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
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.
James Leabeater KC
James is very measured and highly commercial. His drafting is first class and his advocacy skills always come across as composed and thoughtful. He is a star at both construction and shipping work - one of my go-tos.
Sanjay Patel KC
Sanjay is an excellent barrister. His key strengths are his preparedness, deep understanding of the brief, strong emotional intelligence, and instinctive grasp of how to position and win a dispute.
Nick Vineall KC
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.
Daniel Churcher
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.
Daniel Goodkin
Daniel is sharp and well-prepared for cross-examination. He is a fast learner and drafter. It would be better if he were more active in communication.
Kate Livesey
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.
Laura Crowley
Ed Jones
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
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
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.
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
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.