Department profile
11KBW

Local Government

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


11KBW

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Local Government - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

11KBW maintains its reputation as a go-to chambers for judicial review proceedings and the most complex and high-profile local authority cases. It houses a strong bench of barristers experienced in the representation of individual claimants, corporate clients, and local and central government bodies. The team's particular strengths lie in local government powers, education, social services and procurement, and its members regularly tackle cases involving local authority finances and budgeting issues. Sources highlight its "experts across the board in the local government sector", while the quality of members and experience is praised as "second to none". A recent case saw members advising Nottingham City Council on legal issues including vires, procurement and housing relating to its district heat network.

Mark Dann leads the clerking team as senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • 11KBW offers exceptional responsiveness, and the clerks have always been very helpful and prompt.

    Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • I receive an almost immediate acknowledgement of my request for help from the clerks' team.

    Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • 11KBW has very responsive clerking. Clear and helpful, they absorb your hassle, which is just what we need.

    Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • It has great clerks who build strong relationships with instructing solicitors.

    Local Government respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleJames Goudie KC
    Senior StatespeopleJames Goudie KC

    James Goudie KC

    James Goudie KC is an erudite silk with knowledge and experience across a broad range of practice areas. He handles all manner of administrative and public law cases and is a noted expert in employment and public procurement law. He advises on the most sophisticated local government matters, including cases concerning finance and governance, and his significant contributions to the field have earned him the nickname "the godfather of local government".

    • Nobody comes close to James.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • James Goudie is very experienced and well known.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jane Oldham
    Band 1Jane Oldham

    Jane Oldham

    Jane Oldham has a fine track record of handling sophisticated public information and education law matters. She is adept at handling cases concerning the legality of funding cuts, assets of community value and large-scale auditor investigations. She also offers considerable experience in cases involving issues of equality and is frequently instructed in complex judicial review challenges.

    • Jane Oldham is very knowledgeable.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jonathan Moffett
    Band 1Jonathan Moffett

    Jonathan Moffett

    Jonathan Moffett KC is a well-reputed silk who tackles a wide range of complex public law matters involving local government issues. He demonstrates notable skill in cases pertaining to environmental law, particularly matters concerning air pollution. He acts for local authority clients at all levels of court and also represents central government. He is particularly well regarded for his expert handling of cases involving combined authorities. He is regularly instructed in cases involving budget cuts, housing issues and licensing matters.

    • Jonathan has tremendous understanding of the pressures faced by local authorities and goes out of his way to support and advise us. He is extremely approachable and helpful.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan combines technical brilliance and attention to detail with an unsurpassed ability to communicate with the client and reassure them.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan is exceptionally bright but personable too. He puts clients at ease and adapts his strategy and advice brilliantly to his audience.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Nigel Giffin
    Band 1Nigel Giffin

    Nigel Giffin

    Nigel Giffin KC is a seasoned public law silk with extensive expertise in social care, housing and education law matters. He regularly appears in significant cases with complex civil liberties and human rights aspects.

    • Nigel is excellent at getting into the detail of complex and sometimes esoteric areas of law, and is a real expert across local government.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Andrew Sharland
    Band 2Andrew Sharland

    Andrew Sharland

    Andrew Sharland KC is a dynamic silk with considerable expertise in local government, community care and employment law. He is well known for his adroit representation of a range of clients, including public authorities and NGOs. He represents both claimants and local authorities across the full range of local government cases, including those concerning planning, education and human rights. He is a co-author and regular contributor to several publications in the local government law field.

    • Andrew is extremely able and great with clients.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Joanne Clement
    Band 2Joanne Clement

    Joanne Clement

    Joanne Clement KC continues to run a thriving public law, human rights and community care practice. She routinely acts both for and against local authorities in complex, high-profile cases and has broad experience in claims for judicial review. Recent local government work includes cases concerning adult social care, education and local government standards.

    • Joanne is an incredible advocate and really commands in a courtroom.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • Joanne has very good public law and education knowledge and guides us very clearly. She is a safe pair of hands. Her advocacy is very clear and concise.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • She provides clear, succinct advice and a clear vision on litigation strategy. She shows a strong understanding of her client's needs and willingly adapts her strategy to meet those needs.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Peter Oldham
    Band 2Peter Oldham

    Peter Oldham

    Peter Oldham KC is a renowned advocate in the field of public law who brings the full weight of many years' experience to bear when undertaking cases. He regularly handles complex education, procurement and state aid matters. He acts in judicial review challenges and boasts expertise in governance and standards. He is experienced in the handling of restitution claims stemming from ultra vires activity.

    • Peter is just really calm, technically excellent, very responsive and really good from a strategy perspective. He is a real delight to work with.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jonathan Auburn
    Band 3Jonathan Auburn

    Jonathan Auburn

    Jonathan Auburn KC is a highly praised silk with extensive knowledge of local government matters, particularly those relating to the provision of health services. He offers expert representation and guidance to both local authorities and claimants, and demonstrates notable insight into cases concerning complex issues of mental health and capacity. He is also regularly involved in education matters. He has acted in numerous high-profile cases including significant judicial review challenges and Human Rights Act claims. He currently sits on the A Panel of Treasury Counsel.

    • Jonathan is very quick to understand the complexities of the issues and to advise on the best way to respond. He ensures we, as clients, understand the process and the rationale for the advice.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan works very well with instructing solicitors and really gets into both the detail of a case and the overarching objectives for the client.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Greatorex
    Band 3Paul Greatorex

    Paul Greatorex

    Paul Greatorex is a seasoned local government practitioner with additional experience of handling employment matters and issues involving immigration and asylum. He habitually acts for a range of prominent public authorities in major challenges to administrative decisions. He has experience appearing for clients in claims for judicial review.

  • Band 3Zoe Gannon
    Band 3Zoe Gannon

    Zoe Gannon

    Zoe Gannon is a well-regarded junior barrister with growing expertise in local government matters. She is regularly called upon to advise local authorities, central government and health bodies, and has strong expertise covering a range of sectors, particularly employment, education and community care. She has experience appearing before both the High Court and Court of Appeal.

    • Zoe was very good, with excellent written work. She always got the work and provided very clear, concise advice.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksTom Cross
    New SilksTom Cross

    Tom Cross

    Tom Cross KC is noted for his expert handling of a range of local authority disputes. He is instructed in matters across the UK and is well regarded for his knowledge of matters concerning education, community care and councillor standards, among other areas. He is regularly instructed to act on behalf of both central government and the individuals and companies challenging government decisions.

    • Tom Cross is good on his feet, he speaks with a quiet confidence that is very impressive and he is very pleasant.

      Local Government respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 11KBW (11)

London (Bar)

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership