Midland Circuit
St Philips Chambers is ‘one of the leading sets in the Midlands’ for commercial litigation work with a ’broad depth of expertise’. John Brennan is a senior junior with considerable experience in high-value commercial disputes. Robert Mundy KC’s wide-ranging practice covers contractual, company, insolvency, and commercial fraud disputes; he took silk in March 2025. Ali Tabari stands out for his experience handling disputes involving allegations of fraud. Marc Brown is ‘technically astute and leaves no stone unturned in court’. Kirsty White’s varied practice regularly sees her appear in the High Court and County Court as well as from time to time in the Court of Appeal. She recently acted for the defendant in Hussain v Ford Motor Company Limited, defending the company against a claim for damages arising from a defective vehicle. John Randall KC retired from practice in April 2025.
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Profile
Work Department
Business & Property
Position
Since joining St Philips Kirsty White has developed a broad and busy commercial and chancery practice across the Business and Property group’s areas of expertise. Kirsty appears regularly as sole counsel in the High Court and County Court on interlocutory matters and fast track and multi-track trials. She is also frequently led. Her growing reputation has also seen her establish a busy paper practice, and is repeatedly instructed by clients in advisory work and to settle proceedings in all aspects of commercial law.
Kirsty is recognised in the legal directories with her commercial approach being recognised. She welcomes early involvement in matters to formulate a commercial, pragmatic and realistic approach to the litigation strategy. This approach stems from her time as an in-house barrister in the commercial litigation team of a Top 100 national firm.
Kirsty has extensive experience in high value claims with an international element. She was led by Ed Pepperall KC (now the Rt Hon. Mr Justice Pepperall) defending a complex $76 million breach of warranty claim for a US client in a 5 week trial in the TCC. She has also been led by James Morgan KC in a multi-million pound fraud matter, in which their client obtained a worldwide freezing order and passport delivery up order against an Afghan national.
Career
Called to the Bar in 2011.
Education
LLB (Hons) – University of Reading
Bar Professional Training Course – College of Law
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks are a great assets to the set. Justin Luckman in particular brings decades of expertise to his role, which he clearly uses to support the barristers within the set, and to nurture and develop talented barristers and clerks alike.'
- 'The clerks are responsive and helpful. Ross Hands in particular is always keen to go above and beyond.'
- 'The clerks provide an excellent service. Justin Luckman is brilliant and Jake Smithers is always very helpful too.'
- 'The clerks are efficient and approachable.'
- 'St Phillips is a very rounded and accomplished set. Over the years they have nurtured and retained talent, and continue to increase their breadth of expertise through organic growth. The clerking team is also superb and always ready to help.'
- 'St Philips is one of the leading sets in the Midlands.'
- 'They are a strong set with a broad depth of expertise. They regularly host training events that benefit the profession.'
- 'St Philips is the pre-eminent commercial set in Birmingham. They are good at introducing clients to more junior members and are keen to and good at providing training, including to junior local solicitors.'