Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Local Government - London (Bar)

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

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Notable Practitioners

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James Goudie KC
S
James Goudie KC
S
Senior Statespeople

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.

James Goudie is very experienced and well known.

1
Jane Oldham
1
Band 1

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.

1
Jason Coppel
1
Band 1

Jason Coppel KC is a highly regarded practitioner with noted local government expertise. He handles this work as part of his broader practice, which encompasses areas such as public procurement and human rights. He acts both for and against local authorities on a range of local government issues such as housing and PFI waste contracts. He also regularly advises on contracting decisions.

Jason is a highly persuasive advocate and a consummate professional.

Jonathan Moffett
1
Jonathan Moffett
1
Band 1

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.

Jonathan combines technical brilliance and attention to detail with an unsurpassed ability to communicate with the client and reassure them.

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

1
Nigel Giffin
1
Band 1

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.

Andrew Sharland
2
Andrew Sharland
2
Band 2

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.

2
Joanne Clement
2
Band 2

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.

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.

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.

2
Peter Oldham
2
Band 2

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.

Jonathan Auburn
3
Jonathan Auburn
3
Band 3

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.

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

3
Paul Greatorex
3
Band 3

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.

Zoe Gannon
3
Zoe Gannon
3
Band 3

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.

Tom Cross
Tom Cross
New Silks

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.

Ranked Barristers at
11KBW

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Local Government

James Goudie KC
S
James Goudie KC
S
Senior Statespeople
1
Jason Coppel KC
1
Band 1
Jonathan Moffett KC
1
Jonathan Moffett KC
1
Band 1
1
Nigel Giffin KC
1
Band 1
Andrew Sharland KC
2
Andrew Sharland KC
2
Band 2
2
Joanne Clement KC
2
Band 2
2
Peter Oldham KC
2
Band 2
Jonathan Auburn KC
3
Jonathan Auburn KC
3
Band 3
Tom Cross KC
Tom Cross KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Local Government

1
Jane Oldham
1
Band 1
3
Paul Greatorex
3
Band 3
Zoe Gannon
3
Zoe Gannon
3
Band 3