Chancery
9 St John Street offers specialist litigators with a good spread of experience at both silk and junior level. The team boasts nine commercial and property experts who can assist on an impressive array of commercial and traditional chancery matters, including contentious trust and probate matters as well as insolvency and partnership disputes.
Client service:"The clerking is good and they are not shy about giving estimates or talking money. As a set they don't rest on their laurels; they continue to perform well in the market." "They are modern, proactive and offer a high level of service".
David Gilchrist
Draws praise as a seasoned commercial and chancery litigator with strengths in property disputes, claims against company directors and complex contractual disputes.
Expertise: "David handles the very complex aspects of a case well. He has strong intellectual abilities."
Recent work: He represented a purchaser in the Court of Appeal in a development dispute which hinged on whether the notice to complete served by the vendor was valid or not.
James Fryer-Spedding
A dedicated chancery practitioner whose practice spans both commercial and traditional matters. He is particularly noted for his skill in property and succession disputes, while insolvency and partnership are equally prominent aspects of his work.
Expertise: "He has mental agility and the ability to put issues across in a very clear way, to grasp the essentials very quickly and to put it in language that non-lawyers can understand."
Recent work: He represented the claimant in a professional negligence claim against a solicitors' firm for negligence surrounding ancillary relief proceedings. The case was settled favourably for the claimant at trial.
Joanna Vicary
An increasingly prominent junior barrister who is making waves in the chancery field. She handles both commercial and traditional work, with contentious probate, property disputes and insolvency work forming the bedrock of her practice.
Expertise: "She has a practical, sustainable, punchy approach." "She is very tenacious and she dug around to find points we hadn't previously appreciated. She is very easy to deal with."
Commercial
David Gilchrist
Focuses his practice exclusively on chancery and commercial work. He is noted for the breadth of his experience of commercial disputes, especially with regards to property disputes and derivative claims.
James Fryer-Spedding
A chancery and commercial specialist who receives praise for his extensive experience of commercial disputes, which ranges from insolvency work to contractual claims and property litigation.
Expertise: "He is an extremely strong advocate; responsive, excellent with clients and a pleasure to work with."
Employment
The leading employment set on the Northern Circuit, 9 St John Street is instructed on the majority of the region's most prominent employment disputes. Its large group of specialists handle virtually all types of employment issues including wrongful dismissals and discrimination matters.
Client service:"The barristers give really sound counsel. They are able to easily get to grips with complications and explain matters in a way that is easily understood."
Paul Gilroy QC
Has a broad employment practice which is particularly focused on employment disputes in the sports sector, although he also acts for clients from the education and banking sectors.
Expertise: "He is incredibly knowledgeable, very approachable and a supreme advocate."
Stefan Brochwicz-Lewinski
Has a client-friendly approach and can draw on his commercial litigation experience when dealing with high-profile claims. He is praised by his peers for his tenacious and intellectual approach to complex cases.
Expertise: "He is clear, precise, and gets to the bottom of a case very quickly."
Joanne Connolly
Acts for a broad range of clients, both employers and employees, from both the public and private sectors. She practises across the full gamut of employment disputes, including discrimination, whistle-blowing and equal pay claims.
Expertise: "She is exceptionally bright and very tenacious. She is great at getting her point across and clients like her - which helps. She is one of the strongest juniors on circuit."
Nigel Grundy
An experienced junior who has a strong practice in both employment law and professional discipline. He is widely praised by peers for his strong advocacy skills.
Rachel Wedderspoon
Noted for her work with public sector clients, Rachel Wedderspoon has advised local authorities and NHS trusts, and is recommended for her expertise on complex discrimination cases.
Expertise: "She grasps complex issues very quickly; she is a very effective advocate."
Recent work: She appeared in the Orbison v Charity Commission case, a three-week trial concerning whistle-blowing and unfair dismissal.
Joanne Woodward
A veteran employment practitioner who is particularly highly regarded for her expertise on complex discrimination claims. She is best known for her work with public sector clients, and has represented a range of local authorities, hospitals, and other public institutions such as the Department of Health.
Expertise: "She is very good under pressure and good with clients."
Recent work: She successfully acted for the UK Department of Health in defending a race discrimination case that attracted media interest.
