Set Profile > Francis Taylor Building > London , London

Francis Taylor Building Offices

Francis Taylor Building
Francis Taylor Building
FRANCIS TAYLOR BUILDING, INNER TEMPLE
LONDON
EC4Y 7BY
London
Visit website 020 7353 8415 020 7353 7622

Profiles

Francis Taylor Building > The Legal 500 Rankings

Set overviews: England and Wales

One of the leading licensing sets, Francis Taylor Building has ‘some of the most famous names in the Industry’ and ‘unrivalled depth with a range of talents primarily skilled in representing licensing authorities, applicants, and objectors’. It is also a ‘fantastic’ chambers for environmental issues, including planning and compulsory purchase and complex issues of compensation. The clerks, led by senior clerk Paul Coveney and deputy senior clerk James Kemp, are ‘personable and understand the business realities in many of cases’. Solicitors consider them to be an ‘integral part’ of their team. Offices in: London

Environment Tier 1

Covering all aspects of environmental regulation and the crossover between environmental law and land use planning, as well as common law and criminal environmental liability, Francis Taylor Building handles matters for large corporates, developers, statutory regulators, environmental action groups and individuals. 'For this area of law, it is pre-eminent, with very good strength in depth,' remarks one client. 'Fantastic chambers, my "go-to" set for planning and compulsory purchase matters', says another who notes that the clerks are 'always helpful, polite and very responsive'. The vast majority of members practice environmental law, including Robert Mccracken QC, who acted for the applicants in Shirely v Secretary of State CLG, a key case regarding the government’s duties when making decisions likely to result in breaches of air quality limit values. Also of note, in Severnside Distribution Land Limited v South Gloucestershire Council, Ned Westaway handled a judicial review claim against a decision to grant hazardous substances consent for a liquefied petroleum gas site.

2018 Silks

Jeremy Phillips QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A master tactician who is practical and organised, and gets in the trenches with the client. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Ned Westaway - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A real specialist, very bright and perceptive, his knowledge of the law is top-class and he will argue the case with vigour. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Richard Honey - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Tenacious litigator and excellent advocate, he works very hard to get to the bottom of all of the facts. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

John Jolliffe - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Extremely approachable; he gets on board with clients’ issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Annabel Graham Paul - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Able to identify and analyse the key issues clearly, she also has a steely determination when putting her points across. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Sarah Sackman - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A highly talented public lawyer, she is very bright and has particular strength in dealing with complex tactical issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Silks

Robert McCracken QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A standout practitioner who really knows his stuff. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

James Pereira QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ An absolute master at identifying the key issues, he has complete mastery of his subject and is very commercially astute. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Morag Ellis QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A recognised specialist in planning, public and administrative law. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Douglas Edwards QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A clear and knowledgeable advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Licensing Tier 1

Francis Taylor Building 'is clearly the leading licensing set with some of the most famous names in the Industry. It has unrivalled depth in the licensing and regulatory field', according to one satisfied client. 'Top class' Gerald Gouriet QC has acted on high-profile cases in the taxi business in addition to acting on numerous cases involving licences in the entertainment/clubs fields. He acted for the council in Wigan Council v Revolution Bars Appeal on the refusal of a premises licence – the case was successfully concluded when the parties agreed on compromise conditions. With equally deep expertise, David Matthias QC has acted on a number of cases that have gone to appeal, including to the Supreme Court. Of late, he acted for the council in R (on the application of We Love Hackney Ltd) v London Borough of Hackney – a challenge by way of judicial review to the legality of Hackney’s new Licensing Policy by a local pressure group. Jeremy Philips QC handles a range of cases involving the licensing of entertainment venues of all types, taxi hire matters, and gambling including online. Of late he acted for Hackney LB in resisting the appeal by La Morna Jazz Lounge against the revocation of a late night bar licence. Gary Grant is in demand for both his expertise and 'brilliant' advocacy; he acted for Secret Group Ltd in obtaining a new premises licence for its secret cinema operation which attracted very substantial objections. The 'smooth advocacy and non-adversarial but firm' approach of James Rankin is also noted. His work includes representing West Midlands Police in the high-profile and heavily contested case concerning the eventual closure and revocation of the licence of the Arabian Nites Shisha Lounge.  

