Guildhall Chambers > Bristol, England > Set Profile
Guildhall Chambers Offices
Guildhall Chambers
23 BROAD STREET
BRISTOL
BS1 2HG
England
Guildhall Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
Western Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety) Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers is described as ‘the best set’ for this kind of work in the area, offering a ‘great range of skill sets, professional and efficient’ across both prosecution and defence work in fatal and non-fatal accidents, breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act and workplace regulation matters. Andrew Langdon KC is known for his ‘ability to lead in complex matters, and command the attention of all in the courtroom’ and recently represented the defendant company in an HSE prosecution concerning the murder of one of the residents in a care home of learning disabilities by another resident. ‘Concise, clear and intelligent advocate’ Alistair Haggerty represented the HSE in the prosecution of the former High Sheriff of Wiltshire, whose cattle had trampled the members of the public. Samuel Jones is highly regarded for his ‘thought out, robustly put and highly effective advocacy’ and prosecuted three companies for the HSE in a case in which a 3-year-old girl sustained serious injuries from the repair work being carried out at a hotel.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Grant Bidwell is always proactive, helpful and flexible.’
‘Lucy Northeast’s work ethic is excellent, with her picking up on emails at all hours. She strikes the right balance of seniority, business acumen and availability. Grant Bidwell is great with queries and issues promptly.’
‘Lucy Northeast exemplifies client service. She is responsive, resourceful, efficient and friendly. Ably supported by Grant Bidwell, for whom nothing is too much trouble.’
‘The regulatory team at Guildhall have strength in depth.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a good broad range of abilities.’
‘Guildhall Chambers offers a great range of juniors and seniors, covering a wide variety of work and experience.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Clinical negligence Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers is ‘a great clinical negligence set with many members providing excellent advice’. ‘Outstanding barrister’ Selena Plowden KC is ‘an accomplished silk, with a strong intellect and a robust courtroom manner’ and has notable experience in mental health and human rights cases. Sophie Holme predominantly handles cases concerning spinal surgical negligence, cancer diagnosis claims, birth-related bowel injuries, cauda equina and fatal and psychiatric negligence claims and has ‘extremely measured and highly effective advocacy’. ‘Hardworking and sensible barrister’ Martin Lanchester acted for the claimant in Tate v Somerset Partnership Trust, where a patient lost his legs, allegedly due to negligent treatment. Kriti Upadhyay is another name of note.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans can always be relied upon. They are friendly and responsive to queries.’
‘Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans are outstanding clerks. They are very quick to respond to queries and are happy to answer any additional questions.’
‘The clerks’ room is always helpful and responsive. Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans, in particular, will move things around to ensure their barristers can assist with cases and are entirely on top of things.’
‘Olive Kavanagh has a vast understanding of the work.’
‘Guildhall is a good chamber. The clerks are helpful and approachable.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a big player on the Western Circuit.’
Guildhall Chambers is a very reliable set, with strong candidates for instruction at all levels and a good ethos for client care.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Commercial litigation Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers is the ‘leading Bristol set for complex commercial cases’, consistently handling significant disputes, including company, shareholder and partnership disputes and civil fraud. In recent highlights, Hugh Sims KC acted for the claimant in a £1m claim relating to failed investments in unregulated collective investment schemes in KVB Consultants Ltd & Others v Jacob Hopkins McKenzie Ltd & Others before the High Court. In Henderson & Jones Ltd v David Ross & Ors, Stefan Ramel is representing the claimant before the High Court, a case where the company assets were transferred at an undervalue to defraud a woman. Jay Jagasia is ‘a strong and impressive advocate’ who is ‘excellent in drafting’ and consistently acts for both claimants and defendants in major commercial disputes involving banking and finance. James Wibberley is ‘an exceptionally skilled advocate’ and currently assisting a claimant bringing a £3m fraud claim against the promotions manager and a former director of a Cardiff-based nightclub business in Paterson v Reed & Cro.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Guildhall Chambers has a strong clerking team. Joe Stayte, in particular, is great to deal with and always delivers, regardless of the type of claim or timescales.’
‘Stephen Arnold and Joe Stayte are excellent, quick to respond and attuned to client’s commercial demands.’
‘Stephen Arnold, Joe Stayte and Finlay Duignan are very prompt at responding to queries and easy to work with.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a solid commercial set with several impressive and well-renowned counsel.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a dedicated team of barristers. There is always counsel available, and counsel can share knowledge and support to ensure consistency.’
