Garden Court Chambers is delighted once again to have been recognised as a first tier set in the prestigious Legal 500 2012. We are now ranked in six areas of law, with 46 barristers recommended - over a third of our members.
Immigration (including business immigration) (Tier 1)
We remain the only set ranked in Tier 1 for immigration, with 16 barristers recommended.
"Garden Court Chambers commands respect for its applicant work, and has a number of authorities on immigration law, including Ian Macdonald QC, the 'pre-eminent' Laurie Fransman QC, who has 'unmatched knowledge of nationality law', and 'superb advocate' Stephen Knafler QC. The 'first-class' Kathryn Cronin and 'approachable' Navtej Singh Ahluwalia are recommended, with the latter highlighted for his 'thorough grasp' of the Points Based System. Nadine Finch is 'an inspiring proponent of children's rights', and Ronan Toal QC is a 'skilful' and 'insightful' advocate. Also recommended are Peter Jorro, who 'imbues clients with confidence'; Duran Seddon, who is a future 'star of the Bar'; David Jones, whose submissions are of 'an extremely high standard'; and the 'professional' Michelle Brewer. Adrian Berry is 'number one for European immigration matters', and Mark Symes has 'encyclopaedic knowledge of asylum law'."
Civil liberties and human rights (including public inquiry law and actions against the police) (Tier 2)
"Garden Court Chambers has an excellent track record in high-profile cases. Leslie Thomas is 'quite simply the best advocate for jury-led inquest cases', Colin Hutchinson is 'very good with clients', and Stephanie Harrison 'always has the best interests of her lay clients at the forefront of her thinking'. Stephen Simblet has 'invaluable trial experience, and is one of the first ports of call in civil police action claims'."
Crime (Tier 3)
"Garden Court Chambers' team of 16 silks and 40 juniors is one of the 'most rounded' at the criminal Bar. David Spens QC is 'one of the very best in a world increasingly saturated with QCs', and Henry Blaxland QC is 'a smooth and fluid advocate who does not make bad points'. Shiraz Aziz is 'fearless in court', and up-and-coming junior Tom Wainwright 'cross-examines expert witnesses with considerable skill'."
Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) (Tier 4)
The Housing Team has risen a tier from 2011. The ranking in Tier 4 reflects the niche specialism that the team is predominately known for, relative to the broad scope of this category.
"Garden Court Chambers is a widely respected leader in housing law. Lead silk Stephen Knafler QC is a 'superb advocate' with 'great judgement' whose approach to tactical and structured case progression is 'invaluable'. Team head Jan Luba QC has appeared in several Supreme Court cases, including Hounslow LBC v Powell. Liz Davies and Beatrice Prevatt combine a 'robust approach' with 'an excellent command of housing law'."
Planning (Tier 5)
"Garden Court Chambers covers all aspects of planning law, but specialises in representing Gypsies and Travellers seeking planning permission for caravan sites, as well as defending them in planning enforcement actions. It has been heavily involved in the various cases arising from the highly publicised Dale Farm eviction, with Marc Willers representing the occupants in the judicial review of Basildon Council's decision to clear the farm."
Children law (including public and private law)
"Also recommended is Garden Court Chambers' Ian Peddie QC, who acted in LB of Islington v Al Alas and Wray; and Maggie Jones, who is 'an outstanding advocate in all types of children cases'."
Garden Court would like to thank all of our clients and peers for recognising the quality of the legal services we provide and for recommending us. Similarly we would like to thank the editors and researchers at The Legal 500 for the hundreds of hours of work that went into the new edition.
The Legal 500 publishes rankings of the leading barristers and sets of chambers in the UK, based on extensive research and from taking up references with solicitors and clients.