Leading Juniors

Gary Grant - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A hardworking, first-choice advocate who has turned advocacy into an art form. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

James Rankin - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He is excellent in his knowledge of the law and has the ability to charm the committee. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leo Charalambides - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A very strong junior. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Silks

David Matthias QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ One of the best silks in this area. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Jeremy Philips QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ ‘He has encyclopaedic knowledge.’ ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Gerald Gouriet QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ One of the finest practitioners operating in this area. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Agriculture Tier 2

Agricultural expertise for members of Francis Taylor Building encompasses town and village greens, right of way, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and the Highways Act 1980. The set provides an ‘excellent service’ and is ‘always able to provide a suitably qualified and experienced barrister when required’, according to clients. In one instruction of note, Ned Westaway is currently acting in R (Lancashire CC) v SSEFRA, a Court of Appeal case concerning a challenge to the registration of a school field as a town or village green.

Leading Juniors

Ned Westaway - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A rising star in the agricultural space. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Richard Honey - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Knowledgeable of commons and village greens, countryside law, protected habitats and species. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Silks

Douglas Edwards QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ His authoritative style is much appreciated by clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Planning Tier 2

'With both strength and depth', Francis Taylor Building has 'a comprehensive offer in the planning and infrastructure specialism'. The set includes numerous members of national and devolved government panels, and many instructions concern local plans. In infrastructure, Michael Humphries QC advises Horizon Nuclear Power on the planned construction of two new advanced boiling reactors reactors next to the decommissioned Magnox nuclear power plant at Wylfa, and Morag Ellis QC represented the Welsh Government in the inquiry concerning the proposed diversion of the M4 around Newport. Saira Kabir Sheikh QC represented Westminster City Council in its High Court case concerning New World Payphones' proposal to install advertising hoardings with telephone facilities under the General Permitted Development Order for telephone boxes. Elsewhere, Melissa Murphy represented the London Borough of Southwark in a planning inquiry concerning a proposal to acquire the notorious Aylesbury Estate by compulsory purchase. Also of note, Michael Fry returned to to the independent Bar from DLA Piper, where he was a senior associate (including secondments to HS2 Ltd).

2018 Silks

Jeremy Phillips QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He has a track record of work on infrastructure projects. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Richard Honey - Francis Taylor Building ‘ First-class – he gets into the real detail of a case and leaves no stone unturned. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Melissa Murphy - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Thorough, committed and enthusiastic. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Rebecca Clutten - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A terrific junior, outstanding in hearings under extreme pressure. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Meyric Lewis - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Persuasive in front of the court. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Hugh Flanagan - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A mature head on young shoulders, he is quick to get things and very effective. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Michael Fry - Francis Taylor Building ‘ An exceptionally bright mind with innovative outlooks – a renaissance barrister. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Stephanie Hall - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Extremely knowledgeable and provides practical, sensible advice in a timely manner. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Juan Lopez - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He approaches the issues with forensic detail and a clear strategy. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

George Mackenzie - Francis Taylor Building ‘ His opening and closing submissions present a compelling case. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Annabel Graham Paul - Francis Taylor Building ‘ She has a steely determination in putting her points across. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Sarah Sackman - Francis Taylor Building ‘ She stays calm when the pressure is on. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Mark Westmoreland Smith - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Very good at getting his head around complex issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Isabella Tafur - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Unflappable and quick to grasp the issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Ned Westaway - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Always great at delivering, he has an inquiring mind that chases down every possible route. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Silks

