Set Profile > Henderson Chambers > London, England

Henderson Chambers Offices

Chambers of Charles Gibson QC
Henderson Chambers
2 HARCOURT BUILDINGS, TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 9DB
England
Visit website 020 7583 9020 020 7583 2686

Henderson Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings

Commercial litigation

Leading Silks

Ranked: Tier 6
Patrick Green QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A deadly cross-examiner, he is an extremely persuasive advocate and particularly effective in the appellate courts. ’
Ranked: Tier 6
Geraint Webb QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is formidably intelligent, but remarkably free of ego - he will constantly consider strategy and how best to build and deploy a client's case. ’
Ranked: Tier 6

2020 Silks

Henry Warwick QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A very bright thinker, clearly a very effective advocate and a real team player who is a pleasure to work with. He is bound to be a very successful silk. ’

Leading Juniors

Rachel Tandy - Henderson Chambers ‘ First-class counsel of the highest calibre and go-to counsel – instruct her before your opponent does. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Professional disciplinary and regulatory law

2020 Silks

2021 Silks

Leading Juniors

Kenneth Hamer - Henderson Chambers ‘ He has an encyclopedic knowledge of professional discipline cases and has written a case book on them with the result that he is a fount of knowledge. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 4

Administrative and public law (including elections)

Leading Silks

Rhodri Williams QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Very approachable, excellent with paperwork and highly intelligent and thorough. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Andrew Kinnier QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ His broad practice provides him with a broad perspective when advising on public law matters and as a result provides very sensible advice on strategy and prospect. Andrew is fiercely bright and picks up issues very quickly. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

2021 Silks

Leading Juniors

Jonathan Lewis - Henderson Chambers ‘ A very fine lawyer: his drafting skills are excellent and he’s assiduous at mastering the facts in often complex cases; finding innovative arguments on the law without losing sight of the client’s objectives or the true merits of the case. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Health and safety Tier 1

‘Pre-eminent in the field of health and safety‘ – members of Henderson Chambers are instructed by clients involved in high-profile prosecutions, investigations, and HSE enforcement actions. Prashant Popat QC and Oliver Campbell QC successfully represented defendants in R v Hawkins, Dixon and MPM North West Ltd, which involved a gross negligence manslaughter prosecution following a fatal fall at Eastbourne Pier. In HSE v New Space Limited and Eimantas Sebeika,  Angus Withington QC successfully defended a company director following a construction accident where an employee fell from a ladder onto a flat roof. He was opposed by Tim Green, who represented a corporate defendant in HSE v K J Pickering Limited and K Pickering, where a workman was fatally injured on a director’s private property.  James Purnell represented the defendant in Bracknell Forest DC v Tesco Stores Limited, which involved a child receiving an electric shock from a freezer. In Smith v Ministry of Justice, Abigail Cohen acted on behalf of the Ministry of Justice in the matter of a prison suicide of a young inmate with mental health issues. Kathleen Donnelly represented a property development company in HSE v Sager Construction Limited, with regards to an accident that occurred at the former North London Mail Centre.

Leading Silks

Oliver Campbell QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Oliver is a superb tactician, very good at cross examining experts and I think in the health and safety field is the best at written advocacy. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Prashant Popat QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Prashant has an encyclopaedic knowledge of statute and regulation and his strengths far exceed mere defence advice. He is strong on paper as well as an iron fist in a velvet glove in court. Good-humoured, a real team player and a pleasure to work with. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ As safe as pair of hands as you would ever wish to instruct for your client. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Angus Withington QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Angus is excellent. He has great attention to detail, establishes an excellent rapport with clients in what are often very difficult circumstances and he is also one of my favourite barristers to work with. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Tim Green - Henderson Chambers ‘ Tim is at the top of the list for leading senior juniors in the field of health and safety. For the solicitor, he is a safe pair of hands and always delivers on his promises. He is excellent with the clients and has a robust, yet diplomatic, manner. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
James Purnell - Henderson Chambers ‘ James is very quick, good on his feet, and responsive. He can absorb a huge amount of information very rapidly and is a very clever tactician. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Abigail Cohen - Henderson Chambers ‘ She grasps the issues quickly, understands the background of the matter and the personalities involved really well. She handles clients brilliantly. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Sets

‘Henderson Chambers is preeminent in the field of health and safety.’ 

‘Henderson Chambers are one of our go-to sets, and they have a fantastic team of regulatory lawyers. We have always been satisfied with Counsel from Henderson Chambers.’

‘Strong set with a wide-ranging panoply of good lawyers.’

‘Strong set for regulatory work.’

‘Hendersons do have a number of barristers who are very experienced in both health and safety and personal injury and they are generally our go-to set for cases that have both an injury element and a criminal investigation prosecution.’

Clerking

‘The clerks are always friendly, approachable, and responsive. One of my main contacts in the clerking room is Daniel Smith.’

‘I honestly can’t speak too highly of the clerks at Henderson Chambers. They are professional, responsive, and helpful.’

