Set Profile > 5 Stone Buildings > London, England

5 Stone Buildings Offices

Chambers of Henry Harrod
5 Stone Buildings
LINCOLN'S INN
LONDON
WC2A 3XT
England
Visit website 020 7242 6201 020 7831 8102

5 Stone Buildings > The Legal 500 Rankings

Private client: trusts and probate Tier 1

5 Stone Buildings is one of the ‘best traditional Chancery sets.’ In one major case Penelope Reed QC acted for Alan Graham through his litigation friend in a case whereby the court ordered the rectification of four trusts that had been established in the British Virgin Islands Graham v Lynch.  Tracey Angus QC acted for the Michael Cowan Foundation in Cowan v Foreman,  an Inheritance Act claim over an estate worth over £20m with issues concerning time limit extensions. At the senior end the set was strengthened even further when Sarah Haren QC took silk in 2021.

Leading Silks

Henry Legge QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Henry is an outstanding barrister right on top of his game. He throws himself completely into the cases on which he is instructed and gives peerless service to his clients. He is a great lateral thinker and having staked out a different way of tackling a claim pursues this with impressive vigour and effectiveness. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Shân Warnock-Smith QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ She is one of the most experienced and respected practitioners in this area. She is able to cut through some of the most complex issues to provide a clear direction and solutions, in terms which clients understand. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Tracey Angus QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ She has an impressive grasp of the facts in a longstanding and complex case. Very personable and responsive. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Penelope Reed QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Penelope is a phenomenally gifted trusts lawyer. She is not just technically excellent but it is her wealth of experience and impeccable judgement that makes her advice so valuable. She also has a steely edge when necessary, while being a pleasure to work with. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
David Rees QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ David's reputation in the trusts, probate and succession disputes arena is thoroughly justified. He is particularly good on knotty problems about construction. His advocacy in measured and very effective. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Christopher Tidmarsh QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ A superb advocate. He articulates the strengths of the case in pleading and argument so as to appeal to the court. He homes in on the points which will win, anticipating the points which the other side may raise. He is always several moves ahead. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

2021 Silks

Sarah Haren QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Very calm and measured. She has a depth of knowledge and experience which she brings to bear on every case she's involved in - a manner that reassures clients that she know what she is talking about (which she does). ’

Leading Juniors

Toby Bishop - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Clever, approachable and excellent at finding solutions for complex issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Michael O'Sullivan - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He provides clear and well-reasoned advice. Incredibly efficient and reliable. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 3
Miranda Allardice - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ She has a formidable intellect, an ability to assimilate large amounts of information and distil quickly into clear advice. An ability to communicate with clients and put them at ease. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Edward Hewitt - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ One of the few juniors at the Bar who is truly schooled in Chancery drafting and advisory work. He is a delight to work with but, as a litigator, there is a steely core beneath his obvious charm. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Jordan Holland - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He is exceptionally bright and thinks outside the box. Jordan is very confident and that confidence is well-placed. He has an excellent reputation on his feet in court. His client handling is very good. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Ruth Hughes - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Ruth is extremely sharp and goes through issues concisely and clearly. She is also practical in her approach ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Matthew Paton - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He has enormous experience of conducting difficult trust litigation as an advocate and solicitor. He is an excellent tactician and fights extremely hard for his client. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Mathew Roper - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Highly competent and user-friendly. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set 

‘This is to my mind is the best set for domestic trusts and probate work. It has great depth of experience and offers fantastic, free seminars for solicitors.’

‘The go to set for trusts disputes.‘

‘Very impressive from top to bottom. It recruits excellent juniors, who are always very well trained. Everyone there is extremely approachable and hardworking.‘

‘The pre-eminent Chancery set.’

‘We rate 5 SB very much, probably one of the top sets, amazing set of barristers and clerks who want to make the transition and working arrangements with the solicitors work properly.‘

Clerking 

‘The clerks are fantastic (Paul Jennings and Dan Coote in particular).’

