Morag Ellis KC
A very perceptive silk who cuts straight to the point, while having a thorough understanding of the details that sit behind the case.
At Francis Taylor Building, the team continues to handle a high volume of complex, prominent planning and infrastructure cases, and reports a prominent uptick in high-profile planning inquiry work. Michael Humphries KC and Rebecca Clutten appeared before the High Court in R (LADACAN) v SST and Anor, a case involving an application for a judicial review of the Secretary of State’s decision to grant a development consent order for the expansion of Luton Airport. In a separate matter, Alexander Greaves represented Thanet District Council in an inquiry concerning planning permission for a development project on a site in the immediate vicinity of Grade II listed monument St Augustine’s Cross. Isabella Tafur KC took silk in the March 2026 round.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The clerks at Francis Taylor Building provide an exceptional level of client service. They are consistently responsive, efficient, and proactive, acknowledging instructions promptly and responding quickly to inquiries. On one occasion, when I was on call for any emergency planning enforcement matters, a senior clerk even invited me to contact her out of hours should any issues arise. That willingness to go above and beyond to support clients, particularly in urgent situations, is greatly appreciated and gives real confidence that assistance is always available when it is needed most.
- FTB is a great set. I have had a very good experience with a large number of members of chambers, from the most junior up to silks.
- FTB - UK leaders at the planning bar.
- FTB has the strongest planning offering in the UK.
- One of the top planning sets with a formidable reputation.
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.
Hereward Phillpot KC
Confident at the highest levels of advocacy and in advising directly to very senior clients (Government Ministers, etc.). Is now the go-to adviser for any flagship DCO project.
Richard Honey KC
Richard is an extremely thorough advocate who provides sound commercial advice.
Michael Humphries KC
Michael is the "go-to" silk for complex infrastructure planning work and related legal challenges. He brings a huge amount of experience, combining forensic skill with a strategic and commercially driven approach. He is also an absolute pleasure to work with and quickly earns the trust of clients.
Alexander Booth KC
He is one of the leading silks at the planning Bar. His advocacy is second to none; he wields his cross-examination like a highly skilled surgeon, extracting exactly what he needs to with each question.
James Pereira KC
Excellent with clients. Very calm and composed. Is proactive to ensure that the case is moving forward and strives to head off issues that may arise.
Craig Howell Williams KC
He has incredible attention to detail and is extremely user-friendly. Clients enjoy working with him immensely.
Gregory Jones KC
Greg is an exceptional barrister and a go-to silk on environmental law matters. He is friendly, responsive, commercially astute, and incredibly intelligent. His natural ability to manage clients is equally impressive.
Douglas Edwards KC
Andrew Fraser-Urquhart KC
Andrew (or AFU) has an excellent grasp of the salient facts with an easy-going manner that puts the court or inquiry at ease - but with some underlying steel should that be required.
One of my "go-to" barristers.
Richard Glover KC
He is authoritative and excellent at making the clients feel reassured regarding his advice. He is clear in his advice and brings excellent, relevant insights from other matters.
Saira Kabir Sheikh KC
Saira is an excellent all-rounder with superb advocacy skills. She is liked enormously and well-respected by her colleagues, peers, and clients.
Andrew Tait KC
Meyric Lewis KC
Meyric provides succinct and commercial advice. His advocacy gets to the heart of the issues quickly.
Mark Westmoreland Smith KC
Mark is a very experienced barrister who is technically excellent but also has fantastic commercial awareness. He is compelling on his feet and sets out the client's position with calm authority.
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.
Hugh Flanagan
Hugh is a polished and persuasive advocate. His written and oral advocacy are of a very high standard.
Charles Streeten
Charles has been a key member of the team in guiding a private client through a particularly fraught matter with several nuances. His advice is practical and has been essential throughout, especially in backing up the strategy where we have had to lodge proceedings.
Rebecca Clutten
Rebecca reads clients well and delivers appropriate advice, recognizing the particular needs of each situation.
Merrow Golden
Merrow Golden is a pleasure to work with. She combines strong technical knowledge with excellent judgment, providing clear, practical, and insightful advice. She integrates seamlessly with wider legal and project teams and is approachable and responsive at all times. Merrow has an ability to identify key issues quickly and communicate complex matters clearly. I am not aware of any weaknesses that affect her work.
Caroline Daly
Caroline is cool, calm, and collected. She is well-considered and patient in her advice but not at all afraid to take the gloves off when on her feet. She is devastating in cross-examination.
Kate Olley
Annabel Graham Paul
Annabel is very personable and keen to listen to the views of others. She is extremely well-versed in planning law and extremely thorough in her preparation and presentation.
Ned Westaway
He is extremely knowledgeable but presents the knowledge in an easily understandable manner. His arguments are clear and concise. Moreover, he reads the room very well and is able to adapt his approach accordingly.
Brendan Brett
Alexander Greaves
A very capable and accomplished advocate, but more importantly, incredibly well prepared, incredibly insightful, and very user-friendly.
Daisy Noble
Daisy's superpower is that she has the ability to explain extremely technical or complicated subject matters in a way that clients understand. This, her organizational skills, commercial awareness, and her general approachability make her a favorite to work with.
Michael Fry
His advocacy is first class. He is meticulous in his preparation, his written submissions are compelling, and his oral advocacy is authoritative, persuasive, calm, and measured. He has an exceptional ability to present complex legal arguments with clarity while responding effortlessly to judicial intervention.
Michael is also an absolute pleasure to work with. He is approachable, responsive, generous with his time, and inspires complete confidence.
I would have no hesitation in instructing Michael again. He is an outstanding advocate, a trusted adviser, and one of the finest planning barristers I have had the pleasure of working with.
Alex Williams
Esther Drabkin-Reiter
Esther is well organized and detailed. She has a personable and friendly manner that is particularly effective.
Charles Merrett
Charles is very confident and clear in providing advice and reassurance to clients. He is able to grasp the issues quickly, think outside the box, and be practical and commercial on the prospects and means to resolve disputes. He is also a strong advocate in court and persuasive in his submissions.
Cain Ormondroyd
Emyr Jones
Emyr is an excellent advocate and made a number of clear and persuasive points that landed well with the planning inspector, while also resulting in the applicant conceding to some extent.
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.