‘I mainly deal with Dan Smith, who is excellent. He is very efficient and always approachable.’

Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

Personal injury - 2021 Silks

Angus Withington QC –Henderson Chambers ‘He is an excellent advocate as well as brilliant on paper.’

Personal injury - Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 5

Product liability Tier 1

Henderson Chambers is a highly reputed set in the product liability space, last but not least 'based on a number of star barristers at the highest levels and in its juniors.' Its members are regularly involved in prominent unitary claims and group actions. Charles Gibson QC, Malcolm Sheehan QC and Andrew Kinnier QC were involved in the Seroxat group litigation. Other highlights see several barrister, among them Prashant Popat QC, Oliver Campbell QC and 2021 Silk appointment Adam Heppinstall QC, involved in litigation concerning the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Rising stars

Celia Oldham - Henderson Chambers ‘ Celia is hard working, personable and very conscientious. Celia is all over the details of her matters and is a pleasure to work with. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Charles Gibson QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ The doyen of product liability and group actions. A master of strategy and go-to silk for defendants in product liability group claims. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Prashant Popat QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Prashant is a standout name. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Malcolm Sheehan QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ One of the best silks in the area of product liability, he provides a huge amount of insight based on experience of recent high-profile litigation. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 1
Oliver Campbell QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A great tactician and a first-rate advocate. Oliver’s ability to see to the heart of an issue is always immediately appreciated. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Toby has a phenomenal eye for detail. His analysis of complex legal regulations and provisions is fantastic and has brought real value to the team. Toby has a fast increasing experience of acting alone as a silk in a number of high profile cases but also is a great team player - he is thoughtful and dynamic in approach listening carefully to differing views and reaching sensible and pragmatic conclusions. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Andrew Kinnier QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Calm, unflappable, straight talking. One of my go-to leaders on complex cases because he is intellectual and strategic. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

2021 Silks

Adam Heppinstall QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Just brilliant. Hard-working, insightful, no-nonsense heavyweight of the product liability and consumer law bar. ’

Leading Juniors

Noel Dilworth - Henderson Chambers ‘ He takes a very thoughtful and careful approach to all aspects of a case. Very responsive and helpful.' ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Chloe Campbell –Henderson Chambers ‘Chloe is a highly impressive junior who is particularly adept at dealing with complex expert evidence issues. She has the ability to understand the complex and present it in a digestible and persuasive way. She has a good tactical sense and excellent strategic judgement. She is hard working and dedicated to achieving the best result for the client.’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 3
James Purnell - Henderson Chambers ‘ James is very knowledgeable in this area, turns advice and documents around quickly, and is personable and fun to work with. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Set

‘Henderson are one of our go-to sets of chambers for product liability – the depth of talent is difficult to match.’

‘They excel in product liability and large multiparty commercial actions.’

‘Henderson’s rightly have a great reputation for cutting edge product liability work. They are our ‘go to’ chambers in this area.’

‘Henderson are the stand out set on the defendant side for product liability (as well as in many other areas). Across the board and at all levels, they offer the highest quality. I have worked with many members over many years and have only every had brilliant experiences. They are truly experts in this area.’

‘Henderson continue to be the go-to set for all things product liability and anything involving a large number of parties. They invariably produce excellent junior tenants and the administrative and clerking staff are always wonderful.’

Clerking

‘Henderson have the best clerking team in the City, in my view. They are friendly, professional, hugely responsive and will always go the extra mile.’

‘The clerks at Henderson are consistently excellent, in particular Daniel Kemp and Daniel Smith.’

‘The transition to the new head clerk was very well managed and our firm always feels very well looked after. The alerters are well written and always timely.’

‘Joseph Sutton has always been incredibly helpful.’

‘Clerks are very efficient and good managers.’

Company and insolvency

Rising stars

Arnold Ayoo – Henderson Chambers  ‘Arnold is a star in the making at the Bar. He has made excellent progress as a junior and is certainly going to make rapid progress in his career. He is very bright, a safe pair of hands, works incredibly hard and is confident. This is exactly what I want from Counsel. He is persuasive and, in my experience, offers a level of gravitas in his advocacy above and beyond his level of call. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Environment Tier 2

Henderson Chambers is ‘the go to set for product liability and is using that to expand out into group environmental litigation’. One client remarks that it has ‘an established environmental law team and unrivalled experience of large-scale environmental group actions’, thanks to its broader focus on regulatory matters. This has seen it involved in high-profile cases such as the VW emissions scandal, in which members are acting on both sides. Oliver Campbell QC is leading newly-appointed silk Adam Heppinstall QC for the claimants, while Charles Gibson QC, Prashant Popat QC and Geraint Webb QC are acting for the defendants. The set also has significant expertise in common law nuisance claims and in public law, which sees it involved in a range of environmental matters concerning risk management, pollution and waste management. ‘One of the leading regulatory sets in the country, with experienced practitioners at every level’.

