Department profile
Gough Square Chambers

Consumer Law

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Gough Square Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Consumer Law - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Gough Square regularly handles matters concerning health and safety, food and trading regulations, and consumer credit issues. Sources praise the chambers for having a "wide range of reliable and experienced barristers.” It undertakes both civil and criminal matters, regularly acting for businesses and individuals, along with local authorities. Instructing solicitors describe their expertise as "specialist and superior in this field" and point to the set's "easy to contact and eager to assist" clerking team. Members regularly appear in the High Court and Court of Appeal. The set boasts one of the deepest benches in the area and is frequently instructed in the most significant matters of the day. By way of example, members acted in R v Foster & Ors, a 14-defendant conspiracy to defraud arising out of breaches of consumer protection legislation with a benefit of £13 million.

Bob Weekes is the senior clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks offer an excellent set of services, are excellent communicators and have a breadth of knowledge that instils confidence.

    Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks are always available to answer queries and are very helpful.

    Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Bob Weekes leads a good, fun, friendly and very focused team of clerks by example. An honourable mention goes to second clerk Jack Bradshaw, who is nothing other than excellent.

    Consumer Law respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsFred Philpott
    Star IndividualsFred Philpott

    Fred Philpott

    Fred Philpott has been at the Bar throughout the lifetime of the Consumer Credit Act and is a leading expert on it. He regularly advises on the regulatory aspects of the Act and defends retailers accused of putting forward misleading prices. He also handles cases concerning matters such as food safety, unfair commercial practices and consumer debt.

    • Fred's a genius and a great human being. He knows everything there is to know, he checks the law reports everyday and he just enjoys the subject. He has this huge knowledge bank that's unrivalled.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Star IndividualsJonathan Kirk
    Star IndividualsJonathan Kirk

    Jonathan Kirk

    Jonathan Kirk KC regularly defends high-profile corporations against claims of mis-selling and is an expert at advising companies nationwide on their regulatory and enforcement concerns. He is also the editor of the Pink Book on consumer law.

    • He absolutely knows, and is fully on top of, the law in this area.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very charming man and a truly excellent barrister.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1David Travers
    Band 1David Travers

    David Travers

    David Travers KC focuses his work on cases of a highly complex or sensitive nature, particularly those concerning food safety. He both defends and prosecutes, and appears on behalf of businesses and local and national government bodies. He is particularly noted for his work in matters involving technical or scientific evidence.

    • He is an incredibly big name in the sector.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • A very good advocate and a very personable man who knows all there is to know on the subject.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Iain MacDonald
    Band 1Iain MacDonald

    Iain MacDonald

    Iain MacDonald's diverse consumer law practice takes in food law and trading standards matters in both the Crown and Magistrates' Courts. He regularly acts for well-known retailers, local authorities and regulatory bodies such as the Civil Aviation Authority.

    • Iain approaches his work in a very pragmatic and sensible way. He's an excellent lawyer with a really good sense of humour who bring out a real human side in court.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Jonathan Goulding
    Band 1Jonathan Goulding

    Jonathan Goulding

    Jonathan Goulding specialises in consumer and regulatory law, having spent his formative years as a common lawyer. He advises on both sides of consumer law, tackling criminal prosecutions as well as civil actions. His knowledge encompasses diverse areas such as food safety, consumer protection and fraud.

    • He has exceptional client skills and an ability to explain complex legal terms in simple language.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan is a very capable, experienced and impressive barrister. He is as effective on his feet as he is in writing, and he acquits himself superbly every time.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Jonathan is extremely experienced and a valued member of any team he's on.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Simon Popplewell
    Band 1Simon Popplewell

    Simon Popplewell

    Simon Popplewell advises large corporations and smaller traders on legal issues, including unfair terms in consumer contracts, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from the Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Simon has acted for household names such as BT and Sky, as well as a host of smaller companies.

    • A silk in all but name whose exceptional knowledge is second to none. He's a commercially focused advocate who is forceful in his opinions and skilled on his feet.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Absolutely fantastic in his ability to take black-letter law and apply it. He is really good with the clients and able to articulate issues to them incredibly well.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Alison Lambert
    Band 2Alison Lambert

    Alison Lambert

    Alison Lambert is regularly instructed by local authorities, police authorities and trading standards departments to prosecute all types of regulatory crime. She is well-versed in cases involving unfair trading, the Trade Marks Act and the Food Safety Act.

