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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Business & Property
Position
John’s practice encompasses a very broad range of chancery and commercial work. John is regularly instructed in real property disputes including, in particular, disputes over the ownership of the quasi-matrimonial home, easements, restrictive covenants, adverse possession claims, boundary disputes and Party Wall Etc Act 1996 claims. He has considerable experience in the construction of sale and purchase agreements, development agreements and overage agreements. His practice encompasses cases in the High Court, the County Court and proceedings before the adjudicator to HM Land Registry. John accepts instructions in both non-contentious and contentious probate matters. He has acted in cases in which the capacity of the testator, the validity of the will, and the administration of the estate have been in dispute. He has made and resisted applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. He also accepts instructions in both non-contentious and contentious trust matters and is regularly instructed in disputes over the beneficial ownership of property allegedly held on trust. He has a particular interest in cases that concern allegations of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of trust, knowing assistance and receipt, tracing, rectification and mistake. His aim is to provide clear, reliable advice and provide a user-friendly service. He undertakes a certain amount of work on a conditional fee basis.
Career
Called 1996; Lincoln’s Inn.
Memberships
Chancery Bar Association; Midland Chancery and Commercial Bar Association.
Education
Oxford (MA, modern history, first class); Lincoln’s Inn (Mansfield Scholar).
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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.'