‘Paul Jennings is an excellent head clerk. He is readily available and is always open to discussion on fees and Counsel to be instructed. He gives good guidance as to where matters should be placed and certainly has built an excellent relationship over the years.‘

‘Excellent – hugely accommodating and very efficient. ‘

‘Responsive. Dan Coote is extremely helpful.’

‘Excellent clerks, will have sensible conversations about costs, easy to work with, down to earth but knowledgeable about the field.‘

‘In my experience they have always been excellent and operate without ‘fuss’. ‘

Court of Protection and community care Tier 2

The ‘fantastic’ 5 Stone Buildings has ‘a number of high quality Court of Protection practitioners at all levels, from very junior to silk.’ Tracey Angus QC is ‘an expert in her field‘ and ‘a brilliant team player‘, with ‘excellent powers of analysis‘. Penelope Reed QC is ‘calm, persuasive, firm and technically excellent‘, and ‘masterful in court, able to handle the most difficult judge‘. David Rees QC and Ruth Hughes appeared for multiple parties in Re ACC & Others, a test case concerning issues of potential conflicts of interest that could arise when a professional deputy instructs their own law firm to carry out work for a person who is subject to a deputyship order. Barbara Rich has extensive expertise in advising on statutory wills and property-related issues. The senior end was bolstered by Sarah Haren QC‘s elevation to silk in March 2021.

Leading Silks

Penelope Reed QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Penelope is a clear and concise silk who provides strong advice. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
David Rees QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ A silk who knows this area of law inside out. ’
Ranked: Tier 2
Tracey Angus QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Tracey is very approachable, and has excellent analytical capabilities. Her client care skills are first-class, and she brings clarity to complex legal issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

2021 Silks

Sarah Haren QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ An exceptionally hardworking new silk, who keeps her composure under pressure. ’

Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 2
Mark Baxter - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He has an incisive eye and inspires confidence in clients. His advocacy is crisp, and he can rise above the fray to hold the ear of the judge. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 3
Jordan Holland - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ A junior who remains unflappable and composed, no matter how fraught a case may be. ’
Ranked: Tier 4
Ruth Hughes - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ A formidable practitioner in the Court of Protection field, who the bench responds well to. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Testimonials

Set

‘It is exceptionally good in its field.’

‘5 Stone Buildings is at the top for private client work.’

‘A go-to set for difficult Court of Protection work.’

‘Extremely knowledgeable and proactive barristers.’

Clerking

‘Always willing to help and go the extra mile.‘

‘A very responsive and helpful clerking team.’

Private client: personal tax

Leading Silks

Amanda Hardy QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Amanda is exceptionally strong in relation to the technical intricacies of offshore tax and in particular is outstanding and one of the leading authorities on developments in the law on domicile. She combines these technical strengths with excellent interpersonal skills and sound strategic judgement. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Leading Juniors

Oliver Marre - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He tackles everything with great enthusiasm. Oliver is very responsive and always strives to provide the best service and most thorough, practical advice to us and our clients. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Company and partnership

Partnership - Leading juniors

Mark Blackett-Ord - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ He is both charming and ferocious (when needed) as an advocate. ’
Ranked: Tier 2

Tax: corporate and VAT/indirect tax

Tax: corporate - Leading Silks

Amanda Hardy QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Amanda provides thorough and clear advice in a short time frame. She was approachable and user-friendly, continuing to provide input on further questions. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Tax: corporate - Leading Juniors

Ranked: Tier 2

Pensions

Leading Silks

Henry Legge QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Henry is highly intelligent, charming in person and has a profound grasp of the issues. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Ranked: Tier 3

Mediators Tier 4

Penelope Reed QC – 5 Stone Buildings  Penelope Reed QC at 5 Stone Buildings 'has a constant and reassuring calmness, sensitivity and empathy, combined with a determination to explore and exhaust all possibilities to achieve a settlement'. Accredited since 2009, her experience includes over 100 mediations, predominantly involving probate claims, trust litigation, applications under the Inheritance Act 1975, and Court of Protection and proprietary estoppel claims.

