Exchange Chambers > Leeds, England > Set Profile
Exchange Chambers Offices
OXFORD HOUSE, OXFORD ROW
LEEDS
LS1 3BE
England
Exchange Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
Northern Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1
Exchange Chambers ‘has high-quality juniors’ and ‘is the chambers of choice for insolvency matters.’ Its members have expertise across a wide range of matters, including shareholder and partnership disputes, director disqualification, breaches of fiduciary duties, derivative claims, s994 unfair prejudice petitions, and corporate insolvency. The set is home to Giles Maynard-Connor KC, who represents clients in corporate and personal contentious work, and he has acted on cases in the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar. George Rowell has expertise in insolvency cases with a tax background, including claims against directors arising from failed tax avoidance schemes. Carly Sandbach is experienced in director disqualification proceedings and public interest winding up petitions, as well as breaches of directors’ duties – in Bona Vacantia Ltd v Noblett, she successfully obtained a summary judgment on behalf of the defendant, defeating an attempt to make a director personally liable using s217 of the Insolvency Act 1986. Richard Tetlow regularly acts for office holders, individuals, and companies, and has expertise in director disqualification proceedings. Recent growth for the set includes Graham Sellers arriving from Atlantic Chambers in June 2023.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Joe Mawson is very approachable and is an asset to Exchange Chambers. Is he able to provide an option of junior counsel who are all very knowledgeable.’
‘The clerks are commercial, flexible, and they take the time to get to know their clients. Joe Mawson deserves particular recognition.’
‘The senior clerking and management is excellent, especially Nick Buckley and Jonathan I’Anson.’
‘Joe Mawson is an exceptional clerk and central to Chambers’ success.’
‘The clerking team is excellent; they are responsive and easy to deal with.’
‘A go-to set for insolvency needs. They cover everything from basic petitions to highly niche, technical international arbitration matters and always offer a Rolls Royce-level service.’
‘A go-to set in the North West. Their annual insolvency conference is excellent.’
‘Exchange Chambers are one of the premier commercial sets in Manchester. Exchange Chambers boasts a number of courses, and also a great variety of true specialists in their particular field. One has a real sense of collaboration with them.’
Northern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 1
Exchange Chambers is praised as a ‘veritable Northern powerhouse’ with an ‘array of highly-respected practitioners’. The crime team in chambers defends and prosecutes at all levels, covering the entire spectrum of serious crime, including murder, financial crime, alleged serious sexual offending and drug offences. The set is home to John Jones KC, who has a thriving practice working exclusively for the defence in serious crime, fraud, money laundering, and insider trading cases; he acted for the defendant in a gangland murder case concerning the execution-style murder of a rival drug dealer in a public street in broad daylight in Liverpool. Gordon Cole KC has a well-established and varied practice, having acted in murder and manslaughter cases, and Ben Myers KC has substantial expertise in high-value fraud and money laundering cases. The set also houses Richard Littler KC, who has significant experience in cases concerning terrorism, fraud, and organised crime – he is acting for a defendant in a drug importation case stemming from the interception of 350kg of cocaine, 90kg of heroin and 150kg of cannabis. Mark Rhind KC is strong in high-value MTIC and tax fraud cases. Imran Shafi KC also primarily defends in serious and high-profile cases regarding murder, terrorism, and drug conspiracies – he represented a woman who was acquitted on charges concerning her alleged membership of an extreme-right group planning violence using, among others, 3D-printed firearms. Turning to the set’s juniors, David Birrell was sole counsel for a defendant who played a leading role in a case concerning the supply of 180kg of Class A drugs, involving a significant amount of Encrochat evidence. James MacAdam was appointed to the circuit bench in September 2023 as was Ian Harris in October 2023.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘A large clerking team with bags of experience. Head criminal clerk Nick Buckley stands out as a great networker and a real asset.’
‘Very professional and efficient. In Manchester, this is run by chambers director Nick Buckley, who is simply a legend. He cannot be praised highly enough.’
‘There are an abundance of clerks at this set, and Kate Masher and Neil Wright stand out. You only have to raise an issue with them once and it gets done.’
‘Chambers’ clerks, particularly from the Liverpool branch, are second to none. Graeme Hipkiss is incredible, honest, hard working, and dedicated to the role. Nothing is too much trouble for him.’
