42 Bedford Row > London, England > Set Profile

42 Bedford Row
LONDON
WC1R 4LL
England

Email firm Visit website 020 7831 0222 020 7831 2239

London Bar > Employment Tier 3

42 Bedford Row's 'employment team is very strong, with a wide range of counsel to suit any type of case and budget'. The set's clients include major employers, small businesses and large public and private sector organisations, as well as employees at all levels. Practicing exclusively in employment law, the set's employment group head Jude Shepherd successfully defended the Health and Care Professions Council against allegations of discrimination during professional conduct proceedings, by failing to make reasonable adjustments for the claimant's disability; and Iris Ferber recently acted for the respondent in McCarthy v Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, a sensitive disability discrimination claim that involved allegations of failure to make reasonable adjustments for the claimant, who suffered from complex PTSD and wanted to work from home.

Rising stars

Eleanor Wheeler - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Provides straightforward and user-friendly advice. ’

Ranked: Tier 1

Leading Juniors

Michael Salter - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Michael is a pleasure to work with. He has the technical expertise, but also the pragmatism and ability to engage effectively with witnesses and clients; and he is very personable. He is responsive, flexible and provides valuable assistance during the preparation of claims, even when he is engaged in other matters. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Jude Shepherd - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Jude has a very reassuring presence, and is excellent on strategy and responsive throughout the progress of a case. Jude is great with clients and a pleasure to work with. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Iris Ferber - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Iris has the ability to put clients at ease and is extremely approachable, and in contrast, fierce in cross-examination. Iris is very knowledgeable, eminently practical. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Orlando Holloway - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Orlando's principal strength is the ability to explain complex legal concepts to clients and witnesses in a straightforward way. He is very adept at adapting litigation strategy to meet the client’s changing needs, including at short notice. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Rebecca Thomas - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Rebecca is very astute, and has a great understanding of both the legal issues and the commercial considerations relevant to claims. Rebecca is able to put clients at ease and ensures they focus on the key elements of the claim. Rebecca is always very calm. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Aysha Ahmad - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Aysha is technically strong in employment law and very experienced. She is commercial in the approach taken, which is important for clients, she manages client expectations well, and her honesty on prospects is welcomed. Aysha is confident and robust in her delivery, which clients find reassuring. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Jason Braier - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Jason is extremely thorough and conscientious, and works brilliantly as part of a team. His written work is second to none, attention to detail impeccable, and he immediately grasps the crux of the issues from a commercial as well as legal perspective. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Susan Chan - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Susan provides clear, concise and practical advice. A key strength is Susan's ability to grasp the legal issues that are relevant to the claim quickly, and provide assistance using a calm and considered approach. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Gillian Crew - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Gillian is superb at making a client feel at ease with her calm approach, but is equally superb at persuading the tribunal to see the case from her client's perspective. Gillian is reassuring to work with and incredibly knowledgeable and effective as an advocate. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Martin Khoshdel - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Martin has a steady, calm, excellent attention to detail and persuasive advocacy skills. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Rad Kohanzad - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Rad's client service to his solicitor is first class - always responsive, goes the extra mile, nothing is too much trouble, and he is unflappable in a pressure situation. Also excellent with clients - they love him, And, importantly, technically, he is excellent in terms of knowledge of the law, advocacy and the creation of strong arguments. He is definitely a can-do barrister. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Nick Singer - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Nick is great on the technical work, but also pragmatic, responsive and good with witnesses. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Safia Tharoo - 42 Bedford Row ‘ She is excellent all-round. Very knowledgable on the law, a very good advocate, great with clients and well liked and respected by judges. She is the person you want in your corner, and will do everything she can to fight her client’s case. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Benjamin Uduje - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Benjamin is a very committed barrister; he is thorough, and a team player who is open to discussing matters and receiving feedback/questions. He also has an open and friendly style, which is much appreciated by lay clients. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Catherine Urquhart - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Very easy to work with, and communicates very well with clients and instructing solicitors alike. She has an easy-going manner, which puts clients at ease and creates minimal work for instructing solicitors. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Tim Welch - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Extremely hard-working and thorough in preparation - very clever and tactically astute with good judgement, and totally dependable as a junior. Excellent client manner that inspires confidence. ’

Ranked: Tier 5

Testimonials

Set

‘The employment team is very strong, with a wide range of counsel to suit any type of case and budget.‘

‘Very strong employment set with good availability at different levels.‘

‘The barristers I have instructed from 42 Bedford Row have all been excellent, both at preliminary and final hearings.‘

‘Flexible and pragmatic on fees – always keen to build a good relationship with instructing solicitors.‘

