‘Excellent in terms of administrative and human rights law’ 39 Essex Chambers has a range of ’extremely committed and clever counsel’ at the silk and junior level, and are regularly instructed in major administrative law matters. ‘The best of the best when it comes to judicial review’, Jenni Richards KC represented the claimant in R (Clifford) v SSWP, a challenge to the consultation process on changes to the Work Capability Assessment, and Katherine Apps KC recently led for the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers in a challenge to the introduction of sub-six-figure personal injury and clinical negligence claims – the matter settled. Emily Wilsdon undertook oral advocacy as part of the government team in the aforementioned Clifford v DWP case. Saara Idelbi and Sam Fowles joined the team in August 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Public law, constitutional law, data protection and privacy, freedom of information, defamation, planning and environmental law, licensing, international law and international trade
Position
Sam is a public lawyer. He regularly acts in all levels of tribunal, having appeared in the senior courts both led and unled. He advises at all levels of government including the Council of Europe, shadow cabinet, regional, and local government.
His recent cases includes advising the shadow cabinet on the necessity for EU elections if the Article 50 period is extended, representing the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis in resisting a request for personal data relating to an investigation into child sex crimes, and advising a coalition of NGOs on the impacts of post-Brexit trade agreements.
Sam is an experienced advocate before the information tribunal and provides advice and representation for a range of, individuals, NGO, and commercial clients seeking to obtain information from national and local government.
Sam regularly appears in national and international media as an expert in constitutional, information, and international law including BBC Parliament, BBC Business, BBC World, The Guardian, The Independent, The New Statesman, and Al Jazeera.
Career
Called 2017 (Gray’s Inn; Edmund Davies Scholarship).
Education
University of St Andrews /(2011 MA, First Class, History); University of London with study at the University of Sydney (2017, PHD, Law).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are excellent - they go above and beyond to ensure that they can service your needs, in particular Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell'
- 'The clerks are always helpful and responsive, particularly Aithne Moran, Oscar Redif, and Sheraton Doyle.'
- 'The clerking team at 39 Essex is outstanding, including Oscar Redif, Max Head, Sheraton Doyle, Theo Mitchell, Janet Yennusick, Peter Campbell, Anthony King, and Aithne Moran. They are helpful, responsive, organised, approachable, and excellent problem solvers. No issue is too big for them to tackle.'
- 'Sheraton Doyle and Peter Campbell stand out as welcoming, informative and extremely professional.'
- 'A very strong set - excellent range of counsel available covering a broad range of topics, especially within the public sector where all specialities are covered. '
- 'Barristers at 39 Essex have always worked handled complex and sophisticated matters well, with exceptional understanding of the law and ability to work creatively to achieve the best outcome for the client.'
- 'The chambers are excellent in terms of administrative and human rights law. The availability of high quality counsel is always excellent.'
- 'Chambers are responsive, welcoming and very easy to work with. Chambers are flexible and attentive when considering requests for counsel and training. '