Michael Humphries QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ An absoltue leader in his field and a prized asset of the set, ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Morag Ellis QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Her ability to see the bigger picture in among all the detail is fabulous. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Andrew Tait QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He advises in a way the client will respect what he says, even if it is not what they want to hear. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Simon Bird QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ London firms have a lot of respect for him. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Richard Glover QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He manages cases well and is empathetic with committees. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

James Pereira QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Effervescent and clever – quick-witted and very much a team player. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Hereward Phillpot QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Enviably good when it comes to development consent orders. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Alexander Booth QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Knowledgeable and collegiate with his experience and expertise. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Douglas Edwards QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He comes at things from new directions and with new insight. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Gregory Jones QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A very able silk. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Saira Kabir Sheikh QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ An extremely strong individual, she thinks practically and strategically. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Craig Howell Williams QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He delivers masterful cross-examination and leads the team through in an effective and calming manner. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Administrative and public law (including local government) Tier 4

Known for its planning expertise, Francis Taylor Building handles a range of work concerning local government, including business rates. Sarah Sackman represented a claimant from Braintree in a judicial review of the pilot of voter identification requirements in certain parts of England in the 2019 local elections.

Leading Juniors

Cain Ormondroyd - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He gives the client complete confidence. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Pavlos Eleftheriadis - Francis Taylor Building ‘ Brilliant on paper too, he is an accomplished advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Sarah Sackman - Francis Taylor Building ‘ A talented public lawyer with expertise in local government. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Silks

Richard Glover QC - Francis Taylor Building ‘ He really gets into the detail in a constructive way. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Francis Taylor Building > Firm Profile

 

Francis Taylor Building (FTB) has a long-standing reputation for excellence in providing advocacy and advisory services. FTB is consistently featured as a leading set in the independent legal directories for its expertise and leading role in planning, land valuation, infrastructure, environmental, public law, regulatory law and licensing. Its position at the forefront of these areas of law is evidenced by members consistently appearing in many of the leading cases.

The set: Members of chambers appear in courts at all levels in this country and abroad, including specialist tribunals and public inquiries and undertake specialist advisory work. The set owes its long-standing reputation for excellence to its wide range of clients, the major projects it handles and the number and quality of its practitioners. They are also supported by a highly motivated and professional team of clerks, led by Paul Coveney as senior clerk.

Types of work undertaken: As part of its specialist practice, FTB undertakes work connected with planning, environment, licensing, National Infrastructure Planning projects, transport and works schemes, utilities, highways, rating, heritage and conservation, Parliamentary bills, common land and village greens, minerals, statutory nuisance and regulation, health and safety, environmental crime, compulsory purchase and compensation, land valuation, property law including easements and covenants, religious liberty and ecclesiastical, education and energy.

FTB maintains a panel of qualified and specialist CEDR and ADR accredited mediators.

FTB offers a wide range of client facilities including a dedicated seminar suite to support its established programme of events and an arbitration and mediation suite which complements Chambers’ mediation and ADR expertise. The premises are fully DDA compliant.

 

