Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

3
Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Landmark Chambers excels in a notably broad selection of public law specialisms, including challenges to environmental, immigration and welfare policy. The set is praised for its "practical and creative advocates who have a full understanding of complex public law issues", and their "incisive" barristers are in demand to act for both claimants and central government defendants. Prominent judicial reviews affecting the workings of local authorities are an area of strength. Members have recently appeared on both sides in high-profile challenges to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act and have recently acted in the successful challenge to the mooring of Bibby Stockholm barge.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
David Blundell
1
Band 1

David Blundell KC is highly sought after to represent claimants, defendants and interveners in significant challenges to government legislation. He has particular strengths in planning, human rights and EU law. He has also been involved in high-profile public law disputes concerning healthcare, pharmaceuticals and immigration.

David has a broad public law practice. He is incredibly detailed and thorough and a very clear advocate.

David is the go-to silk for anything complicated for public law and planning. He is gentle, authoritative and explains the law in a very clear way.

David is highly trusted and respected by the government and by the courts. He is a very authoritative advocate, superb on paper and in developing arguments.

David is incredibly on top of the detail, with encyclopedic knowledge of public law. He is really hands-on with clients and really fair and engaged as a leader.

1
James Maurici
1
Band 1

James Maurici KC is often seen in complex judicial reviews in the planning, environment and regulatory spheres. He is experienced in local government, EU and human rights law. He advises public bodies and private clients in public law matters, and also has experience advocating before domestic and European courts.

James is exceptionally strong on public law matters. He instils real confidence in solicitors and lay clients.

We have always felt confident relying on James's strategic judgement, and naturally his technical expertise is very strong.

James has one of the sharpest minds ever.

1
Tim Buley
1
Band 1

Tim Buley KC provides masterful representation of claimants and defendants in high-profile judicial review challenges. His broad public and administrative law practice encompasses commercial, regulatory and human rights claims.

Tim can turn his hand to a broad range of things. He has very good public law judgement and is very accessible and responsive.

Tim is an excellent leader. His strategic decisions are always incredibly well thought out.

Tim masterfully drafts very compelling written arguments. The speed at which he gets his head round a case, even involving some obscure point of law, is bewildering.

3
Alex Goodman
3
Band 3

Alex Goodman KC possesses a broad base of public law expertise, including planning and environment as well as the full scope of immigration law challenges. He frequently acts for claimants as well as local government.

Alex is regularly instructed in strategically tricky cases with environment and planning aspects. He is always up for a challenge.

Alex was the obvious choice in a very interesting and challenging judicial review. He has a top grasp of planning law and all of the public law issues.

Alex is a very well-regarded, slick operator. He is a tactician who gets really good results.

3
Leon Glenister
3
Band 3

Leon Glenister is a popular choice for judicial reviews relating to a diverse set of issues including planning, environment, healthcare and education law. He is frequently instructed by individual claimants, central government and public bodies.

Leon is my go-to for anything healthcare in public law issues.

Leon is a well-known barrister. He gives a lot of time and resources to the wider community to help parents and lawyers.

Leon is a very talented public law junior. He picks up complex cases quickly and puts them into clear, persuasive submissions.

3
Miranda Butler
3
Band 3

Miranda Butler is a well-regarded public law barrister who offers strong expertise in matters spanning immigration and healthcare provision. She often acts on behalf of individual claimants in challenges brought against central government. She is regularly sought after to handle high-profile judicial reviews involving unlawful detention and victims of trafficking.

She is an incredible go-to for complex claims. She has a wealth of knowledge. Her ability to understand the complexities of a case within seconds is nothing short of admirable.

Miranda is the most efficient person I know. Her work is always high-quality and well reasoned. Her mind is brilliant, super sharp and she really gets it.

Natasha's advice is always fair and practical and often with an inventive point of law that she identifies. Her advocacy is highly effective and she simplifies everything.

Miranda is very good at thinking strategically and coming up with solutions. She is very confident, very respectful and really tenacious. In court, she is very clear, concise and quick on her feet.

Miranda's attention to detail was excellent in an underdeveloped area of law.

3
Samantha Broadfoot
3
Band 3

Samantha Broadfoot KC is a powerful advocate who is adept at managing a wide range of public law proceedings. She regularly receives instructions from central government departments, regulators and campaign groups. She has been involved in significant cases concerning healthcare, service provision and social welfare.

Samantha is impressive and works right across the board on judicial reviews.

Samantha is very good strategically and gives very good advice.

4
Admas Habteslasie
4
Band 4

Admas Habteslasie has a growing reputation advising individuals, organisations and central government on public law challenges relating to welfare support, human rights and immigration. He is particularly noted for his extensive experience handling claims for vulnerable individuals such as asylum seekers and victims of trafficking.

Admas's matters involve ground-breaking work.

Admas is a really good standout. He is impressive and is excellent on public law and civil liberties matters.

4
David Elvin
4
Band 4

David Elvin KC specialises in judicial reviews involving planning, infrastructure and property. He represents public bodies and claimants, and is well known for his handling of public inquiries relating to planning and development.

David is a brilliant brain coupled with a great client manner. He is one of the very best planning silks.

