Kings Chambers is a ‘preeminent set in Manchester for commercial disputes with an impressive array of highly experienced and respected KCs’. Clients also note that the set has ’a good group of juniors coming through’. Andrew Grantham KC has an excellent reputation for acting in high-value commercial claims arising out of banking and shareholder disputes, including those involving allegations of fraud. Paul Chaisty KC ‘is highly regarded for his advocacy skills’. Neil Berragan is a fixture in the Business & Property Courts in Manchester and Liverpool. In Transportation Technologies SpA v G.P.C. Computer Software Ltd he defended his client company, a software developer that is now a subsidiary of Uber, against claims by a taxi business for alleged breaches of an exclusive distribution agreement.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Gary Young is one of the best clerks in the North. He runs the clerking team at Kings very well - it functions efficiently and effectively and clients can trust him.'
- 'Gary Young and Harry Young are good to deal with and helpful.'
- 'The clerking team is superb. Gary Young and Harry Young are fantastic.'
- 'The clerks are very good and responsive. In particular, they tend to be good at giving broad estimates of costs without involving the barristers.'
- 'Kings Chambers is one of the strongest regional sets around. They have a number of polished advocates who collectively cover a wide range of specialisms.'
- 'Kings has the best strength in depth in Manchester for commercial disputes. They have a good group of juniors coming through.'
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.
Paul Chaisty KC
‘Paul is a go-to counsel on any particularly difficult matters. He is extremely knowledgeable and has a wide range of expertise. He is also highly regarded for his advocacy skills.'
Andrew Grantham KC
‘Andrew is a former Oxford lecturer and it shows. He has an outstanding knowledge and understanding of the law and its application. Andrew is very good with lay clients and is a perfect support for busy commercial litigation solicitors.'
Mark Harper KC
‘Mark is technically brilliant and one of the very best at the Bar. Clients know that they are in safe hands with Mark, and that as well as delivering clear and understandable legal advice, he is ferocious on his feet.’
Lesley Anderson KC
‘Lesley's main strength is her analytical mind.'
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.
Ben Harding
‘Ben blends a highly cerebral and commercial approach. He is a first-class senior junior at the Manchester Bar.’
Neil Berragan
‘Neil is great to work with. He is very clever, always well prepared and very user friendly. He inspires confidence and gets on well with instructing solicitors and clients. Neil is a very persuasive advocate and it is great to have him on your side. He is consistently excellent.'
Martin Budworth
‘Martin is a brilliant and tenacious advocate with real presence. He is decisive and on the front foot as a litigator. His written work of a high level and he always puts big points at the forefront.'
Richard Lander
‘Richard is an excellent advocate who commands the respect of solicitors, client, judges and opponents. He is completely reliable and always thoroughly prepared. His written advice is always excellent and delivered promptly.’
Aidan Reay
‘Aidan is always commercial and pragmatic. He is an excellent advocate, forceful but understated advocate. He also works well with solicitors and clients in a team.’
Adam Aldred
Douglas Cochran
‘Doug is excellent on his feet, in drafting documents and in terms of his manner with clients. His ability to arrive at and convey complex arguments is second to none. He is also very good with clients, particularly at reassuring them in stressful situations and letting them know that he is on their side.’
Jonathan Ward
Jonathan Fletcher-Wright
Kelly Pennifer
Tina Ranales-Cotos
‘Tina is one of the best barristers at mediations around. She has a huge reservoir of knowledge of the law and procedure and is very good with clients as well as respected by the local judiciary.’