‘Proactive and helpful. Andy Leech in Manchester and Kate Masher in Liverpool have excellent knowledge of their team and provide good advice and assistance with regards to counsel selection.’
‘Exchange Chambers is an extremely strong and well-managed set; a veritable Northern powerhouse. They have a strength in depth which is second to none and their can-do approach runs right through the organisation.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a fantastic set as a whole. They will advise of counsel’s availability honestly which is refreshing, and if preferred counsel are not available, there are always alternate counsel available who have significant expertise.’
‘Great range of counsel across many areas and a number of excellent barristers with a good range of experience and expertise, allowing the right choice to be made for individual clients.’
Northern Circuit > Personal injury Tier 1
Exchange Chambers ‘is the go-to set for personal injury counsel’ and its members handle cases involving injuries of the utmost severity, including fatal accidents, industrial disease, severe brain injuries, and catastrophic spinal cord injuries. It also provides representation in niche areas, such as military claims, which is an area of strength for Andrew Ward and Christopher Barnes KC; Barnes KC represented a Royal Marine who was paralysed during a training exercise. William Waldron KC is deputy Head of Chambers and has expertise in representing catastrophically injured claimants. Bill Braithwaite KC’s practice is highly specialised, and he represents claimants exclusively in claims involving catastrophic brain and spinal injuries. Gerard Martin KC, Louis Browne KC, and David Knifton KC are also skilled in this area, as well as claims for amputees; Knifton KC acted for a refuse collector who sustained severe crushing injuries to his right leg when run over by a bin wagon, resulting in above the knee amputation. Laura Gooding was appointed as a district judge in January 2023.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are responsive, helpful, and a pleasure to deal with. Rachel Williams in particular is excellent.’
‘The clerks’ room has great strength and all clerks are superb. Neil Wright, Rachel Williams, and Sarah Rotherham are stand-out clerks.’
‘All clerks are very helpful and approachable. They deal with the digital transfer of large volumes of documents very well and without fuss. Neil Wright in particular is always very helpful and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Rachel Williams is excellent and you can be confident she is doing her best to assist.’
‘The clerks at Exchange are incredibly attentive and accommodating. They strive to provide the best service possible and invariably achieve it.’
‘Exchange Chambers is the leading personal injury set in the UK at all levels, from KC to Junior Counsel. A very well-run set that has experienced counsel in all areas of personal injury.’
‘Exchange Chambers is the go-to set for personal injury counsel.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a fantastic set of chambers. Very modern, proactive, and eager to assist.’
Northern Circuit > Professional disciplinary law Tier 1
The members at Exchange Chambers handle a wide range of disciplinary and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on police law. Richard Littler KC frequently defends Police Federation members before police misconduct tribunals and police appeal tribunals, as does Nicholas Walker. Jason MacAdam was appointed to the circuit bench in September 2023.
Northern Circuit > Property and construction Tier 1
At Exchange Chambers, the team's workload includes public and private rights of way, highways and planning cases, disputes concerning registered land and conveyancing, and easements and boundaries issues. Andrew Williams specialises in real estate litigation; David Fearon and Simon Whitfield are key contacts in the group for construction and engineering disputes; and Lawrence McDonald is sought after for his expertise in handling disputes concerning rights to light, adverse possession, boundaries, and restrictive covenants. Brynmor Adams is also a key name and his practice mainly focuses on residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Exchange Chambers is a good and reliable set.’
‘The set has a number of barristers with expertise who offer strong knowledge and advocacy.’
‘Good strength in depth.’
‘Exchange Chambers is very good value for money.’
‘Joe Mawson is highly efficient and accommodating.’
‘Luke Heywood is excellent, and does all he can to ensure that solicitors and clients are looked after.’
‘Joe Mawson is strong at keeping one appraised and managing expectations.’
‘Prya Anisa is excellent.’
North Eastern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 2
At Exchange Chambers‘ Leeds office, the team of ‘formidable advocates‘ continues to act in high-profile cases of murder, serious violence, large-scale drugs conspiracies, serious sexual offences and high-value fraud. Nicholas Johnson KC is ‘an excellent speech-maker‘, and successfully prosecuted a man who was convicted of the sexual assault and murder of a vulnerable woman. Turning to the junior end of chambers, Eddison Flint defended a man charged with criminal damage to the York Minster after he scaled the building with the intention of taking his own life; he received a suspended sentence. The junior end of the team was bolstered by the arrival of Ayesha Smart.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Exchange is a very strong chambers.’
‘An excellent set.’
‘A strong selection of junior counsel.’
‘A reliable set.’
‘The service provided was exceptional. All the clerks I have dealt with have been friendly and very accommodating.’
‘The clerks are a wonderful group of people who work very hard.’
Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights) Tier 2
The members of Exchange Chambers have substantial expertise handling judicial review claims before the Administrative Court, representing both claimants and defendants. Brynmor Adams acts exclusively for public authorities, including central government departments, non-departmental agencies, and local authorities nationwide. Louis Browne KC leads the local government and social housing departments, and he represented Donald McPherson in R (Leeson) v HM Area Coroner for Manchester South and Various Interested Persons, a judicial review case considering the decision to not admit circumstantial evidence into an inquest in relation to the death of Paula Leeson, who died in a swimming pool in Sweden.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety) Tier 2
Exchange Chambers has members with expertise across a wide range of cases, including prosecutions by the CPS, Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue and Customs and DWP. Michael Lavery successfully represented the defendant in R v Emmett, a case concerning a Serious Fraud Office prosecution of a solicitor for litigation funding. Ian Whitehurst is another name of note - he acted for a defendant who was accused of allowing his employee to sustain an accident at work when he fell through a lift shaft, causing injuries rendering him a paraplegic.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Nick Buckley is the stand out clerk; a true clerk who has his finger on the pulse, knows his market, and suggests the right counsel for the right job.’
‘Very professional and efficient, and in Manchester, this is run by chambers director Nick Buckley, who is simply a legend! he cannot be praised enough.’
‘A large clerking team with bags of experience. Head criminal clerk Nick Buckley stands out as a great networker and a real asset.’
‘The clerks are very responsive.’
‘Great service and extremely efficient clerking team.’
‘The clerks are excellent.’
‘Very strong set across the board.’
‘Excellent set of Chambers with superb strength in depth.’
Northern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax Tier 2
Exchange Chambers ‘is a good set for Chancery work’, and its members have substantial expertise in traditional Chancery law, including real property, wills, trusts, and the administration of estates, probate, and mortgages. Andrew Williams has a property-based Chancery practice, and both Scott Redpath and George Rowell are skilled in tax law mandates. Andrew Vinson exclusively acts in Chancery and commercial work, and the set is also home to John Waiting, who has expertise in trust litigation. Graham Sellers joined the team from Atlantic Chambers in June 2023.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘A really good clerking team. Joe Mawson is excellent, and the civil team has enough staff that there is always a good service overall.’
‘Senior clerking and management is excellent, in particular Nick Buckley and Jonathan I’Anson.’
‘Very helpful, always on the other end of the phone, and are always happy to offer a number of potentially suitable counsel.’
‘The clerking team is effective and efficient.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a good set for chancery work. The set runs day-long and short-bite seminars, and it has also hosted the Manchester B&P Courts Forum, which is once a month as a forum for the court to communicate with court users.’
‘Exchange Chambers is one of the premier commercial sets in Manchester. It boasts numbers, but also a great variety of true specialists in their particular field. Exchange Chambers go above and beyond for their clients, offering the use of Chambers to host mediations and meetings etc.’
‘Very strong set across the board and at a range of fee points and seniority. They all provide pragmatic, commercially sound advice.’
‘The experience of their barristers and staff is always first class.’
Northern Circuit > Clinical negligence Tier 2
Exchange Chambers has ‘a strength and depth of knowledge which is unrivalled.’ Its clinical negligence team acts for a range of private and publicly funded claimants, as well as defendants that include hospitals, NHS organisations, medical defence organisations, and insurance bodies. Head of chambers Bill Braithwaite KC represents claimants exclusively, and he handles cases involving catastrophic brain and spinal injuries. David Knifton KC represents claimants in cases stemming from high-value obstetric injuries, failures or delays in diagnosis and consent issues, and claims against alternative medical practitioners. Christopher Barnes KC has a specialism in military-related clinical negligence claims. The set is also home to Kevin Naylor, whose practice benefits hugely from his previous experience as a doctor, and Matthew Stockwell is another key name of note, focusing exclusively on brain, spinal, and other life-changing injuries.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Neil Wright, Rachel Williams, and Sarah Rotherham are all excellent. They are very responsive and always willing to find a workaround and accommodate requests.’
‘Leigh Daniels is a very approachable and accommodating clerk.’
‘Leigh Daniels is extremely efficient, friendly, and helpful, and always acknowledges instructions or requests promptly. It always feels as if nothing is too much trouble for him.’
‘Leigh Daniels is exceptional in his efficiency, organisational skills, and approachability. He responds with lightning speed to all emails and enquiries.’
‘Neil Wright is an exceptional clerk with fantastic knowledge.’
‘Exchange Chambers are the complete set of barrister’s chambers for clinical negligence work. They also have impressive training programmes in clinical negligence claims.’
‘This is an impressively strong set. They have a strength and depth of knowledge which is unrivalled.’
‘Exchange Chambers is highly rated. The barristers are technically excellent and are very personable, and the chambers offer excellent, high-quality training.’
Northern Circuit > Commercial litigation Tier 2
At Exchange Chambers, ‘the depth of quality in its commercial team is one of the strongest in the region, if not the strongest’. The members handle a wide range of commercial litigation cases, including competition and banking matters. Giles Maynard-Connor KC handles corporate fraud cases, and experienced commercial litigator Lawrence McDonald acts in cases regarding contractual disputes for individual, companies, office holders, and public bodies. Stephen Connolly is also skilled in contentious contractual matters, and Carly Sandbach has represented parties in all levels of court up to the Court of Appeal, and her clients are broad-ranging, encompassing banks, multinationals, small businesses, professional services firms, and private individuals. Guy Vickers represented the claimant in Stonegate LLP v Pritchard, a case regarding misuse of confidential information by a former employee.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Joe Mawson and Tom Gornall are very responsive, very efficient, and very personable.’
‘Joe Mawson is an exceptional clerk and central to Chambers’ success. He goes above and beyond on every occasion and makes booking, instructing counsel, and billing, along with everything else in between, a pleasure.’
‘First-class service. The clerks are quick to respond and solution focussed. They also don’t overclerk their barristers so that they become too busy. Nick Buckley stands out; he is well-connected and always available.’
‘Joe Mawson is excellent. Always available and regularly goes above and beyond.’
‘Joe Mawson is highly efficient and manages a team of impressive clerks. He is particularly excellent at selecting the right barrister for the right matter.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a strong regional set. The depth of quality in its commercial team is one of the strongest in the region, if not the strongest, and it has a good bench of extremely capable counsel.’
‘The best set in the North-West with strong depth of experience.’
‘Exchange Chambers are certainly a go-to set for commercial work. They are commercially minded, client focussed, and work hand in hand with solicitors to achieve a good result.’
Northern Circuit > Inquests and inquiries Tier 2
The inquests and inquiries team at Exchange Chambers represents a diverse range of individuals and groups, from bereaved families, trade unions, and clinical practitioners, to government bodies, local authorities, police forces, and police and prison officers. It is active in Middleton inquests concerning deaths in psychiatric institutions, police custody and prisons, as well as matters in workplaces. Louis Browne KC is a key name of note, and represented the University of Salford (where the bomber was a student) and the Fire Officers Association in the Manchester Arena and Grenfell Tower inquiries respectively. The set is also home to David Sandiford, who has expertise in prison deaths and deaths after police contact, and Sara Sutherland, who is skilled in inquests into deaths in medical contexts.Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > Professional negligence Tier 2
Exchange Chambers has strength in advising on professional negligence claims brought against a wide range of individuals, including medical professionals, solicitors, surveyors, auditors and accountants. James Malam is instructed on behalf of insurers, claimants and defendants in disputes, and has an excellent reputation for his strength in acting for members of niche professions in claims. George Rowell is 'uniquely placed to advise on tax-related professional negligence claims', and has been kept busy advising on claims arising from complex, failed tax avoidance schemes.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Exchange Chambers is an excellent set with a number of high-quality juniors.’
‘The set is very welcoming.’