‘Chambers offers regular, helpful training, and is very supportive when we need their assistance.‘

Clerking

‘I have been impressed by 42 Bedford Row. The clerks are very responsive and professional.‘

London Bar > Social housing Tier 3

42 Bedford Row offers advice to individuals, such as tenants and leaseholders, as well as local and public authorities, housing associations, registered landlords, banks and developers on the full spectrum of social housing law. The set has a particular niche area of expertise for matters at the intersection of housing and family issues, as well as serious anti-social behaviour. Iris Ferber is currently acting in Primesight Developments v Majestic Court Management Company which concerns the question in landlord and tenant law whether a default judgment for service charge arrears amounts to a “final determination” under s81 Housing Act 1996, entitling a landlord to forfeit the lease. Desmond Kilcoyne successfully acted for the local authority in Lambeth v Gniewosz concerning the roofing materials used for a re-development. Mathew McDermott frequently acts in judicial reviews with a focus on those relating to local authorities’ duties to the homeless.

Leading Juniors

Iris Ferber - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Iris has obvious intellectual ability and is well ahead of her peers. Firm, yet friendly, and a strategic thinker - a leader at the housing Bar and beyond. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Naomi Hawkes - 42 Bedford Row ‘ She is knowledgeable with many years experience of housing, property and litigation law and has excellent written communication skills. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Desmond Kilcoyne - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Very knowledgeable, highly skilled, extremely thorough and can always be relied on to achieve the best outcome for our client department - even in instances where there a limited instructions. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Mathew McDermott - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Mathew has a particular eye for detail and does not leave any stone unturned. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘This set of chambers is in my view outstanding. They always go out of their way to assist you with counsel availability, particularly in matters of injunctions where counsel is required at the last minute.’

‘A good chambers with a variety of counsel at differing levels at competitive rates. Always willing to accommodate emergency instructions.’

‘Chambers are highly efficient and provide an excellent service. They provide a very good selection of Barristers in each field and provide an explanation of each Barrister’s ability and competency for the case at hand allowing an Instructing Solicitor to make the correct choice.’

‘The Chambers has a good cover at junior level for Housing Claims, their clerks are very approachable.’

‘I have utilised the chambers on many occasions. Other barristers at the set are happy to step in and assist where they can. The set is complemented by excellent clerks who are very much “on the ball”.’

Clerks

‘All of the clerks are excellent and offer a top rate service.’

London Bar > Children law (including public and private law) Tier 4

42 Bedford Row is ‘exceptionally experienced' in this area. The members are ‘approachable and easy to work with’. The set is especially known for its public law children work and its private law practice continues to grow. It is a 'great chambers with a good selection of experienced and well-respected family barristers'. Gemma Taylor QC has a track record of work involving some allegations of some of the most serious child abuse possible, while Katie Phillips has been instructed in diplomatically-sensitive international child law proceedings.

Leading Silks

Tina Cook QC - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A force of nature. Tina is whip smart, utterly driven and takes no prisoners. She thinks at lightening speed and chases down every point. Her cross examination is forensic and attuned to the witness in question. She can be devastating. She is also a master strategist and reads the case, the judge and her opponents with considerable insight. ’

Ranked: Tier 2

Gemma Taylor QC - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Is a formidable opponent because she is always well prepared. She knows her case and understands her clients. She has a knowledge of the law that is second to none. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Damian Woodward-Carlton QC - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A class act. He is absolutely unflappable. He has a calm and collected demeanour combined with a sharp, forensic mind. His cross-examination is superlative. Damian is like an iron fist in a velvet glove. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Leading Juniors

Jonathan Bennett - 42 Bedford Row

Ranked: Tier 2

Katie Phillips - 42 Bedford Row ‘ An extremely able barrister: Katie has a ready grasp of the salient issues in a case and advocates in an attractive and economical way that is very effective. She has pragmatic, fair-minded and balanced approach to cases, and is able to make serious and complex points effectively and efficiently. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Marcia Hyde - 42 Bedford Row

Ranked: Tier 5

Testimonials

Set

‘42’s family group is full of talent. There are some excellent practitioners and the team is chock full of able lawyers. They are renowned for those who practice children law, with am emphasis on public law. There is an expectation of quality in respect of senior and junior members of chambers alike as its reputation continues to grow.’

’42 Bedford Row has an impressive list of members with a range that can meet the needs of any case . The clerking team is always very helpful and bends over backwards to ensure the right counsel is made available if at all possible. Given the range of specialisms available it is rare not to be able to find someone who is right for any given case . Regular webinars are available which are always informative and topical.’