‘Guildhall Chambers always has a good availability of barristers.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a very good quality barrister and strength in depth. It has a good availability of counsel for complex and time-sensitive urgent matters.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is at the top of their game, an array of highly experienced quality counsel and never lets us down when we need someone at short notice.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Company and insolvency Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers is ‘a good set of chambers that provides a full range of services at varying levels’. Simon Passfield KC, appointed silk in 2024, acted as a liquidator in fraudulent trading and misfeasance claims against directors and is regarded as ‘a confident, measured and thorough advocate who goes above and beyond for his clients’. Stefan Ramel represented a landlord creditor before the High Court in Re Fitness First Club Ltd, challenging the proposed restructuring plan under part 26A of the Companies Act 2006, while Hugh Sims KC specialises in corporate insolvency cases.Rising stars
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Guildhall Chambers has a fantastic clerking team which provides an excellent service, in particular Joe Stayte.’
‘Joe Stayte is always at the end of a phone and can drop everything to help on urgent matters.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a great service across the board. Friendly, approachable and eager to help. Stephen Arnold and Joe Stayte deserve particular mention.’
‘Joe Stayte is the go-to contact. He is very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.’
‘Stephen Arnold has a good manner with clients and offers the expected level of service. Joe Stayte is very enthusiastic.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has an excellent and well-deserved reputation for insolvency and general chancery work.’
‘Guildhall Chambers produces useful and thorough technical guidance on various aspects of insolvency law.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is well known as one of the powerhouses for counsel in the South West. It has an excellent array of highly experienced barristers from the junior to KC level.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Costs Tier 1
‘A great set in Bristol’, Guildhall Chambers has a long-established presence in the market, with members regularly appearing before the senior courts costs office and regional costs judges. Practice head Oliver Moore regularly assists with both contentious and non-contentious costs work, mainly involving personal injury and clinical negligence claims, and is known for his ‘forensic and comprehensive approach to cost pleadings and attendance at assessment’. James Wibberley is known for his ‘impressive advocacy‘ and is currently defending a law firm facing solicitor assessment proceedings in the range of £450,000 based on the way the firm handled the claimant’s matrimonial proceedings, in the case Xanthopoulos v Miles Preston.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Caroline Evans and Olive Kavanagh can be relied upon to respond quickly and efficiently.’
‘Caroline Evans, Rob MacDonald and Olive Kavanagh are always approachable and happy to help.’
‘Clerks are efficient, responsive and do a great job.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is always flexible and available.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a go-to set for more complex cases.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Crime (general and fraud) Tier 1
A ‘premier set on the Western circuit’, Guildhall Chambers has ‘an excellent crime team’ regularly handling serious criminal matters, including murder, sexual offences, serious fraud, and drug conspiracies. Andrew Langdon KC is ‘a courteous advocate with a fine cutting edge and an excellent tactical brain’ who successfully defended a man tried for allegedly murdering his brother during a gang fight over a crop of cannabis - the case, in which two other defendants were convicted, was prosecuted by Anna Vigars KC . 'First-class and fearless advocate’ Christopher Quinlan KC prosecuted a man who, during a psychotic episode, fatally rammed a motorcyclist with his car. David Scutt prosecuted a defendant, who commenced identifying as a woman while serving a sentence for sexual activity with a child, who was convicted of a rape shortly after being released from prison; the defendant attempted a non-insane automatism defence.Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘All clerks are supportive and helpful under the impressive guidance of Lucy Northeast.’
‘The best clerks on the Circuit. A wonderful balance of professionalism, assistance and friendliness. Lucy Northeast is masterful in her ability to solve problems often before others even recognise the problem exists. Grant Bidwell is always on hand with options and solutions when needed. The clerks always go above and beyond.’
‘The clerks provide excellent service, particularly Grant Bidwell.’
‘Guildhall Chambers offers a wide range of criminal advocates across the spectrum of experience with differing skill sets and strengths.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the leading crime set on the Western Circuit. The team of silks includes the best practitioners on the circuit, and juniors are an excellent team.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a strong and well-rounded set.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a pre-eminent circuit criminal set.’
Guildhall Chambers is a good set with a strong list of KCs and senior juniors.