‘Exchange Chambers is a very well-run and well-clerked set.’
‘Nick Buckley is one of the best clerks in Manchester.’
‘The service is very good and Nick Buckley is great to deal with.’
‘Ian Spencer is very affable and efficient.’
‘Joe Mawson provides an excellent service. He is always prompt to deal with any enquiries or requests for assistance, he is friendly and approachable, and he is always willing to go the extra mile.’
Northern Circuit > Social housing Tier 2
Exchange Chambers is home to the 'client-focused' Brynmor Adams, who garners praise as 'an able and unflappable advocate who demonstrates legal maturity way beyond his year of call'. Adams is well known for representing landlords, local authorities, and housing associations, and his recent workload includes advising on anti-social behaviour cases. In an example matter, he successfully acted for the Cobalt Housing Association in anti-social behaviour possession claim proceedings involving allegations of harassment and disability discrimination.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks are some of the friendliest around. They are uber-efficient and 100% reliable.’
Dispute resolution > Mediators Tier 3
Paul Kirtley – Exchange Chambers Exchange Chambers‘ Paul Kirtley is 'approachable, sensible, and able to explain issues to clients in a language they will understand'. Kirtley mediate commercial, employment and public sector matters, as well as solicitors and valuers’ negligence claims, and medical negligence and personal injury-related disputes. Other key areas are probate, trusts, property and boundary disputes. Kirtly has also developed a thriving offshore mediation practice, particularly in the Isle of Man.Work highlights
North Eastern Circuit > Personal injury Tier 3
The personal injury team at Exchange Chambers has a solid track record in advising on catastrophic injury claims, fatal accidents, chronic pain disorders and military claims, to name a few areas of expertise. Paul Kirtley ‘understands the intricacies of the most complex liability dispute or workplace accident‘, and Simon Ross‘ workload includes serious road traffic accidents. The ‘very knowledgeable‘ Pankaj Madan is ‘meticulous‘, ‘very organised‘ and ‘provides a brilliant analysis of evidence and details‘.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Exchange is an efficient and well organised set.’
‘Excellent chambers with great strength-in depth.’
‘Excellent – all are friendly, responsive and efficient.’
‘Excellent support from the clerks.’
‘Always a great service.’
Northern Circuit > Family: divorce and financial remedy Tier 3
Exchange Chambers ‘is a go-to set’ and its financial remedy team is led by Judith Fordham, who practices exclusively in matrimonial finance. Fordham regularly acts on high-value cases involving complex assets.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Rachel Williams is excellent. She is efficient, friendly, and has a good rapport with listing officers in courts.’
‘The clerking team are efficient and friendly and provide a fantastic service.’
‘Exchange chambers are a go-to set. They offer such experience in every field of law.’
‘Counsel always seem to know the latest trends of the local courts.’
Northern Circuit > Employment Tier 4
Members of the employment team at Exchange Chambers represent both employers and employees, including large private sector employers and public sector organisations, before all levels of court, from employment tribunals to the High Court. Catherine Knowles regularly acts on multi-day claims involving allegations of discrimination or whistleblowing, and she represented the local authority in Cunliffe v Wigan Council, in which the claimant was dismissed for accessing records of a service user she knew personally – she alleged that she did so out of concern for the service user’s safety. David Tinkler joined the set from Atlantic Chambers.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Neil Wright is an excellent clerk; on the ball and super responsive.’
‘They are responsive and helpful to deal with.’
‘Good strength in depth.’
North Eastern Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety)
Leading Silks
North Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Clinical negligence
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Employment
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Professional disciplinary law
Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > IT, telecoms and data protection
Northern Circuit > Costs
Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > Planning and environment
Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > Family: children and domestic violence
Leading Juniors
Exchange Chambers > Set Profile
Exchange Chambers is an award-winning, full service set of barristers’ chambers in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds with a proven track record in all major areas of law. We are one of the largest and most well-resourced Chambers in England and Wales. This allows us to provide strength in depth and an unparalleled level of service and cover.
With over 200 members, including 23 silks, many of our barristers are recognised as leaders in their field. Consistently ranked as a leading national set, we develop strong relationships with our clients to ensure that we understand their requirements and deliver outstanding service. We aspire to excellence in everything we do, complementing technical legal knowledge with astute commercial advice.
