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
Michelle Caney was called to the Bar in 2004 and has been consistently recommended in the legal directories since 2010, ranking in the top band in both Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
As an accomplished real estate and commercial property litigator, Michelle is regularly trusted with cases of the utmost complexity. She also has extensive experience and a national reputation in the field of social housing, being a recognised leader in both fields.
Michelle is highly regarded as an advocate, both in court and on paper, and has experience of being a leading junior, as well as being led in cases across all levels of court. She has a reputation for combining exceptional technical knowledge and meticulous attention to detail with a personable approach and always striving to achieve her client’s objectives.
In addition to her property practice, Michelle has notable expertise in professional negligence claims involving a property element, along with experience concerning company and partnership disputes and mortgages and guarantees. Michelle is also adept at handling matters involving issues of fraud and forged documents, and cases in which capacity issues arise.
Current notable work includes a landmark Supreme Court appeal concerning the nature and extent of the court’s jurisdiction to grant injunctions against Persons Unknown and an appeal to the Court of Appeal which has the potential to change the law of succession. Michelle recently acted as the leading junior in group litigation arising out of the urgent evacuation of a high-rise block in London.
Memberships
Midland Chancery and Commercial Bar Association (MCCBA)
Midland Circuit Social Housing Law Association
Education
Birmingham University, LLB (Hons) Law.
Nottingham School of Law, BVC.
Ede & Ravenscroft Prize – Winner, Middle Temple Mooting Competition 2004
Mooting Tour to Malibu – Winner, Middle Temple Mooting Competition 2004
Harmsworth Scholarship – Middle Temple 2004
Blackstones Entrance Exhibition – Middle Temple 2004
Campbell Foster Prize – Middle Temple 2003
Simmons & Simmons Commercial Law Prize – Birmingham University 2003
Mistress of the Moots – Camm Cup Mooting Competition 2002
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.'