members, Karim Ghaly QC has established himself as a favoured choice for clients in the Middle East, while Adrian Hughes QC is one of the foremost Chinese arbitration specialists operating in the market. This is in addition to several highly experienced senior juniors including Karen Gough, who handles a broad mix of energy and infrastructure disputes, and Jess Connors.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
’39 Essex is a strong set and has a number of highly competent, qualified and experienced barristers who we regularly instruct as counsel or nominate as arbitrators.’
‘The quality of everyone that I interacted with from the Chambers has been top class.’
‘The set has very considerable depth in this area.’
Clerking
‘Niki Merison is an experienced clerk who is willing to have open and frank conversations regarding fees and budgets and appreciates that providing and expecting an hourly rate basis is not acceptable to most clients. Niki is always able to balance available budget, timelines and expertise to provide a client driven solution.’
‘The service of the clerks has always been exceptional, with particular mention to Niki Merison and Mark Winrow.’
‘Mark Winrow and Niki Merison are brilliant.’
London Bar > Planning Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers is ‘excellent’, with a deep bench of ‘top-notch’ QCs and juniors. The set has significant expertise across planning, environment and public law, providing clients a wide offering under one roof. Members have been instructed on the full range of planning inquiries, from the development of airports to the regeneration of urban areas. Richard Wald QC and Paul Stinchcombe QC represented individuals from Stop Stansted Expansion campaign in the ongoing public inquiry to major developments at the airport – it is the first case on the proper interpretation of the definition of aviation-related nationally significant infrastructure projects; Thomas Hill QC and Philippa Jackson act for Stansted Airport. John Steel QC represents Jockey Club Racecourses in proceedings concerning its proposed redevelopment of Sandown Park Racecourse, which sits on ‘green belt’ land; the project will include housing on part of the site.
Rising stars
Leading Silks
2020 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘A good set. I always approach them for planning matters. Great training programme, very responsive clerks always offer a range of Counsel in terms of seniors and juniors. Easy to work with.’
‘I have found that this set has a very deep bench. The QCs and the juniors are top-notch.’
’39 Essex is an excellent chambers and I have worked with a number of barristers through the years. They are my go-to chambers.’
‘Strong set of chambers with a number of stand-out planning barristers.’
‘The best planning set – I always use them. Reliable, affordable, intelligent and commercial.’
Clerking
‘Andy Poyser is excellent ambassador for his chambers.’
London Bar > Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax Tier 3
39 Essex Chambers advises on a broad range of tax with a strong focus on VAT and indirect tax. Nigel Pleming QC has extensive experience representing HMRC in cases involving VAT issues, particularly in the cases where it alleges tax avoidance, while Timothy Lyons QC has a strong international taxation practice and has 'encyclopaedic knowledge' of EU state aid and taxation. Senior junior Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho is a tax disputes specialist with expertise handling customs matters and VAT disputes.
Tax: corporate - Leading Silks
Tax: VAT - Leading silks
Tax: corporate - Leading Juniors
Tax: VAT - Leading juniors
Testimonials
Clerking
‘Timothy Lyons QC’s clerking team are first class – always quick to respond and incredibly helpful.’
‘Ben Sundborg, Anthony King and Alistair Davidson are all very helpful.‘
‘Very good; in particular Niki Merison who is an absolute star and obviously a Senior Clerk in the making.‘
‘The clerks at 39 Essex Chambers have always been very polite, quick to respond and very efficient. We have always agreed deadlines in advance and these have always been met. Jamie Tucker has been particularly helpful and quick to reply to any of our queries.‘
‘They are excellent. Alastair Davidson in particular.‘
London Bar > Professional negligence Tier 4
39 Essex Chambers is ‘a strong set on construction‘ and is regularly instructed in professional negligence claims against construction professionals, including architects, surveyors, engineers and contractors. The ‘highly pragmatic‘ Paul Darling QC ‘provides clear, direct, authoritative and practical advice‘, and is representing the claimant in Blue Manchester v Simpson Haugh, a case concerning the design of a cladding system.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Great strength in depth‘.
