Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Brick Court Chambers is notable for its prominence at the cutting edge of multiple facets of public law. The set is praised for its "excellent top silks and commercially-minded public lawyers" many of whom benefit from market-leading expertise in commercial or competition law, which informs their handling of judicial reviews challenging decisions on business regulation. Brick Court is also home to barristers experienced in major human rights-related cases. Among other high-profile cases, the barristers have recently been instructed in the Supreme Court appeal of Shvidler v FCDO, which is significant to understanding the UK's approach to Russian sanctions, and have been involved in the challenge to the subsidies granted to Octopus.

Tony Burgess and Paul Dennison are the joint senior clerks.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

David Anderson
S
David Anderson
S
Senior Statespeople

David Anderson KC continues to excel in full-time private practice following his tenure as Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation for the government. His public law expertise is focused predominantly on EU, commercial and regulatory challenges.

David is a giant of the public Bar and he has a lot of gravitas. He is a wonderful and clear advocate and very adept at dealing with difficult clients.

David has a stellar reputation for a good reason. He is excellent - unbelievably patient and easy to follow.

Jennifer MacLeod
1
Jennifer MacLeod
1
Band 1

Jennifer MacLeod is sought after by both government bodies and private companies in a range of public law challenges. She handles complex human rights-related disputes, including challenges relating to the investigation and prosecution of crime.

Jenny is remarkable at digesting very complex information and coming up with strategic and legally sound advice.

Jenny is really wonderful to work with - she's highly intelligent, thoughtful and hard-working.

Jennifer has a rare combination of being fiercely bright but also really personable. She can always find a solution and is phenomenal with law and fact.

Jennifer is an impressive and phenomenally clever barrister with a brilliant manner and excellent client-handling skills.

Malcolm Birdling
1
Malcolm Birdling
1
Band 1

Malcolm Birdling is sought out to act in novel public law cases and has an impressively broad practice encompassing both commercial and human rights claims. He is a member of the Attorney General's A Panel and the EHRC's panel of counsel. Recent mandates include challenges to contentious infrastructure projects, immigration cases and matters arising from the UK sanctions regime.

Malcolm's advocacy was the best I've ever seen.

Malcolm is a very strong public law practitioner.

Malcolm is a strong tactician. He is really brilliant and punchy with his arguments.

Jemima Stratford
2
Jemima Stratford
2
Band 2

Jemima Stratford KC counsels clients on public and administrative law challenges pursued under EU law, concerning policy affecting individuals as well as businesses. She is especially well versed in challenges involving pharmaceutical authorisation and procurement. Other recent public law mandates include cases concerning pensions regulation.

Jemima is massively clever.

Jemima is an excellent public law and regulatory silk, and always pleasant to work with.

Jemima is a very impressive lawyer in administrative and public law. She has a command of the materials and excellent client care, and she is very hard-working.

Marie Demetriou
2
Marie Demetriou
2
Band 2

Marie Demetriou KC commands great respect for her expertise in public law cases involving provisions of EU law. She also handles cases concerning human rights, immigration and asylum, and social security provisions. She receives instructions from corporates, as well as regulators.

Marie is a real go-to for public law issues.

Marie is very astute and very good at handling difficult problems.

She has an in-depth understanding of public law and is a top-notch cross-examiner. Marie is a powerful advocate and works at incredible pace under any amount of pressure.

2
Maya Lester
2
Band 2

Maya Lester KC brings deep expertise in EU, human rights and sanctions law to domestic and international public law proceedings. Recently she has been involved in high-profile national security disputes. She receives instructions from corporations, NGOs and public bodies.

Maya is an extraordinarily effective advocate. She is a brilliant balance between forensic and passionate, and her work ethic is off the charts.

Maya is on the ball with EU and public law. She gets stuck in and rolls up her sleeves. She has strategic oversight but can also get into the detail very easily.

Victoria Wakefield
2
Victoria Wakefield
2
Band 2

Victoria Wakefield KC is a phenomenally accomplished barrister who represents corporations, NGOs and individuals challenging secondary legislation and regulatory decisions. She is especially adept in judicial reviews overlapping with human rights law. Recent mandates include cases relating to national security and international trade.

Victoria is very clear and very helpful while presenting arguments attractively. She is totally on top of her cases.

Victoria is not fazed at all by judges' questioning. She is a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom. She thinks through a case from all angles.

Victoria really shone in her ability to get on top of the detail and have new fresh strategic insights on our case.

Victoria is a fearless advocate who is excellent with clients and on her feet.

Emily MacKenzie
3
Emily MacKenzie
3
Band 3

Emily MacKenzie is instructed in high-profile public law challenges on behalf of corporates, government departments and other public bodies. Her practice has taken in significant cases regarding the use of pharmaceuticals for specific medical treatments and the regulation of conduct in political parties.

Emily is extremely impressive. She knows her stuff and is a very good public lawyer.

Emily has really good judgement. Silks are very confident relying on her advice and her strategic decisions, which makes her incredibly valuable.

