Retour United Kingdom - The Bar

Leading Silks

Kieron Beal KCBlackstone Chambers ‘Kieron is just superb: unfazed, adaptable and has the respect of senior judges.’
Marie Demetriou KCBrick Court Chambers 'She has excellent judgement.'
Brian Kennelly KCBlackstone Chambers ‘Brian is the first port of call for complex and novel issues of European Union law. He gets to the heart of the issues very quickly and is exceptionally clever and clear in his advice.’
Philip Moser KCMonckton Chambers ‘An absolute expert on EU law. He explains hugely complex and labyrinthine law persuasively and with clarity.’
Jemima Stratford KCBrick Court Chambers 'Jemima is a phenomenally effective advocate because she prepares intensively and employs a careful, understated style in court. Judges respect what she says.'
Gerry Facenna KCMonckton Chambers ‘Gerry is very analytical in his approach.'
James Flynn KCBrick Court Chambers 'He is pragmatic and client-friendly.'
Josh Holmes KCMonckton Chambers 'A very commercial silk who is persuasive on his feet.'
Timothy Lyons KC39 Essex Chambers 'Timothy is a sophisticated advocate. He manages clients well.'
Aidan O’Neill KCMatrix Chambers ‘A silk who possesses an extraordinary breadth and depth of knowledge.'
George Peretz KCMonckton Chambers 'The very essence of silk: superb on his feet, and very calm and patient with the client. He is ferociously clever but staggeringly user-friendly.'
David Scannell KCBrick Court Chambers 'A great tactical thinker and a natural leader.'
David Blundell KCLandmark Chambers ‘David does not overplay his hand, and his balance convinces courts of his judgement.’
Sir Alan Dashwood KCHenderson Chambers 'An authoritative and accomplished silk.'
Robert Palmer KCMonckton Chambers 'A silk of enormous charm. He has extremely detailed technical knowledge of his area.'
Aidan Robertson KCBrick Court Chambers 'He has a meticulous eye, and can explain difficult concepts in clear terms.'
James Segan KCBlackstone Chambers ‘James' arguments are always clearly structured and compelling, but he is also extremely good at thinking on his feet.’
Kassie Smith KCMonckton Chambers ‘Kassie is perfection. Her drafting is impeccable, her analysis is invariably spot on, and her cross-examination is devastatingly effective.’
Rhodri Thompson KCMatrix Chambers ‘Rhodri considers all the angles in a case. A very cogent silk.’
Victoria Wakefield KC – Brick Court Chambers 'She has a brilliant intellect and superb communication skills, coupled with wonderful judgement.'
David Wolfe KCMatrix Chambers ‘David has an encyclopaedic knowledge of EU laws and is brilliant at bringing this technical area alive.'

2022 Silks

Sarah Abram KCBrick Court Chambers 'An emerging force in silk after many years as a leading junior in competition law. Clients love her enthusiastic application to their cases.'
Hanif Mussa KC – Blackstone Chambers 'He has a wonderful court presence - senior judges really listen to him.'
Hanif Mussa KCBlackstone Chambers ‘Hanif has a wonderful court presence and senior judges really listen to him.’

2023 Silks

Katherine Apps KC39 Essex Chambers 'She is fantastically bright, extremely responsive and well-prepared.'

2024 Silks

Richard Blakeley KCBrick Court Chambers 'He is dedicated and diligent; an excellent choice for matters involving European Union law.'
Brendan McGurk KCMonckton Chambers ‘Brendan is an excellent advocate - extremely eloquent. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of CJEU case law.'

Leading Juniors

Tim JohnstonBrick Court Chambers 'Tim is highly intelligent and very personable. A delight to work with.'
Christopher Knight11KBW ‘A leader in this field. Christopher always cuts through the most complex cases to provide excellent, timely advice.'
Paul LuckhurstBlackstone Chambers ‘Paul has a first class brain.'
Emily NeillBlackstone Chambers ‘Emily is a fearless and dedicated advocate.'
Takis TridimasMatrix Chambers 'An outstanding lawyer, with deep and specialised knowledge of European Union law. He has impressive advocacy skills and demonstrates acute strategic planning.'
Nicholas GibsonMatrix Chambers ‘Nicholas takes a thorough, pragmatic approach to complex issues and always demonstrates sound judgement.'
Ravi MehtaBlackstone Chambers ‘Ravi is fantastic: astute, super bright, pragmatic and very hard working.’
Alan BatesMonckton Chambers ‘Alan is across all the strategic angles. His advocacy style is calm, collected and direct.'
Hugo LeithBrick Court Chambers 'Hugo analyses and assesses technical legal frameworks, facts and procedure with speed. He never speaks for the sake of speaking; every word is measured and holds weight.'
Eric MetcalfeMonckton Chambers ‘Eric masters his brief with ease. He is an outstanding advocate with exceptional analytical skills.'
Emma MockfordBrick Court Chambers 'Emma is a real star. She is perceptive and always willing to express a view which carries authority with even the most seasoned lawyers and clients.'
Gerard RothschildBrick Court Chambers 'An exceptionally talented junior barrister.'
Julia Smyth  – Landmark Chambers ‘Julia is outstanding. She has an intuitive grasp of all matters related to EU law. A true star.'
Christopher Staker39 Essex Chambers 'A very experienced junior with meticulous knowledge of EU law.'
Charlotte ThomasBrick Court Chambers 'Charlotte is very thorough and carefully evaluates every argument and its merits.'
Jonathan Worboys4 New Square 'Jonathan has a quick, sharp intelligence, and an impressive ability to devise an effective response to awkward points.'

