Legal 500 2019

29th October 2018

We are delighted to have a record number of Barristers recommended in the latest Legal 500 Directory. 4PB is the only set occupying Tier One for Children Law, clearing showing chambers strength in the family law market.  We have 11 Queens Counsel and 17 Juniors identified as leaders in the field of Children Law.

We are ranked in tier two for our Family Law (Divorce and Financial Remedies) practice areas.  We have a record number of barristers recommended in the area, with 3 Queens Counsel and 9 juniors noted as leaders in the field.

We are grateful to all the instructing solicitors who have taken the time to speak to the researchers and for their on-going support.

Set overview

The ‘remarkable’ 4 Paper Buildings is ‘simply the best stable’ of barristers who are ‘committed and passionate’ to children law, both domestic and international. With ‘a wide spread of barristers who excel in the field’, chambers offers ‘accomplished, expert counsel at every level of call and covering all particular niches’. Many of the set’s ‘stellar’ counsel are ‘absolute leaders in the field’ and there is also ‘a seemingly endless raft of very capable juniors’ coming through. Chambers’ matrimonial finance barristers are also ‘excellent’ and of the ‘highest quality’. The set is very approachable, inviting solicitors to share knowledge and welcoming in their dealings with clients, as well as being very accommodating from ‘fixing conferences in the evening to being agreeable when it comes to price’. ‘Friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and reliable’, the clerks ‘understand the importance of client relationships and go out of their way to assist solicitors provide the best possible service to clients’. ‘Excellent’ senior clerk Michael Reeves and first junior Paul Hennessey are ‘particular stars’ able to ‘assist with any last minute instruction you may require and recommending the best counsel for that particular case’. Second junior Kenny Martin has been ‘particularly helpful on some urgent international cases, and considered the cost position for the clients’. Overall, the clerk’s room is ‘a second-to-none team of likeable people, and you always feel supported; I trust their judgement to make suggestions for who is right for a certain case’. Or as another solicitor put it: ‘I have lost track of all the times they have gone above and beyond. As the saying goes, “if Carlsberg made clerks…” it’d be 4PB without doubt.’

Children law (including public and private law) – Leading sets – ranked: tier 1

4 Paper Buildings ‘is the standout set of choice for all children work. It offers accomplished, expert counsel at every level of call from exceptional silks right down to new tenants’. The ‘remarkable set’ advises on all areas, such as celebrity children disputes through to child abduction. It is also leading set for appellate advocacy – in the recent seminal Supreme Court case of Re C regarding ‘wrongful retention’, all seven counsel involved were from this set.

Children law (including public and private law) – Leading silks

Alex Verdan QC – ‘He is fantastic at calming clients and is incredibly well-prepared.’
Ranked: tier 1

Charles Hale QC – ‘A master of persuasion and charm, the archetypal iron fist in a velvet glove.’
Ranked: tier 1

Henry Setright QC – ‘Judges hang on his every word.’
Ranked: tier 1

Jo Delahunty QC – ‘She is a very robust cross-examiner.’
Ranked: tier 1

Teertha Gupta QC – ‘Has an encyclopaedic knowledge of international children law.’
Ranked: tier 1

Alison Grief QC – ‘Exudes authority in court.’

Catherine Wood QC – ‘Commands the court room effortlessly.’

Marcus Scott-Manderson QC – ‘Highly rated for international children cases.’

Cyrus Larizadeh QC – ‘A highly organised and skilled advocate.’

Kate Branigan QC – ‘Her humanity and warmth shine through in her client care.’

Children law (including public and private law) – 2018 silks

Sam King QC – ‘Has an excellent command of her papers.’
Ranked: tier 1

Children Law (including public and private law) – Leading juniors

Barbara Mills – ‘Great on detail but never loses sight of the bigger picture.’
Ranked: tier 1

Dorothea Gartland – ‘An excellent advocate but thoroughly modest with it.’
Ranked: tier 1

Joy Brereton – ‘Judges love her – she is firm and persuasive in court.’
Ranked: tier 1

Michael Gration – ‘A match for any silk.’
Ranked: tier 1

Justine Johnston – ‘She is a fighter who knows how to win.’

Judith Murray – ‘She is confident and persuasive in court.’

Jacqueline Renton – ‘A tenacious and determined advocate.’

Brian Jubb – ‘His advocacy is understated but forceful and his written work is exemplary.’

Mark Jarman – ‘Strong and persuasive.’

Rebecca Foulkes – ‘Has a real forensic ability to analyse the evidence and work out complex points of law.’

Sally Bradley – ‘Has a very loyal client following, no doubt due to the incredible attention she gives to each case.’

Samantha Woodham – ‘She is very persuasive with judges in her calm and measured way.’

Chris Barnes – ‘His paperwork is exceptional.’

Francesca Dowse – ‘She is a reassuring presence and clients trust her.’

Andrew Powell – ‘A natural and gifted advocate.’

Michael Edwards – ‘A walking encyclopaedia.’

Ruth Kirby – ‘Superbly prepared.’

Family law (including divorce and financial remedy) – Leading sets – ranked: tier 2

4 Paper Buildings has ‘great strength in depth’ and ‘there is usually no difficulty in getting cover as the quality throughout chambers is high’. Members are strong in cases involving financial orders for unmarried parents, as well as complex international divorces and arbitration.

Family law (including divorce and financial remedy) – Leading silks

Charles Hale QC – ‘The don. An unparalleled ability to turn the ear of the court in his client’s direction.’

Michael Sternberg QC – ‘Highly regarded.’

Christopher Hames QC – ‘He commands real authority.’

Family law (including divorce and financial remedy) – Leading juniors

Henry Clayton – ‘Has an unbelievable eye for detail.’
Ranked: tier 1

Judith Murray – ‘Clients feel that she is on their side.’

Samantha Woodham – ‘She is very persuasive with judges.’

James Copley – ‘Effortlessly pierces through to the heart of the issue.’

Nicholas Fairbank – ‘Has a fabulous eye for detail.’

Francesca Dowse – ‘Provides clear and confident representation.’

Harry Gates – ‘An eloquent advocate who is quietly successful again and again.’

Kate Van Rol – ‘She is thorough and tenacious.’

Stephen Lyon – ‘He has the trust of judges and the opposing counsel.’