Department profile
Brick Court Chambers

Administrative & Public Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Brick Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

Band 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

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are fantastic - user-friendly and down to earth. Deputy senior clerk Jo Francis is a standout clerk.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • The Brick Court clerks are a very professional outfit and are great to work with.

    Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleDavid Anderson
    Senior StatespeopleDavid Anderson

    David Anderson

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • David has a stellar reputation for a good reason. He is excellent - unbelievably patient and easy to follow.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jennifer MacLeod
    Band 1Jennifer MacLeod

    Jennifer MacLeod

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jenny is really wonderful to work with - she's highly intelligent, thoughtful and hard-working.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jennifer is an impressive and phenomenally clever barrister with a brilliant manner and excellent client-handling skills.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Jemima Stratford
    Band 2Jemima Stratford

    Jemima Stratford

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jemima is an excellent public law and regulatory silk, and always pleasant to work with.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Marie Demetriou
    Band 2Marie Demetriou

    Marie Demetriou

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Marie is very astute and very good at handling difficult problems.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Maya Lester
    Band 2Maya Lester

    Maya Lester

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Victoria Wakefield
    Band 2Victoria Wakefield

    Victoria Wakefield

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Victoria really shone in her ability to get on top of the detail and have new fresh strategic insights on our case.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Victoria is a fearless advocate who is excellent with clients and on her feet.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emily MacKenzie
    Band 3Emily MacKenzie

    Emily MacKenzie

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Emily has really good judgement. Silks are very confident relying on her advice and her strategic decisions, which makes her incredibly valuable.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emma Mockford
    Band 3Emma Mockford

    Emma Mockford

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is a really smart and approachable junior who I rely on for public law issues.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3James McClelland
    Band 3James McClelland

    James McClelland

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Bowen
    Band 3Paul Bowen

    Paul Bowen

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Bowen KC is my go-to leading counsel for public law, particularly for judicial review matters.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Paul's submissions are very detailed and he has a wide-ranging technical knowledge that he deploys fully.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Tim Johnston
    Band 3Tim Johnston

    Tim Johnston

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Tim is a go-to leading junior. He is excellent with clients and a strong advocate.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Tim is very diligent and incredible to work with. He is willing to put his neck on the line to give difficult advice.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Yaaser Vanderman
    Band 3Yaaser Vanderman

    Yaaser Vanderman

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Yaaser is very down to earth and great on protest-related work.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Yaaser is an extremely impressive junior with great client-handling skills.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Yaaser is very approachable and gives good, practical advice. He is a great junior on public law cases.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Richard Howell
    Band 4Richard Howell

    Richard Howell

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is an exceptionally bright and technical lawyer.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • I was very impressed with Richard on a very complex and urgent case.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is extremely cerebral, has real intellect and will be a superstar. His written work is flawless.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Richard is a very promising junior with an eye for detail. He is very responsive and user-friendly.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingAarushi Sahore
    Up and ComingAarushi Sahore

    Aarushi Sahore

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • 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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksMalcolm Birdling
    New SilksMalcolm Birdling

    Malcolm Birdling

    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.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Malcolm is a very strong public law practitioner.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar
    • Malcolm is a strong tactician. He is really brilliant and punchy with his arguments.

      Administrative & Public Law respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Brick Court Chambers (15)

London (Bar)

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