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
A ‘strong set for employment work with high profile counsel‘, Old Square Chambers‘ members routinely handle significant employment cases, including appearing in the Court of Appeal. In a prominent case highlight, Michael Ford KC successfully represented UNISON as intervenor in the Supreme Court in Harpur Trust v Brazel, a high-profile case concerning if part-year workers (in this context, a term-time only music teacher at a school) accrue their holiday entitlement pro rata throughout the year, or during the parts of the year the employee is working. In a separate matter, Ben Cooper KC is acting for ASDA in ongoing, large-scale litigation concerning multiple equal pay claims. At the junior end of chambers, whistleblowing and equal pay claims have been prominent in Melanie Tether‘s recent workload, and Robert Moretto successfully acted for the Department of Work and Pensions in Mackereth v DWP, a belief discrimination claim brought by a Christian doctor who refused to address transgender patients by their preferred pronouns. In March 2023, the senior end of the team was bolstered by the elevation of Eleena Misra KC and Nadia Motraghi KC to silk. Sarah Keogh is now a full-time Employment Judge.Rising stars
Leading Silks
2022 Silks
2023 Silks
2024 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Paul Adams is very responsible and always helpful.’
‘Very good set of chambers, full of able practitioners – strength in depth.’
‘Great set.’
‘Old Square Chambers has very able and collegiate barristers.’
‘The clerks are keen to help and quick at responding to requests.’
‘Old Square’s clerks have super employment law knowledge, and are responsive, practical and incredibly accommodating.’
‘Superb service from clerks’ room.’
Western Circuit > Clinical negligence Tier 2
Old Square Chambers is a ‘first port of call’ for clinical negligence work on the Western Circuit. Sophie Beesley focuses on claimant-side matters, often for highly vulnerable clients. She has considerable experience acting in cases involving bowel and gynaecological injuries as well as the death of children at or shortly after birth. Kara Loraine possesses broad expertise, including in claims relating to obstetric care and delivery, failure of and delay in diagnosis, negligent surgical procedures, suicide, and mismanagement of chronic disease.Testimonials
‘Paul Adams and Olivia Moliterno are brilliant clerks – nothing is too much trouble for them.’
‘Old Square goes out of its way to help with any situation and has excellent clerks. This chambers is always my first port of call.’
‘The clerks are responsive and ever so helpful.’
Western Circuit > Employment Tier 2
Old Square Chambers is one of the leading sets on the Western Circuit for employment law work, with several standout practitioners regularly involved in significant cases. Michael Ford KC is a ‘tour de force’ who recently acted for intervenor UNISON in the Supreme Court case Harpur Trust v Brazel, which considered whether a worker’s right to paid annual leave is accumulated according to the working pattern of the worker, or is pro-rated - the matter affects a large number of seasonal workers. Spencer Keen has recently represented the claimant in Plymouth City Council v ABC, a High Court case concerning the alleged theft of confidential information, evaluating the extent of an employee’s duty of confidentiality and the remedy for breach.Testimonials
‘A strong set for employment work with high profile counsel.’
‘The clerks at Old Square Chambers are keen to help and quick at responding to requests.’
Work highlights
Western Circuit > Personal injury Tier 2
Old Square Chambers is known as ‘one of the best personal injury sets at the Bar’. Charles Woodhouse KC has particular experience acting in defendant claims involving chronic pain, functional illness, and mild traumatic brain injury as well as for members of the armed services. Kara Loraine was recently instructed by the claimant in the widely publicised High Court case of Mathieu v Aviva, in which a successful artist suffering from a brain injury following a collision with a moped claimed for significant compensation for loss of past and future earnings - the case considered whether provisional damages can and should be awarded for the risk of developing dementia due to severe traumatic brain injury.Testimonials
‘Will Meade and Oliver Moliterno are excellent.’
‘Charlie Sparling, David Cunnington and Bruno Gill are all excellent.’
‘Old Square is one of the best personal injury sets at the bar.’
London Bar > Clinical negligence Tier 3
Old Square Chambers‘ clinical negligence team of ‘excellent barristers‘ work with both claimants and defendants in claims across a range of healthcare issues. Ben Collins KC has notable experience in dental negligence litigation, and international law issues: recently acting in a multi-defendant claim arising out of negligent weight loss surgery performed in Italy after consultation in England. Junior Bella Webb has extensive experience in complex delay in cancer diagnosis cases, Sophie Beesley has ‘developed an outstanding practice in claimant clinical negligence work’.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘The clerks Will Meade and Joe Kallas are both top level clerks. Their client care is excellent and they are a pleasure to work with.’
