Old Square Chambers > Bristol, England > Set Profile
Old Square Chambers Offices

Old Square Chambers
9 QUEEN SQUARE
BRISTOL
BS1 4JE
England
Old Square Chambers > The Legal 500 Rankings
London Bar > Employment Tier 1
Old Square Chambers‘ members regularly appear in the appellate courts, test cases, and factually and legally complex trials; and the set is increasingly acting for more than one party in challenging cases, while also experiencing larger volumes of sensitive investigations. In the Court of Appeal, four silks and two juniors from chambers appeared for various parties and intervenors in a test case on whether foster carers have worker status (NUPFC v Certification Officer and others), namely: Lord Hendy KC, Ben Collins KC, Ben Cooper KC and Katharine Newton KC, along with senior junior Robert Moretto and Madeline Stanley. Betsan Criddle KC took silk in March 2022. Cooper KC also successfully represented both the claimant in Forstater v CGD Europe & others, a high-profile case concerning protection against discrimination in employment for holding gender-critical beliefs; and barrister Allison Bailey in her claim against her chambers for discrimination on similar grounds; however in that case the claim against co-respondent Stonewall, represented by Ijeoma Omambala KC and Robin White, was unsuccessful.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Old Square Chambers is incredibly well respected generally, and in relation to Employment Tribunal matters.‘
‘Its depth of experience is excellent, and it is expert in representing clients in complex and nuanced litigation.‘
‘A strong cohort of junior counsel, meaning that the clerks are always able to recommend a trusted pair of hands for any instruction.‘
‘Old Square is a go-to set for employment barristers and its barristers are experts in their fields.‘
‘Old Square Chambers is a set of choice for employment law matters. It has strength in depth that means almost all cases and matters can be covered by a member of chambers.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks at Old Square are incredibly responsive and helpful. It is highly unusual not to receive a response to an email the same day!‘
Western Circuit > Employment Tier 1
Old Square Chambers ‘ Michael Ford KC is sought after for his established expertise in handling high-profile cases involving equal pay, pensions and TUPE matters, and is well known for advising on trade union law. Discrimination claims have been prominent in Toby Kempster ‘s recent caseload, and Jack Mitchell is regularly instructed in whistleblowing matters. Oliver Isaacs is adept at representing employees and employers across a wide spectrum of unfair dismissal claims, while Spencer Keen is widely recognised for his strength in advising on disability discrimination cases.Leading Juniors
Western Circuit > Clinical negligence Tier 2
At Old Square Chambers, the clinical negligence team has established strength in representing claimants in a wide range of cases, and continues to develop its expertise in handling work for defendants. Sophie Beesley specialises in claimant work, and regularly acts for vulnerable clients in complex, sensitive cases. Kara Loraine has a solid track record in handling cases involving delayed diagnoses, negligent surgical procedures and psychiatric injury claims for parents arising from infant deaths. Naomi Rees and Bella Webb both field expertise in representing claimants and defendants in claims involving delayed cancer diagnoses and birth injuries.Western Circuit > Personal injury Tier 2
At Old Square Chambers, the personal injury team continues to handle a wide range of defendant and claimant work. Toby Kempster counts claimant-based instructions as a key strength, with notable expertise in high-value fatal accident claims, employer’s liability cases and occupational disease claims. Sophie Beesley is regularly instructed in road traffic accident claims, as well as employer’s and occupier’s liability claims. Kara Loraine is a key name for representing defendants and claimants in complex multi-track claims. In recent news for the set, Charles Woodhouse KC took silk in March 2022 and Daniel Neill joined from Guildhall Chambers in May 2022.2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Clinical negligence Tier 3
Old Square Chambers has a strong reputation for its clinical negligence ‘expertise’ and its ‘strength-in-depth’ in the field. Ben Collins KC continues to act on impressive matters, including the high-profile blood inquiry case of McLean v Secretary of State for Health and the dental cases of Hughes v Rattan and Pawley v Whitecross Dental, which established that patients have the right to sue dental practices, not just individual dentists. Junior Sophie Beesley is developing a specialism in complex brain, birth and psychiatric injury work. Charles Woodhouse KC took silk in the 2022 round.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Increasing its recognition as one of the top specialist clinical negligence sets in my view.’
‘Some exceptional barristers here.’
‘A chambers that we are continually going back to for the expertise and individual counsel.’
‘This chambers have strength-in-depth.’
Clerking
‘A great clerking team. William Meade, Olivia Moliterno and Joe Kallas deserve a special mention.’
‘The clerks are always willing to engage, offer training and have a very collaborative approach.’
