39 Essex Chambers‘ team has an excellent track record in advising on high-profile planning and infrastructure cases, often intersecting with complex points of environmental law. James Strachan KC routinely assists developers, local authorities and government entities with a wide spectrum of planning law matters, as well as infrastructure projects and related environmental issues. Turning to the juniors, Celina Colquhoun is a specialist in environmental and planning law, while Jonathan Darby appeared before the Supreme Court in Wathen-Fayed v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The case arose from a challenge, brought by the widow of Mohamed Al-Fayed, to the grant of planning permission for the siting of a crematorium, involving the sequential test for flood risk and the proper interpretation of the Cremation Act 1902. In a boost to the senior end of chambers, Rose Grogan KC took silk in March 2026.
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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.
2026 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.
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.
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.
