Set Profile > Chambers of Stephen Hockman QC > Maidstone, England

Consumer Tier 2

SIX PUMP COURT has a strong consumer law offering, with an emphasis on food and food safety cases. A recent example was Ian Thomas's representation of Poundland in R (various local authorities) v Poundland Limited, which concerned food safety and food hygiene offences, and Mark Watson QC's defence of Iceland in LB Merton v Iceland, which involved breaches of food safety regulations in two stores. In addition to retailers, members have experience acting for restaurants, local authorities and regulatory bodies.

Environment Tier 2

'It is in a league of its own across the board from junior barrister to senior QC', says a client of SIX PUMP COURT, who also notes that 'the clerks’ room is exceptional'. The set has notable strength in planning, energy and natural resources, health and safety, as well as environmental law. Stephen Hockman QC and Christopher Badger are 'formidable; both are incredibly thorough and commercial'. Hockman QC has specialised in environmental matters for almost 40 years, acted for the claimant in Mott v Environment Agency, a judicial review of a decision restricting the right to fish for salmon in the River Severn. He also advised NGOs WWF and the RSPB on the most effective way for the new environmental watchdog to be independent of government.

Health and safety Tier 2

SIX PUMP COURT is noted for its strength in acting for regulatory bodies, local authorities, individuals, and businesses across a range of health and safety work; the set's members take instructions from the construction, oil and gas, maritime, and food sectors, to name but a few. In a recent highlight, Stephen Hockman QC led David Hercock before the Supreme Court regarding an appeal against the judgment in R v Highbury Poultry Farm Produce Limited, concerning the interrelationship between EU and UK food safety regulations; the Supreme Court granted permission to appeal.

Crime Tier 4

SIX PUMP COURT has a track record of serious prosecution work, including cases of sexual offending. Oliver Saxby QC prosecuted in the Operation Silk grooming trial concerning child exploitation in Oxford following on from the earlier Operation Bullfinch case in which he was also instructed. Turning the juniors, Simon Taylor prosecuted and Danny Moore defended a man who was convicted of attempted murder after driving at speed onto a nightclub dancefloor – both were unled.

Planning Tier 4

Particularly strong in the south east of England, SIX PUMP COURT's members handle work for, among others, a range of local authorities. Giles Atkinson represented Sevenoaks District Council in an inquiry concerning the refusal of permission for a gypsy site to be erected on green belt land, with the gypsy status of the applicants subject to dispute.

Crime

Six Pump Court's Kent offering is one of the largest in the region, with a wide range of practitioners and 'incredible strength in depth.' Recent highlights include Oliver Saxby QC leading the prosecution in a five-month fourteen defendant grooming trial following Operation Silk, a police investigation into child sexual exploitation in Oxford.

Employment

Six Pump Court is particularly notable for its presence in appeals work. Gordon Menzies is a key name to note - he represented the employer in Heskett v Secretary of State for Justice, which concerned pay progression policy for probation officers. Other areas of specialism for the employment team include TUPE and age discrimination.

Family and children law

'Helpful and easy to deal with' set Six Pump Court is home to child law specialist Caroline Topping, who has particular experience in allegations of abuse, and Grant Armstrong, who practices across a broad range of family law matters.

Set overviews: England and Wales

SIX PUMP COURT is described as ‘traditional and friendly, lacking the corporate and impersonal feel of some chambers; you are dealing with nice people’. The set has grown in strength and offer ‘a great deal of expertise’ in planning, environmental, and regulatory matters. Likewise, in crime, the set has ‘excellent strength in depth’ which is ‘so important with such a high proportion of cases going into warned lists’. Solicitors also praise chambers’ ‘informative’ seminars which are a ‘huge plus’. The set is also strong in the South East, with Maidstone, where the set has an annexe, its Kent hub. In recent news, William Upton took silk in 2019, while arbitrator and mediator Anthony Connerty, formerly of LAMB CHAMBERS, joined the set, as has Singapore-based arbitrator Andrew Moran QC, who arrived as an associate tenant. Double silk Roy Martin QC sadly passed away in August 2019. Senior clerk Richard Constable and ‘dedicated’ first junior Ryan Barrow ‘stand out and go way beyond normal service requirements’; first junior Graham Colloff ‘provides an excellent service to solicitors’. Second junior Michael Hearn is ‘very friendly and always on hand to help out in any way he can, he is a real credit to chambers’. Also of note is legal secretary Debbie Eggleton, the ‘friendly face of chambers and an asset to any office’. Offices in: London, Maidstone

Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Leading Sets Tier 3

Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Crime

Six Pump Court's Kent offering is one of the largest in the region, with a wide range of practitioners and 'incredible strength in depth.' Recent highlights include Oliver Saxby QC leading the prosecution in a five-month fourteen defendant grooming trial following Operation Silk, a police investigation into child sexual exploitation in Oxford.

Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Employment

Six Pump Court is particularly notable for its presence in appeals work. Gordon Menzies is a key name to note - he represented the employer in Heskett v Secretary of State for Justice, which concerned pay progression policy for probation officers. Other areas of specialism for the employment team include TUPE and age discrimination.

Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Family and children law

'Helpful and easy to deal with' set Six Pump Court is home to child law specialist Caroline Topping, who has particular experience in allegations of abuse, and Grant Armstrong, who practices across a broad range of family law matters.