‘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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Position
Emily practices in administrative and public law, regulation, inquiries and inquests, and commercial and construction.
An experienced public lawyer, she acts for claimants (individual and representative bodies), central and local government, regulators and other public bodies across all areas of public law. She regularly appears in a wide range of courts and tribunals, including the High Court and Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). She is a member of the Attorney General’s B Panel, and was a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission ‘B’ Panel.She represents the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and the Home Office in the Brook House Inquiry. She advises and represents a range of interested parties at inquests, including Article 2 inquests with a jury.
She is recognised by the Legal 500 in the areas of administrative law and human rights, inquests and inquiries, and immigration (including business immigration).
Within commercial and construction disputes she has experience of arbitration, shipping disputes, construction adjudication and banking fraud. She has been admitted as a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb). She has been instructed as a member of the legal team from 39 Essex Chambers offering legal advice and support to the Foskett Panel.
Career
Called in 2011.
Education
- 2010 – 2011, Kaplan Law School, Bar Professional Training Course
- 2009 – 2010, New York University School of Law, LLM
- 2006 – 2009, Downing College, Cambridge University, MA Law
Content supplied by 39 Essex Chambers
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. '