39 Essex Chambers

Described as 'a top planning set', 39 Essex Chambers' team continues to handle a high volume of complex, prominent planning, environment and infrastructure cases in both the public and private sector. James Strachan KC is acting for the Secretary of State for Transport in ongoing proceedings concerning the proposed construction of a road tunnel under Stonehenge. Among the junior end of chambers, Juan Lopez represents developers and infrastructure clients in a wide range of planning cases, and Victoria Hutton brings extensive experience in advising on environmental and energy law matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Andrew Poyser knows his barristers inside out and always makes a strong recommendation.'
' Andrew Poyser, Oliver York and Charlie Quant have been extremely helpful and responsive.'
' Elliott Hurrell and Oliver York are excellent communicators.'
'The clerking is superb.'
'Well regarded for planning and public law, particularly infrastructure work.'
'A great range of expertise for planning and environmental with a good cross section of experience.'

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.

Richard Harwood KC

James Strachan KC

Paul Stinchcombe KC

‘Paul’s wealth of experience enables him to settle quickly on the most promising points. His preparation makes him nimble and adaptable as an advocate.’

Andrew Tabachnik KC

‘He is excellent to watch in cross examination.’

Stephen Tromans KC

Richard Wald KC

‘A sound and thoughtful tactician with superb judgement. Richard is supremely bright and adaptable.'

Thomas Hill KC

‘Thomas is extremely analytical. He leaves no stone unturned.’

John Steel KC

Peter Village KC

2024 Silks

Colin Thomann KC

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.

James Burton

‘He stands his ground against opponents and the bench.’

Celina Colquhoun

Victoria Hutton

‘Victoria's calm and measured style is very effective.'

Juan Lopez

‘Juan is highly strategic and effective. He’s sharp and focused in cross-examination and while he likes to get to the detail, he doesn’t lose focus on the key points that matter and upon which he bases his closings.'

Christiaan Zwart

‘Christiaan displays an exceptional ability to get to the heart of the matter fast. He consistently displays his unique steeliness and strategic thinking in cases with highly complex technical evidence.’

Philippa Jackson

xtremely hard working and well prepared.'

Daniel Stedman Jones

‘Daniel’s advocacy is to the point. He can deliver a hard message for clients in a straightforward and understandable way without flinching from the unpalatable.’

Jonathan Darby

‘Jonathan has a great grasp of detail, and uses his considerable intelligence in an effective and practical way.’

Ned Helme

‘Ned has a brilliant mind, and he is an excellent communicator, able to express the most complex arguments in a way that can be comprehensively understood.’

John Pugh-Smith

Katherine Barnes

Stephanie David

Sam Fowles

‘He has a very thorough and clear manner, and he is knowledgeable on planning law.’

Rose Grogan

'Rose is an expert in her field.'

Ruth Keating

'Ruth goes the extra mile with each and every instruction.'

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.