JUNIOR PROFILE

Julia Smith

UK Bar 2026

Henderson Chambers

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Consumer Finance

All Circuits

3 years ranked

Consumer Law

London (Bar)

30 years ranked

About

Provided by Henderson Chambers

Practice Areas

Consumer law, banking and finance, including consumer credit, mortgages, sale and supply of goods, unfair contract terms and unfair commercial practices. Cases include OFT v Ashbourne Management Services Ltd [2011] All E R (D) 276 (May) (unfair terms, unfair commercial practices, and whether credit provided under minimum term contracts with monthly payments); Adris v Royal Bank of Scotland plc (2010) 160 NLJ (non-party costs orders); Carey v HSBC Bank plc, Times 25 January 2010 (unfair relationships and burden of proving improper execution); McGuffick v Royal Bank of Scotland plc [2010] 1 All E R 634 (whether reporting to credit reference agencies enforcement); and Royal Bank of Scotland plc v Etridge (No.2) [2001] UKHL 44, [2002] 2 AC 773 (undue influence and extent of solicitor’s duty when advising third party provider of security). Clients include banks, regulators, leasing companies and retailers.

Career

Called 1988.

Professional Memberships

London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association.

Publications

Atkin's Court Forms on Consumer Credit (Lexis Nexis 2012); The Law of Consumer Credit and Hire (OUP 2009); Consumer Credit Act 2006, A Guide to the New Law (Law Society Publishing 2006).

Personal

Educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College and the University of Liverpool.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Consumer Finance - All Circuits

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Julia Smith is an expert in consumer finance who regularly advises on unfair terms and consumer credit matters.

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Consumer Law - London (Bar)

Band 1

Individual Editorial

Julia Smith brings comprehensive experience in financial and retail sector cases to bear and is able to advise her clients on a broad spectrum of issues. She regularly handles cases concerning the Consumer Credit Act 1974, the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 and the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, amongst others.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Julia has a very detailed understanding of case law and the statutory framework. She is a good advocate with a crisp and clear style, who is adept at conveying salient points to the courts.
Consumer FinanceUK Bar
Julia Smith is a go-to barrister for technical legal advice. She is pragmatic, straightforward and someone whose advice is exceptionally good.
Consumer FinanceUK Bar
Julia is exceptionally strong in what is a niche and complex area and is very fast to turn round work.
Consumer FinanceUK Bar
Julia has exceptional, in-depth knowledge of consumer credit and rights in financial services. She quickly grasps key issues and provides commercial, pragmatic and insightful advice to clients.
Consumer LawUK Bar
Julia is exceptionally strong in a niche and complex area and is very fast in her work.
Consumer LawUK Bar