London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud Tier 3
The personal injury set at Old Square Chambers is renowned for its ‘talent in the personal injury field’. Recent developments amidst the team include the 2022 appointment to silk of Charles Woodhouse KC, and the continued impressive caseloads of Paul Rose KC and Ben Collins KC respectively. At the junior end, Kara Loraine has been led on matters including the ongoing £33m High Court case of Mathieu v Aviva, wherein she is acting for an art student who suffered a traumatic brain injury when hit by a moped in 2015 but went on to become a successful contemporary artist; discussions include whether provisional damages can be awarded for the risk of developing dementia and on the taxation of damages for a claimant residing abroad claiming for the onset of later illness. In addition, Adam Samuel is notable for his representation of high-profile defendant insurers on multi-million-pound matters, including Galvin v Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, wherein the claimant policeman was seeking damages against the force for injuries suffered whilst he pursued a suspected thief, and his proceeding retirement from front line duties in the force – the claim was dismissed in full.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Personal injury - Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Old Square have always had talent in the personal injury field.’
‘An excellent set.’
‘A good set to use and I would recommend them for PI work.’
‘Old Square Chambers are a quality set with a depth-of-knowledge across a wide are of my area of specialism.’
‘London is a competitive area for sets and Old Square are one of the leading sets in the field of personal injury litigation.’
Clerking
‘Senior Clerk Will Meade is the best in the business. He understands client value and will go out of his way to ensure that the service provided is exceptional. I highly-rate the clerks at chambers.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 3
Regarded for its ‘expertise in assisting healthcare professionals‘, the barristers at Old Square Chambers often ‘provide an excellent service‘. In GMC v Richard Freeman, Mary O’Rourke KC acted for the former British Cycling and Team Sky team doctor in a tribunal case looking to strike them off for allegedly administering a prohibited substance to British Cycling’s elite competitors, alongside additional allegations with respect to prescription-only medicines. In addition, Mark Sutton KC addressed allegations of misconduct brought against the Medical Director of the Trust employing a breast surgeon previously found guilty of performing damaging surgery to patients. Betsan Criddle KC – taking silk in 2022 – acted on Burn v Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, proceedings covering the scope of a doctor’s right to disclose documents in an NHS disciplinary investigation.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
Set
‘Very helpful and flexible chambers who always provide an excellent service.‘
‘Chambers known for its expertise in assisting healthcare professionals in respect of MHPS proceedings.‘
Clerking
‘The clerks are very helpful and responsive.‘
Work highlights
London Bar > Group litigation
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights
Leading Silks
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
Leading Juniors
South Eastern Circuit > Employment
Western Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
London Bar > Aviation
London Bar > Environment
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Education
Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Employment Tier 1
Old Square Chambers ‘ Michael Ford KC is sought after for his established expertise in handling high-profile cases involving equal pay, pensions and TUPE matters, and is well known for advising on trade union law. Discrimination claims have been prominent in Toby Kempster ‘s recent caseload, and Jack Mitchell is regularly instructed in whistleblowing matters. Oliver Isaacs is adept at representing employees and employers across a wide spectrum of unfair dismissal claims, while Spencer Keen is widely recognised for his strength in advising on disability discrimination cases.Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Clinical negligence Tier 2
At Old Square Chambers, the clinical negligence team has established strength in representing claimants in a wide range of cases, and continues to develop its expertise in handling work for defendants. Sophie Beesley specialises in claimant work, and regularly acts for vulnerable clients in complex, sensitive cases. Kara Loraine has a solid track record in handling cases involving delayed diagnoses, negligent surgical procedures and psychiatric injury claims for parents arising from infant deaths. Naomi Rees and Bella Webb both field expertise in representing claimants and defendants in claims involving delayed cancer diagnoses and birth injuries.Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Personal injury Tier 2
At Old Square Chambers, the personal injury team continues to handle a wide range of defendant and claimant work. Toby Kempster counts claimant-based instructions as a key strength, with notable expertise in high-value fatal accident claims, employer’s liability cases and occupational disease claims. Sophie Beesley is regularly instructed in road traffic accident claims, as well as employer’s and occupier’s liability claims. Kara Loraine is a key name for representing defendants and claimants in complex multi-track claims. In recent news for the set, Charles Woodhouse KC took silk in March 2022 and Daniel Neill joined from Guildhall Chambers in May 2022.2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
Old Square Chambers > Set Profile
Old Square Chambers (www.oldsquare.co.uk) is widely respected as one of the leading sets for employment and personal injury law, both in London and Bristol. Further specialisms include professional discipline, clinical negligence, environment, health and safety, product liability, motor defence, public inquiries, and mediation/ADR.