Kirsten Barry
Has a broad employment practice which covers the full gamut of disputes, although she is particularly well known for her considerable expertise in disability discrimination, and sexual harassment claims.
Expertise: "She is very responsive and the clients really like her. She is very good at marshalling evidence and she's got a very good grasp of the relevant issues."
Rebecca Eeley
Has a broad employment law practice which is predominantly focused on discrimination issues. She is instructed on behalf of both claimants and respondents.
Expertise: "She has excellent preparation skills on complicated matters. When there is a need to break down the complexities, she does it excellently."
Recent work: She represented the claimant, a teacher hired by Sunderland City Council, in a dispute over his employment status.
Stephen Hardy
Has a broad employment law practice, and is particularly highly regarded for his expertise on trade union litigation.
Expertise: "He is a very strong opponent, sensible and clearly good with his clients."
Brian McCluggage
Has extensive experience in handling disability discrimination matters and regularly advises law firms in relation to employment issues.
Edward Morgan
Draws on his commercial law experience when resolving complex employment claims in the public sector. He has a special expertise in canon law and religious discrimination.
Daniel Northall
Has a broad employment practice which covers a wide range of cases including discrimination, industrial relations and public interest disclosures.
Expertise: "He is very user-friendly and very popular."
Recent work: He was instructed in Garratt v MGN Ltd, a significant claim involving redundancy payments.
Matthew Snarr
Has focused his employment practice principally on contentious discrimination cases.
Expertise: "He stands out for his enthusiasm, application and commitment, his understanding of issues, and his eagerness. He brainstorms and tries to get the best possible angles
Personal Injury
9 St John Street draws praise not just for its members' range of expertise across the personal injury field, but also for the professionalism of its clerking. This Manchester-based set is regarded as a go-to for both claimants and defendants on the Northern Circuit.
Client Service "The clerking team is very efficient, respectful and helpful."
Nicholas Hinchliffe KC
Has a long-established personal injury practice acting both for claimants and defendants. He receives particular commendation for his advocacy skills.
Expertise: "He's a terrific courtroom performer - he cuts to the chase."
Christopher Kennedy KC
Heads the set's personal injury and clinical negligence group, and is especially highly regarded for his high-value defendant practice, acting in a large number of catastrophic brain injury and amputation cases.
Expertise: "He's detail-driven, and an effective negotiator."
Recent work: He was instructed in a complex case concerning a brain injury sustained during an RTA which related to a mixture of neuro-psychological and psychiatric issues.
Gerard McDermott KC
Considered by many to be among the most experienced and most technically able silks operating in the Personal Injury Bar. He has a formidable level of expertise in catastrophic injury cases, aviation claims and those matters with cross-border elements. He is especially highly regarded for his courtroom advocacy.
Expertise: "He's a fantastic advocate; he can devour large amounts of material and process them in short order, and he establishes a rapport with severely injured clients. He's the best personal injury silk out there." "He's really easy to deal with, incredibly client-focused, understands what he's doing, and has excellent insight."
Recent work: Represented the claimant in Tafa v Matsim Properties, an employers' liability claim resulting in paraplegia, with multiple defendants.
Michael Lemmy
Specialises in a range of catastrophic claims for claimants and defendants, including brain and spinal cord injuries, and is particularly highly noted for his ability with cases relating to complex issues such as fibromyalgia, chronic pain and psychiatric injury.
Expertise: "He's thorough - you have to be on those cases. He has a good understanding of the medical issues." "He has a top-notch high-value personal injury practice and he's extremely busy."
Recent work: He was instructed on behalf of Aviva in Pykett v Clement & Others, a two-day High Court liability-only trial. The claims by a claimant who was rendered paraplegic and a claimant who suffered a serious brain injury were dismissed.
Ian Little
Handles a variety of high-value claims. He is highly experienced in claims relating to employers' liability, in which he acts primarily for claimants.
Brain McCluggage
His practice covers a broad spectrum of personal injury litigation, often dealing with catastrophic and fatal claims. He is frequently instructed on high-value cases with significant implications for his insurer clients.
Expertise: "He's pragmatic, personable and proactive."
Recent work: He acted on behalf of the defendant in Dunleavy v Walsh Construction, a complex case which hinged on whether an asthmatic condition had been due to the accident