    • Alison is very thorough in her analysis of the evidence, and she understands the perspectives of the consumers involved. Her preparation of court documents is exceptional and she is very approachable.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Alison is brilliant. She is both a pleasure to work with and very knowledgeable.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Lee Finch
    Band 2Lee Finch

    Lee Finch

    Lee Finch has grown his reputation in the area of consumer law by handling a wide range of sophisticated claims. He is routinely instructed by both companies and individuals on compliance and regulation matters, and possesses considerable knowledge relating to unfair terms.

    • Lee has an encyclopaedic knowledge of financial regulation law and knows the FCA handbook inside and out. He has a very good intellect and works on very high-profile cases.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Robin Kingham
    Band 2Robin Kingham

    Robin Kingham

    Robin Kingham has a burgeoning consumer law practice and advises clients on both civil and criminal consumer work. He frequently appears both for the prosecution and for defendants. On the criminal front, he has prosecuted on behalf of a number of regulatory authorities, including on a standing basis for two National Trading Standards teams.

    • Robin is a pleasure to work with and can be relied upon to produce the highest standards of work.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Robin is a brilliant barrister.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Stuart Jessop
    Band 2Stuart Jessop

    Stuart Jessop

    Stuart Jessop is a frequent defender of farmers, farms and meat sellers in criminal cases, and is adept at food and product safety consumer law disputes. His practice further includes the representation of local authorities in criminal prosecutions, and he is praised for his drafting skills as well as his ability to build strong relationships.

    • He is a true consumer barrister and very experienced in this sector.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • He is a very impressive advocate.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Stuart is very knowledgeable and tactically sound.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ian Thomas
    Band 3Ian Thomas

    Ian Thomas

    Ian Thomas is a highly capable barrister and noted food law specialist known for representing individuals, local and national companies and government bodies in food safety and trading standards cases.

    • Ian is an excellent advocate and someone who provides realistic advice. He is always keen to fight for his clients.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Kevin de Haan KC
    Band 3Kevin de Haan KC

    Kevin de Haan KC

    Kevin de Haan KC handles consumer law cases as part of a flourishing practice that also takes in health and safety, licensing and environment matters. He is an expert on enforcement and European legislation.

    • Kevin is a very big name in this sphere. He grasps things quickly and is someone you can utterly depend upon.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Michael Coley
    Band 3Michael Coley

    Michael Coley

    Michael Coley is developing a strong practice in the consumer law space. He has particular expertise in acting for the Civil Aviation Authority in consumer matters.

    • Michael produces well-crafted written submissions ahead of hearings and regularly achieves favourable results in what is an ever-evolving area of law.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Sabrina Goodchild
    Band 3Sabrina Goodchild

    Sabrina Goodchild

    Sabrina Goodchild is building a well-regarded practice in the consumer law sector. She has experience of advising the FCA and has prosecuted in a range of courts, including the Court of Appeal. Her work covers the whole range of consumer law, from mis-selling litigation to the prosecution of rogue traders.

    • Sabrina has strong presentation skills and explains the topic at hand in a concise manner.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Sabrina is excellent in her advocacy and is extremely sharp. She grasps complex legal issues with ease and is both extremely responsive and thorough in her work.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
    • Sabrina demonstrates a high level of competence and commitment across all areas.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar
  • New SilksCameron Crowe
    New SilksCameron Crowe

    Cameron Crowe

    Cameron Crowe regularly tackles significant and complex trading standards cases, and has appeared on behalf of national and regional investigation teams prosecuting the largest matters nationwide. He also defends in investigations brought by the Competition and Markets Authority, and advises large corporations on the application and enforcement of consumer law.

    • Cameron is an exceptional barrister who is knowledgeable and provides high-standard advice and successful outcomes in court. He is customer-focused and has exceptional communication skills.

      Consumer Law respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Gough Square Chambers (15)

London (Bar)

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