Clerking
‘A strong clerks room. Niki Merison and Mark Winrow are particular stars‘.
‘Excellent service and very well managed‘.
‘Mark Winrow and Niki Merison are brilliant‘.
London Bar > Sport Tier 4
39 Essex Chambers, hailed as a ‘full-service set, pushing hard and fast into the sports market', counts football, rugby, horse racing and motorsport among its foremost fields of expertise. Its caseload is notably broad, encompassing matters as varied as commercial contracts, image rights, stadium construction, anti-doping, fraud and corruption issues. A key point of differentiation is that set is home to a ‘number of distinguished sport arbitrators’ including the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Jonathan Bellamy continues to represent Anthony McGann, former manager of Michael Bisping, in a long-running dispute with the former UFC middleweight champion.
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘One of the powerhouses of the Bar.’
‘It provides an excellent array of webinars & in terms of sport has strength in-depth.’
’39 Essex Chambers has significant experience in this area, including a number of distinguished sport arbitrators.’
’39 Essex is a full-service chambers, which is pushing hard and fast into the sports law market.’
‘A full range of commercial, negligence and public law experts. Useful specialisms for sporting disputes.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Friendly. Responsive.’
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 4
Edwin Glasgow CBE QC – 39 Essex Chambers A founding chair of the Singapore International Mediation Centre, 39 Essex Chambers' Edwin Glasgow CBE QC's track record includes mediations spanning jurisdictions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and the US. Recent representative mediation work ranges from a high-value international airport construction dispute, to corporate fraud allegations and an oil rig construction-related claim.
London Bar > Inquests and inquiries
Rising stars
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
Rising stars
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Court of Protection and community care
Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
Rising stars
Northern Circuit > Court of Protection and community care
Rising stars
London Bar > Aviation
Leading Silks
London Bar > Financial services regulation
Leading Silks
London Bar > Local government (including rating law)
Leading Silks
London Bar > Insurance and reinsurance
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Competition
London Bar > Employment
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Public international law
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Health and safety
London Bar > Agriculture
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Commercial litigation
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Defamation and privacy
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Pensions
London Bar > Property litigation
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Social housing
39 Essex Chambers > Set Profile
39 Essex Chambers is a long established set with 47 Queen’s Counsel and 87 juniors. With offices in London, Manchester, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the set offers substantial expertise in almost every aspect of civil liability, commercial, construction and engineering, commercial fraud, financial services, costs and litigation funding, aviation, energy, planning, environmental and property, personal injury and clinical negligence, public, regulatory and disciplinary law, shipping and alternative dispute resolution, both in the UK and worldwide. Members of chambers have wide experience of all courts and tribunals including the Supreme Court, Privy Council, Court of Appeal, the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice, specialist courts, tribunals and planning and other public inquiries, as well as of domestic and international arbitrations. Members have participated in many significant investigations before Parliamentary Select Committees and 23 members are on the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel instructed on behalf of the Crown. Members also undertake pro bono work for public interest organisations.
WORK UNDERTAKEN
Administrative and public: judicial review and public law, including civil liberties and human rights, education, local authorities, health trusts, mental health, community care, court of protection, housing and housing associations, immigration, VAT and customs and excise.
Aviation and aerospace: leading experts who advise and represent clients on issues across the aviation and aerospace sector in the UK and internationally. This includes: planning and development of airports, heliports and aviation-related infrastructure; environmental; commercial; construction; civil liability and regulatory disputes; advice on compulsory purchase; surface access; noise and emission controls; AAIB inquiries and air accidents; air traffic services; the effects of wind turbines on radar and ATC; lease finance; airport, aircraft, pilot and crew licensing; engineering and management; taxation; aircraft leasing and sales; passenger claims; cases involving UK and foreign governments; ICAO, EASA and the RAA; competition; and European and international law.
Commercial: insurance and reinsurance, commodities and derivatives, funding disputes, banking, mergers and acquisitions, sale and carriage of goods, insolvency, company law, financial services law, professional negligence and professional indemnity work for auditors, legal advisors and international commercial arbitration.
