Recognised for its ‘robust expertise in construction and insurance disputes’, members of 4 Pump Court continue to be involved in high-profile matters across construction and engineering sectors, representing clients in TCC, Supreme Court, and Court of Appeal. The group is also visible in international arbitration. Leading silk Sean Brannigan KC represents a Saudi Arabian state entity in a major ICC arbitration concerning the power infrastructure for the phosphorus plant. Rachel Ansell KC regularly appears for owners and contractors in domestic and international arbitration proceedings. As leader of the counsel team, she has recently achieved a favourable outcome for a client in a high-profile cladding case. Jennie Gillies KC took silk in 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 4PC has always been the first choice for me and my firm when we look for barristers. The clerks are extremely responsive and have top commercial sense. The barristers are all very capable and professional.
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.
2026 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.
Luke Wygas
Simon Henderson
Thomas Crangle
Thomas is unflappable, collaborative, and quietly formidable. He has a very easy manner that puts both clients and instructing solicitors at ease. Clients really like him: he’s clear, commercial, and approachable, and he has a reassuring ability to explain complex issues without ever talking down to anyone. Behind that calm exterior is a sharp advocate who prepares meticulously and delivers with confidence. A real asset in any construction or commercial dispute.
Daniel Goodkin
Daniel combines a stellar legal mind with sheer hard work and is utterly unflappable. A creative thinker, he can turn a difficult case into a win.
Matthew Thorne
Matthew Thorne is a pragmatic, no-nonsense barrister with excellent judgment and a strong commercial approach. He is a calm and reassuring leader who inspires confidence in clients and legal teams alike. Highly effective, practical, and a pleasure to work with.
Kate Livesey
Daniel Churcher
Daniel is impressively strong on his feet, and his cross-examination was excellent – he got to the crux of the matter seamlessly.
Helen Dennis
Huge work ethic and ability to assimilate large volumes of documents. Excellent strategic insight. Responsive and very easy to work with as part of a team.
Laura Crowley
Laurence Page
Robert Scrivener
Very knowledgeable in construction law. Quick turnaround. Lots of preparation to find good cross-examination points.
Gideon Shirazi
Gideon is strong in all aspects of practice. He has an incisive mind and is a very effective advocate.
Quentin Tannock
Very good at communicating and sharp in cross-examination.
Ed Jones
Alexander Burrell
Nick Kaplan
Nick is my go-to when it comes to swift and detailed advice on complex issues. He is very skilled at sifting through the bluster to land at the key issues and respond with sharp legal discourse and application. Commercially astute and legally minded, he adds depth to any case and is quick-thinking in the courtroom.
Mek Mesfin
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.
Elliott Cook
Responsive, helpful, bright, and commercial.
Katy Handley
She is happy to speak directly to clients and tempers her advice accordingly. She is always commercial with one eye on costs as well as the value of the claim. I have found her very easy to work with; she is very bright and gets to grips with the facts of the matter swiftly and addresses the legal issues accordingly. A pleasure to work with.