St John's Chambers

Head of Chambers: Matthew White

Practice Manager (Commercial/Chancery): Robert Bocock

Practice Manager (Family): Luke Hodgson

Practice Manager (Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence): Adam Marston and Hugh Maguire

Office Manager: Isabelle Mills

Tenants: 80

THE CHAMBERS

• Shortlisted 'Chambers of the Year' Bristol Legal Awards
• Legal 500’s “Set outside London of the Year” 2022
• Shortlisted in 2023, 2024 and 2025 for the same award
• Chambers UK Bar Guide “Regional Set of the Year” 2024 finalist
• Family Law Awards “Regional Family Law Set of the Year” 2023 winner; 2024 nominee

We receive complex, high-value instructions from national law firms, insurers, and local authorities. Our focus is always on specialist expertise, ensuring our clients work with barristers who are leaders in their field.

We offer expert representation and advice across multiple disciplines. Our barristers are leaders in their respective fields, involved in landmark decisions in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Our core areas include:

• Agriculture & Rural Affairs
• Clinical Negligence
• Commercial
• Construction & Engineering
• Court of Protection
• Family & Divorce
• Inquests & Public Inquiries
• Personal Injury
• Professional Negligence
• Real Estate
• Wills & Trusts
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

Our barristers are consistently ranked in Chambers UK and Legal 500 for their technical expertise and approachable service. Many have gone on to serve in the judiciary, including:

• 5 Recorders
• 4 Deputy District Judges
• 1 Fee-paid First-tier Tribunal Judge
• 1 Assistant Deputy Coroner
• 3 Members of the Attorney General’s Panel
• 1 Legal Services Panel member for the British Virgin Islands

Explore our Barristers Directory .

We offer a full range of ADR services, including:

• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Private FDRs
• Early Neutral Evaluation

With 20 qualified mediators, we can act as mediator, adviser or advocate to help clients resolve disputes without litigation. Find out more here .

We pride ourselves on adapting to the evolving legal landscape. Through continual client engagement and a forward-thinking approach, we remain at the forefront of advocacy and legal thought leadership.

Our experienced clerking teams are the first point of contact for new enquiries. Known for their speed, efficiency, and personal approach, they’ll connect you with the right barrister for your case and support you throughout.

Clients describe our clerking team as “always very efficient and go over and above to help.”

We advise and represent:

• National and regional law firms
• Local authorities
• Insurance companies
• Individuals under the Public Access Scheme
• Business leaders, professionals and consultants

We are thought leaders in the profession, providing insightful content through:

• Regular podcasts
• Webinars and seminars
• Legal articles and commentaries

We host top-tier CPD-accredited legal training, described by clients as: “one of the best I have ever been on.”

Our events include:

• Full-day and half-day seminars
• Evening talks
• Bespoke courses for law firms, insurers, and charities
• Excellent hospitality at premium venues

View upcoming events

We are proud to lead initiatives promoting access and representation across the Bar:

• Partner of Bridging the Bar (BTB) — hosted 9 advocacy candidates
• Active participant in 10,000 Black Interns programme
• Pupillage offer extended to one intern starting in October 2025

We promote mental wellbeing and a culture of inclusion among barristers, clerks and staff. Find out more here .

We’re committed to access to justice and giving back. Our barristers were recognised in the Pro Bono Recognition List, with notable work including:

• Representation in the Eddie Cornish Inquest (Rachel Segal)
• Securing funeral rights for a bereaved child after a public tragedy (Oliver Wooding)

Recent charitable achievements include:

• £3,195 raised for Child Brain Injury Trust, Headway Bristol, and Great Western Air Ambulance
• £1,120 for Bristol Mind via our Summer Olympics Challenge
• £2,200+ raised for The Children’s Society via London Marathon
• £250 for Comic Relief

Founded in 1978 with just six members and a six-month lease, St John’s Chambers has grown into one of the largest and most respected chambers in the South West — now with over 80 members and a top-tier reputation across all major areas of law.

Located in the heart of Bristol, our modern, purpose-built offices are:

• A short walk from Bristol Temple Meads
• Close to the historic Bristol harbour
• Easily accessible by major road links

• Head of Chambers, Matthew White has become the leading specialist in cases involving the encroachment of Japanese Knotweed, following his success in the Supreme Court, in the nationally significant case of Davies v Bridgend County Borough Council [2024] UKSC 15.
• Joss Knight acted for the successful claimant in Oliver v Oliver [2024] EWHC 2289 (Ch) in which the last will of the claimant’s late father was declared invalid for undue influence.
• Zoë Saunders was led by Alexander Learmonth KC acting for the appellant in the Court of Appeal in high profile TOLATA case of Hudson v Hathway [2022] EWCA Civ 1648.
• Alex Troup KC acted for the defendants in a defending a claim (Winter v Winter [2023] EWHC 2393 (Ch)) against the assets and estate of a deceased farmer. The estate being worth £several million. The claim based on the doctrine of mutual wills, proprietary estoppel and to enforce an option contained in a partnership agreement.
• Christopher Jones was led by Stephen Jourdan KC, to represent Michael Spencer in his farming proprietary estoppel claim in the case of Spencer v Spencer [2023] EWHC 2050.
• The High Court handed down judgment in the case of Ingram and Whitfield v Abraham [2023] EWHC 1982 (Ch). John Dickinson acted for the successful claimants in their challenge, which was based on want of knowledge and approval against the purported last Will of Joanna Abraham dated 8 August 2019.
• Adam Boyle was successful in easement dispute before the FTT in the case of Philpott v Bovisand Park Limited.
• Jody Atkinson successfully overturns child maintenance service tribunal decision that father had diverted £134,000 of income.
• Rachel Russell represented the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board at a 5-day inquest into the deaths of two nurses from COVID-19.
• Andrew McLaughlin succeeded in the High Court on an appeal against a refusal of relief from sanction relating to three witness statements that were served 1 year late.
• Vivien Croly represented the respondent husband in a two-day final hearing for financial remedy in the case of JD v RMD [2023] EWFC 125.
• The High Court handed down judgment in the case of Ingram and Whitfield v Abraham [2023] EWHC 1982 (Ch). John Dickinson acted for the successful claimants in their challenge.