Devereux Recognised by Chambers UK 2011
Members of Devereux Chambers received a total of 36 individual listings across 14 practice areas in Chambers UK 2011 edition, which has just been published.
2 members received new entries and 5 rose a rank. Devereux Chambers are recommended in the 'Leading Set' rankings in Employment, Insurance, Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence.
Full list of entries - Chambers UK 2011:
Clinical Negligence – Elevated to band 4
THE SET Devereux Chambers has a good name in clinical negligence, an area of law where it is rapidly increasing its presence. The set is known for its creative approach to fighting claims, and is generally admired for the fact that "it has fostered a culture devoted to pushing the boundaries in this sector."
SILKS Robert Glancy QC is a very experienced practitioner known best for his work in complex cerebral palsy cases. He approaches his cases in a "relaxed, understated manner eschewing flamboyance for sound analysis." His "clear insight into what the court wants" allows him to get results on a regular basis. New silk Robert Weir QC is a good negotiator who is "incredibly bright and extremely good on difficult points of law." Clients appreciate the fact that he is "very clever and gets to the point."
JUNIORS Former accountant Richard Cartwright has the reputation of being "really good on complex quantum issues," and he is often instructed on very complex claims in this area.
Education
Oliver Hyams
Oliver Hyams of Devereux Chambers is a popular junior in the education sphere and has been involved in some significant cases including a High Court appeal regarding the adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. He has many supporters in the market....
Employment - recognised as a leading set
Ingrid Simler QC
Nicholas Randall
Mohinderpal Sethi
Sophie Belgrove
THE SET Specialist employment set Devereux Chambers provides barristers of the highest technical quality and commercial acumen. Acting in the main for respondent clients, it offers lawyers who are comfortable handling matters of every nature. "Commercial and open," they are marked out for being devoid of any prima donnas.
SILKS Timothy Brennan QC is first choice for employment matters with taxation overlap. "His lucidity of mind and toughness in court" were the twin characteristics most commentators chose to seize on. He is often called upon in big cases as is Ingrid Simler QC, a client-oriented silk who gets to grips quickly with the detail of a case and proves robust in negotiation. Impressing both clients and courts, she “comes up trumps time and time again.” Recent highlights for her include representing Haringay Council in the Sharon Shoosmith dismissal and representing British Airways in the religious discrimination claim Eweida v BA. Bruce Carr QC is a standout barrister who provides clients with the full package and presents opponents with a tough fight. An absolute superstar who "rises to any challenge," he has made waves in his first couple of years as silk, not least when appearing in the recent BA litigation. “Cool as a cucumber,” his flair and charm reassure clients and woo courts. Solicitors hail him for being “witty, diplomatic and blessed with faultless judgement.”
JUNIORS A tough, robust advocate with "superb timing when it comes to landing the final punch,” Nicholas Randall is particularly skilled in employment issues with a sports or pensions element to them. Garnering high praise for his “terrific tactics and tremendous judgement,” he is deceptively laid-back and is a team player who “carries everyone with him.” Akash Nawbatt is an all-round employment expert involved in the highly publicised disability discrimination dispute, Dean v Abercrombie & Fitch. He is a team player who produces “top-notch strategic advice that belies his year of call.”
Mohinderpal Sethi's pre-trial preparation is unbeatable, with every point being thoroughly researched and well-prepared written submissions being produced every time. His “friendly, hands-on approach” goes down a treat with clients. They also favour leading junior Andrew Burns, who is fast developing a sterling commercial employment practice. “Super diligent, sensibly bullish and an absolute pleasure to deal with,” he has attracted big-name clients such as British Airways and Royal Mail. He is making real strides in the employment law world along with Peter Edwards, whose appellate practice has grown in recent months. He is seen as "a rock-solid choice" for any employment matter. Sophie Belgrove is another of the new generation. “She quietly but skilfully pushes the best arguments” and “remains calm in the face of the storm.” Her presence seems set to ensure a bright future for the set, as does that of Shaen Catherwood, who also wins the support of the market. Both these barristers were joined at the set recently by Tariq Sadiq, formerly of No5 Chambers. He is a well-known figure in the Employment Bar Association who "really performs to his brief and is much loved by clients."
Health & Safety
Stephen Killalea QC of Devereux Chambers is considered a “class act” due to his charming, refreshingly measured approach. His recent instructions include some of the most sensitive fatality and enforcement cases of the day.