European Union law in London Bar

Blackstone Chambers


Blackstone Chambers is widely recognised and respected for its bench strength in EU law, with members regularly instructed on behalf of UK government departments, EU institutions and multinational corporations in high-profile cases in the field. Brian Kennelly KC appeared before the Court of Appeal in Civil Aviation Authority v Ryanair, a case concerning compensation for cancelled flights and the status of EU judgments post-Brexit. Kieron Beal KC is ‘a brilliant advocate who makes the complex simple‘. Among the junior end of chambers, Emily Neill is singled out for her expertise in cross-border and Brexit issues, and Ravi Mehta is ‘an outstanding technician‘.

Les références

‘Lewis Walker is sensible and responsive.’

‘Danny Compton is a pleasure to work with: responsive, hard-working and commercial.’

‘Everyone I have worked with at Blackstone has been very impressive – it really is a hallmark of quality.’





Brick Court Chambers


Brick Court Chambers continues to handle a steady stream of complex and high profile contentious EU mandates. Recent instructions include Marie Demetriou KC acting for the appellant in British Sugar v Secretary of State for International Trade, a judicial review challenging measures adopted by the UK Government under the post-Brexit UK General Tariff Regime. Jemima Stratford KC has been kept busy handling financial and pharmaceutical related matters, and Sarah Abram KC is ‘across all of the major claims and her knowledge cannot be bettered‘. Among the juniors, Tim Johnston regularly advises local authorities and government departments on a range of EU matters, and Richard Blakeley KC is sought after for his expertise in handling sanctions issues.

Les références

Paul Dennison is one of the best there is.’

Tony Burgess is always great to deal with.’

Brick Court is an excellent set with strength across the board.’





Monckton Chambers


Monckton Chambers is a leading set for EU law, with extensive expertise in both the silk and junior ranks. Members are well known for appearing before prominent EU institutions in complex cases. Josh Holmes KC and Jack Williams continue to act for plastic manufacturing company Symphony in its longrunning damages claim against various EU institutions, regarding losses caused by the institutions’ ban on the sale of oxo-degradable plastic products. Brendan McGurk KC is well versed in advising on cases involving chemicals and phytosanitary regulatory matters. The senior end of the team was recently bolstered by the elevation of Ben Lask KC to silk in March 2023.

Les références

John Keegan is a favourite and Steven Duffett is very user friendly.’

‘Very good commercial lawyers.’

‘Excellent coverage across the sphere, and when we need something urgently they always help us out.’





39 Essex Chambers


39 Essex Chambers' members continue to act across a broad spectrum of complex EU law matters. Timothy Lyons KC is 'a go-to person on EU law issues, particularly in a tax context', and Deok Joo Rhee KC is well known for handling EU law cases involving trade agreement matters and procurement issues. Christopher Staker's 'advice has always been very on point, clear, well-researched, constructive and helpful'. Newly appointed silk Katherine Apps KC 'has every detail of a case at her fingertips, and can persuasively and masterfully deploy it with ease'.

Les références

39 Essex Chambers is a very well-run and responsive set.’

A chambers at the forefront of international and EU law practice.’

Very helpful and efficient clerking.’





Matrix Chambers


Matrix Chambers‘ members are widely recognised for advising on a broad range of EU law matters, and appear before all court levels up to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Members of the set are appearing on both sides of Jersey Choice v Her Majesty’s Treasury and HMRC, a longrunning damages action concerning the removal of a VAT relief on the basis it was discriminatory under EU law; the case is due to be heard before the Supreme Court in late 2023. David Wolfe KC is 'superb on his feet' and has an excellent track record in handling a wide spectrum of complex EU-related matters. Takis Tridimas is 'an exceptional advocate' who 'knows EU law inside-out'.

Les références

‘Matrix Chambers is very accommodating and responsive.’

‘Excellent clerking adds to the service. Commercial in approach.’

‘Friendly, responsive clerks who go the extra mile to assist.’