Stars at the Bar 2024

“An absolute star in his field.”

“One of the best barristers in England. He is an absolute all rounder without a flaw in his practice.”

“Head and shoulders above the rest.”

“It was a pleasure to work with Jonathan on a complex litigation matter. His simple yet effective approach was refreshing.”

“He is a star and the advocacy can genuinely make the difference between the win and loss.”

“Jonathan has a brilliant mind and has an immaculate grasp of the issues. He makes complex straightforward.”

“Jonathan is brilliant with clients and makes them feel valued.”

“One of the finest advocates I have seen.”

“An absolute star in everything she does.”

“Clare Montgomery is by far the best silk across the UK and the world. Her knowledge,  presence in the legal environment and presentation and judgement are second to none.”

“Clare has an absolutely photographic memory, she can process a vast amount of factual information and have it all at her fingertips.”

“She brings real criminal cross-examination techniques to the commercial bar, and is therefore absolutely devastating in cross-examination.”

“She is probably the most impressive woman role model at the bar. She does all the most amazing work.”

“One of the top all-round commercial barristers in the country.”

“Very arguably one of the best advocates at the bar. His cross-examination is the best I have seen.”

“Mark Howard is an absolute star.”

“Mark Howard commands the courtroom. He has a real court presence.”

“An absolutely top-class commercial litigator.”

“He is a fearsome advocate and a draw for some of the biggest energy related disputes.”

“Paul is extremely bright and capable as well as down to earth and easy to deal with.”

“An absolutely first rate trial lawyer whose cross-examination is amazing.”

“He is an incredibly experienced litigator in multi-jurisdictions.”

“Paul is detailed, always prepared and very client-focused. He articulates the best arguments in matters.”

“There is no one better on their feet. He is super impressive in Court, particularly in cross-examination.”

“Joe Smouha is totally stellar and the best kind of leader you could have.”

“Joe Smouha is a class apart – he is a pleasure to work with, an incredible advocate and able to turn cases by just who he is.”

“He is ultra smooth and very polished.”

“The best of the best. Joe has a huge amount of trial experience and is devastating in cross-examination. He has a great feel for how points will play before a judge and is able to present even the most complex issues simply and coherently.”

“He is a very impressive leading silk, has an excellent manner with clients and shows strategic nuance right from the outset.”

“Joe’s wealth of experience shines through in his judgement and tactical calls. He has a great feel for how points will play out before a tribunal or court.”

“Anneliese is a real superstar who will fight her client’s corner and be absolutely fearless in court.”

“She is exceptionally easy to work with, incredibly bright and she has a strategic mind second to none.”

“She is a stellar advocate and knows everything there is to know about litigation.”

“Anneliese Day has impeccable client service skills.”

“What made her stand out was her calmness. Anneliese was admirably composed through the case.”

“Her knowledge of the technical and legal issues in the cladding world are second to none – she provides clients with a huge amount of confidence.”

“Anneliese is great to work with. She is a great professional, a real expert. She knows how to put the right questions to witnesses and to present the case so that it would be well regarded by the tribunal.”

“A very accomplished commercial advocate with a wide range of experience.”

“Judges respect and listen to him, and he has an inimitable courtroom gravitas.”

“He comes into incredibly complicated cases and has such as feel for what will work with the court.”

“Bankim Thanki is a superstar at the bar, stunningly clever, an elegant advocate and a good cross-examiner.”

“Genuinely one of the smartest people I have come across.”

“He deservedly has a reputation as being one of the best, heavy-hitting silks.”

“Bankim is excellent, with extremely sound judgement and great client-handling skills.”

“Roddy Dunlop has a commercial approach to issues and is always accessible.”

“A standout advocate.”

“An in-demand advocate, who is the go-to counsel for many. He has the ear of the court and is excellent on his feet.”

“Roddy is one of the ‘hard hitters’ in professional negligence and can be the go-to when you need a particularly strong force in your corner. He is also excellent at providing strategic advice in a prompt, concise and effective way.”

“The go-to at the Scottish bar.”

“A strong advocate with great technical ability.”

“Extremely intelligent.”

“Hugh can process extremely complex factual and legal matters quickly and retain it.”

“A tremendous advocate in court.”

“He is so interested in the client and listens to what we think. Hugh is also very willing to be challenged and provide his perspective.”

“A super smart and fantastic advocate. David is so well respected and an absolute master at his craft.”

“A star in everything.”

“He is a practitioner of real integrity and real gravitas.”

“He is an advocate who the court just listens to.”

“Clients adore him and he is a great barrister to work with as an instructing solicitor. He always works hard to include solicitors in discussions with the clients.”

“His stand out is that he is a real master of distilling the issues down, sifting the wheat from the chaff and getting to the nub of the issues in incredibly complex matters.”

“I think he is second to none. He is really humble and nothing is beneath him.”

“He is one of the outstanding international lawyers of his generation.”

“An advocate who warrants every ounce of his stellar reputation.”

“So much experience, judgement and he is an incredible team player.”

“Jonathan is an incredible silk, an absolute go-to on big-scale litigation.”

“He’s incredibly intelligent, very calm and really authoritative but with a relaxed manner.”

“He is brilliant at distilling complex messes into easily understandable concepts for the client.”

“Richard has been involved in many leading cases – he is an utterly charming and reliable advocate.”

“Richard Lissack is very calm, measured and has a great deal of gravitas.”

“His written advocacy is second to none and his oral advocacy is fantastic.”

“Richard handles clients like a dream – always on hand to provide sage advice and reassurance whenever he is needed."

"Richard’s work is outstanding. He is a very good strategist, and his advocacy skills are superb.”

“He can cover the commercial issues, he can cover the financial crime issues as well as the technical issues – Richard is the top of his game for what he does.”

“He is tremendously responsive and collaborative, he works on a team basis with the instructing solicitors.”

“She is a force of nature. When she gets into the case she is really determined in her commitment to achieve justice.”

“Caoilfhionn Gallagher has a high level of client care. Her submissions were detailed and her advocacy is one of the best I have ever seen.”

“An excellent communicator, decisive and empathic. She is able to communicate complex information in a clear, understandable way.”

“She is charming and disarming and slams the points effectively.”

“Solid human rights experience.”

“Nothing short of brilliant.”

“John stands out for his ability to incorporate the commercial drivers of a dispute into hugely complex legal matrices.”

“His advocacy was flawless. When John stands up in the courtroom everyone – including the judge – leans in.”

“One of the best silks in the country for complex disputes relating to residential development land.”

“His attention to detail, drafting skills, advocacy and the effort he puts into the case is the epitome of brilliance.”

“Lesley brings real insight to a case.”

“The leading silk in the North.”

“Phenomenal intellect and incredibly user-friendly.”

“A tenacious advocate and very fearless in her cross-examination.”

“An exceptional barrister.”

“A brilliant junior and very in demand.”

“Edward has a wonderful way with words, a huge intellect and a wealth of strategic nous.”

“He is always full of outstanding ideas.”

“he is brilliant and involved in most of the key cases.”

“A phenomenal drafter and researcher.”

“Edward is supremely bright. A pleasure to work with and always willing to get stuck in with complex drafting and urgent advice. He has the ability to distil complex issues into workable advice. Unarguably skilled beyond his years.”

“Eddie is an excellent strategist with an incredible eye for detail.”