Offshore Tier 4

Praised for its work trusts and financial remedy cases, 5 Stone Buildings has a small but strong team of members dedicated to offshore work. Shân Warnock-Smith QC continues to be involved in major trust and estate cases across the Caribbean, while Penelope Reed QC specialises in trusts, wills, probate and related tax issues, and is acting for the latter party in the long-running Hayward v Bloom and others trusts dispute before the Grand Court of the Bahamas, concerning the estate of the former Wolverhampton Wanderers owner. On the junior side, Matthew Paton remains involved in complex litigation in the Bahamas, and Jordan Holland is noted for his Channel Island practice.  

Leading Silks

Penelope Reed QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Superb in every way, one could not hope for a better leader. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Shân Warnock-Smith QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ A leader in her field, and showing a passion for and knowledge of trusts and estates law, we can't help but recommend her to others. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Christopher Tidmarsh QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Amazing intelligence coupled with an in-depth knowledge of trust law and principles. ’
Ranked: Tier 4

Leading Juniors

Jordan Holland - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Phenomenally clever and has great tactical ability. ’
Ranked: Tier 3
Matthew Paton - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Has an encyclopaedic knowledge of Bahamian trust law - very persuasive oral communication skills and excellent drafting skills. ’
Ranked: Tier 3

Testimonials

Clerking

‘The clerks’ room led by Paul Jennings is regularly praised. it is efficient but also easy for clients to deal with.‘

‘Excellent clerking service.‘

Media and entertainment (including art and cultural property)

The experienced group of art barristers at 5 Stone Buildings act in complex disputes for buyers, sellers, and auction houses. In Gelber v Christie’s, Henry Legge QC represented a claim against Christie’s in relation to the alleged negligent handling of a $100m collection. Luke Harris acts for the claimants in QIPCO and  Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdullah Al Thani v Eskenazi, which concerns the Qatari investment company's purchase of allegedly forged antiquities from a dealer for a combined total of $4.9m. He is also providing English law expert advice for the owner and insurers of a Picasso in a damages claim in the Bavarian courts.

Art and cultural property - Leading Silks

Henry Legge QC - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Expert in, and in-demand for, art disputes. ’
Ranked: Tier 1

Art and cultural property - Leading Juniors

Luke Harris - 5 Stone Buildings ‘ Luke is rightly recognised as one of the top juniors in this field and has an impressive case history. ’
Ranked: Tier 1
Ranked: Tier 1

Testimonials

Set

‘I have worked with a few art barristers at 5SB and they are all very knowledgeable on this area as well as chancery matters generally.’

‘Very user-friendly.’

‘Wide range of good juniors at all levels offering a good variety of expertise so you can always find someone who is able to deal with your problem.’

Clerking

‘The clerks are always helpful. Paul Jennings will see to any issues quickly.’

‘Helpful and efficient.’

‘Very responsive and efficient, which is what you want.’

5 Stone Buildings > Set Profile

 

Members of this chambers are specialists in a wide variety of areas, including trusts law, the administration of estates, taxation, real property, landlord and tenant, pensions, charities, partnership, Court of Protection, insolvency, art and cultural property, and all chancery-related commercial matters. Members also advise and act in relation to professional negligence cases associated with these practice areas.

The set: Members of chambers are noted for providing a fast and effective service in both litigation and advisory work, and for their approachability. Members appear in courts at every level, both national and international.

Types of work undertaken: Advice and litigation expertise is provided in cases relating to property, wills, trusts, capital and other taxation and charity matters. Advice is given in relation to onshore and offshore tax planning at the very highest level and members lecture widely in this area, and publish leading works. Members at all levels advise on and deal with contested probate, executorship, Inheritance Act proceedings, estate planning and breach of trust. As counsel for HMRC, members have appeared in cases covering many aspects of income and capital taxation. Members appear regularly in the Court of Protection and on behalf of the Official Solicitor, in both property and affairs and health and welfare cases.