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Employment Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers is ‘a fantastic set comprising excellent barristers’ who regularly appear before the employment tribunals, the High Court and the higher appellate courts. Julian Allsop is ‘an excellent barrister’ and successfully acted for the defendant in Lal v DVSA, a case related to allegations of whistleblowing detriment, victimisation and unfair dismissal. ‘Prompt and pragmatic’ Debbie Grennan recently represented the school in Higgs v Farmor’s School, a case concerning a Christian administrative employee who was dismissed by the school after making Facebook posts which were alleged to be transphobic. Sarah Hornblower joined from Colleton Chambers in August 2024.Rising stars
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Rob McDonald is fantastic. He is responsive and works hard to ensure needs are met.’
‘The clerks at the chambers provide a fantastic service. Robert McDonald is particularly impressive. He is very responsive, friendly and always looking to assist us in finding appropriate counsel.’
‘Rob McDonald is a fabulous, attentive, efficient and professional.’
‘Guildhall Chambers as a whole is particularly strong and covers a wide range of employment law issues.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is very good for employment law. It has a good strength in depth in this specialised area.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a stellar set. The employment team is excellent.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is a top-class set. All of their employment barristers are of the highest quality. ‘
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Professional negligence Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers has extensive experience in handling professional negligence for both claimants and defendants across the financial and legal sectors. Hugh Sims KC recently acted for multiple investors who suffered losses from failed investments in unregulated property development schemes in the case KVB Consultants Ltd & Others v Jacob Hopkins McKenzie Ltd & Others. Among other key contacts at the set, James Wibberley is very experienced in handling professional negligence claims, mainly against solicitors, accountants, and construction professionals.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Joe Stayte and Stephen Arnold run the team very well.’
‘The clerks are easy to deal with and always willing to assist. Stephen Arnold is excellent.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the strongest set in the Western Bar.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is at the top of their game and has an array of highly experienced, high-quality counsel.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a good breadth of counsel.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Sport Tier 1
Guildhall Chambers covers the full range of matters for both national and international clients in the sports sector. The ‘very knowledgeable and experienced sports barrister’ Christopher Quinlan KC chaired the FA appeal board in the FA’s appeal against a 17-month suspension imposed on former Crawley Town manager John Yems for repeated use of discriminatory language. Another key member of the team is Samuel Jones, who successfully represented Bath number eight Alfie Barbeary, who was cited for two separate incidents in the same European Cup match against Racing 92.Leading Silks
Testimonials
‘Guildhall Chambers is a fine set.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is the best sports set outside London and one of the best in the country.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Chancery, probate, and tax Tier 2
Guildhall Chambers is a ‘go-to set’ for probate and trusts work, along with commercial and insolvency litigation. Oliver Mitchell is acting in an ongoing case involving a dispute over whether or not a beneficial joint tenancy had been severed before death and is noted for ‘providing thorough and detailed advice’. ‘Methodical, fastidious and precise’ Michael Selway regularly represents clients before courts and tribunals in real property, wills, probate and inheritance-related matters. Nicholas Evans recently acted in a case involving a dispute over the inheritance of a 100-acre farm run by a partnership of the deceased, and the two parties. James Fuller is another key practitioner to note.Rising stars
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The chambers are very well clerked by Stephen Arnold and Joe Stayte.’
‘Stephen Arnold remembers instructing solicitors and clients and is always able to discuss matters and which counsel may be the best fit for a particular client. He is always very responsive and considerate to client needs.’
‘The clerks, particularly Steve Arnold, are very helpful, responsive and efficient.’
‘The clerks are very good, responsive and helpful. Steve Arnold always responds quickly and efficiently.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a good breadth of counsel.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a good variety of barristers with varying degrees of experience, always able to instruct a barrister suitable for the case.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is extremely receptive and find a suitable substitute if your preferred barrister is unavailable. The clerks are helpful, and the barristers are excellent.’
‘Guildhall Chambers as a whole are approachable, communicate well and have strength in depth.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Personal injury Tier 2
Guildhall Chambers is a ‘very competent set with an excellent collection of counsel experienced in the field of personal injury litigation’. Oliver Moore is ‘excellent in assisting with case management and case strategy’ and successfully acted for a prison officer who had to take early retirement on ill health grounds, which happened due to the passive exposure to synthetic cannabinoids smoked by an inmate. Anthony Reddiford, ‘a real tactician, who gets to the crux of a case quickly’, regularly represents both claimants and defendants in personal injury matters. James Bentley is ‘a safe pair of hands’ who is known for ‘providing advice on the most complex and difficult claims’, and his workload involves high-value brain injury, fatal accidents and chronic pain claims.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘All the clerks are good. Olive Kavanagh has been very helpful.’