Construction and engineering: litigation and related claims, including professional negligence and indemnity work, from major international ventures to smaller domestic contracts, acting for employers, contractors, subcontractors and professional advisors. Members act as advocates, mediators and arbitrators in the United Kingdom, the EU and worldwide.
Costs: members of chambers appear in every court and tribunal where costs issues arise. Members also carry out advisory work on potential funding arrangements and in drafting cost documentation including CFAs, CCFA and legal expenses insurance policies.
Employment: work for employers and employees, local authorities and central government. An emphasis is on public law-related work, discrimination, restrictive covenants, wrongful dismissal and breach of fiduciary duties.
Energy: a unique capability to cover corporate/commercial, construction, engineering, projects, environmental, planning, public and regulatory work in the electricity, nuclear, oil and gas and renewable sectors.
Entertainment: entertainment and media-related work including performers’ contracts, passing off, breach of confidence, film and management agreements and broadcasting regulation.
European: EU law before domestic and EU courts, including competition, discrimination and equality law, public procurement, free movement, state aids and milk quotas.
Human rights: members regularly appear in domestic Human Rights Act cases and also have extensive experience as advocates before the European Court of Human Rights and in courts overseas. Members have appeared in leading cases with a human rights dimension in diverse fields including civil liberties, commercial law, healthcare, housing, immigration, local government, mental health, community care, planning, police and prisoners.
Insurance and reinsurance: policy coverage and interpretation, fraud, regulation, broker negligence, business interruption, subrogated insurance recovery.
Personal injury and clinical negligence: sea, air and crowd disasters, group actions, industrial disease, sports injuries, injuries of maximum severity, pharmaceuticals, product liability and high profile and complex matters, ranging from sensitive consent-to-treatment cases to those involving serious disability and death.
Planning, environmental and property: compulsory purchase, contaminated land, environmental civil liability, environmental regulation, European law and human rights, health and safety and product liability, insurance, international environmental law, licensing, marine environment, parliamentary and public affairs, planning law, nuisance and rating.
Public inquiries: members of chambers have been instructed in most of the major public inquiries over the past ten years including BSE, the King’s Cross fire and, more recently, the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Victoria Climbie, the Saville inquiry, the Hutton inquiry, Hillsborough, the Leveson Inquiry and the Bristol Review.
Regulatory and disciplinary: appearing in tribunals and hearings, and carrying out advisory work across the entire medical sphere, appearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and in challenges to interventions by the Law Society, social care, education, financial services, broadcasting, communications and the media, sport, transport and health and safety, buildings and housing, local government standards, licensing.
Sport: commercial contracts, image rights, insurance coverage, governance, disciplinary, gaming, competition law, state aid, tax, planning, anti-doping, selection and eligibility.
INTERNATIONAL: 39 Essex Chambers has a number of members who have been called to the Bars of various international and offshore jurisdications including California, France, Hong Kong, New South Wales, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and the British Virgin Islands. Chambers also has experience of acting in disputes in various foreign jurisdictions including Western and Central Europe, Africa, the USA, India, China and Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Singapore, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
RECRUITMENT: the set is a member of Pupillage Gateway and also advertises recruitment via its website.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chief executive officer and director of clerking | Lindsay Scott | ||
Members of Chambers | CORY-WRIGHT QC, Charlie (1984) | ||
Members of Chambers | HARWOOD OBE QC, Richard (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | GOLDBLATT QC, Simon (1953) | ||
Members of Chambers | TACKABERRY QC, John (1967) | ||
Members of Chambers | GLASGOW CBE QC, Edwin (1969) | ||
Members of Chambers | ASH QC, Brian (1975) | ||
Members of Chambers | PLEMING QC, Nigel (1971) | ||
Members of Chambers | STEEL QC, John (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILMOT-SMITH QC, Richard (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | SPEARMAN QC, Richard (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | NORRIS QC, William (1974) | ||
Members of Chambers | KELLY QC, Matthias (1979) | ||
Members of Chambers | DARLING OBE QC, Paul (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | TREVERTON-JONES QC, Gregory (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | BLOCK QC, Neil (1980) | ||
Members of Chambers | RODWAY QC, Susan (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | CATCHPOLE QC, Stuart (1987) | ||