Occupational pensions are also an area of expertise, with members appearing in leading cases dealing with such issues as trustees duties and pension fund surplus.

Members undertake work in the field of professional negligence, working both for claimants and defendants.

Land law expertise includes disputes relating to conveyancing, land registration, easements, restrictive covenants, status of mortgages, trespass, misrepresentation, mistake and undue influence.

Landlord and tenant work covers creation, renewal and termination of leases, remedies for non-payment of rent, commercial and agricultural tenancies, residential tenancies and long leaseholds.

Chambers offers notable experience in all aspects of partnership disputes, and two members are the authors of a leading book on the subject.

 

Main Contacts

Department Name Email Telephone
Senior clerk Paul Jennings
Members of Chambers HARROD, Henry (1963)
Members of Chambers WARNOCK-SMITH QC, Shân (1971)
Members of Chambers BLACKETT-ORD, Mark (1974)
Members of Chambers SIMMONDS QC, Andrew (1980)
Members of Chambers ALLARDICE, Miranda (1982)
Members of Chambers REED QC, Penelope (1983)
Members of Chambers TIDMARSH QC, Christopher (1985)
Members of Chambers O'SULLIVAN, Michael (1986)
Members of Chambers ROLFE, Patrick (1987)
Members of Chambers RICH, Barbara (1990)
Members of Chambers ANGUS QC, Tracey (1991)
Members of Chambers LEGGE QC, Henry (1993)
Members of Chambers HARDY QC, Amanda (1993)
Members of Chambers REES QC, David (1994)
Members of Chambers SARTIN, Leon (1997)
Members of Chambers HAREN QC, Sarah (1999)
Members of Chambers ENTWISTLE, Thomas (2001)
Members of Chambers HARRIS, Luke (2001)
Members of Chambers PATON, Matthew (2005)
Member of Chambers BAXTER, Mark (2006)
Members of Chambers EDGE, Charlotte, (2006)
Members of Chambers HUGHES, Ruth (2007)
Members of Chambers HEWITT, Edward (2007)
Members of Chambers EAST, William (2008)
Members of Chambers BISHOP, Toby (2008)
Member of Chambers ARUMUGAM, Raj (2008)
Members of Chambers HOLLAND, Jordan (2009)
Members of Chambers ROPER, Mathew (2011)
Members of Chambers MARRE, Oliver (2011)
Members of Chambers DRAPKIN, Alexander (2012)
Members of Chambers MARTIN, Harry (2012)
Members of Chambers CHANDLER, Sam (2013)
Members of Chambers CUMBER, Hugh (2013)
Members of Chambers EAGLING, Eliza (2015)
Members of Chambers FETHERSTONHAUGH, Rose (2016)
Members of Chambers DOUGLAS, Simon (2018)
Members of Chambers ADAMS, Arabella (2019)
Member of Chambers CARSLAW, Emilia, (2020)