‘Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans are outstanding clerks. They are always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate requests and are very quick at acknowledging matters.’
‘Caroline Evans and Olive Kavanagh are efficient, friendly and helpful. They go out of their way to assist and are always very approachable.’
‘The clerks are helpful and will do their utmost to accommodate any requests. Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans are fantastic.’
‘Caroline Evans is personable, organised and an excellent communicator. Olive Kavanagh is prompt in her responses and assists with all matters.’
‘Olive Kavanagh and Caroline Evans are excellent clerks. They are always friendly and helpful and will seek to resolve any issues you have.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is an outstanding chambers.’
‘Guildhall Chambers is extremely caring of those who regularly instruct them, quickly learn the preferences of instructing solicitors and can offer a suitable and trustworthy alternative where counsel in the claim is unavailable.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Property and construction Tier 2
Guildhall Chambers is ‘the go-to set’ for property matters, with a strong focus on real property and landlord-tenant litigation. Jay Jagasia recently acted for defendants in Henwood v Copeland, a case concerning adverse possession and boundary dispute claim, and garners praise for his ability to ‘grasp factual and technical details with ease and speed, producing excellent and robustly drafted documents’. Oliver Mitchell, who is known for ‘quickly digesting complex factual and legally complex matters and is quick in terms of turnaround’, successfully defended his client in a right of way dispute which included the route of the defendant’s access to the parking. Michael Selway provides ‘very analytical and in-depth advice’ on all kinds of real property and landlord and tenant disputes.Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The set is well-clerked by Stephen Arnold and Joe Stayte.’
‘All of the clerks are approachable and accommodating. Stephen Arnold and Joe Stayte, in particular.’
‘Stephen Arnold provides a quick and efficient response to all queries. He quickly grasps the nature of the enquiry and can allocate to appropriate counsel and provide suitable fee estimates.’
‘The property and estate’s team clerks, Joe Stayte and Finlay Duignan, are great to work with. They often go above and beyond to assist.’
‘The clerks, in particular, Steve Arnold, are very responsive and efficient.’
‘Steve Arnold is excellent, approachable, responsive and easy to work with.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a good breadth of counsel.’
‘Guildhall Chambers has a variety of barristers available, with a depth of experience and can provide several counsel with the relevant experience of each particular enquiry, providing clients with a choice.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Agriculture
Leading Juniors
Western Circuit > Court of Protection and community care
Leading Juniors
Western Circuit > Planning
Western Circuit > Professional disciplinary law
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Banking and finance (including consumer credit)
London Bar > Insolvency
2024 Silks
Guildhall Chambers > Set Profile
One of the UK’s leading multidisciplinary sets with a national reputation for formidable advice, advocacy and client service. Chambers handles the full spectrum of crime and specialises in key civil practice areas. The barristers are consistently top ranked and recognised as leading specialists in their fields. Chambers is renowned for its client-focussed approach offering professionalism and approachability with a strong commitment to efficient case management and exceptional client care.
Types of work undertaken
Banking and financial services: Expertise includes disputes such as mortgages and charges, guarantees and indemnities, other third-party securities, issues relating to the Consumer Credit Act, receiverships and retail banking transaction. Regulation and Compliance, Data Protection Act & GDPR, consumer and business finance issue, lender and bank liabilities, cryptocurrencies and cryptoassets, crowd funding and peer to peer lending.
Clinical negligence: The team covers all aspects of clinical negligence litigation from minor to catastrophic claims acting for public and privately funded claimants, the NHSLA, NWSSP, Legal and Risk Services, Medical Defence organisations, and commercial providers of care. The team has specialist knowledge in associated fields such as professional disciplinary hearings, professional negligence, inquests and costs.
Commercial litigation: The team is nationally recognised and handles the full spectrum of commercial dispute resolution cases at all levels, from small claims through to the most serious and high value claims. The team benefits from experience of work in a wide variety of industry sectors and are recognised as having strong sector expertise for commercial disputes. Key areas of practice include breach of contract, banking and finance, civil fraud and recovery of assets, injunctions, competition law, consumer credit, corporate and partnership, professional negligence, sale and supply of goods and services and TCC.
Company law: The team handles a wide range of company and commercial disputes including the interpretation and dispute resolution of commercial contracts and partnership and joint ventures, shareholder agreements, the allotment and transfer of shares, directors’ duties, shareholder disputes, derivative claims, just and equitable windings up. We have significant experience handling unfair prejudice disputes and director qualification proceedings.