The set: Old Square Chambers has over 79 members including 14 silks. It is known for being unstuffy, responsive in understanding client needs and pro-active in meeting them. It adopts the highest standards of advocacy, drafting, advice and client service and is well known for having an excellent clerking team.
Types of work undertaken:
Employment: Old Square is a leading set in employment law with a strong respondent/defendant practice as well as maintaining its longstanding claimant/union practice. It is instructed increasingly in High Court matters and injunctions while developing its well established reputation for expertise in discrimination, equal pay and industrial relations. It has been instrumental in establishing recent legal precedents on fees, holiday pay and discrimination.
Personal injury: Old Square members are regularly instructed in cases concerning high-value head, brain and spinal injury. It has particular expertise in disaster litigation, industrial disease, complex multi-party actions and injuries suffered abroad (including those involving package holiday regulations and the Ministry of Defence).
Clinical negligence: Old Square members have extensive experience in claims relating to cerebral palsy, brain damage and catastrophic injuries. These regularly involve high-value awards of several million pounds. Members have acknowledged expertise in periodic payments and indexation.
Professional discipline: Old Square is at the forefront within a variety of sectors, including healthcare, legal services, education, financial services, police and sport. Members frequently appear before, chair and sit as legal assessors on disciplinary tribunals at all stages of the process, including safeguarding rights by recourse to the High Court and the Privy Council. Several of our silks and juniors regularly appear in cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and High Court.
Environment: Old Square’s expertise includes prosecution and defence in the criminal courts, statutory appeals, scientifically complex nuisance and personal injury claims, major group litigation and judicial review. Areas of particular specialism include water law, contaminated land, statutory nuisance, waste management and the application of European law.
Health and safety: Old Square members are frequently involved in health and safety litigation. This can range from client defence in regulatory prosecutions to representing injured, bereaved and dependent clients in public inquiries. Cases are often high-profile, involving serious injury, fatality, and corporate manslaughter. Operating throughout the UK, Old Square has extensive experience in diverse sectors including construction, transport, farming, quarrying, leisure and healthcare.
Product liability: Old Square members are highly experienced in multi-claimant litigation and in individual cases relating to medical appliances, motor vehicles, cosmetics, toys and other consumer goods. Members also undertake Consumer Protection Act and related prosecutions and product recall.
Public inquiries: Old Square members have been instructed in most of the significant inquires of recent years, drawing on their expertise in health and safety and industrial relations law in public inquires concerned with major accidents or disasters. These include: Leveson, Potters Bar, Ufton Nevert Train Crash, Mubarek, Shipman, Climbie, Ladbroke Grove, Marchioness, Southall Train Crash, North Wales Child Abuse and Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Mediation: as accredited CEDR mediators, Old Square members regularly act as neutral evaluators in a wide range of disputes, particularly employment law, discrimination, personal injury and clinical negligence.
Pupillage: Old Square offers outstanding training to outstanding candidates in both London and Bristol. Reflecting their interests and supportive in approach, this training carries an excellent chance of tenancy and we have an outstanding retention record of keeping pupils.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Senior clerk | William Meade | ||
Deputy Senior Clerk | Graham Smith | ||
Senior Team Leader | Paul Adams | ||
Chambers Director | Sarah Earl | ||
Marketing Manager | Phil Desmondez |
Barrister Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Jonathan Clarke | Barrister specialising in all aspects of personal injury claims (including accidents at… | View Profile |
![]() | Michael Ford | Main areas of practice are employment law (including equal pay, working time,… | View Profile |
![]() | Helen Gower | Helen’s main area of practice is discrimination law and equal pay. She… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Toby Kempster | Toby Kempster specialises in personal injury and employment law, the common denominator… | View Profile |
![]() | Kara Loraine | and collective employment tribunal work, including equal pay, unfair and constructive dismissals,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Andrew Midgley | Andrew is an employment law specialist with 18 years’ experience, and 12… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon O"Dwyer | Simon is a specialist personal injury practitioner of over 5 years experience.… | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher Walker | Christopher is a catastrophic personal injury specialist, instructed on behalf of both… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Hilary Winstone | Hilary Winstone is a talented and knowledgeable junior specialising in employment and… | View Profile |
- Employment
- Western Circuit > Employment
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Clinical negligence
- Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- Group litigation
- Administrative law and human rights
- Travel law (including jurisdictional issues)
- South Eastern Circuit > Employment
- Western Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
- Aviation
- Environment
- Education
- Regional Bar > Western Circuit > Employment