Exchange Chambers’ progressive approach and multi-disciplinary expertise has been recognised through a number of high profile industry awards. Our barristers and clerks are approachable, easy to work with and make things happen.
Our full list of barristers can be found here – https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/our-people/barristers/
Contact our clerks – https://www.exchangechambers.co.uk/our-people/clerks/
Work undertaken includes
Alternative dispute resolution:Â Chambers covers all forms of ADR including arbitration, adjudication, dispute resolution boards, expert determination, early neutral evaluation and mediation across all practice areas.
Commercial:Â The set is widely acclaimed for its complete range of commercial services including insolvency, professional negligence, commercial fraud, property, shareholder, company and partnership disputes, banking, construction and planning. The set also has expertise in a number of niche areas including competition, intellectual property and tax.
Credit hire: Chambers is home to a specialist team of barristers with particular expertise in the complex and ever-evolving field of credit hire law. Counsel are accustomed to tackling all issues of hire as well as issues of illegality, fraud, and more challenging points of law and procedure.
Crime: Our criminal team is one of the largest, most successful teams in the UK. The team provides representation at all stages of a case, including pre-charge, trial and appeal. We have extensive experience in fraud and financial crime, and cover niche areas such as cybercrime and data protection.
Employment:Â The team covers the full range of employment work. Its members are regularly instructed by large private sector employment and public sector organisations such as NHS trusts and local authorities.
Family: The team is highly experienced in all matters of family law, including both public and private children law and financial relief matters.
Inquests and inquiries:Â Chambers has a strong reputation in this area. Our barristers have been involved in some of the largest public inquiries in the UK. The team has a particular unrivalled depth of experience in relation to the healthcare sector. Three members of chambers sit as Assistant Deputy Coroners.
Local government and social housing: This specialist department is independently acclaimed as ‘first class’ and boasts an enviable record advising and representing local authorities and social housing providers across the country on the full range of issues faced by such organisations. Members of the department frequently advise and appear in high profile and test case litigation before local courts as well as the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The team works alongside other specialist departments within chambers where appropriate to ensure that they provide the very highest standards of service.
Personal injury and clinical negligence:Â The extensive team handles claimant / defendant personal injury, clinical negligence and industrial disease work. Members have an exceptional reputation handling high value cases involving catastrophic injuries. There are also a number of barristers who deal with niche matters such as military claims, claims for amputees and complex pain disorders.
Public law and judicial review:Â Exchange Chambers has a strong team spanning the full range of specialist areas within chambers including education, human rights, housing, local government, immigration, licensing, community care and mental health.
Regulatory:Â Chambers has dedicated teams providing specialist advice and representation across a range of regulatory fields including environmental regulation, health and safety, healthcare, professional discipline, police law and inquests.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive | Jonathan I’Anson | ianson@exchangechambers.co.uk | 0151 238 7747 |
| Chambers Director | Neil Wright | wright@exchangechambers.co.uk | 0151 242 8814 |
| Chambers Director | Nick Buckley | buckley@exchangechambers.co.uk | 0161 817 2757 |
| Chambers Director | Ian Spencer | spencer@exchangechambers.co.uk | 0113 203 1971 |
Barrister Profiles
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Ms Caroline Abraham | Caroline was called to the Bar in 2013. She is an experienced criminal practitioner… | View Profile |
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Ms Sarah Barlow | Sarah has been practising as a barrister for over 20 years and… | View Profile |
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Ms Holly Betke | Holly is an experienced criminal practitioner. She acts for both the prosecution… | View Profile |
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Mr Kristian Cavanagh | Prior to coming to the Bar, Kristian was a solicitor advocate for… | View Profile |
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Mr Steven Fennell | Steven specialises in commercial, financial and insolvency litigation and professional negligence and regulatory matters for the legal… | View Profile |
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Mr Eddison Flint | Since joining chambers from the Crown Prosecution Service in 2019, Eddison has… | View Profile |
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Mr Stephen Grattage | Stephen is recommended as a Leading Junior in Chambers and Partners for… | View Profile |
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Mr William Hanbury | An accomplished barrister with more than thirty years of experience, Bill practises… | View Profile |
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Mr Andrew Haslam | Andrew is a highly experienced criminal and regulatory barrister with over 28… | View Profile |
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Ms Emily Hassell | Emily was called to the Bar in 2019. She became a tenant… | View Profile |