Costs and litigation funding: The team includes some of the most prominent regional specialists in this field, offering advice and representation across the whole breadth of costs procedure and law. Members provide advice and representation in respect to the full range of inter partes costs disputes and costs issues arising in litigation generally. The work of our specialists includes advice and representation in respect to assessments of costs involving issues of principle and of high value, costs appeals, and costs management. The teams experience and expertise also covers advising on enforceability of funding arrangements, issues of coverage and indemnity relating to BTE and ATE insurance, solicitor – own client disputes and professional negligence cases relating to costs and funding.
Crime: One of the foremost criminal sets in the country and the leading set on the Western Circuit, the crime team has five silks and 20 juniors. The team provides specialist expertise in all areas of criminal defence and prosecution work from murder, serious sexual allegations, slavery, terrorism and serious fraud, to road traffic cases, drug and vehicle crime. Chambers has an outstanding reputation for the provision of a complete, efficient, effective and genuinely top quality service. Excellence in barristers and clerks alike ensures that chambers attracts instructions from prosecution authorities and leading firms of solicitors nationwide.
Employment and discrimination: The team offers a depth of expertise and quality of service across the full range of employment and discrimination issues including unfair, constructive and wrongful dismissal, contractual disputes, actionable discrimination, complex discrimination, whistleblowing and TUPE matters, breach of confidence, equal pay employment status, redundancy and restructuring, professional discipline, industrial action and injunctions. Our members regularly appear in the EAT and Court of Appeal and in front of a variety of professional disciplinary bodies, such as the GMC and NMC.
Insolvency: Guildhall Chambers is recognised as ‘a centre of excellence for insolvency counsel’ and ‘the go-to set for insolvency matters in the West of the country’. The team provides specialist advice and advocacy on all aspects of insolvency and company law, including corporate, partnership and personal insolvency, corporate and partnership break-up, and company directors and disqualification. Several members of our team are members of the Attorney General’s Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown, and we receive instructions from Government departments, leading firms of insolvency lawyers, insolvency office holders and regulatory bodies. Team members also advise on non-contentious insolvency issues, corporate recovery and turnaround.
Personal injury: The team is highly regarded for their expert handling of a wide range of high-value and complex personal injury claims. Work includes serious brain injury, chronic pain, psychological injury, product liability, workplace accidents, public liability, highways, road traffic accidents – with particular experience of acting for insurers in complex group claims, inquests and industrial disease. Specialisms also include animals act claims, sports related injuries and members regularly advise on related costs and professional negligence claims.
Professional negligence and indemnity: Chambers provides expertise in disciplinary proceedings across all professions and at all levels, from healthcare and education sectors, to assisting police officers. We handle employers’ internal disciplinary procedures and proceedings before regulators. The team represents both claimants and defendants / insurers in relation to the full range of professional advisers, including solicitors, accountants, constructions professionals, financial advisors, surveyors, valuers and brokers.
Property, estates and planning: Chambers advises and act in all forms of real property law including landlord and tenant, agriculture, trusts, inheritance, wills and probate, estates and commons, towns and village greens, planning and property-related insolvency and professional negligence cases associated with property transactions. Chambers also handles the full range of planning matters offering advisory and advocacy services in the full range of tribunals including planning appeals and inquiries, enforcements, injunctions and development plan examinations.
Regulatory and discipline: The teams work encompasses all aspects of criminal prosecutions, professional disciplinary proceedings and regulation in the fields of financial services, education, healthcare, environment, fraud, animal welfare, heath and safety, licensing, inquests and professional discipline. They deal with professional conduct proceedings and undertake internal investigation processes for employer clients dealing with such issues as disciplinary, grievance, whistleblowing and health and safety.
Sport: Guildhall’s sports barristers provide expertise and experience across the sports sector, throughout the United Kingdom and abroad. Their unique knowledge, experience and proven expertise gives all our clients a genuinely competitive edge in the prompt, cost effective resolution of sports-related disputes. We represent a wide range of clients from renowned sportsmen, professional clubs and national sporting bodies, to individual amateur athletes. We are highly experienced in disciplinary and regulatory hearings; sports-related contract, professional negligence, insolvency; commercial, competition, criminal and employment law matters. The winning mentality of our barristers is recognised across a broad spectrum of sporting disciplines including rugby, football, horse racing, motor-racing, athletics, fencing, snooker and swimming.
