Clinical negligence

Leading Juniors

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘Counsel is amazing in conference with clients and experts alike, able to explain the legalese to them and to draw from the experts the key information required.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Personal injury, industrial disease and insurance fraud

Personal injury - Leading Juniors

Richard Furniss - 42 Bedford Row ‘A first-rate practitioner for high-value personal injury work.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘Has a keen instinct and is able to hone in on the points of fact and law on which a case is likely to turn.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Richard Gregory - 42 Bedford Row ‘An incredibly thorough barrister who shows phenomenal attention to detail.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Employment Tier 3

Regularly appearing in Employment Tribunals, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, and the High Court, 42 Bedford Row 'has a solid employment practice which offers strength in depth'. Jude Shepherd heads the set's employment team, which fields Orlando Holloway, who represented the respondents in various hearings (including a 10-day trial), which concerned claims of discrimination, whistleblowing, trade union detriment, and constructive unfair dismissal. Michael Salter has joined the set from the now-closed Ely Place Chambers.

Leading Juniors

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

Ranked: Tier 3

Iris Ferber - 42 Bedford Row ‘Iris is extremely tenacious, ever-helpful and an excellent advocate. A great all-rounder. Technically strong, has a good grasp of the issues, and is particularly good with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Orlando Holloway - 42 Bedford Row ‘An outstanding junior who is excellent with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Jude Shepherd - 42 Bedford Row ‘Able to identify the crux of a case and isn’t afraid to take a robust approach to litigation. She is incredibly down to earth and builds a great rapport with clients.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Martin Khoshdel - 42 Bedford Row ‘Good judgement and honest, with fantastic attention to detail. Clearly on top of the papers, knows his case well, and is incisive in putting across that case through cross-examination and submissions.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Nick Singer - 42 Bedford Row ‘An extremely technical barrister, whose strength lies in his attention to detail and ability to distill the most complicated factual scenarios. Great with clients and witnesses, and presents a convincing argument.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Safia Tharoo - 42 Bedford Row ‘A fantastic all-rounder and an effective advocate. Very calm and collected, takes a sensible approach to cases and issues, and is very good with clients - provides a reassuring presence.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Rebecca Thomas - 42 Bedford Row ‘Gets successful outcomes in cases that are finely balanced. Rebecca is always prepared, good with witnesses, and honest with instructing solicitors about how things are progressing.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Benjamin Uduje - 42 Bedford Row ‘An excellent advocate, with extensive knowledge of employment law and practice, and he puts clients and witnesses at ease.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Aysha Ahmad - 42 Bedford Row ‘Superb - she is very practical and client focused, with substantial court experience that comes across when she prepares cases. A tenacious cross-examiner, she also takes a proactive and assertive approach to claimant litigation.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Jason Braier - 42 Bedford Row ‘Calm, confident and very good with witnesses. His advocacy style is calm and measured and his submissions are excellent.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Susan Chan - 42 Bedford Row ‘Provides calm and measured counsel, handles clients confidently, and manages tribunal hearings with authority.’

Ranked: Tier 5

Inquests and inquiries

Leading Juniors

Richard Furniss - 42 Bedford Row ‘An experienced and accomplished junior, who is able to handle large cases with good sense and judgement.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Scott Matthewson - 42 Bedford Row ‘A special kind of advocate who is immensely bright and articulate. He manages with genuine ease to balance doing a first-class job for clients while demonstrating empathy and understanding to bereaved families.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Social housing Tier 3

42 Bedford Row's team is strong across all the main areas of housing law, including cases involving homelessness, possession claims, unlawful evictions, disrepair and service charges. It is particularly sought out in housing cases that interface with serious allegations of anti-social behaviour, as well as family law issues. The highly regarded team includes Mathew McDermott, who acted for the applicant in R (Laryea) v London Borough of Ealing; this is one of the few reported cases to deal with the provisions of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. In addition to representing individuals, members also act for local authorities, housing associations and registered landlords, among others. In addition to her practice, Naomi Hawkes is praised for the 'excellent training' she provides to clients. With his 'wealth of knowledge and experience', Desmond Kilcoyne and 'fearless advocate' Iris Ferber are also worthy of note.

Leading Juniors

Iris Ferber - 42 Bedford Row ‘Iris has an exceptional ability to deliver complex advice in an accessible, concise and clear format. Iris' attention to detail and knowledge of property and land matters is second to none and she is a pleasure to work alongside.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Naomi Hawkes - 42 Bedford Row ‘Naomi is thorough, knowledgeable, pays attention to detail, and a fantastic advocate. Naomi is always good with clients and witnesses. She puts everyone at ease. She has excellent written and oral communication skills. I have no weaknesses to report'’

Ranked: Tier 4

Desmond Kilcoyne - 42 Bedford Row ‘Has a wealth of knowledge and experience, he is a very good advocate one of his great assets is to be able to assess his opponents, witnesses and the bench. He is very approachable.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Mathew McDermott - 42 Bedford Row ‘Mathew is very thorough and leaves no stone unturned. I am therefore confident in recommending clients to Mathew for his assistance in LL&T matters. Mathew also produces detailed advice which considers all options available to a client. As an advocate, he is confident and concise.’

Ranked: Tier 4

Children law (including public and private law) Tier 4

42 Bedford Row is a ‘very solid set that offers expertise at all levels of counsel in respect of public law.’ It is also renowned for its growing private law practice. Key focus areas for its members include advising on disputes over children’s schooling, LGBT+ co-parenting, in addition to fertility and surrogacy matters. Tina Cook QC and Jonathan Bennett are the leading lights of the set at the senior and junior ends. The 'formidable' Marcia Hyde joins the rankings this year.

Leading Silks

Tina Cook QC - 42 Bedford Row ‘Her brain works like no other. Tina does not approach cases in the routine universal manner. She starts at the end, sees her goal and makes sure that it is achieved.’

Ranked: Tier 2

2019 Silks

Damian Woodward-Carlton QC - 42 Bedford Row ‘Is an exceptional advocate on his feet who is very robust and persuasive. Damian has a rare ability to translate highly complex evidence into terms that clients are able to fully understand, and respond to.’

Leading Juniors

Jonathan Bennett - 42 Bedford Row ‘Is a very competent safe pair of hands who is always calm under pressure.’

Ranked: Tier 2

Katie Phillips - 42 Bedford Row ‘A fantastic advocate, unflappable, tenacious and supportive.’

Ranked: Tier 3

Marcia Hyde - 42 Bedford Row ‘Ms Hyde is formidable. She is forensic in her approach, and offers clear, decisive advice and guidance when tackling complex and sensitive issues - something which is invaluable to a busy instructing solicitor.’

Ranked: Tier 5