Leading Silks

Charles Gibson QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A standout barrister for group litigation, he has an ability to get on top of complex and voluminous information and present it to the court. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Oliver Campbell QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ An unflappable advocate who has a formidable, highly forensic mind combined with a faultless approach to managing the strategic issues of a case. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Prashant Popat QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Excellent at getting on top of the detail and condensing the information into key facts, he always establishes a good rapport with clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Geraint Webb QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A leader in the field on the defendant side, his strategic grasp of the issues, exceptional intellect, and outstanding resilience are exceptional. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A safe as pair of hands, hardworking and totally meticulous in his preparation. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

2021 Silks

Adam Heppinstall QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ An impressive lawyer, with particularly strong knowledge of EU and domestic environmental legislation, he is clear, quick, hardworking and has excellent tactical judgement. ’

Leading Juniors

Kathleen Donnelly - Henderson Chambers ‘ An excellent advocate with a good client manner and strong judgement. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
James Purnell - Henderson Chambers ‘ Calm and unflappable, he has an amazing capacity for hard work and his legal analysis is unerring in the criminal aspects of environmental law. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Testimonials

Set

‘The go to set for product liability, and using that to expand out into group environmental litigation.’

‘I have been very impressed by the strength-in-depth offered by Henderson Chambers. In the Volkswagen NOx Emissions, the set is instructed by both the Claimants and the Defendants which demonstrates how well regarded their practitioners are.’

‘Henderson Chambers is, quite rightly, one of the leading regulatory sets in the country. They offer up experience practitioners at every level. You can be confident that turn around times are met and they will provide support with internal and external training programmes. They have combined professionalism and client care in abundance.’

‘Henderson Chambers has an established environmental law team and unrivalled experience of large-scale environmental group actions. Members of chambers are engaged in many high-profile regulatory and criminal environmental proceedings, and in civil claims arising from pollution and other environmental issues. They have particular expertise in the railway, waste, transport and mining industries, where environmental issues often arise.’

‘Henderson Chambers has a number of barristers that I would be happy to instruct in the field of health and safety.’

Clerks

‘Joseph Sutton is my point of contact at chambers and I have always found him to be responsive and attentive.’

‘The clerks are always friendly, approachable and responsive. One of my main contacts is Daniel Smith who is a pleasure to work with.’

‘The entire team of clerks is outstanding, combining great client care skills and genuine area/sector knowledge which is often lacking. Quick to respond and very clear with their communications. They really do offer a great service.’

Financial services regulation Tier 2

Henderson Chambers has an 'excellent' reputation for financial services regulation. Members regularly handle a range of FCA matters. Richard Mawrey QC has a solid track record in defending investment managers against the FCA. Toby Riley-Smith QC prepared a report for the High Court Enforcement Officers Association on reforming the system for enforcing consumer debts. Henry Warwick QC, William Hibbert and Julia Smith are other key practitioners.

Leading Silks

Ranked: Tier 2
Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is an excellent counsel for financial services regulation matters. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

2020 Silks

Henry Warwick QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is a very bright thinker, a very effective advocate and a real team player who is a pleasure to work with. He is bound to be a very successful silk, and is widely respected by both the Bar and the bench. ’

Leading Juniors

William Hibbert - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is very intelligent and good at explaining difficult concepts. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Julia Smith - Henderson Chambers ‘ A technically excellent and very personable junior barrister. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Clerking

‘Excellent clerking.’

Inquests and inquiries

Leading Silks

Prashant Popat QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A prominent leader who is technical and methodical in his approach. He oozes confidence and assurance which flows down to the client - very deserving of his standing. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Andrew Kinnier QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Andrew is an excellent negotiator, and is personable and gets things done. Strong on his feet. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Malcolm Sheehan QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Very calm and measured, which is reassuring to clients and often just the right approach for coroners. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Oliver Campbell QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Unflappable and an excellent advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Tim Green - Henderson Chambers ‘ An excellent advocate, someone who will roll up their sleeves and is able to roll with the punches. Great bedside manner, too. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
James Purnell - Henderson Chambers ‘ Amazing capacity for hard work, calm and with excellent judgement. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Banking and finance (including consumer credit) Tier 3

Henderson Chambers is best known for its consumer credit expertise, pioneered by long-standing silks such as Richard Mawrey QC, who remains a senior statesman in this corner of the market. Other silks making a strong name for themselves in this space include Henry Warwick QC, who is advising claimant investors in the pre-action stage in potential claims against Hargreaves Lansdown and Link Financial Solutions. He is also on Central Bridging Loans’ counsel team, with Julia Smith, in Anwer v Central Bridging Loans, which concerns an unfair debtor-creditor relationship claim. Head of chambers William Hibbert is another key figure, both for consumer credit and general banking regulatory issues.