‘The chambers is always my first choice as it has a good range of experienced barristers and almost always manages to find someone even in an emergency. It also offers my team training on a fairly regular basis.’

‘Easily contactable and good range of skill base with regards to barristers. ‘

Clerking

‘The clerks are brilliant. They were some of the nicest clerks in the business. It is a breath of fresh air to what has more recently become a more commercial approach to clerking.‘

‘James Tidnam is extremely impressive . He has his finger on the pulse at all times. He is well supported by the rest of the team.’

South Eastern Circuit > Family and children law

Rising Stars: Child Law (Public and Private)

Samuel Davis - 42 Bedford Row ‘Samuel is a fearless and impressive advocate in court. He is unafraid to give robust advice and is empathic with clients, with whom he quickly builds rapport.’

Ranked: Tier 1

London Bar > Clinical negligence

Leading Juniors

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Scott is absolutely fearless, incredibly bright, and an excellent communicator. ’

Ranked: Tier 2

Richard Furniss - 42 Bedford Row ‘ He has strong analytical skills and an incisive and intelligent approach to claims. An unflappable junior. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Thomas Wood - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A skilled negotiator who is very persuasive in court. He will go out of his way to put clients at their ease. His advice is sound and very detailed. ’

Ranked: Tier 4

London Bar > Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

Personal injury - Leading Juniors

Richard Furniss - 42 Bedford Row ‘ An extremely composed, authoritative and persuasive advocate, who effortlessly puts clients' minds at ease. ’

Ranked: Tier 2

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A disarmingly charming barrister whose light-hearted and self-deprecating approach belies his skill as a highly experienced and highly effective advocate. ’

Ranked: Tier 2

Richard Gregory - 42 Bedford Row ‘ Personable, quietly confident and a persuasive advocate. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

London Bar > Inquests and inquiries

Leading Juniors

Richard Furniss - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A persuasive advocate who obtains great results. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘ A really safe pair of hands in the most complex of inquests. ’

Ranked: Tier 3

Regional Bar > South Eastern Circuit > Family and children law

Rising Stars: Child Law (Public and Private)

Samuel Davis - 42 Bedford Row ‘Samuel is a fearless and impressive advocate in court. He is unafraid to give robust advice and is empathic with clients, with whom he quickly builds rapport.’

Ranked: Tier 1

42 Bedford Row is one of the leading multi-disciplinary sets of chambers with over 110 members specialising across the spectrum of civil law. The set is instructed across England and Wales and internationally on both complex and sensitive matters requiring the highest levels of skill, and on relatively more straightforward matters that require very efficient resolution.

The set: 42 Bedford Row represents a group of more than 100 barristers who work for law firms, corporate clients, local authorities, public institutions and private individuals. It has well-established practice groups in family, business and property, employment, housing, personal injury and clinical negligence, with increasing strength and depth in every field year on year. Further specialist teams have now been developed in the fields of coronial law, Court of Protection, disciplinary and professional regulatory matters. Building such a breadth of expertise under one roof has proved to be a compelling proposition for clients of all types.

42 Bedford Row is well-known for the quality of its advice and advocacy and for its high levels of client service and it is especially proud of the fact that it works for clients from all parts of the UK and internationally. On any given day, members will be working for clients in courts and tribunals across England and Wales and in countries across the world.

Types of work undertaken: Members are organised into specialist practice areas that share expertise with each other and organise workshops for clients. With over 110 members the set is particularly known for its family work (child protection and growing financial remedy work); clinical negligence and personal injury; employment and rapidly growing business and property, housing, inquest, and professional regulatory and disciplinary practices. Many barristers accept direct public access work.

20 members are listed individually as leaders in their fields in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500. Past members include Rose LJ, Janet Smith LJ, Leveson LJ, David Clarke J and Caroline Swift J.

In the last year 42 Bedford Row has maintained or won places on over 20 client panels, often for multiple practice areas. The set continues to be a strong destination for barristers coming from other chambers looking to develop their careers and join a progressive, commercially managed set with a very strong client focus.

