Garden Court Chambers

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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research 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.'
'Garden Chambers are excellent and I use them regularly. The clerks take an interest in the cases and try to recommend the best and most suited barrister to the case. '
'One of the best sets in the country. The have a powerful team.'
'Chambers generally very good with strength in depth and pleasant, responsive clerking.'
'GCC is one of the best sets of Chambers for Crime in the country. The clerks are top-notch and the senior criminal practitioners are second to none.'
'Excellent Chambers with strength in depth at all levels from junior to silks. They also a have a first class criminal clerking team in Colin Cook and Tommy Bentley who have an impeccable understanding and delivery of customer service and business needs.'

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.

Henry Blaxland KC

‘Henry is a truly exceptional barrister. He is at the top of his game and is leading the field.’

James Scobie KC

'James is, without question, one of the finest silks in the country. He commands the courtroom with authority and composure, speaks with absolute clarity, and cross-examines with surgical precision.'

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.'

Peter Wilcock KC

‘He is a very clever lawyer, a fearsome cross-examiner and a marvellously persuasive advocate.’

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.'

Anya Lewis KC

‘Anya is so deserved of her status as silk. She is so industrious and dedicated.’

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.