Leading Silks

Ranked: Tier 3
Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ An excellent counsel for banking and finance cases, including consumer credit; firms have no hesitation in recommending him. ’
Ranked: Tier 5

2020 Silks

Henry Warwick QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A very persuasive advocate, who engenders trust with the bench. As a former solicitor, he is great to work with as part of the team on substantial cases. ’

Leading Juniors

Julia Smith - Henderson Chambers ‘ Technically excellent and very personable. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
William Hibbert - Henderson Chambers ‘ Very approachable, user friendly and commercial. William understands how solicitors work and how he can support them. Very intelligent and good at explaining difficult concepts. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Nazeer Chowdhury - Henderson Chambers ‘ Very strong in this field. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Set

‘Excellent articles on key changes in law, providing a practical slant on the issues that arise, not just dry legal analysis.’

‘Always have a junior available and strong clerking team.’

Clerking

‘Joe Sutton is very responsive.’

Consumer Tier 3

'An excellent chambers in consumer law', Henderson Chambers has 'great depth in regulatory cases', handling consumer protection and other trading standards matters. Toby Riley-Smith QC has considerable expertise in consumer group mass litigations, including his representation of Whirlpool in proceedings resulting from the Grenfell disaster. On the junior side, Julia Smith is representing the Competition and Markets Authority in enforcement action against care home providers in CMA v Care UK, while rising star Lia Moses has recently focused on litigation regarding mis-selling.

Rising stars

Lia Moses - Henderson Chambers ‘ An extremely intelligent individual and formidable advocate, her advice and performance evolves with instructions. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Silks

Toby Riley-Smith QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ An excellent counsel for consumer cases and we would have no hesitation in recommending him. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 3

2020 Silks

Henry Warwick QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ A brilliant legal mind and very persuasive advocate, who engenders trust with the bench. ’

Leading Juniors

William Hibbert - Henderson Chambers ‘ Very intelligent and good at explaining difficult concepts. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Julia Smith - Henderson Chambers ‘ A technically excellent barrister. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 3
Jonathan Lewis - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is a superb junior with an excellent knowledge of consumer law and a quick grasp of the facts. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Set

‘An excellent chambers in consumer law. They would always be my go-to chambers in this area of law.‘

‘Strong set of barristers across the board – great range of skill sets and seniority.‘

‘I have used Henderson Chambers for many years and the chambers as a whole have been very professional.‘

‘Henderson has a number of go-to counsel for down to earth, user-friendly but very competent representation.‘

Clerking

‘I find the clerks extremely helpful and respectful, and they do their utmost to secure our chosen barristers for hearings.‘

‘Jason Housden, the new chambers director, is a phenomenon.‘

‘Jason Housden goes extra mile to for clients, willing to assist outside of traditional working hours, very quick turn-arounds, easy to deal with.‘

‘Shaun Wright is responsive, organised and easy to deal with.‘

‘Joseph Sutton is a good rapport builder, responsive, proactive and provides creative scheduling solutions to accommodate instructions.‘

Employment

Leading Silks

Patrick Green QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ An extremely persuasive advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Juniors

David Brook - Henderson Chambers ‘ One of the very brightest at the Bar - great at strategy, and works with great energy for clients to achieve outstanding results. Particularly strong in gaining the confidence of the lay client and condensing complex issues into easy-to-understand concepts. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Kathleen Donnelly - Henderson Chambers ‘ A particularly excellent barrister. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Hannah Curtain - Henderson Chambers ‘ Hannah has meticulous attention to detail, and is able to get into a commanding position regarding the evidence with impressive speed. A confident advocate, with a natural instinct for which points to push and which to drop.  ’
Ranked: Tier 5
James Williams - Henderson Chambers ‘ James has an approachable and commercial manner, providing clear and pragmatic advice, which puts clients at ease. James also has a collaborative style and provides valuable input during the course of proceedings, as well as in the preparation of pleadings or representation at hearings.  ’
Ranked: Tier 5

Proceeds of crime (POCA) and asset forfeiture

Leading Juniors

Tim Green - Henderson Chambers ‘ Tim is a natural communicator, and has a fantastic ability to provide clear and succulent legal advice. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Public procurement Tier 3

At Henderson Chambers, EU public regime expert Rhodri Williams QC often represents the NHS Commissioning Board, as well as other local and regional government bodies. Andrew Kinnier QC has expertise in handling matters relating to European structural funds, large-scale services agreements, and infrastructure and regeneration projects.

Leading Silks

Andrew Kinnier QC –Henderson Chambers ‘Andrew is very knowledgeable. He is calm, sensible, and a good team player.'
Ranked: Tier 2
Rhodri Williams QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ He is my go-to for public procurement work, has a wealth of experience in the procurement field, particularly when acting for a defendant. He is user-friendly and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the regulations. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

IT and telecoms

IT and telecoms (excluding regulatory) - Leading Silks

Peter Susman QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Peter is fantastically experienced, extremely personable and grasps even the most complex and esoteric facts and concepts with ease, especially ones requiring wide-ranging knowledge of commerce and technology. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Insurance and reinsurance

Leading Silks

Geraint Webb QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Extremely bright, considered and focused. Gives clear advice and support, and understands insurance and the industry really well. ’
Ranked: Tier 5

Property litigation Tier 5

Henderson Chambers has a diverse set of property-focused practitioners, with members appearing before major courts and tribunals in commercial property, landlord-tenant, real property, and co-ownership proceedings, acting for local and national governments, individuals, developers, estates, and landlords. Malcolm Sheehan QC is known for his expertise in property development issues for private and public sector developers, alongside infrastructure disputes, recognised for his work with his appointment as a part-time judge in the Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. Jonathan Steinert specialises in contentious and non-contentious property law, including high-value property transactional and rent disputes. Noel Dilworth is heavily involved in boundary and ownership disputes, including precedent-setting Chancery proceedings, and represented the defendant (and counterclaimant) in a boundary dispute involving a Grade I listed property in West Sussex, which was settled at trial.