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Ms Frida Hussain | Frida Hussain KC is instructed in private fee and legal aid cases.… | View Profile |
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Mr Nicholas Johnson | Nick Johnson KC provides expert representation for corporates, individuals and specialist agencies… | View Profile |
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Mr Paul Kirtley | Paul is considered one of the leading civil practitioners on the North… | View Profile |
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Ms Susanna Kitzing | Susanna practises exclusively in the field of Professional Discipline. She has significant… | View Profile |
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Mr Simon Lewis | Simon practises almost exclusively in employment and commercial law. He frequently represents… | View Profile |
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Ms Lisa Linklater | Lisa Linklater K.C. is acclaimed by clients, instructing solicitors and the legal… | View Profile |
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Mr Pankaj Madan | Pankaj specialises in Catastrophic and Life-Changing Injury with specialist expertise in Brain Injury, severe… | View Profile |
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Ms Kirsty Malloch | Kirsty was called to the Bar in 2018 by the Honourable Society… | View Profile |
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Ms Charlotte Noddings | Charlotte was called to the Bar in 2019 and became a tenant… | View Profile |
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Mr Simon Ross | Simon is an experienced personal injury practitioner. He is dual-qualified and practised as a… | View Profile |
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Mr Ashley Serr | Ashley is a personable approachable client focused Barrister with over 20 years… | View Profile |
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Ms Ayesha Smart | Ayesha has practised in the North of England since commencing her pupillage… | View Profile |
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Mr Sean Smith | Sean has a strong criminal and regulatory practice. As a former managing… | View Profile |
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Ms Victoria Smith-Swain | Victoria is a specialist criminal and regulatory advocate. Acting for both the… | View Profile |
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Mr Chris Tehrani | Chris is a shrewd advocate known for his formidable ability in the… | View Profile |
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Mr Keith Walmsley | Throughout his career, Keith has had a hugely varied practice that has… | View Profile |
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Mr Andrew Wastall | Andrew is an extremely experienced barrister. His practice extends to the following… | View Profile |
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Ms Rachel Webster | Rachel qualified as a solicitor in 2015. Having joined Exchange Chambers in… | View Profile |
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Mr Alfred Weiss | Experienced Counsel who enjoys building a good rapport with his professional and… | View Profile |
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Mr David Went | David is internationally renowned as a leading competition law specialist. He won the Chambers… | View Profile |
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Ms Ceri Widdett | Ceri has over 20 years’ experience practising in employment law and personal… | View Profile |
Diversity
Exchange Chambers are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, including members, pupils, employees and applicants to Chambers. We do not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability, age, religion or belief or indeed, on any other ground.
We are committed to offering opportunities for gaining experience and practice development to all pupils and members of Chambers equally without discrimination. We offer mini-pupillage and work experience opportunities throughout the year. Our members frequently attend schools and partake in a variety of different schemes and initiatives that promote and encourage social mobility.
A number of our barristers assist with the Social Mobility Foundation and act as mentors to students from diverse backgrounds. We are also a Partner Chamber in the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS), a leading programme designed by the Inner Temple to support aspiring barristers from under-represented backgrounds who have not yet started the BPTC.
We have ensured that Chambers is accessible to people using wheelchairs. We accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments to assist disabled applicants.
We recognise the need to promote a positive and supportive community for both barristers and staff and to encourage a cohesive and collaborative culture. We have been recognised by the Bar Council for our commitment to Wellbeing at the Bar.
Other current and ongoing initiatives include:
- We run a mentoring programme in association with L8 A Better Place, a community development project based in Toxteth, Liverpool. Twenty-two of our members are actively involved in the programme, in which they are assigned a student from the local community. The mentoring scheme is aimed at students and young people who are interested in pursuing a career in law and would otherwise lack access to the legal profession.
- We operate a maternity and parental support mentoring network for our members. The network provides support for Chambers’ barristers during pregnancy, adoption or foster care, following the arrival of their child and in the lead up to and on return to practice or at any other stage of parenthood.