Emma Mockford
3
Emma Mockford
3
Band 3

Emma Mockford possesses far-reaching public and administrative law expertise, including constitutional and human rights-based challenges. She primarily acts for claimants and is highly sought after by NGOs, individuals and corporates.

Emma is a beautiful drafter with great speed and quality.

Emma is a really smart and approachable junior who I rely on for public law issues.

James McClelland
3
James McClelland
3
Band 3

James McClelland KC focuses his considerable public law practice on commercial and regulatory cases, particularly in the financial services sector. He is capable of counselling claimants and defendants in judicial review and regulatory proceedings. Recent notable cases have involved the regulation of metals and energy markets.

He has the right calibration of covering everything to the nth degree but knowing what risks to focus on. He is absolutely excellent on his feet. He kills softy and brings the judge on side.

There is no one more capable of drilling down into the detail on public law and commercial issues. James is an intellectual machine and an incredibly punchy and diligent advocate.

James is incredibly good when you want to get to the bottom of something really knotty. He's smart at anticipating and thinks of better arguments for the other side. He's like a secret weapon.

Paul Bowen
3
Paul Bowen
3
Band 3

Paul Bowen KC offers broad-ranging expertise in public and human rights law. He routinely handles a range of appeals and judicial reviews. Areas of focus include claims in the commercial and financial services spheres.

Paul's grasp of the difficult case was astonishing. He was robust and great.

Paul Bowen KC is my go-to leading counsel for public law, particularly for judicial review matters.

Paul's submissions are very detailed and he has a wide-ranging technical knowledge that he deploys fully.

Tim Johnston
3
Tim Johnston
3
Band 3

Tim Johnston is a sought-after barrister with a strong track record in high-profile commercial judicial review, including challenges involving competition, contract and financial services law. He attracts instruction from individuals, companies and central government.

He is a very considered and effective advocate and is willing to take the fight to the other side. He is very collaborative and rolls up his sleeves.

Tim is a formidable advocate who can go up against any silk. He is very hard-working and has a close eye on the strategic dimensions of any case.

Tim is technically brilliant and has complete command of public law with exceptional strategic thinking. He understands how to skilfully frame difficult advice with a clear focus.

Tim is a go-to leading junior. He is excellent with clients and a strong advocate.

Tim is very diligent and incredible to work with. He is willing to put his neck on the line to give difficult advice.

Yaaser Vanderman
3
Yaaser Vanderman
3
Band 3

Yaaser Vanderman is renowned by sources for the breadth of his knowledge and his advocacy in public law. His expertise includes human rights, health and social welfare issues. He represents a range of clients including individuals, central government and charities.

Yaaser is very dynamic and friendly with clients.

Yaaser is very down to earth and great on protest-related work.

Yaaser is an extremely impressive junior with great client-handling skills.

Yaaser is very approachable and gives good, practical advice. He is a great junior on public law cases.

Richard Howell
4
Richard Howell
4
Band 4

Richard Howell has amassed an impressive body of experience in judicial reviews focusing on trade policy and the regulation of markets. Among other notable cases, he has been involved in R (British Sugar) v Secretary of State for International Trade, a leading post-Brexit case on state aid.

Richard is one of the most talented people I've come across. He deals with very complex issues in short periods of time. He sees the arguments and difficult points much quicker than others.

Richard is an exceptionally bright and technical lawyer.

I was very impressed with Richard on a very complex and urgent case.

Richard is extremely cerebral, has real intellect and will be a superstar. His written work is flawless.

Richard is a very promising junior with an eye for detail. He is very responsive and user-friendly.

Aarushi Sahore
U
Aarushi Sahore
U
Up and Coming

Aarushi Sahore is developing a strong public law practice to bolster her well-regarded commercial practice. She has experience in all levels of court, including in the Supreme Court.

Aarushi is a very capable and well-regarded junior, among my first choices when counsel's input is needed.

Aarushi is a huge star in the making. She is the full package; she has all the ability and qualities it takes to be a really top-flight barrister.

Aarushi is a major star in the making, with a Rolls-Royce brain. She is an effective and industrious team member who doubles as an impressive Supreme Court advocate.

Ranked Barristers at
Brick Court Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

David Anderson KC
S
David Anderson KC
S
Senior Statespeople
Jemima Stratford KC
2
Jemima Stratford KC
2
Band 2
Marie Demetriou KC
2
Marie Demetriou KC
2
Band 2
2
Maya Lester KC
2
Band 2
Victoria Wakefield KC
2
Victoria Wakefield KC
2
Band 2
James McClelland KC
3
James McClelland KC
3
Band 3
Paul Bowen KC
3
Paul Bowen KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

Jennifer MacLeod
1
Jennifer MacLeod
1
Band 1
Malcolm Birdling
1
Malcolm Birdling
1
Band 1
Emily MacKenzie
3
Emily MacKenzie
3
Band 3
Emma Mockford
3
Emma Mockford
3
Band 3
Tim Johnston
3
Tim Johnston
3
Band 3
Yaaser Vanderman
3
Yaaser Vanderman
3
Band 3
Richard Howell
4
Richard Howell
4
Band 4
Aarushi Sahore
U
Aarushi Sahore
U
Up and Coming