Leading Silks

Malcolm Sheehan QC - Henderson Chambers ‘ Malcolm is a meticulous lawyer with very sound legal and commercial judgement. He is also a very able advocate who really makes a difference in court. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 2
Ranked: Tier 5
Ranked: Tier 5
Lucy McCormick - Henderson Chambers ‘ Lucy is an extremely able barrister, impressive with the lay client and meticulous upon her paperwork. She has a way of exuding confidence and quickly grasps the key elements of the case. She is an incisive and determined advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 5

Testimonials

Set

‘Fabulous service – fast efficient and sensible on price.’

Clerking

‘Daniel Kemp remains one of the best Clerks out there. Really knows his onions. works fantastically well with his barristers and his clients. A driving force behind the success of Henderson Chambers.’

Regional Bar > Northern Circuit > Company and insolvency

Rising stars

Arnold Ayoo – Henderson Chambers  ‘Arnold is a star in the making at the Bar. He has made excellent progress as a junior and is certainly going to make rapid progress in his career. He is very bright, a safe pair of hands, works incredibly hard and is confident. This is exactly what I want from Counsel. He is persuasive and, in my experience, offers a level of gravitas in his advocacy above and beyond his level of call. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Henderson Chambers > Set Profile

Henderson Chambers provides advice and representation over a wide range of practice areas and market sectors. The main focus is civil and commercial litigation including international and domestic group actions. Chambers is recognised as a leading set, in product liability and group actions, health and safety, consumer law, European, environmental law and public procurement.
Additional practice areas with leading silks and junior rankings, include: inquests and public inquiries, insurance law, IT, professional discipline and real estate and commercial litigation.

Members of Chambers act for multinational organisations, foreign and domestic corporations, financial services associations, government departments and agencies, local authorities, professional bodies, SME’s, and individuals in contentious and non- contentious matters. Members are increasingly instructed regarding issues arising out the Covid-19 pandemic across all areas of chambers’ expertise. For the past 30 years, Chambers has provided specialist European expertise and senior members practise in, Brussels, Madrid, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Since 1992 all pupils have had the opportunity to undertake part of their pupillage in Brussels and from the Turks and Caicos Islands since 2017. Chambers remains dedicated to providing a high standard of client care which has been consistently recognised by the Legal 500.

WORK UNDERTAKEN
Product Liability & Group Actions: Chambers has an unrivalled position in product liability, having maintained its top ranking in the legal directories for over 25 years. During that time, members of chambers have been instructed in many of the most significant unitary cases, group actions and commercial claims in respect of allegedly defective products including consumer goods, cosmetics, food, industrial machinery, medical devices, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, white goods. Current/recent group litigation includes the “emissions” cases, the “pelvic mesh” cases and Seroxat.

Health, Safety & Environment: Widely acknowledged as one of the leaders in these fields, the set covers all aspects of environmental law and health and safety litigation, including prosecutions for corporate manslaughter, infringements of health and safety legislation, environmental and waste prosecutions. Work in this area includes representing numerous Core Participants in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry; acting in the first prosecution of its kind brought against a sporting governing body for alleged H&S breaches following a fatal accident; successfully defending private landowners in a landmark private prosecution under the Environmental Protection Act.

Banking, Finance & Consumer Credit: Chambers has extensive expertise in the law regulating consumer- driven group litigation involving financial products, financial services, asset finance, credit services, debt recovery, issues of title, consumer protection and consumer credit (in particular issues arising from Covid19).

Commercial, Insurance & Arbitration: Chambers have particular sector expertise to the handling of complex commercial claims. In recent years they have been instructed in heavyweight and high-profile cases, involving insurance, property damage, life sciences, oil and gas, banking and financial services, automotive, IT and telecoms, transportation and in the design manufacture and supply of products. Recent work includes the Post Office Group litigation, in particular the developing area of relational contracts and a wide range of legal issues on incorporation of standard terms, unfair contract terms and implied terms. Micula v Romania, a significant decision by the UKSC in 2020 for all those in the arbitration community, particularly those that work on ICSID matters; Shanks v Unilever PLC, a landmark UKSC decision in compensation for an employee for contributions to patents which were held to be of benefit to his employer.

