Midland Circuit
St Philips Chambers has a long-established reputation as the ‘top set in the Midlands’ when it comes to property disputes and hosts ‘a number of able barristers’ with expertise in this field. With broad experience covering boundary disputes as well as claims concerning easements and restrictive covenants, among other areas, Michelle Caney heads the real estate team in chambers. She is noted particularly for her recent involvement in high-profile litigation proceedings concerning claims for possession against persons unknown arising out of protest encampments at various universities. John Aldis’ experience covers boundary disputes as well as adverse possession claims and claims concerning easements. Jonathan Gale recently acted for the claimant in Clapham v Narga, a Leicestershire boundary dispute heard in the Court of Appeal that considered the relationship between adverse possession and overriding interests in registered land where title had been extinguished prior to first registration. John Randall KC retired in April 2025 after 44 years at the Bar, and Anthony Verduyn ceased practising in December 2024 and now exclusively offers mediation services.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Profile
Work Department
Business & Property
Position
John Aldis has a first-class degree from the University of Cambridge. He achieved an Outstanding at Bar School and a Distinction for the GDL. He has won numerous scholarships and awards, including the Louis Gluckstein Advocacy Prize.
John is a Business & Property barrister who specialises in property, wills, trusts & probate. John is an associate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and is working towards full membership.
Career
Called to the Bar in 2016.
Languages
French
Memberships
Lincoln’s Inn
Associate member of STEP
Member of MCCBA
Worcester Law Society member
Education
- Bar Professional Training Course (Outstanding) – BPP
- Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction) – BPP
- MPhil Philosophy of Religion & Ethics – University of Cambridge
- BA Theology (1st) – University of Cambridge
- BA Law (2:1) – University of Oxford
Professional development courses:
- STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Trusts (2023)
- STEP Advanced Certificate in Administration of Estates (2023)
- Certificate in Insolvency Law (2017)
Content supplied by St Philips Chambers
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Justin Luckman is excellent and is always happy to help.'
- 'The clerks are first rate, quick to respond and very organised.'
- 'Ross Hands and Tom Kelly are great clerks. They are approachable and responsive.'
- 'Ross Hands is probably the best clerk they have, but the juniors Tom Kelly and Jake Smithers always seem to be happy to help.'
- 'St Philips has always been the top set in the Midlands (perhaps even outside London) for real estate disputes.'
- 'St Philips is a good set for property work with a number of able barristers.'
- 'St Philips provides an excellent service all round. They will go the extra mile to help and will accommodate even the most urgent instructions. Their fees are very reasonable for the high-calibre counsel they are able to offer. They also put on regular webinars and seminars as well as an annual property conference.'
- 'It is a very forward-thinking and driven set that provides a wide range of levels of seniority, good training events in respect of the updates to the law and the availability of counsel is generally really good.'