Technology and construction: The teams construction work includes advice and representation in relation to payment claims, whether as a debt action or arising in adjudications and the enforcement of adjudication decisions by the High Court. We also act in relation to claims in relation to defective work, delay and disruption and loss and expense claims. We also handle disputes arising in projects which have used standard form contracts, such as those published by the Joint Contracts Tribunal (‘JCT’) and the Institution of Civil Engineers (such as the ICE / ICC and NEC3 forms).
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice Director- Crime, Regulatory & Discipline, Sports | Lucy Northeast | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Civil Strategy Director | Robin Jackson | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Senior Practice Manager - Commercial, Insolvency and Property | Stephen Arnold | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Senior Practice Manager - Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Employment and Costs & Litigation Funding | Caroline Evans | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Practice Manager - Crime | Grant Bidwell | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Practice Manager - Commercial, Insolvency and Property | Joe Stayte | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Practice Manager - Employment and Costs & Litigation Funding | Rob McDonald | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Practice Manager - Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence | Olive Kavanagh | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Assistant Practice Manager - Crime | Elena Brake | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Assistant Practice Manager - Crime | Michael Cregg | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Assistant Practice Manager - Crime | Shannon Cregg | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Assistant Practice Manager - Crime | Grace Northeast | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Assistant Practice Manager - Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence | Chloe Amson | [email protected] | 0117 930 9000 |
| Head of Chambers | VIGARS KC, Anna (1996) | ||
| Member of Chambers | DAVIDSON KC, Nicholas (1974)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | SMITH KC, Richard (1986) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LANGDON KC, Andrew (1986) | ||
| Members of Chambers | STONER KC, Christopher (1991)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | WHITTING KC, John (1991)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | QUINLAN KC, Christopher (1992) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SIMS KC, Hugh (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PLOWDEN KC, Selena (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TULLY KC, Ray (1987) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PASSFIELD KC, Simon (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FENNY, Ian (1978) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BATSTONE, William (1982) | ||
| Members of Chambers | VIRGO, John (1983) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SCUTT, David (1989) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SMITH, Nicholas (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CORNWALL, Virginia (1990) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BENSON, Julian (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | REDDIFORD, Anthony (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BINDER, Peter (1991) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FARMER, Gabriel (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WORSLEY, Mark (1994) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ASCROFT, Richard (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CUNNINGHAM, Liz (1995) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PAKROOH, Ramin (1996) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GRENNAN, Debbie (1997) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARE, Christopher (1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MOORE, Oliver (2005) (Sol 1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALKER, Lucy (2008) (Sol 1998) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GIBB, Katie (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ALLSOP, Julian (1999) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TALLENTIRE, Jenny (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GOHIL, Pushpanjali (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SOWERSBY, Robert (2000) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LANCHESTER, Martin (2001) | ||
| Members of Chambers | RAMEL, Stefan (2002) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LEACH, Douglas (2003) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROBERTS, Allan (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HASKELL, James (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CAVENDER, Susan (2004) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MANLEY, Oliver (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HORNBLOWER, Sarah (2005) | ||
| Members of Chambers | COWE, Mary (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GARDINER, Kerry (2006) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SELWAY, Michael (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TYZACK, William (2007)* | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLLINGSWORTH, Edward (2007) | ||
| Members of Chambers | DOYLE, Holly (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JONES, Samuel (2008) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WIBBERLEY, James (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HOLME, Sophie (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MITCHELL, Oliver (2009) | ||
| Members of Chambers | TAYLOR, Caighli (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PROBERT, Geraint (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | GORDON, Gregory (2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | JAGASIA, Jay (2012) (Sol 2010) | ||
| Members of Chambers | UPADHYAY, Kriti (2011) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HAGGERTY, Alistair (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BENTLEY, James (2012) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HANNANT, James (2013) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HARRINGTON, Kate (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SCARSBROOK, Kaj (2014) | ||