Employment Law: Chambers has a long and established practice in the field of employment law acting for both employers and employees. It has particular expertise in restraint of trade and breach of confidence; wrongful dismissal and related contractual claims; unfair dismissal claims; sex, race and disability discrimination claims; redundancy; TUPE; re-structuring and EC employment law. King v The Sash Window Workshop Ltd, a landmark ECJ judgment concerning working time and a worker’s entitlement to a payment in lieu on termination.

Local Government & Public Law: Henderson Chambers have extensive experience in a wide range of areas of public and administrative law, and also in many other areas of work relevant to local authorities and other statutory bodies, such as property, planning, highways, compulsory purchase, transport, finance and audit, environmental, education, social services, public procurement, employment and pensions. Work includes acting for the Secretary of State in Catch 22 Bus Ltd v Secretary of State for Transport, where the Traffic Commissioner’s considerations for Licence Holders were addressed; a judicial review challenge alleging breaches of the Public Contract Regulations and bias over the award of a contract to supply face masks (at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic); representing the Pubs Code Adjudicator in the first ever appeal to the High Court against a financial sanction imposed by the adjudicator.

Property Law: Chambers has a dynamic and innovative property litigation and advisory team with particular strengths in commercial property and development, commercial and residential landlord and tenant, social housing, stock transfers, professional negligence aspects of property law and property damage claims. Member of chambers appeared successfully before the UKSC in the leading case of Duval v 11-13 Randolph Crescent Ltd.

Regulatory & Disciplinary Proceedings: Henderson Chambers has a long tradition of practice in the field of regulation and professional discipline and members act as advisers, legal assessors, representatives and advocates, or as members of tribunals. Kenneth Hamer is the author of the Third Edition of the leading textbook ‘Professional Conduct Casebook’.

Technology & IT: For many years Chambers has actively developed innovative remedies in IT and closely regulated fields, including the rapidly developing area of autonomous vehicles. Using modern technology (including social networking and up to the minute search techniques) to solve the legal problems that arise from it. Providing representation in a claim against Google on behalf of a class of iPhone users (Lloyd v Google) re: breach of data protection rights, heard by the UKSC in 2021. Lucy McCormick co-authored The Law & Autonomous Vehicles (Routledge) and is a contributor to The Law of Artificial Intelligence (Thomson Reuters published December 2020).

 

 

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Chambers Director Jason Housden (outside office hours 07751 232259) jhousden@hendersonchambers.co.uk
Senior Practice Manager Daniel Kemp (outside office hours 07876 215584) dkemp@hendersonchambers.co.uk
Chambers Administration Director Helen Ghalem hghalem@hendersonchambers.co.uk
Members of Chambers GIBSON QC, Charles (1984)
Members of Chambers MAWREY QC, Richard (1964)
Members of Chambers SUSMAN QC, Peter (1966)
Members of Chambers WEST QC, Lawrence (1979)
Members of Chambers POPAT QC, Prashant (1992)
Members of Chambers DASHWOOD QC, Sir Alan (1969)
Members of Chambers WILLIAMS QC, Rhodri (1987)
Members of Chambers GREEN QC, Patrick (1990)
Members of Chambers WEBB QC, Geraint (1995)
Members of Chambers CAMPBELL QC, Oliver (1992)
Members of Chambers SHEEHAN QC, Malcolm (1993)
Members of Chambers RILEY-SMITH QC, Toby (1995)
Members of Chambers KINNIER QC, Andrew (1996)
Members of Chambers WARWICK QC, Henry (2007)
Members of Chambers WITHINGTON QC, Angus (1995)
Members of Chambers HEPPINSTALL QC, Adam (1999)
Members of Chambers HAMER, Kenneth (1975)
Members of Chambers HIBBERT, William (1979)
Members of Chambers PALMER, James (1983)
Members of Chambers STEINERT, Jonathan (1986)
Members of Chambers BROOK, David (1988)
Members of Chambers SMITH, Julia (1988)
Members of Chambers GREEN, Tim (1996)
Members of Chambers DILWORTH, Noel (2001)
Members of Chambers PURNELL, James (2002)
Members of Chambers CHOWDHURY, Nazeer (2002)
Members of Chambers DONNELLY, Kathleen (2005)
Members of Chambers COHEN, Abigail (2005)
Members of Chambers RICHARDSON, Matthew (2006)
Members of Chambers LEWIS, Jonathan (2007)
Members of Chambers EVANS, Thomas (2008)
Members of Chambers McCORMICK, Lucy (2008)
Members of Chambers CURTAIN, Hannah (2010)
Members of Chambers WILLIAMS, James (2010)
Members of Chambers TANDY, Rachel (2010)
Members of Chambers MILETIC, Ognjen (2010)
Members of Chambers CAMPBELL, Chloe (2011)
Members of Chambers MALLET, George (2012)
Members of Chambers ADAMS, Christopher (2014)
Members of Chambers MOSES, Lia (2014)
Members of Chambers AYOO, Arnold (2014)
Members of Chambers OLDHAM, Celia (2015)
Members of Chambers MACKENZIE, Reanne (2016)
Members of Chambers DENNER, Harrison (2016)
Members of Chambers GRAHAM, Beatrice (2016)
Members of Chambers FOSTER, Freya (2017)
Members of Chambers JACKSON, Hazel (2017)
Members of Chambers NORTON, Ben (2017)
Members of Chambers CASTLE, Jack (2018)
Members of Chambers MALLON, Thomas (2019)
Members of Chambers MOODY, William (2020)
Associate Member HENDERSON QC, Roger*
Door Tenant HILL QC, Jamie*
Door Tenant BENTLEY QC, Philip*
Door Tenant FENSTON, Felicia (1994)*
Door Tenant MILLER, Prof John (1974)*
Door Tenant NEWELL, Natasha (2001)*
Door Tenant SCHONEVELD, Frank (1992)*
Door Tenant SCUDAMORE, Jeremy *