David is the leading planning and environmental barrister in the UK. He always provides clear and decisive advice for clients and is a formidable advocate.

4
Galina Ward
4
Band 4

Galina Ward KC is highly praised by peers for her knowledge and advocacy across the sphere of public law. She possesses considerable experience across public and property law, acting for and against central and local government. She is frequently instructed to defend government policy and decision-making, including in the areas of education and welfare.

Galina is meticulously well researched and clear. Her advocacy is always very well prepared. She puts people on the right track and is calm and unflappable.

You get all the benefits of just how much she has prepared and thought about a case. She has a mastery of the case: she knows every single point and knows how best to address it.

4
Gwion Lewis
4
Band 4

Gwion Lewis KC is a highly regarded planning and environment specialist. He tends to represent central government and other public authorities in judicial reviews.

Gwion is an adaptable advocate. His advocacy in court was a masterful exercise.

4
Matthew Fraser
4
Band 4

Matthew Fraser is a environmental law and planning specialist who regularly appears in court representing individuals, local councils and NGOs. He is a member of the Attorney General's B Panel.

Matthew is a silk in waiting.

Matthew has an exceptional track record. He consistently delivers high-quality all-round work.

Matthew was fantastic, demonstrating expertise and commercial awareness. He is very pragmatic in terms of narrowing the issues down and enabling the process to run smoothly.

He's absolutely excellent - really easy to deal with and helpful. His drafting and advocacy is impressive. He gets to the point, is very clear and presents our case in way that is understandable.

4
Natasha Jackson
4
Band 4

Natasha Jackson is a well-recognised junior and often acts for individuals and government departments on public law matters. She frequently handles cases relating to issues of immigration and asylum support.

She gets to grips with key issues with much ease, her attention to detail is immaculate and she makes you feel utter confidence. Her advocacy is always tailored perfectly and strategically.

Natasha is a strong public law junior. She is good on the detail.

U
Alex Shattock
U
Up and Coming

Alex Shattock is building a highly regarded practice public law practice that draws on his expertise in environmental law. He regularly represents claimants such as individuals, NGOs and public bodies.

Alex is all-round brilliant. He has all the expertise, but what sets him apart is when it comes to our clients and what they want to achieve, he just gets it.

Alex is very thorough, good in court and has really good drafting.

Alex is incredibly charming and friendly. He makes robust, logical and clear submissions.

Alex has excellent communications and advocacy. He is approachable with a feeling and passion for the work that comes through.

Alex is collegiate and very clever.

U
Barney McCay
U
Up and Coming

Barney McCay is developing a strong public law practice that centres his expertise in environmental and public procurement cases. He is a member of the EHRC's panel of counsel.

Barney pulls together strategic advice for multiple areas. He is willing to get all over the detail.

Barney produces well-considered drafting that is alive to the context and ramifications of the matter.

Barney is timely and really good at structuring a very strong argument.

Barney is alarmingly bright and will go far. He is committed and works very hard until the job is done. He is my junior barrister of choice on all public law matters.

Barney is a very clear and very articulate advocate and he is able to deal with difficult opponents.

U
Karl Laird
U
Up and Coming

Karl Laird is a respected junior who acts in judicial reviews arising from a criminal context. He is particularly well known for his work in cases relating to national security.

Clients have complete trust in Karl.

Karl is just outstanding. He knows national security inside and out. He is punching way above his weight.

Karl is wise and experienced beyond his call. There's nothing he doesn't know about public law. He has a real intellectual understanding and applies it practically for the benefit of his client.

U
Siân McGibbon
U
Up and Coming

Siân McGibbon has a broad public law practice where she represents individuals and local authorities. She frequently handles cases related to social care and homelessness.

Sian is an exceptional junior who stands out.

Sian was a driving force in my case.

Julia Smyth
New Silks

Julia Smyth KC is a go-to barrister to act for and advise central government on a wide range of public and administrative law matters. She has experience handling matters concerning social security, healthcare and transport.

Julia has a good eye and good judgement. She is very conscientious and easy to work with.

Julia gets under the skin of the issues and zones in on the key points like a hawk.

Julia is technically excellent and inspires the confidence of the court.

Julia was an extraordinary part of the team. She had a great questioning style.

Julia is amazingly clever but also down to earth. Judges love her and trust her - she never uses ridiculous points and she is eminently trustworthy.

Ranked Barristers at
Landmark Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

1
David Blundell KC
1
Band 1
1
James Maurici KC
1
Band 1
1
Tim Buley KC
1
Band 1
3
Alex Goodman KC
3
Band 3
3
Samantha Broadfoot KC
3
Band 3
4
David Elvin KC
4
Band 4
4
Galina Ward KC
4
Band 4
4
Gwion Lewis KC
4
Band 4
Julia Smyth KC
New Silks

Juniors

London (Bar)

Administrative & Public Law

3
Leon Glenister
3
Band 3
3
Miranda Butler
3
Band 3
4
Admas Habteslasie
4
Band 4
4
Matthew Fraser
4
Band 4
4
Natasha Jackson
4
Band 4
U
Alex Shattock
U
Up and Coming
U
Barney McCay
U
Up and Coming
U
Karl Laird
U
Up and Coming
U
Siân McGibbon
U
Up and Coming