Janet Bazley KC
‘Janet is fantastic with clients. She is incisive, and her judgement is second to none.'
1 GC | Family Law is a ‘fantastically strong children set’ with ‘good calibre counsel at all levels for all matters’. The ’powerful advocate’ Janet Bazley KC is ‘unflappable in difficult cases’ and has a solid track record in advising on private law children matters, and Charles Geekie KC is a ’superb tactician’. Claire Heppenstall has established experience of handling cases involving parental alienation and relocation issues. Steven Ashworth has ‘exceptional attention to detail’ and regularly represents local authorities, parents and children in care proceedings involving allegations of serious injuries and abuse. Sharon Segal KC was elevated to silk in March 2024, while Alev Giz is now a Circuit Judge.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are excellent and will always try their best to assist. David McDonald and Tommy Eyles are helpful.'
- 'Paul Harris and his team are first-class. They are proactive, on top of the detail and commercial.'
- 'All of the clerks are extremely helpful. Of particular note are Paul Harris and David McDonald.'
- 'David McDonald is courteous and always helpful.'
- '1GC | Family Law is a go-to set for children's law cases.'
- '1GC | Family Law is a fantastic offering of children's specialist barristers and a definite go-to.'
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.
Charles Geekie KC
‘A silk who is good on his feet, especially when gauging the judge’s views and making tailored submissions.’
Andrew Bagchi KC
Andrew Norton KC
‘Andrew is a first-rate silk. He is bright and always on top of the details.'
Nkumbe Ekaney KC
powerful and persuasive advocate.'
Sam Momtaz KC
‘A silk with exceptional knowledge and professionalism.’
Sally Stone KC
‘A forensic and detailed advocate.'
Laura Briggs KC
‘Laura is a phenomenal barrister. She is a master tactician and a formidable advocate.'
Denise Gilling KC
‘Denise is an intellectual heavyweight and a clear communicator.'
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.
Emily James KC
‘Emily is an excellent strategist who can think quickly on her feet.’
2023 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.
Louise MacLynn KC
‘Louise is very measured and careful in her approach. She can distil very complex information into clear terms. Her case preparation is exceptional, and she works hard for her clients.’
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.
Sharon Segal KC
‘Sharon is phenomenal and a brilliant advocate. She is all over the details and has the ear of the court. She knows her cases and the law inside out and is supremely confident.’
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.
Claire Heppenstall
‘Claire is a good negotiator and strong in court. She is ready to fight her corner.'
Steven Ashworth
‘Steven is diligent and hard-working, with excellent attention to detail. He is very responsive and provides helpful and clear advice.’
Daisy Hughes
‘Daisy is simply superb: a go-to children’s counsel. She is completely on top of her brief and an expert cross-examiner.’
Lucy Sprinz
complex legal concepts for clients in a straightforward manner. A junior with a sharp mind.'
Matthew Fletcher
‘Matthew is an incredible advocate. He is meticulous in his preparation and takes a holistic approach to every case.’
Catherine Jenkins
‘Catherine is a skilled advocate. She is thorough, organised and supportive.’
Eleri Jones
‘Eleri's attention to detail is extraordinary, and her legal knowledge is on another level.’
Richard Jones
‘Richard’s immense knowledge of the law is commendable.'
Karen Kabweru-Namulemu
‘A junior who quickly develops a good rapport with clients.'
Jessica Lee
‘Jessica is an authoritative and robust advocate who is always well-prepared for cases.’
Olivia Magennis
‘Olivia is fantastic at dealing with difficult clients. She is simply brilliant in court, and is extremely agile in cross-examination.’
Alison Moore
excellent at resolving conflict between parties.'
Doushka Krish
‘Doushka is exceptionally experienced in every aspect of children law proceedings. She always goes the extra mile for clients. Her advocacy is phenomenal.’
Henry Lamb
prepares his cases with a forensically analytical eye.'
Pamela Warner
‘Pamela is an excellent advocate. She can distil the most complex cases into clearly identifiable issues and presents her arguments eloquently, confidently and persuasively.’
Tom Wilson
‘Tom is a wonderful barrister. He is serenity personified and has a wonderful manner, which puts clients at ease.'
Annabel Barrons
‘Annabel knows her cases inside and out. She is all over the details, her advocacy is brilliant, and she is a stand-out junior.'
Malcolm Chisholm
‘Malcolm is a highly skilled advocate who provides a steady hand in complex cases.’
Fareha Choudhury
achieve the best outcome for the client.'
Katherine Dunseath
‘Katherine is a tenacious advocate, strategic and a real fighter. Her cross-examination is excellent.’
Melissa Elsworth
‘Melissa goes the extra mile to understand the client and their objectives. Her advocacy is assured and assertive, and she provides pragmatic and client-friendly solutions.’
Julia Gasparro
‘Julia is very approachable, friendly and helpful. A strong advocate who quickly gets to grips with complex cases.’
Susan George
‘A real fighter for justice.’
Elizabeth Hartnett
‘A bright advocate who is always on top of her brief. She quickly grasps the issues and knows how to run the case strategically. Her cross-examination is top-class.'
Helen Jefferson
lients love her.'
Siobhan F Kelly
‘Siobhan is a skilled and sought-after junior.'
Lucy Maxwell
‘Lucy is detailed, thoughtful, imaginative and impressive.’
Joseph Moore
‘Joseph is exceptional at dealing with difficult clients. His advice is clear and firm whilst also showing empathy and understanding.’
Sophie Prolingheuer
‘Sophie is an outstanding barrister, and her knowledge is remarkable. Her advocacy is lucid, firm and energetic, with the ability to concisely set out a particular point.’
Emily Verity
‘Emily is an exceptional and persuasive advocate.'
Oliver Woolley
‘Oliver is a fantastic barrister. He has excellent rapport with clients and always puts everyone at ease. His advocacy is measured, respectful and persuasive. He never fails to go the extra mile to provide a first-class service.’
Liz Andrews
‘Liz is always well-prepared, erudite and diligent.’
Marlene Cayoun
‘Marlene is technically brilliant. She knows the law inside out, whatever the situation and complexity. Her advocacy is calm, measured and persuasive.’
Luke Eaton
‘Luke has incredible knowledge of child law cases.'
Edward Flood
‘Edward is a fantastic barrister. His advocacy is excellent.’
Rachel Gillman
‘Rachel is a fierce advocate who will argue a client’s case with determination and nuance.’
Nasstassia Hylton
‘She demonstrates a calm, measured thoughtfulness when on her feet.’
Gemma Kelly
‘Gemma can immediately put clients at ease with her empathy and understanding of their cases. Her advocacy is comprehensible and effectual.’
Anna Lavelle
‘Anna’s interpersonal skills are excellent, and she puts clients at ease instantly. Her attention to detail and advocacy is stellar.’
Becky Littlewood
‘Becky’s attention to detail and thorough preparation stand out. She develops good client rapport.’
Rebecca Mitchell
‘Rebecca takes on anything incredibly effectively. She is thorough and tenacious and gets on with the job. Her advocacy is first-class.’
Patrick Paisley
‘Patrick can handle any challenge with a considered and steady hand. He knows the papers inside out, and his analysis of the issues is top-notch.’
Tahmina Rahman
‘Tahmina is a compassionate, highly skilled barrister. She goes above and beyond for the client. She is knowledgeable, personable and fearless.’
Jack Rundall
‘Jack is very meticulous and sagacious. He has excellent attention to detail, and his advocacy is solid and effective.’
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.
Niamh Daly
‘Niamh is an exceptional barrister. Her intellectual approach to cases, legal knowledge and advocacy is impressive.’