Members of Chambers | VILLAGE QC, Peter (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | McCAUL QC, Colin (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | LYONS QC, Timothy (1980) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUGHES QC, Adrian (1984) | ||
Members of Chambers | TROMANS QC, Stephen (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | MANZONI QC, Charles (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | HILL QC, Thomas (1988) | ||
Members of Chambers | REES QC, Peter (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | KOVATS QC, Steven (1989) | ||
Members of Chambers | GREY QC, Eleanor (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | GIOVANNETTI QC, Lisa (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | RICHARDS QC, Jenni (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | STINCHCOMBE QC, Paul (1985) | ||
Members of Chambers | MORRIS QC, Fenella (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | STRACHAN QC, James (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | SMITH QC, Marion (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | SACHDEVA QC, Vikram (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | O'SULLIVAN QC, Derek (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | MCPARLAND QC, Michael (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | TABACHNIK QC, Andrew (1991) | ||
Members of Chambers | GRANGE QC, Kate (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | RHEE QC, Deok Joo (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | GHALY QC, Karim (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | PATTERSON QC, Lindy (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | ROBB QC, Adam (1995) | ||
Members of Chambers | PATEL QC, Parishil (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | TODD QC, James (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | BRYNMOR THOMAS QC, David (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | DUNLOP QC, Rory (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | BUTLER-COLE QC, Victoria (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | PUGH-SMITH, John (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | JUDGE, John (1977) | ||
Members of Chambers | EDWARDS, Simon (1978) | ||
Members of Chambers | BATESON, David (arbitrator/ non-barrister) | ||
Members of Chambers | BROWN, Geoffrey (1981) | ||
Members of Chambers | DU CANN, Christian (1982) | ||
Members of Chambers | GOUGH, Karen (1983) | ||
Members of Chambers | BELLAMY, Jonathan (1986) | ||
Members of Chambers | BRADLY, David (1987) | ||
Members of Chambers | MALINTOPPI, Loretta (1987) | ||
Members of Chambers | DOHERTY, Bernard (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | COLQUHOUN, Celina (1990) | ||
Members of Chambers | KEARNEY, Andrew (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | FORMBY, Emily (1993) | ||
Members of Chambers | FALKOWSKI, Damian (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | SINCLAIR, Duncan (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | FULLWOOD, Adam (1996) | ||
Members of Chambers | ZWART, Christiaan (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | WALD, Richard (1997) | ||
Members of Chambers | DENIS-SMITH, John (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | AYLING, Judith (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | TRUSCOTT, Caroline (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | CHURCH, Camilla (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | CUMMERSON, Romilly (1998) | ||
Members of Chambers | GREANEY, Nicola (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | THOMANN, Colin (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | ALLEN, Neil (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | DAVIES, Sian (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | EDWARDS, Anthony (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | KAPOOR, Shaman (1999) | ||
Members of Chambers | SCOTT, Katharine (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | CONNORS, Jess (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | MURRAY, Simon (2000) | ||
Members of Chambers | BURTON, James (2001) | ||
Members of Chambers | RUCK KEENE, Alexander (2002) | ||
Members of Chambers | STAKER, Christopher (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | OLBOURNE, Ben (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | PATERSON, Fiona (2003) | ||
Members of Chambers | BODNAR, Alexandra (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | CRAPPER, Sadie (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAZARUS, Robert (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | MITCHELL, David (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | WENBAN-SMITH, Mungo (2004) | ||
Members of Chambers | ALLEN, Caroline (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | HEARNDEN, Alexis (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | TROUP, Rachel (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | SAWTELL, David (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | TER HAAR, Camilla (2005) | ||
Members of Chambers | MANT, Peter (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | DEAKIN, Andrew (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | FRASER, Quintin (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | HELME, Ned (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | ANDERSON, Jack (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | STRICKLIN-COUTINHO, Kelly (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | TOWNSEND, Edmund (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | APPS, Katherine (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | PRATT, Ashley (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | DRAKE, Rebecca (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | AMRAOUI, Thomas (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | THELEN, Jennifer (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | MALIK, Zane (2007) | ||