| Members of Chambers | NDLOVU, MANDLA (2015) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CHURCHILL, John (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | ROWLANDS, Manon (2016) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HUGHES, Dr Philip (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WALMSLEY, Sophie (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | FULLER, James (2020) (Sol 2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LUSCOMBE, Georgia (2017) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LEE, Nicholas (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EVANS, Nicholas (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | CHAMBAY, Govinder (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PINCOTT, Adam (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | LEWIS-BALE, James (2018) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WILLIAMS, Anna (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MALLIN-MARTIN, Charlotte ( 2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | EVANS, Caitlin (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BACON, Saisha (2019) | ||
| Members of Chambers | PRINCE, Alistair (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | WONG, Jon (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MILLER, Raesian (2021) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BARROS, Jack (2022) | ||
| Members of Chambers | HAYES, Loiuse (2022) | ||
| Members of Chambers | MURRELL, Ollie (2022) | ||
| Members of Chambers | BRETT, Jack (2023) | ||
| Members of Chambers | SHARRATT, Jessica (2023) |
Barrister Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Julian Allsop | Julian has a specialist employment practice which covers all aspects of the… | View Profile |
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Richard Ascroft | Richard is a barrister who specialises in insolvency law, company law and… | View Profile |
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William Batstone | For 20 years, William has practised exclusively in the resolution of agricultural… | View Profile |
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Julian Benson | Julian is a personal injury barrister whose work is focused chiefly on… | View Profile |
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James Bentley | James Bentley is recognised as a leading junior on circuit for both… | View Profile |
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Matthew Brown | Matthew is a specialist property and estates barrister who practises exclusively in… | View Profile |
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Susan Cavender | Susan specialises in a variety of areas of law that includes criminal,… | View Profile |
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John Churchill | John’s practice is predominantly in commercial and chancery law. He also handles… | View Profile |
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Mary Cowe | Mary is a criminal barrister and a fraud specialist with a reputation… | View Profile |
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Holly Doyle | Holly specialises in commercial law and insolvency and undertakes advisory work, drafting… | View Profile |
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Gabriel Farmer | Gabriel has a longstanding specialist practice in personal injury and clinical negligence.… | View Profile |
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Ian Fenny | Ian Fenny was called to the Bar by Grays Inn in 1978.… | View Profile |
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Mr James Fuller | James specialises in all areas of real property and landlord and tenant.… | View Profile |
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Miss Kerry Gardiner | Kerry is a specialist employment barrister. She acts for both Claimants and… | View Profile |
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Katie Gibb | Katie specialises in commercial law, company and insolvency matters. Her commercial law… | View Profile |
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Pushpanjali Gohil | Anjali is known for her fearlessness in court, down to earth style,… | View Profile |
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Greg Gordon | Gregory is a criminal and regulatory barrister and joined Guildhall Chambers as… | View Profile |
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Debbie Grennan | Barrister specialising in all aspects of employment law (including transfer of undertakings,… | View Profile |
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Mr Alistair Haggerty | Alistair is a specialist criminal and regulatory advocate with a busy Crown… | View Profile |
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Mr Alistair Haggerty | Alistair is a specialist criminal and regulatory advocate with a busy Crown… | View Profile |
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James Hannant | James has been a member of Chambers since 2014. He has a… | View Profile |
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James Haskell | James is a specialist criminal advocate who prosecutes and defends in a… | View Profile |
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Sophie Holme | Sophie Holme is a leading junior with a strong reputation for representing… | View Profile |
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Jay Jagasia | Jay is a leading commercial and chancery junior and is recognised as… | View Profile |
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Samuel Jones | Sam is a specialist advocate who prosecutes and defends a wide variety… | View Profile |
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Martin Lanchester | Martin is a member of the Guildhall Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence… | View Profile |
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Andrew Langdon KC | Andrew is a criminal silk who regularly appears in cases of homicide,… | View Profile |
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Douglas Leach | Douglas is a specialist employment and discrimination barrister. He has a well-rounded practice… | View Profile |
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Oliver Manley | Oliver is a commercial, property & estates and personal injury barrister with… | View Profile |
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Oliver Mitchell | Oliver’s practice encompasses property (commercial and residential), probate and trusts and commercial… | View Profile |
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Oliver Moore | Oliver is a very experienced specialist Personal Injury and Costs Litigation barrister.… | View Profile |
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Ramin Pakrooh | Ramin is a leading junior, with extensive experience in murder and other… | View Profile |
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Simon Passfield KC | Simon is a specialist insolvency barrister who undertakes litigation and advisory work… | View Profile |
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Selena Plowden KC | Selena specialises in complex and high value clinical negligence and personal injury… | View Profile |