Barrister Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Christopher Adams photo Christopher Adams Barrister View Profile
Arnold Ayoo photo Arnold Ayoo Arnold specialises in heavy commercial litigation but accepts instructions across a spread… View Profile
David Brook photo David Brook Barrister specialising in all aspects of employment law: including wrongful and unfair… View Profile
Oliver Campbell photo Oliver Campbell Oliver specilises in health and safety, product laibility, environmental and regulatory claims. … View Profile
Chloe Campbell photo Chloe Campbell Chloe has a civil and commercial practice focusing on product liability and… View Profile
Jack Castle photo Jack Castle Jack focuses on commercial, financial services, group actions, employment, procurement, environmental and… View Profile
Nazeer Chowdhury photo Nazeer Chowdhury Nazeer Chowdhury has developed a broad practice in consumer credit and financial… View Profile
Abigail Cohen photo Abigail Cohen Health and safety & Inquests: advocacy and advisory experience in health and… View Profile
Hannah Curtain photo Hannah Curtain Hannah’s practice spans a broad range of areas including general common law,… View Profile
Prof Sir Alan Dashwood photo Prof Sir Alan Dashwood Barrister specialising in the law of the European Union, in particular choice… View Profile
Harrison Denner photo Harrison Denner Barrister View Profile
Noel Dilworth photo Noel Dilworth Barrister specialising in employment; landlord and tenant; health and safety; product liability. View Profile
Kathleen Donnelly photo Kathleen Donnelly Kathleen Donnelly has a broad commercial litigation practice and is a specialist… View Profile
Thomas Evans photo Thomas Evans Thomas’ practice is focused on product liability and group actions.  He is… View Profile
Charles Gibson photo Charles Gibson Head of chambers; specialises in commercial law (particularly fire, accident and business… View Profile
Beatrice Graham photo Beatrice Graham Barrister View Profile
Patrick Green photo Patrick Green Specialist in commercial law, employment law, public law/judicial review and ADR. Recent… View Profile
Tim Green photo Tim Green Tim Green has been recognised by the legal directories for 10 years… View Profile
Kenneth Hamer photo Kenneth Hamer Barrister specialising in contract and business law; professional negligence (legal and medical… View Profile
Adam John Heppinstall photo Adam John Heppinstall Barrister. View Profile
William Hibbert photo William Hibbert Specialist in commercial aspects of consumer-facing finance and financial services (including consumer… View Profile
Hazel Jackson photo Hazel Jackson Barrister  View Profile
Mr Andrew Kinnier photo Mr Andrew Kinnier Barrister; QC (2018); Counsel to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry (2017-); Junior Counsel… View Profile
Jonathan Lewis photo Jonathan Lewis Barrister. View Profile
Reanne MacKenzie photo Reanne MacKenzie Barrister View Profile
George Mallet photo George Mallet George specialises in all areas of commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis… View Profile
Thomas Mallon photo Thomas Mallon Thom has a broad practice that includes commercial, finance and insurance, group… View Profile
Richard Mawrey photo Richard Mawrey Advocate and legal scholar of over 50 years’ experience who undertakes a… View Profile
Lucy McCormick photo Lucy McCormick Lucy is a commercial barrister with a particular emphasis on product liability,… View Profile
Ognjen Miletic photo Ognjen Miletic Ognjen Miletic’s practice has an emphasis on commercial work and group litigation.… View Profile
William Moody photo William Moody Barrister View Profile
Lia Moses photo Lia Moses Barrister View Profile
Mr Ben Norton photo Mr Ben Norton Barrister View Profile
Celia Oldham photo Celia Oldham Barrister View Profile
James Palmer photo James Palmer Common law: product liability, personal injury, professional negligence, health and safety, consumer… View Profile
Prashant Popat photo Prashant Popat Prashant’s product liability and group action expertise encompasses many of the largest,… View Profile
James Purnell photo James Purnell Barrister specialising in commercial and public law, with expertise in group actions,… View Profile
Matthew Richardson photo Matthew Richardson Specialist areas include: consumer credit (Walker v Southern Pacific, Supreme Court); employment;… View Profile
Toby Riley-smith photo Toby Riley-smith Barrister specialising in product liability; health and safety; commercial/consumer including consumer credit… View Profile
Malcolm Sheehan photo Malcolm Sheehan Barrister practising in product liability (including pharmaceutical and medical device litigation); commercial… View Profile
Julia Smith photo Julia Smith Specialist practice areas: banking and finance and consumer law, including consumer credit,… View Profile
Jonathan Steinert photo Jonathan Steinert Barrister dealing with property and commercial law: options, mortgages, sale of land,… View Profile
Peter Susman photo Peter Susman Barrister specialising in complex contract litigation, with particular experience of acting in… View Profile
Rachel Tandy photo Rachel Tandy Rachel has a commercial and common law practice, with an emphasis on… View Profile
Henry Warwick photo Henry Warwick Barrister, Queen’s Counsel View Profile
Geraint Webb photo Geraint Webb Barrister specialising in commercial and common law with an emphasis on multi-party… View Profile
Lawrence West photo Lawrence West Barrister specialising in environmental; personal injury; medical negligence; product liability; commercial; other… View Profile
Rhodri Williams photo Rhodri Williams Barrister specialising in local government and administrative law, particularly public procurement and… View Profile
James Williams photo James Williams View Profile
Angus Withington photo Angus Withington View Profile

