Market leaders with a focus on professional negligence, Hailsham Chambers has extensive experience in an impressive range of cases across a variety of sectors. Simon Wilton KC was successful in defeating a claim concerning limitation and solicitor conduct in Kay v Martineau Johnson, a claim brought against solicitors in which the claimant, who has sat as a magistrate, alleged that she received negligent advice on a divorce settlement. Nicholas Pilsbury acted for the defendant in Riedweg v HCC International Insurance Plc and Forsters and Victoria Johns, Joshua Munro represented the claimant. The case concerned the law of contribution, establishing that an insurer’s liability under its policy is distinct from an insured’s liability to a claimant. Nicola Rushton KC acts for the claimants Manolete Partners Plc v MSR Partners LLP, an audit negligence claim which covers issues on scope of duty and fraud. Michael Pooles KC and Derek Holwill retired in 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Stephen Smith leads an excellent group of clerks. The culture of chambers to problem solve runs through and the clerks are always looking for ways to assist and make life easier.'
- 'Stephen Smith leads from the front and is one of the most experienced (if not the most experienced) clerks in this field.'
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.
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.
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.
Imran Benson
‘Imran's individual strengths and qualities include practical, commercial advice which is delivered in a user-friendly manner. He has a wealth of experience in matters concerning professional negligence and approaches matters diligently with a keen eye to detail. ’
Dan Stacey
‘Dan is excellent at costs and professional negligence. Dan is straightforward, helpful and a pleasure to work with.’
Stephen Bailey
‘He is very quick, responsive to the tribunal and prepared to keep going even when under fire.’
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Henry Bankes-Jones
‘He is pragmatic and delivers great commercial advice. He is one of the best.’
Alexander Echlin
‘Alex is a safe pair of hands. He provides sensible and commercial advice which is always thought-out and useful; clients always know that he is on their side, and will fight their corner.’
Margaret Griffin
‘She has excellent knowledge and experience, especially in cases with an element of trusts, probate or private client work. Extremely efficient.’
Alicia Tew
‘She is approachable, strong with clients and provides commercial and pragmatic advice. You want her on your side.’
Alice Nash
‘Alice is very responsive, and offers practical advice.’
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.
