Robert Palmer KC
‘Robert’s written work and advocacy are equally impressive. He has an ability to simplify the most complex areas of law and distill the essential legal issues to be determined. Judges appreciate his honed and polished submissions.’
An ‘excellent set’ with ’good strength in depth’, Monckton Chambers have a strong public law practice, with members integrating expertise in commercial law to lead in a range of judicial reviews and administrative law matters. The ‘obvious choice for the most legally complex matters’, Robert Palmer KC leads for the claimant in R (Aquind Ltd) v Ofgem, a challenge to a decision to refuse to approve an electricity interconnector between Portsmouth and Normandy citing the MoD’s national security objections, and Brendan McGurk KC achieved success on an appeal in R (Humane League) v SSEFRA, in which a campaign group alleged that DEFRA operated in an unlawful policy in allowing the use of rapidly-growing chicken breeds for food production. ’A very effective advocate’, Eric Metcalfe is a prominent junior in the set with recent work including acting alone in Moss vs The Upper Tribunal, a case concerning access by non-parties to court documents in that forum. Azeem Suterwalla KC took silk in 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Gemma Goodwin is particularly helpful.'
- 'Monckton Chambers provide an efficient service. The clerks take time to find the right counsel for the right case.'
- 'Clerks are excellent, they respond quickly to queries and are always keen to help.'
- 'The clerks are efficient and approachable.'
- 'Excellent set. Good strength in depth and no issues with clerks.'
- 'Monckton have always provided excellent counsel. Their strength in depth is notable, with members able to pick up and run with matters even at short notice.'
Lawyers
Leading Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2025 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
Leading Juniors
Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.
Jen Coyne
‘Has excellent attention to detail and understanding of procedure. A junior with great experience who installs confidence.’
Khatija Hafesji
‘Khatija is extremely bright and impressive on her feet. She works on complex cases and is calm and knowledgeable throughout. She is also personable and compassionate on sensitive matters.’
Jonathan Lewis
'Very smart, sensitive and user-friendly. He offers very sensible and practical advice.'
Conor McCarthy
‘Very, very clever and knowledgeable on administrative law and human rights matters. Good both on papers and on his feet. Very responsive and easy to deal with, which is particularly important in this area of law. Very calm and sensible. Completely trust his judgement in relation to strengths and weaknesses of a claim and what an opponent is likely to do.’
Rising stars
Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.
