Garden Court Chambers fields strength in depth at every level, and is renowned for its ‘chambers renowned for its excellence in advocacy and legal expertise’. The set is known for its work for the defence, including in appeals. Icah Peart KC successfully represented the appellant in Washington v The King, a Bermudiuan appeal in which the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council overturned murder and attempted murder convictions for which the appellant had served ten years of a life sentence. James Scobie KC has a track record of cases involving organized crime and drill music, while Christian Wasunna represented a man who was acquitted of attempted murder, but convicted of other charges, after providing the gun which Chris Kaba used to shoot a man in a Hackney nightclub – less than a week later, in a high-profile incident, Kaba was shot dead by police while trying to ram his way through a police roadblock. Anya Lewis KC, as was, was appointed to the circuit bench in December 2025.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'One of the best sets in the country. The have a powerful team.'
'Garden Court have always maintained a reputation for excellence in the breadth and depth of available Counsel. Colin Cook and Tommy Bentley are a fantastic clerking team.'

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.

Michael Ivers KC

‘Michael is a highly effective advocate with a real eye for detail. He is very experienced and strategically astute.’

Rajiv Menon KC

'A sensitive and careful advocate who works hard for his clients.'

Icah Peart KC

'Judges and juries love him. He is a consummate advocate - always one step ahead of other barristers in a case.'

David Emanuel KC

'One of the top go to silks specialising in appeals. He provides the perfect blend of hard work, intellect, flawless judgement and persuasive advocacy.'

Keir Monteith KC

‘Keir is without a doubt one of the best advocates in the country.'

Brenda Campbell KC

Mark Gatley KC

'Mark is a smooth operator who juries love. He is a class act in court with a razor sharp instinct.'

Hossein Zahir KC

‘Hossein is a street fighter. He takes all the best defence points and elevates them to an even higher plain.’

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.

Owen Greenhall

'Owen is a leading, if not the leading, barrister for protest related work. He really is at the very top of his field.'

Daniel Jameson

'Daniel is incredibly hardworking and tactically very astute. He leaves no stone unturned in preparing the case.'

Ruby Selva

'Ruby is a specialist. She is excellent in cross-examination and clients, solicitors and judges love her. She is thorough and makes it look easy.'

Tom Wainwright

'Tom is an exceptional advocate and a go-to barrister for complex criminal matters.'

Christian Wasunna

'Chris is a thorough and extremely hard-working barrister. He is an imposing and persuasive advocate.'

Emma Fenn

Excellent tactical acumen, strives for a creative solution. Excellent client care skills. Formidable.'

Alex Rose

‘Alex is a stand out senior junior. He is tenacious and compelling in court, and always thoroughly prepared.'

Helen Butcher

‘A strong and fearless barrister who fights hard for her clients in court with robust advocacy.’

Stella Harris

‘Stella is top drawer. She is very bright, has an attention to detail and is superb in getting to grips with complex expert evidence.’

Thalia Maragh

‘Thalia’s natural charm as an advocate, combined with her good judgement, makes her a formidable opponent.’

Catherine Oborne

Gerwyn Wise

‘Gerwyn is all round brilliant. He works phenomenally hard, his judgement is impeccable, his advocacy is friendly, clear and calm, but deadly.'

Minka Braun

'First class work, based on skill and hard work. She has mastered the power of persuasion.'

Will Hanson

‘He has an exceptionally sharp legal mind but with a down to earth and approachable demeanour.’

Piers Mostyn

Michael Goold

‘Michael rolls his sleeves up and get to grips with the details and tactical approach of the case immediately.’

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.

Soraya Bauwens

‘Soraya consistently achieves success in her cases. She demonstrates exceptional confidence in her work.’