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Members of Chambers TAIT QC, Andrew (1981)
Members of Chambers BARTLETT QC, George (1966) ** A
Members of Chambers ROOTS QC, Guy (1969)
Members of Chambers PHILLIPS QC, Richard (1970)
Members of Chambers SAUVAIN QC, Stephen (1995)
Members of Chambers McCRACKEN QC, Robert (1973)
Members of Chambers HUMPHRIES QC, Michael (1982)
Members of Chambers GOURIET QC, Gerald (1974)
Members of Chambers MATTHIAS QC, David (1980)
Members of Chambers ELLIS QC, Morag (1984)
Members of Chambers HOWELL WILLIAMS QC, Craig (1983)
Members of Chambers GLOVER QC, Richard (1984)
Members of Chambers HILL QC, Mark (1987) (QC-2009)
Members of Chambers BIRD QC, Simon (1987)
Members of Chambers EDWARDS QC, Douglas (1992)
Members of Chambers JONES QC, Gregory (1991)
Members of Chambers ORNSBY QC, Suzanne (1986)
Members of Chambers PEREIRA QC, James (2014)
Members of Chambers KABIR SHEIKH QC, Saira (2014)
Members of Chambers FRASER-URQUHART QC, Andrew (1993)
Members of Chambers PHILLPOT QC, Hereward (1997)
Members of Chambers BOOTH QC, Alexander (2000)
Members of Chambers PETCHEY, Philip (1976)
Members of Chambers COMYN, Timothy (1980)
Members of Chambers RANKIN, James (1983)
Members of Chambers MEYRIC, Lewis (1986)
Members of Chambers GRANT, Gary (1994)
Members of Chambers HOLLAND, Charles (1994)
Members of Chambers CHARALAMBIDES, Leo (1998)
Members of Chambers PIKE, Jeremy (2001)
Members of Chambers MURPHY, Melissa (2001)
Members of Chambers LOPEZ, Juan (2002)
Members of Chambers HONEY, Richard (2003)
Members of Chambers PHILLIPS QC, Jeremy (2004)
Members of Chambers JOLLIFFE, John (2005)
Members of Chambers WESTMORELAND SMITH, Mark (2006)
Members of Chambers ELEFTHERIADIS, Dr Pavlos (2006)
Members of Chambers ORMONDROYD, Cain (2007)
Members of Chambers GRAHAM PAUL, Annabel (2008)
Members of Chambers FLANAGAN, Hugh (2008)
Members of Chambers HALL, Stephanie (2008)
Members of Chambers SACKMAN, Sarah (2008)
Members of Chambers CLUTTEN, Rebecca (2008)
Members of Chambers WESTAWAY, Ned (2009)
Members of Chambers TAFUR, Isabella (2009)
Members of Chambers GRAHAM, David (2010)
Members of Chambers FRY, Michael (2011)
Members of Chambers MACKENZIE, George (2011)
Members of Chambers GREAVES, Alexander (2012)
Members of Chambers DALY, Caroline (2013)
Members of Chambers STREETEN, Charles (2013)
Members of Chambers FORREST, Charles (2014)
Members of Chambers GOLDEN, Merrow (2014)
Members of Chambers WALLER, Horatio (2014)
Members of Chambers NOBLE, Daisy (2015)
Members of Chambers MERRETT, Charles (2015)
Members of Chambers PURCHAS QC, Robin (1968)