Department	Name	Email	Telephone
Chambers Director	Vincent Denham	vincent.denham@42br.com	020 7831 0222
Member of Chambers	COOK QC, Tina (1988)
Member of Chambers	TAYLOR QC, Gemma (1988)
Member of Chambers	HENDERSON QC (Scot), Lisa (1995)
Member of Chambers	WOODWARD-CARLTON QC, Damian (1995)
Member of Chambers	DAICHES, Michael (1977)
Member of Chambers	NEWMAN, Philip (1977)
Member of Chambers	LEDERMAN, Howard (1982)
Member of Chambers	POTE, Andrew (1983)
Member of Chambers	AZIM, Rehna (1984)
Member of Chambers	DABBS, David (1984)
Member of Chambers	FORD, Monica (1984)
Member of Chambers	BENNETT, Jonathan (1985)
Member of Chambers	VICKERY, Neil (1985)
Member of Chambers	KING, Fawzia (1985)
Member of Chambers	MAITLAND-JONES, Mark (1986)
Member of Chambers	BRAITHWAITE, Garfield (1987)
Member of Chambers	HALL, Jeremy (1988)
Member of Chambers	PHIL-EBOSIE, Sheila (1988)
Member of Chambers	CRAMSIE, Sinclair (1988)
Member of Chambers	HAUKELAND, Martin (1989)
Member of Chambers	COSTER, Ronald (1989)
Member of Chambers	KILCOYNE, Desmond (1990)
Member of Chambers	HIGGINS, Adrian (1990)
Member of Chambers	WALTERS, Edmund (1991)
Member of Chambers	FURNISS, Richard (1991)
Member of Chambers	TODMAN, Deborah (1991)
Member of Chambers	OTWAL, Mukhtiar (1991)
Member of Chambers	UDUJE, Ben (1992)
Member of Chambers	HYDE, Marcia (1992)
Member of Chambers	BUTTIMORE, Gabriel (1993)
Member of Chambers	BALDWIN, Marcus (1994)
Member of Chambers	HAWKES, Naomi (1994)
Member of Chambers	McCORMACK, Philip (1994)
Member of Chambers	CHAN, Susan (1994)
Member of Chambers	FARRINGTON, Gemma (1994)
Member of Chambers	MATTHEWSON, Scott (1996)
Member of Chambers	SHEPHERD, Jude (1996)
Member of Chambers	AHMAD, Aysha (1996)
Member of Chambers	GARDNER, Eilidh (1997)
Members of Chambers	HAYFORD, Jane (1997)
Member of Chambers	WOODHOUSE, Nigel (1997)
Member of Chambers	MANN, Christopher (1998)
Member of Chambers	CREW, Gillian (1998)
Member of Chambers	O'BRIEN, Niamh (1998)
Member of Chambers	BHACHU, Sharan (1999)
Member of Chambers	THOMAS, Rebecca (1999)
Member of Chambers	SALTER, Michael (1999)
Member of Chambers	LITTLE, Richard (2000)
Member of Chambers	GREGORY, Richard (2000)
Member of Chambers	CASSIDY, Francis (2000)
Member of Chambers	PIEARS, Angela (2001)
Member of Chambers	KHAN, Arfan (2001)
Member of Chambers	PHILLIPS, Katie (2002)
Member of Chambers	CHALONER, Mark (2002)
Member of Chambers	WOOD, Thomas (2002)
Member of Chambers	BRAIER, Jason (2002)
Member of Chambers	CAMERON, Robert (2003)
Member of Chambers	DILLON, Anne (2003)
Member of Chambers	WALKER, Maria-Amália (2003)
Member of Chambers	SMITH, Siân (2003)
Member of Chambers	DAVIES, Jonathan (2003)
Member of Chambers	BUTLER, George (2004)
Member of Chambers	THAROO, Safia (2004)
Member of Chambers	HOLLOWAY, Orlando (2004)
Member of Chambers	CHAN, Rachel (2004)
Member of Chambers	STROUD, Amy (2004)
Member of Chambers	GLAISTER - YOUNG, Shelly (2004)
Member of Chambers	FERBER, Iris (2005)
Member of Chambers	JEPSON, Amanda (2005)
Member of Chambers	ROBERTSON, Mary (2005)
Member of Chambers	SINGER, Nick (2006)
Member of Chambers	ATKINSON, Jessica (2006)
Member of Chambers	WEBBER, Ruth (2006)
Member of Chambers	KOHANZAD, Rad (2007)
Member of Chambers	CLARK, Neil (2007)
Member of Chambers	IRVINE, Celeste (2007)
Member of Chambers	PRYOR, Alison (2008)
Member of Chambers	McDERMOTT, Mathew (2008)
Member of Chambers	NETTLESHIP, Helen (2009)
Member of Chambers	STIMMLER, Ben (2009)
Member of Chambers	GIACHARDI, Laura (2009)
Member of Chambers	ARLIDGE, Heather (2009)
Member of Chambers	GRANT, Michael (2009)
Member of Chambers	WELCH, Tim (2009)
Member of Chambers	HAMMOND, Sara (2009)
Member of Chambers	BERTHELSEN, Eleonore (2009)
Member of Chambers	URQUHART, Catherine (2010)
Member of Chambers	ZOVIDAVI, Hamed (2010)
Member of Chambers	KHOSHDEL, Martin (2010)
Member of Chambers	MACKENZIE, Charlotte (2011)
Member of Chambers	TROY, Pauline (2011)
Member of Chambers	FOSTER, Natalie (2011)
Member of Chambers	BIDNELL-EDWARDS, Nicholas (2012)
Member of Chambers	SCARBOROUGH, Christi (2012)
Member of Chambers	LLOYD-JONES, Edward (2012)
Member of Chambers	PEARCE, Jonathan (2012)
Member of Chambers	PATEL, Krishma (2012)
Member of Chambers	LIBERADZKI, Stefan (2013)
Member of Chambers	SHARPE, James Arthur (2014)
Member of Chambers	JOLLEY, Peter (2014)
Member of Chambers	WHEELER, Eleanor (2014)
Member of Chambers	BARKER, Chantelle (2014)
Member of Chambers	PHIPPS, Vondez (2014)
Member of Chambers	YOUNGS, Jennifer (2016)
Member of Chambers	GORDON, Max (2016)
Member of Chambers	WHITTINGTON, Louise (2016)
Member of Chambers	FIREMAN, Jamie (2016)
Member of Chambers	ARCHER, Katherine (2018)
Member of Chambers	CARTER, Andrew (2018)
Member of Chambers	LANDES, Caroline (2019)
Member of Chambers	CLAXTON, Kate (2019)
Member of Chambers	COX, Hannah (2019)

