Garden Court North Chambers

Garden Court North Chambers has ‘an exceptional set of barristers specialising in inquest law’, and the set’s leading individuals have led on a number of the largest public inquiries and inquests in recent years. ’Excellent with clients and a real heavyweight in inquiry work’, Pete Weatherby KC continues to represent the bereaved in the Covid-19 and Undercover Policing inquiries, working alongside the ‘humane, empathetic, and compassionate’ Anna Morris KC, whose broad practice also include leading on civil claims concerning the deaths of mental health patients in care. At the junior level, Kate Stone is an inquiry specialist who is particularly renowned for her expertise in inquests into deaths that engage right to life under ECHR Article 2, the ’fearless, sharp and incisive’ Ciara Bartlam leads on behalf on charities and bereaved families, and Christian Weaver has led on inquests into deaths following traffic collisions alongside assisting other members of the set on major public inquiries. An ‘exceptional legal and strategic mind’, Lily Lewis has an increasingly well-regarded inquests practice including a number of Middleton inquests, and was recently instructed on a two-week jury inquest concerning the death of a mental health patient in care.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Garden Court North are an exceptional set of barristers specialising in inquest law. It is clear that they are all trained to use a trauma informed approach to bereaved families, which makes a huge difference to their journey through the inquest process.'
'Counsel at Garden Court North often have a multidisciplinary practice and relevant background experience, enabling them to advise and support clients on wide-reaching change-making, including on a political and parliamentary scale. They are extremely committed to their clients and are fearless in the pursuit of justice, both on individual cases.'
'Very strong set of chambers in their expertise. They are all guided well and supported by their seniors.'
'Strong set of barristers in a difficult and complex area.'
'The most junior members of the set are mentored by experienced human rights lawyers and consequently develop the same drive and commitment to the protection of human rights as more senior members of the set.'
'Exceptional department for major inquests and inquiries. Their knowledge is second to none. Really hands on.'

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.

Anna Morris KC

‘Anna is a delight to work with, she is approachable, hands on and engaged. She is supportive of her team and particularly the junior barristers that she is leading. She is calm and knowledgeable.’

Pete Weatherby KC

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.

Kate Stone

‘Kate is excellent with lay clients, provides pragmatic advice and is not afraid of arguing a difficult or novel point. Kate is also always responsive and great to work with.'

Christian Weaver

‘Christian has a natural attention to detail. He sees issues that other team members may not identify, he is confident with clients and knows the law, and he is a star in the making.'

Ciara Bartlam

She is very tenacious and willing to put up a fight for her clients. She is also incredibly kind and compassionate with vulnerable clients and has a way of communicating that is human, compassionate, clear, and concise.’

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.