- We have a member that sits on the Bar Council’s Female Retention Committee, who focus on ensuring equality and diversity at the Bar with a particular focus on female barristers, ensuring a level playing field and examining issues that may prevent female barristers continuing practise at the Bar or progressing within the profession.
Pro Bono
For over five years we have been part of a pioneering pro-bono alliance with The National Autistic Society’s Education Rights Service. The Exchange Chambers team comprises 30 barristers, including two Queen’s Counsel with decades of experience fighting injustice, providing legal support to families with autistic children. Our barristers have undertaken autism awareness and special educational needs training from The National Autistic Society, and provide free legal representation before the Special Educational Needs Tribunal. We were awarded the Outstanding Family Support Award at the 2016 Autism Professionals Awards.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Paul Lunt – Partner and Head of Litigation
COMPANY/FIRM: Brabners LLP
TESTIMONIAL: An excellent set of chambers with the breadth of specialisms and range of experience that you want, with a customer-focussed service mentality and pragmatic clerking that you can work with.
CLIENT: Paul Jonson – Senior Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: Pannone Corporate LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Exchange Chambers is one of the leading regional chambers. We have known and worked with Exchange for many years and have built up a great working relationship with various members of Chambers and the commercial clerking team. We find Exchange to offer excellent client service and top quality counsel. The relationship with Exchange is valued greatly by the firm and also by our clients. We cannot recommend them highly enough.
CLIENT: Mark Molyneux – Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: Addleshaw Goddard LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Exchange Chambers is a preeminent barristers chambers in Manchester, which offers real strength in depth of commercial counsel, with the experience and expertise to support on the smallest to largest commercial disputes. This is supported by first class clerks who understand and consistently deliver to the service standards that our clients expect.
CLIENT: Anthony Barnfather
COMPANY/FIRM: Barnfather Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: I instruct Exchange Manchester which has established itself as the premier set in the City over the last few years. A good stable of barristers supported by a fantastic clerking team headed by Nick Buckley. I have no hesitation in recommending Exchange.
CLIENT: Julia Norris – Partner
COMPANY/FIRM: FS Legal Solicitors LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Our relationship with Exchange Chambers goes back over 20 years and the advice and assistance that we and our clients have had from their excellent team of barristers has always been absolutely outstanding. Apart from the legal strength and depth available, a unique feature of Exchange is the Management and Clerking Teams. Management adopts a commercial and pro-active approach, continually looking for new opportunities for constructive and profitable areas where we can work together to develop new areas of business. Overall, Exchange is quite outstanding and we look forward to working with them ever more closely in years to come.
CLIENT: Paul Schofield – Partner / Fraud & Business Crime, and Serious Crime
COMPANY/FIRM: Farleys Solicitors LLP
TESTIMONIAL: I have dealt with Exchange for the last 12 years and have been incredibly impressed with them. Exchange Chambers is a formidable and outstanding organisation which keeps going from strength to strength. It is a veritable ‘Northern Powerhouse’ delivering the highest quality of QCs and barristers in the most serious and complex cases nationally. The whole ethos at Exchange is one of absolute commitment to excellence coupled with a clear ‘can do’ approach. The QCs and barristers are simply top drawer, nothing is too much trouble. The clerks are always helpful, efficient and professional, and are a pleasure to work with.
- Northern Circuit > Company and insolvency
- Northern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)
- Northern Circuit > Personal injury
- Northern Circuit > Professional disciplinary law
- Northern Circuit > Property and construction
Top Tier Set Rankings
- North Eastern Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)
- Northern Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
- Northern Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety)
- Northern Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax
- Northern Circuit > Clinical negligence
- Northern Circuit > Commercial litigation
- Northern Circuit > Inquests and inquiries
- Northern Circuit > Professional negligence
- Northern Circuit > Social housing
Set Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Mediators
- North Eastern Circuit > Personal injury
- Northern Circuit > Family: divorce and financial remedy
- North Eastern Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety)
- North Eastern Circuit > Commercial litigation
- North Eastern Circuit > Company and insolvency
- North Eastern Circuit > Clinical negligence
- North Eastern Circuit > Employment
- North Eastern Circuit > Professional disciplinary law
- Northern Circuit > IT, telecoms and data protection
- Northern Circuit > Costs
- Northern Circuit > Planning and environment
- Northern Circuit > Family: children and domestic violence