Languages

French
German
Japanese
Spanish

Notable cases


Recent Supreme Court Cases:

Lloyd -v Google – Heard April 2021, awaiting Judgment. Claim on behalf of 4 million iPhone users that Google unlawfully collected data from them. Two critical issues of law: (i) can a claim be brought for breach of data protection laws even if the claimant has not suffered any financial loss or distress, but simply a loss of control of his data; and (ii) is a representative claim of this type permitted? The Judgment will influence the availability of class / collective actions including, but not limited to, claims following data breaches.

Duval v Randolph Crescent –Judgment May 2020. Leading case concerning the construction of various leasehold covenants concerning the authorisation of structural works by landlords.

Micula & others v Romania –Judgment February 2020. Issue: Does the High Court have the power to stay the enforcement of an award given in accordance with the procedure in the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID).

Association of Independent Meat Suppliers v Food Standards Agency –Judgment July 2019. Issue: Whether there is a right of appeal against an Official Veterinarian’s assessment of the fitness of meat for human consumption where there is a dispute as to the fitness of the meat for human consumption.

Cape Intermediate Ltd v Dring (for Asbestos Victims Support Groups) –Judgment July 2019. Issue: What are the powers of the court pursuant to the Civil Procedure Rules or its inherent jurisdiction to permit access to documents used in litigation to which the applicant was not a party.

Shanks v Unilever PLC – Judgment October 2019 Issue: What amounts to an ‘outstanding benefit’ for the purposes of determining whether an employee who has made an invention belonging to an employer for which a patent has been granted is entitled to compensation pursuant to s.40(1) of the Patents Act 1977.

Vedanta Resources PLC and another v Lugowe & others –Judgment April 2019. Issue: procedural appeal about the jurisdiction of the English courts in relation to a group tort claim. It concerns alleged toxic emissions from the Nchanga Copper Mine (‘the Mine’) in Zambia.

Diversity


Equality & Diversity

Henderson Chambers is committed to Equality and Diversity. We regard it as essential to our standing as a leading set of chambers that we should seek to excel in this. We have two equal opportunities officers both of whom are Members of Chambers.

We recognise the obligation not to discriminate against clients, members, pupils or staff on grounds of gender, gender re-assignment, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, age, disability, marriage and civil partnership and religion or belief is a fundamental and legal obligation imposed on us by legislation and the Bar Code of Conduct.

So as to comply with both Data Protection legislation and the recommendations of the Bar Standards Board members of Chambers, publication of data is made in accordance with the requirements of Part 2, paragraph D.1.2 r.C110.3.s of the Bar Standards Board Handbook.

Chambers is a signatory of the Chambers & Partners Diversity & Inclusion Charter and a supporter of the Black Talent Charter.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Henderson Chambers undertake many CSR initiatives.

Silks and Juniors continue to review numerous cases on a pro bono basis, devoting substantial amounts of time to work for clients ensuring legal representation in High Court hearings, and many other cases for those most in need but without the ability to pay for representation.

Other schemes that our members have and continue to volunteer for include work for Advocate (formerly The Bar Pro Bono Unit) and the Chancery Litigants in Person Scheme (CLIPS) in the RCJ.

Chambers participate in the annual London Legal Walk for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST) , raising much needed funds for charities that provide life changing legal advice and representation to those in need.

Henderson Chambers donate books (Feb 2020) to all 77 primary schools in The London Borough of Bromley, supporting an ongoing project in partnership with The Legal Action Group.

Outside of the legal arena, both members and staff are personally engaged and work hard to contribute to a variety of CSR initiatives across a diverse range of activities and sectors, including voluntary and fundraising work for a number of charities, schools, community and sports clubs. Positions including charity trustees, sitting on housing society board, school governor and sports coaching for children.

Top Tier Set Rankings

Set Rankings