Insurance - recognised as a leading set
Colin Wynter QC
SILKS A great deal of Devereux Chambers' kudos in the insurance world rests on the fact that it is home to Colin Edelman QC. He has an outstanding insurance practice, and is regarded by solicitors as a strong all-rounder who is "masterful at strategy, brilliant in meetings and a provider of extremely clear advice – when Colin speaks, the court listens." He has continued to act for insurers in the high-profile EL Trigger litigation, which reached the Court of Appeal at the end of 2009. Fellow silk Colin Wynter QC was instructed by the claimant side in this case, and is noted for his "fantastic bedside manner with clients and strong presence in court." Wynter also acted in Flexsys v XL Insurance, a case which related to the use of a drop-down clause.
JUNIORS Well-respected junior Andrew Burns acted on the claimant side in the EL Trigger litigation. He has also recently appeared in the case of Bedfordshire Police v Constable, and handled insurance aspects of the high-profile 'toxic sofas' group litigation.
International Arbitration (Commercial and Insurance)
International Arbitration (Arbitrators)
Devereux Chambers’ Colin Edelman QC is one of the leading arbitrators around and is also highly regarded for his work as counsel. He “has an incisive mind and is able to cut through the details to produce intelligent arguments and awards”.
Pensions
Nicholas Randall has built a strong reputation for his work in pensions, recently acting for clients such as IBM and the British Medical Association on a variety of pension issues.
Personal Injury – recognised as a leading set in band 3
Bruce Silvester
THE SET Market observers appreciate this set's "incredibly helpful" clerks and the fact that its barristers are "willing to go the extra mile for clients." "Never standoffish, these lawyers will promote difficult points and push beyond first and second offers," say impressed solicitors.
SILKS Robert Glancy QC adopts a "polite yet persuasive style" in negotiation, whilst proving altogether more "barnstorming in court." He acted in the ground-breaking High Court case of Webster v Ridgeway School, a matter which arose from an attack on a pupil. Stephen Killalea QC is a relatively recent silk who is considered to be an "exceptionally skilled advocate." "Brilliant with figures, great with clients and a real fighter," he can achieve some excellent results against the odds. Also present is Robert Weir QC, a specialist in catastrophic injury cases, whose elevation to silk this year was warmly greeted.
JUNIORS Prominent junior Bruce Silvester "works like a Trojan and has great forensic skills." He handles catastrophic brain injury, spinal injury and multiple injury cases, sharing a set with Colin Mendoza, a barrister who is "totally committed to his clients." Mendoza demonstrates considerable expertise in his handling of high-value cases for both claimants and defendants. He was recently led by Robert Glancy QC in Webster v Ridgeway School.
Professional Negligence
Colin Edelman QC of Devereux Chambers is an approachable silk whose expertise in insurance matters has allowed him to establish a niche professional negligence practice representing brokers. He comes well recommended along with Ben Lynch, a junior at the same set who is strong on solicitors’ negligence claims but also handles cases involving other professionals.
Sports Law
Nicholas Randall of Devereux Chambers is an employment barrister who has built quite a niche in football-related employment cases. Sources state that “Randall just knows the score; he understands sport, he’s approachable and most of all he’s very effective.” He was recently instructed by Kevin Keegan in his successful and high profile claim for damages against Newcastle United FC.
Tax
Timothy Brennan QC of Devereux Chambers is an “outstanding advocate,” who focuses on employment taxation and litigation, taking in remuneration planning and tax avoidance. Peers believe he “understands the thought processes of judges better than anyone else”. He is at a set that includes Ingrid Simler QC, a “tough and effective opponent,” who handles employment taxation, litigation and individual domicile and residence cases.
Telecommunications
Graham Read QC of Devereux Chambers is “a very knowledgeable telecoms barrister who is superb with clients and always thorough in is preparation.” He recently acted for BT in the Private Partial Circuits appeal, the result of a previous determination from Ofcom.
Travel
Bruce Silvester of Devereux Chambers specializes in international personal injury work and has been involved with a number of multiparty actions. He successfully acted for the claimants in Barltrop and 22 others v TUI UK Ltd, a case concerning a serious coach crash in Bulgaria involving 40 passengers travelling to a ski resort.
Devereux Chambers sits within the top 50 sets with the most barrister rankings and also within the top 50 sets with the highest proportion of barrister rankings.
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