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Geraint Probert | Geraint is a specialist barrister in Employment and Discrimination law. He specialises… | View Profile |
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Christopher Quinlan KC | Christopher took silk in 2011. He has continued to prosecute and defend… | View Profile |
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Stefan Ramel | Stefan is a specialist insolvency and commercial barrister who accepts instructions in… | View Profile |
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Anthony Reddiford | Anthony (Tony) is a catastrophic injury and industrial disease specialist with 30… | View Profile |
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Allan Roberts | Allan is a specialist employment and commercial barrister recognised in both Chambers… | View Profile |
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David Scutt | A highly accomplished and experienced barrister, David’s criminal practice includes homicide, other… | View Profile |
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Michael Selway | Michael practises in Property & Estates and Commercial law, appearing in the… | View Profile |
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Hugh Sims KC | Hugh is recognised as a star of the UK Bar, with rankings… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Smith | Nick is a specialist Employment & Discrimination Barrister and has been band… | View Profile |
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Richard Smith KC | Richard is a criminal and sports law barrister, with over 30 years’… | View Profile |
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Robert Sowersby | Rob’s busy practice is centered around defending clinical negligence claims and he… | View Profile |
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Jennifer Tallentire | Jenny is a highly experienced criminal practitioner, with expertise in the most… | View Profile |
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Caighli Taylor | Caighli is a criminal barrister who prosecutes and defends in both the… | View Profile |
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Charles Thomas | Charles is an experienced specialist criminal barrister. His practice encompasses the entire… | View Profile |
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Ray Tully KC | Ray is a heavyweight criminal law and sports law barrister who is… | View Profile |
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Kriti Upadhyay | Kriti is a medical lawyer, specialising in clinical negligence, Court of Protection… | View Profile |
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Anna Vigars | Anna is a criminal, health and safety and environmental law barrister with… | View Profile |
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John Virgo | John is a specialist commercial barrister, with a strong practice emphasis on… | View Profile |
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Lucy Walker | Lucy is a specialist in consumer credit and in the financial services regulatory regime.… | View Profile |
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James Wibberley | James is a commercial specialist with experience of dealing with a wide… | View Profile |
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Mark Worsley | Mark is head of Guildhall’s Crime Team and defends and prosecutes serious… | View Profile |
Diversity
We are committed to the values of Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity across all aspects of Chambers and Chambers life. We have two ED&I offices who are both highly motivated in bringing forward new ideas and ways to further enhance our ways of working in order to underpin these values, not just within our policies, but also our ethos.
We have recently arranged talks to members and discussion sessions about E&D in the workplace with a view to discussing ways in which any discrimination can best be addressed. Further, in order to ensure awareness across the clerking teams, specific training with a particular focus on Unconscious Bias has been undertaken. We closely monitor allocation of work, and we ensure that practice review meetings are focussed around the desires of the individuals so that we can best support each and every member to fulfil their aspirations.
We have promised transparent commitment to change by pledging our support the Bar Council’s Women in Law programme, for the progression of women into senior roles, with a focus on retention and development opportunities to aid true gender equality.
The Women in Law programme requires chambers to agree a number of pledges, which are practical steps towards furthering gender equality. We have prepared a number of pledges, which we will review and assess for progress in the 12 months.
During the course of the year, our clerking and staff teams have undergone several training courses including fair allocation of work, led by our EDI representatives, Jenny Tallentire & Debbie Grennan. This is an ongoing process. Our senior clerks attended the Bar Council’s Race Awareness training, and since this we have attended a number if virtual events on the subject of race awareness at the Bar.
Our EDI officers have recently had a specific focus on the retention of women in chambers, particularly in the first few years of practice. They have prepared a detailed reports with a number of recommendations that was approved by our management committee.
Selena Plowden QC is an active member of the Western Circuit Women’s Forum and Kriti Upadhyay is involved in the activities of the Women Lawyers Division (Bristol). We already have a near equal proportion of women to men in the clerks room.
Here are a few highlights of what we will be focussing on over the next 12 months:
a) Completing the latest gender pay review and reporting our findings to Guildhall’s Management Committee for consideration;
b) Putting into place the recommendations of our earlier report supporting members of chambers to deliver and access the support required and devising a suitable system for assessing the effectiveness of these measures;
c) Conducting regular workshops for junior tenants, pupils and pupil supervisors, addressing the challenges of the early years of practice and providing an open forum for discussion about the challenges individuals may face.
d) Implementing Chambers’ Race Awareness Action Plan and rolling out the Race Awareness training more widely;
- Western Circuit > Business and regulatory crime (including health and safety)
- Western Circuit > Clinical negligence
- Western Circuit > Commercial litigation
- Western Circuit > Company and insolvency
- Western Circuit > Costs
- Western Circuit > Crime (general and fraud)
- Western Circuit > Employment
- Western Circuit > Professional negligence
- Western Circuit > Sport