Members of Chambers | HOLBORN, Jack (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | JACKSON, Philippa (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | BROACH, Steve (2008) | ||
Members of Chambers | DOBSON, Catherine (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | TANKEL, Benjamin (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | JACOB, Vaughan (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | BROWNHILL, Ian (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | LINTNER, Anna (2009) | ||
Members of Chambers | HENNESSEY, Patrick (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | GROGAN, Rose (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | RAINEY, Angela (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | McCARTHY, Hannah (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | LEE, Annabel (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | CORKILL, Emma (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | MODHA, Niraj (2010) | ||
Members of Chambers | STEDMAN JONES, Daniel (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | KAZMI ABBAS, Samar (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | TABORI, Tom (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | SHIPLEY, Melissa (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | HUTTON, Victoria (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | VORA, Karishma (2011) | ||
Members of Chambers | DARBY, Jonathan (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | KOHN, Nicola (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | JONES, Samantha (2012) | ||
Members of Chambers | BOUKRAA, Adam (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | BOUSFIELD, Sarah (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | SCOTT, Rosie (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | HOPKINS, David (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | STANDING, Michael (2013) | ||
Members of Chambers | BARNES, Katherine (2014) | ||
Members of Chambers | SULLIVAN, Rachel (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | LAKING, Daniel (2015) | ||
Members of Chambers | DAVID, Stephanie (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | BENEDYK, Daniel (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | BRADFORD, James (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | HO, Joe-han (2016) | ||
Members of Chambers | KEATING, Ruth (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | THOMAS, Gethin (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | KOZELKO, Daniel (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | HIGGS, Nicholas (2018) | ||
Members of Chambers | KUHNE, Philippe (2017) | ||
Members of Chambers | VAN DER KLUGT, Tom (2019) | ||
Members of Chambers | LANE, Patrick SC (South Africa) (1999)* | ||
Members of Chambers | ULLSTEIN QC, Augustus (1970) | ||
Members of Chambers | HAYES QC, Paul (2005)* | ||
Members of Chambers | BUNNI, Prof Dr Nael G ** | ||
Members of Chambers | CHAKRABATI CBE, Shami (1994) | ||
Members of Chambers | DYSON, Lord John Rt Hon (1968)* | ||
Members of Chambers | FINDLAY, Archibald SC (South Africa) (1999)* | ||
Members of Chambers | HORTON QC, Matthew (1969) | ||
Members of Chambers | HICKEY, Denys (1975) | ||
Members of Chambers | HURST LLB MPHIL FCIARB, Peter** | ||
Members of Chambers | KEENE ACIArb, Sir David Rt Hon (1964) | ||
Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Sir Wyn (1974)* | ||
Member of Chambers | LIM, Steven (1992) | ||
Members of Chambers | MAYHEW, David (2011)* | ||
Members of Chambers | MACKAY, Sir Colin (1967)* | ||
Members of Chambers | McCLEARY CMG CVO, Boyd** | ||
Members of Chambers | PRATLEY, Michelle (2006) | ||
Members of Chambers | STERN, Kristina SC (South Africa) (1996)* | ||
Members of Chambers | TAN, Swee Im (1987)* | ||
** Non-Barrister | |||
*Overseas Members/Door Tenants |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Anthony Edwards | View Profile |
- Court of Protection and community care
- Environment
- Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Administrative and public law (including elections)
- Civil liberties and human rights (including actions against the police)
- Construction
- European Union law
- International arbitration: arbitrators
- Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
Set Rankings
- Clinical negligence
- Costs
- Data protection
- Education
- Energy
- Immigration (including business immigration)
- International arbitration: counsel
- Planning
- Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax
- Inquests and inquiries
- North Eastern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
- North Eastern Circuit > Court of Protection and community care
- Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
- Northern Circuit > Court of Protection and community care
- Aviation
- Financial services regulation
- Local government (including rating law)
- Insurance and reinsurance
- Competition
- Employment
- Public international law
- Health and safety
- Agriculture
- Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
- Commercial litigation
- Defamation and privacy
- Pensions
- Property litigation
- Social housing