Name	Position	Profile
Jonathan Bennett	Mainly public law care proceedings, but also other family and local authority…	View Profile
Susan Chan	Susan practices in employment law, public law, personal injury/clinical negligence and inquests.…	View Profile
Tina Cook	Family law specialist with a special emphasis on children work,. Tina often…	View Profile
Iris Ferber	Specialist in all aspects of employment law and in property law, especially…	View Profile
Richard Furniss	Richard is a well-known specialist in medical law, and has vast experience…	View Profile
Richard Gregory	Richard Gregory is an established personal injury and clinical negligence practitioner, with…	View Profile
Naomi Hawkes	Naomi was called to the Bar in 1994. She has over 20…	View Profile
Orlando Holloway	Orlando was called to the Bar in 2004. Since becoming a tenant…	View Profile
Scott Matthewson	Scott is head of the Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury Team at…	View Profile
Katie Phillips	Katie is a family law specialist, practising across all areas of children…	View Profile
Jude Shepherd	Jude Shepherd is Head of the Employment Team at 42 Bedford Row	View Profile
Gemma Taylor	Gemma practises family law, primarily public law care and adoption proceedings for…	View Profile
Damian Woodward-Carlton	Damian is a family practitioner, appearing in the Family Court (High Court,…	View Profile

CLIENT: Alison Harbour
COMPANY/FIRM: GoodLaw Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: I have always valued the quality of the members of chambers and high level of commitment and competence they bring to every case. The clerks are consistently helpful and have got me out of a tight corner many times when I have had instructions for a short notice hearing. I genuinely value everything that 42br has to offer. My job would be a lot harder without them.

CLIENT: Heather Davies
COMPANY/FIRM: Wilson Browne Solicitors
TESTIMONIAL: Communication is one of the key factors for me in choosing counsel and dealing with chambers and I have been very pleased with both. The counsel I have dealt with have been responsive and available both before the hearing and afterwards with prompt liaison and updates. I have instructed on some cases with complex issues and challenges which have been very well managed by the counsel I have used.

CLIENT: Peter Harris & Caron Theobalds
COMPANY/FIRM: Harris Temperley LLP
TESTIMONIAL: Across the board from Juniors to Silks we have never been disappointed and very much rate the high standard of sensitive, fair and expert advocacy received. The barristers at 42 Bedford Row are not afraid to provide realistic advice to the clients or indeed to those instructing them.

CLIENT: Rachel Carter
COMPANY/FIRM: Wollens
TESTIMONIAL: We use various counsel, from QC to junior, in very complex care proceedings involving non-accidental injury or FII. Those that we instruct have a sound medical knowledge and great legal expertise. The clerking team, James, in particular, are immensely helpful and go above and beyond to assist (for example if counsel is not available for a hearing, they will actively seek cover).

CLIENT: Keeley Lengthorn
COMPANY/FIRM: Taylor Rose MW
TESTIMONIAL: I have instructed members of 42BR for approximately 8 years, having first instructed them when I joined MW Solicitors. They came highly recommended to me then and have not failed to disappoint me since. The reason why I continue to instruct 42BR is mostly because of the powerful expertise displayed by all members I instruct