Barrister Profiles

Photo Name Position Profile
Arabella Adams photo Arabella Adams Called in 2019 View Profile
Miranda Allardice photo Miranda Allardice Experienced Chancery and Family Finance Barrister and Mediator.  Miranda offers a specialist… View Profile
Tracey Angus photo Tracey Angus Barrister specialising in general Chancery work with an emphasis on equity and… View Profile
Raj Arumugam photo Raj Arumugam Raj has a broad Commercial Chancery practice with a particular emphasis on… View Profile
Mark Baxter photo Mark Baxter Contentious and non-contentious traditional chancery practice, with particular emphasis on estates and… View Profile
Toby Bishop photo Toby Bishop Toby is a contentious Chancery practitioner focused on succession and trusts disputes,… View Profile
Mark Blackett-ord photo Mark Blackett-ord Barrister specialising in trusts, partnership, professional negligence, probate and general Chancery litigation.… View Profile
Emilia Carslaw photo Emilia Carslaw Emilia joins 5 Stone Buildings in October 2021 following the successful completion… View Profile
Sam Chandler photo Sam Chandler Joined chambers after completion of pupillage in 2014. Experience of contentious probate,… View Profile
Hugh Cumber photo Hugh Cumber Joined chambers after completion of pupillage in 2014. Spent nine months seconded… View Profile
Simon Douglas photo Simon Douglas Called 2018 View Profile
Alexander Drapkin photo Alexander Drapkin Traditional Chancery practice with experience in a wide range of contentious and… View Profile
Ms Eliza Eagling photo Ms Eliza Eagling Eliza has a chancery practice specialising in contentious trusts and probate, 1975… View Profile
Mr William East photo Mr William East Barrister with general Chancery practice, including wills and probate, estates and family… View Profile
Thomas Entwistle photo Thomas Entwistle Barrister with a practice covering all areas of Chancery work including both… View Profile
Rose Fetherstonhaugh photo Rose Fetherstonhaugh Called 2016 View Profile
Amanda Hardy photo Amanda Hardy Barrister – Year of Call 1993, Silk 2015 View Profile
Sarah Haren photo Sarah Haren Barrister with a practice incorporating a wide range of Chancery work, both… View Profile
Luke Harris photo Luke Harris Luke has a commercial chancery practice and has particular expertise in claims… View Profile
Henry Harrod photo Henry Harrod Barrister specialising in traditional Chancery work including trusts, tax, probate, administration of… View Profile
Edward Hewitt photo Edward Hewitt Edward has a broad Chancery practice with a particular emphasis on private… View Profile
Jordan Holland photo Jordan Holland General chancery, private client, succession, trusts; Court of Protection; related professional negligence.… View Profile
Ruth Hughes photo Ruth Hughes Ruth has a private client practice focusing on taxation, trusts and estates… View Profile
Henry Legge photo Henry Legge Barrister dealing with non-contentious and revenue work as well as litigation; particular… View Profile
Oliver Marre photo Oliver Marre Barrister, Year of call 2011 View Profile
Harry Martin photo Harry Martin Harry has experience across the range of traditional Chancery and private client… View Profile
Michael O'Sullivan photo Michael O'Sullivan Barrister whose current practice incorporates: trust litigation and advice both onshore and… View Profile
Matthew Paton photo Matthew Paton Matthew has a wide practice encompassing all aspects of traditional and commercial… View Profile
Penelope Reed photo Penelope Reed Barrister with a wide Chancery practice and a special emphasis on trusts,… View Profile
David Rees photo David Rees Barrister with a traditional Chancery practice encompassing trusts, probate, wills, adminstration of… View Profile
Barbara Rich photo Barbara Rich Barrister specialising in trusts and estates litigation, property and affairs jurisdiction of… View Profile
Patrick Rolfe photo Patrick Rolfe Barrister with a contentious Chancery practice, specialising in real property. He deals… View Profile
Mathew Roper photo Mathew Roper   Chancery barrister specialising in contentious and non-contentious trusts and estates, related… View Profile
Leon Sartin photo Leon Sartin Barrister whose practice covers all areas of Chancery work, with an emphasis… View Profile
Andrew Simmonds photo Andrew Simmonds Barrister specialising mainly in pensions work, but also undertaking litigation in the… View Profile
Christopher Tidmarsh photo Christopher Tidmarsh Barrister with a wide ranging Chancery practice. Since taking silk, he has… View Profile
Shan Warnock-Smith photo Shan Warnock-Smith Barrister who is an adviser and a litigator in the whole range… View Profile

Client Testimonials


CLIENT: Philip Youdan, partner at Cripps Pemberton Greenish
TESTIMONIAL: The team at 5 Stone Buildings consistently delivers exceptional client service and legal advice. This comes from their depth of legal knowledge, their practical approach and their commitment to placing the client’s interests at the heart of their work. It is a pleasure to continue to work with them.

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