John Beggs KC
Serjeants’ Inn ChambersSerjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘boasts exceptional breadth and depth of expertise’ across a range of practice areas, including inquests and inquiries. Its complex inquests work is exemplified by John Beggs KC‘s work on the reopened inquest into the death of Sabina Rizvi, instructed by Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis; reopened as a result of allegations of police collusion with the murderer. Bridget Dolan KC heads the team, who is instructed by the UK Health Security Agency for the first two modules of the Covid-19 inquiry. Nageena Khalique KC is instructed for the Welsh Government in module 6 of the Covid-19 inquiry, investigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the public and private adult social care sector, and Gerard Boyle KC is lead counsel for the National Police Chief’s Council in the Undercover Police Inquiry.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Lee Johnson will always go the extra mile for clients, and builds excellent relationships with those instructing counsel. He is the face of the chambers and has a deep understanding of client needs. '
- 'The clerks at Serjeants Inn are easy to work with and prompt in their responses. Tom O'Connor in particular is excellent at keeping solicitors up to date and responding clearly and quickly to requests made.'
- 'The chambers boasts exceptional breadth and depth of expertise across various practice areas, including coronial law. Professionals within the industry consistently commend Serjeants' Inn for its prompt and efficient service, reflecting the chambers' unwavering dedication to meeting the needs of its clientele with utmost professionalism and responsiveness. In an industry marked by complexity and nuance, Serjeants' Inn Chambers shines as a trusted partner.'
- 'I have confidence in the strength and depth of the skills of this set. I have always been confident in the quality and service offered'
- 'Serjeant's Inn clerks are responsive, well organised and transparent in discussions about costs which is often a core concern for the client, which is appreciated.'
- 'I have used Sergeants Inn for many years , they are my "go to" for inquest work. All those I have instructed have had an depth subject knowledge and expertise .'
- 'Serjeant's Inn is a top set for inquests and inquiries, with a high number of excellent barristers experienced in this area.'
- 'The clerks are incredibly helpful and responsive.'
Silks
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.
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Nageena Khalique KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Nageena is sharp, tactical, witty and very easy to work with, combining intelligence, steeliness and warmth.'
Katharine Gollop KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘A great mind with an ability to consider, decipher and retain details of evidence that others may overlook. Katie’s wealth of experience in health matters is second to none.'
Sarah Clarke KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Sarah is forthright, determined, well prepared, articulate and strong on the law. She is a persuasive advocate.'
Debra Powell KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers 'Debra has an eye for detail and identifies the key issues facing the client quickly. Her calm and reassuring manner is effective when supporting witnesses. '
Claire Watson KC
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Claire is renowned for her unparalleled expertise in navigating the intricacies of coroner’s inquests with meticulous attention to detail and technical precision.’
Juniors
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.
Paul Spencer
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Paul is very approachable, flexible and hard working. He has an easy going manner which endears him to clients and witnesses.'
Briony Ballard
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Briony is the best inquest junior counsel - she is hands on and practical but also very able in court, and wins the confidence of coroners.'
James Berry
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘One of the best juniors. Very clever, great strategic brain, and a calm and authoritative style in court.'
Cecily White
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers
Scott Matthewson
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Scott is more than anything a polished and effective advocate. Persistently persuasive without being over-forceful.'
Michael Walsh
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Michael is an incredibly experienced and skilled barrister.'
Sebastian Naughton
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Seb is clearly an experienced barrister and impressively manages to balance being a confident, clear and assertive advocate, whilst simultaneously a genuine, likeable person.'
Oliver Williamson
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Oliver is always well prepared, focused and diligent.'
Aaron Rathmell
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers 'He is able to provide clear, succinct advise and ensures that the client's interests are protected at all times.'
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Matthew Holdcroft
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers 'Matthew is a well prepared, analytical and confident advocate with a clear grasp of the law.'
Sarah Simcock
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers 'Sarah is a highly intelligent, astute and experienced inquiry junior. '
Rachel Spearing
Serjeants' Inn Chambers 'Fantastic, enthusiast barrister who is well grounded.'
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Alexander dos Santos
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Knowledgeable in relation to inquests for care providers. Good manner with witnesses and also flexible.’
Frances McClenaghan
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Clare Hennessy
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Clare is robust, knowledgeable and very good with witnesses.'
Jamie Mathieson
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Jamie has an excellent level of attention to detail. He is a very calm and measured advocate and is also well liked by lay clients.'
Anthony Searle
Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Anthony is a star and one to watch for the future. He is an outstanding advocate - brilliantly prepared, he reads the court room and the witnesses well and has the most engaging manner.'
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.