‘Old Square Chambers would always be my first choice of chambers. Their service is excellent and nothing is too much trouble.’
‘They are a first rate set with a number of excellent barristers and most importantly have an excellent clerking team.’
‘The Chambers have always been very helpful and accommodating.’
‘The clerks are brilliant. They are always friendly and ready to help with any problem. They respond quickly to queries and make sure that deadlines are met.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud Tier 3
Old Square Chambers‘ personal injury counsel are ‘second-to-none‘, with ‘a breadth of experience‘ acting for both claimants and defendants on issues from catastrophic injury to industrial disease. Ben Collins KC is acting for the claimant in Suresh v GMC, a case brought by the widow of a doctor who took his own life after being the subject of unfounded allegations, this claim considers the liability of GMC to its doctors. Charles Woodhouse KC has notable experience in claims regarding spinal cord injuries; Katherine Howells has standout expertise in international claims, and those involving serious brain injuries. The set is known for, but by no stretch of the imagination defined by, its historical connections to trade unions and the Western circuit; Daniel Neill joined the set in 2022 from Guildhall Chambers.Leading Silks
2022 Silks
Personal injury - Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘Fantastic levels of service at all times with particular mention for both Olivia Moliterno and Will Meade whom go above and beyond to provide the very best support throughout.’
‘Senior clerk Will Meade is hardworking and leads by example. His clerks are, without exception, excellent.’
‘William Meade is in a league of his own. He understands client service and builds strong relationships with lawyers.’
‘Olivia Moliterno is a gem. Great sense and professionalism. Helps solve problems.’
‘Old Square Chambers are second-to-none in relation to personal injury Counsel. Their Counsel are approachable, knowledgeable and go the extra mile for their instructing solicitors’
‘Old Square are renowned for their Claimant PI work with a breadth of experience.’
‘The clerks are brilliant.’
‘Old Square have consistently punched above their weight in the personal injury field.’
Work highlights
London Bar > Professional disciplinary and regulatory law Tier 3
The ‘brilliant set‘ Old Square Chambers is very well known for its strength in handling instructions focusing on the healthcare sector, however members are equally adept at assisting professionals from the financial, education and legal sectors. Ben Collins KC is acting in Suresh v GMC, an ongoing case concerning a claim brought by the widow of a doctor who had taken his own life while under a GMC investigation. Nicola Newbegin is ‘a fluent advocate‘ with expertise in handling regulatory proceedings for healthcare professionals and solicitors. In March 2023 the senior end of the team was bolstered by the elevation of Eleena Misra KC and Nadia Motraghi KC to silk.2022 Silks
2023 Silks
Leading Juniors
Testimonials
‘A great set – always responsive.‘
‘Knowledgeable, willing to go the extra mile, experienced, and user friendly.‘
‘Very professional set, and a good range of skills and experience.‘
‘Reliable and friendly chambers, and very professional.‘
‘Great strength in depth.‘
‘The clerks are very helpful and flexible.‘
‘Excellent clerks who are responsive, practical and helpful.‘
London Bar > Court of Protection and community care
Rising stars
London Bar > Group litigation
Rising stars
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights
Leading Silks
Western Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
Northern Circuit > Employment
Leading Juniors
Northern Circuit > Sport
Leading Juniors
South Eastern Circuit > Employment
London Bar > Aviation
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Education
Leading Juniors
North Eastern Circuit > Employment
Leading Juniors
London Bar > Environment
Leading Juniors
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 | Samantha Jones | ||
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 | |
Anna Dannreuther | Anna Dannreuther has a cross-disciplinary practice in employment and equality, commercial and… | 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 | |
Oliver Isaacs | 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 | |
Daniel Neill | Daniel Neill specialises in personal injury, clinical negligence and regulatory work (healthcare).… | View Profile | |
Simon O"Dwyer | Simon is a specialist personal injury practitioner of over 5 years experience.… | View Profile | |
Tara O'Halloran | View Profile | ||
Naomi Rees | 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
Top Tier Set Rankings
- Western Circuit > Clinical negligence
- Western Circuit > Employment
- Western Circuit > Personal injury
Set Rankings
- Clinical negligence
- Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud
- Professional disciplinary and regulatory law
- Court of Protection and community care
- Group litigation
- Administrative law and human rights
- Western Circuit > Administrative and public law (including civil liberties and human rights)
- Northern Circuit > Employment
- Northern Circuit > Sport
- South Eastern Circuit > Employment
- Aviation
- Education
- North Eastern Circuit > Employment
- Environment