Lawyer Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Simon Bird QC photo Simon Bird QC View Profile
Alexander Booth QC photo Alexander Booth QC View Profile
Leo Charalambides photo Leo Charalambides View Profile
Rebecca Clutten photo Rebecca Clutten View Profile
Timothy Comyn photo Timothy Comyn View Profile
Ms Caroline Daly photo Ms Caroline Daly View Profile
Douglas Edwards QC photo Douglas Edwards QC View Profile
Dr Pavlos Eleftheriadis photo Dr Pavlos Eleftheriadis View Profile
Morag Ellis QC photo Morag Ellis QC View Profile
Hugh Flanagan photo Hugh Flanagan View Profile
Charles Forrest photo Charles Forrest View Profile
Andrew Fraser-urquhart QC photo Andrew Fraser-urquhart QC View Profile
Mr Michael Fry photo Mr Michael Fry View Profile
Richard Glover QC photo Richard Glover QC View Profile
Merrow Golden photo Merrow Golden View Profile
Gerald Gouriet QC photo Gerald Gouriet QC View Profile
David Graham photo David Graham View Profile
Annabel Graham Paul photo Annabel Graham Paul View Profile
Gary Grant photo Gary Grant View Profile
Alexander Greaves photo Alexander Greaves View Profile
Mark Hill QC photo Mark Hill QC View Profile
Charles Holland photo Charles Holland View Profile
Richard Honey photo Richard Honey View Profile
Craig Howell Williams QC photo Craig Howell Williams QC View Profile
Michael Humphries QC photo Michael Humphries QC View Profile
John Jolliffe photo John Jolliffe View Profile
Emyr Jones photo Emyr Jones View Profile
Gregory Jones QC photo Gregory Jones QC View Profile
Saira Kabir Sheikh QC photo Saira Kabir Sheikh QC View Profile
Mr Meyric Lewis photo Mr Meyric Lewis View Profile
Juan Lopez photo Juan Lopez View Profile
George Mackenzie photo George Mackenzie View Profile
Mr David Matthias QC photo Mr David Matthias QC View Profile
Robert Mccracken QC photo Robert Mccracken QC View Profile
Charles Merrett photo Charles Merrett View Profile
Melissa Murphy photo Melissa Murphy View Profile
Daisy Noble photo Daisy Noble View Profile
Cain Ormondroyd photo Cain Ormondroyd View Profile
Suzanne Ornsby QC photo Suzanne Ornsby QC View Profile
James Alexander Pereira QC photo James Alexander Pereira QC View Profile
Jeremy Phillips QC photo Jeremy Phillips QC View Profile
Richard Phillips QC photo Richard Phillips QC View Profile
Hereward Phillpot QC photo Hereward Phillpot QC View Profile
Jeremy Pike photo Jeremy Pike View Profile
James Rankin photo James Rankin View Profile
Guy Roots QC photo Guy Roots QC View Profile
Sarah Sackman photo Sarah Sackman View Profile
Charles Streeten photo Charles Streeten View Profile
Ms Isabella Tafur photo Ms Isabella Tafur View Profile
Mr Andrew Tait QC photo Mr Andrew Tait QC View Profile
Horatio Waller photo Horatio Waller View Profile
Mr Ned Westaway photo Mr Ned Westaway View Profile
Ms Stephanie hall photo Ms Stephanie hall View Profile

Staff Figures

Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk :
Andrew Briton, Principal Clerk Business Development and Research :
James Kemp, Principal Clerk Team Leader :
Tom Rook, Principal Clerk Team Leader :
Harry Killick, Deputy Team Leader :
Adam Collins, Joint Deputy Team Leader :
Billy Brett, Joint Deputy Team Leader :
Brandon Costa-Walsh, Team Assistant :

Francis Taylor Building > Firm Profile

Francis Taylor Building (FTB) has a long standing reputation for excellence in providing advocacy and advisory services.  FTB is consistently featured as a leading set in the independent legal directories for its expertise and leading role in planning, land valuation, compulsory purchase compensation, infrastructure, environmental, licensing, rating, local government, public law and regulatory law.  Its position at the forefront of these areas of law is evidenced by members consistently appearing in many of the leading cases.

Members of chambers appear in courts at all levels in this country and abroad, including specialist tribunals and public inquiries and undertake specialist advisory work.  The set owes its long-standing reputation for excellence to its wide range of clients, the major projects it handles and the number and quality of its practitioners.  They are also supported by a highly motivated and Professional team of clerks led by Paul Coveney, Senior Clerk.

As part of its specialist practice, FTB undertakes works connected with planning, environment, licensing, major infrastructure projects, transport and works schemes, utilities, highways, rating heritage and conservation, Parliamentary Bills, common land and village greens, minerals, statutory nuisance and regulation, health and safety, environmental crime, compulsory purchase and compensation, land valuation, property law including easements and covenants, religious liberty and ecclesiastical, education and energy.

FTB maintains a panel of qualified and specialist CEDR and ADR accredited mediators.

FTB offers a wide range of client facilities including a dedicated seminar suite to support its established programme of events and an arbitration and mediation suite which complements Chambers’ mediation and ADR expertise.  The premises are fully DDA compliant.

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Senior Clerk Paul Coveney paul.coveney@ftbchambers.co.uk 020 7353 8415

Staff Figures

58 Members of Chambers. 13 Members of Staff :

Top Tier Set Rankings

Set Rankings