5 PUMP COURT CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Head of Chambers
- Law Specialist
Abimbola is a family law specialist, acting in cases relating to children (both public and private law) and financial disputes.
Abimbola is a qualified solicitor and barrister both in the UK and Nigeria, and is very good at working as part of a co-ordinated team to get the best result for his clients. Comments from solicitors include "Thank you very much Bim for the impeccable assistance and advocacy that you provided on this matter to enable this case to conclude in a manner that ensures the children remain safeguarded and protected throughout their minority" and "Thank you Bim for your exceptional work on this.
"It fills me with confidence to instruct a barrister like Ben who knows what he's doing"
Biography
Ben Long is a highly experienced personal injury barrister, having specialised in this area of law for over 20 years. He deals with a wide range of cases where clients have suffered physical and/or psychological injuries. Ben is particularly experienced at cases arising from road traffic accidents, both in terms of the personal injury claims that might arise but also any credit hire claims.
Ben also acts in family law cases relating to children, particularly residence and contact disputes. He represents clients seeking emergency injunctions from the court and is very good at mastering the details of a case on very short notice.
Around Court and in chambers Ben is known for being charming, easy-going and unflappable. He is very good at building constructive, trusting relationships with clients particularly those who find the process of litigation very stressful. This calm measured approach is appreciated by judges, who find Ben's ability to get straight to the heart of a problem without fuss, invaluable.
Chris specialises in civil and commercial litigation. He is sought after for his comprehensive advice and meticulous pleadings and is known for being a tenacious advocate. Chris regularly appears in the County Court, High Court, and Employment Tribunal. He is excellent at working with solicitors and clients and places proactivity and communication at the fore of his practice, always making himself available to his clients to provide advice and strategic guidance on cases.
Job Titles:
- Chambers Director
- Member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Practice Management Association
Clare is a member of the Executive Committee of the Legal Practice Management Association, and of the Bar Council Working Group on Chambers Management.
Craig is a family law specialist with particular expertise in cases involving children. He qualified as a solicitor in 2010, and practised as a solicitor-advocate with higher rights of audience before transferring to the Bar in 2017. Whilst a solicitor, Craig was a member of the Law Society's Children Panel, a recognised quality standard for practitioners representing children in children law proceedings.
Craig is a trained QLR, and undertakes hearings in that role.
"Dickon was patient, thorough, professional and clearly most capable"
Biography
Dickon is an extremely experienced and capable barrister who represents clients in civil and criminal cases at all levels. He is calm, adaptable and very good at interacting with people. He is always able to provide reassurance to those facing very stressful times in their lives, and is an authoritative and persuasive presence in court.
Dickon's civil practice includes personal injury claims; breach of contract; and debt collection proceedings with a focus on consumer credit matters. He acts for both creditors and debtors and has extensive experience of claims dealing with PPI issues and declarations as to unfair relationships and fraud.
Dickon has a thriving criminal practice, prosecuting and defending in the Crown Court. His cases cover a wide range of offences and he is particularly in demand where there is cross over between jurisdictions, such as fraud and regulatory crime.
Dickon sits as a Deputy District Judge in the County Court.
Job Titles:
- Finance
- Contributor to the LexisNexis Q & a
- Judicial Assistant
"With regards to Holly, wow!! That's what comes to mind first. She addressed all the topics, pointed to all the contradictions in X's statement and was relentless debunking all the misinformation and fabricated facts. I'm extremely grateful."
Holly is a finance specialist, known for being determined, persuasive and hard working.
Holly is a contributor to the LexisNexis Q&A expert panel, and provides training to solicitors in her areas of expertise. She has recently written an article for Family Law on "Domestic abuse in financial remedy proceedings: not just conduct" [2023] Fam Law 708. She is also a blogger for the Financial Remedies Journal. Her most recent piece covered the case of Hudson v Hathaway.
Holly has significant experience in applications under the Children Act 1989. She is regularly instructed in multi-day Fact-Finding hearings involving allegations of serious physical abuse, sexual violence and other forms of abuse. When such risks aren't present, Holly will endeavour to reach settlement at an early stage where possible. She will not shy away from putting her client's case fearlessly to the court when required.
Holly is able to give robust advice to clients when it is in their best interests but is also sensitive the vulnerabilities of her clients. Whatever the client's situation, Holly prides herself on having an excellent manner and a calming presence at a time which is frequently extremely stressful for the parties involved.
Holly has experience dealing with cases with an international element including where matrimonial assets are held outside the jurisdiction but need to be taken into account in financial proceedings, and where children have been wrongfully removed from the jurisdiction.
As a Judicial Assistant, Holly has been involved in a number of international child abduction cases (both Hague and non-Hague).
Ivan is a senior property litigator and law lecturer whose depth of experience means that he is particularly well suited to dealing with complex property issues. He is a problem solver and offers practical advice to clients often faced with technical and unusual property law points. He is an experienced TECBAR adjudicator.
Ivan is known for his patient approach to clients and other members of the profession. He has chaired Chambers' pupillage committee for many years, and is a natural educator, willing to share and discuss ideas, strategy and approach to cases. He is very approachable, and often to be found talking through particularly difficult legal issues with junior members.
"The service provided by Jack Nicholls is first rate"
Biography
Jack specialises in complex and high value personal injury and clinical negligence cases with a particular focus on rail claims. He acts for many train operating companies including claims for collision damage, level crossing accidents and bridge strikes as well as for injuries. He represents claimants and defendants in multi-track claims in the County Court, High Court and the Court of Appeal.
He also acts in regulatory matters and tribunals associated with his main areas of practice, such as Health and Safety prosecutions, disciplinary hearings and professional negligence claims. Jack is able to manage cases where there are connected proceedings in more than one tribunal which run concurrently or consecutively.
He is experienced at representing families and other interested persons at inquests. He has a straightforward but empathetic approach and is often instructed in any legal claims which arise out of the inquest conclusion (for example for clinical negligence).
Jack's clear and considered advice and effective advocacy means that he is often re-instructed by solicitors. He is approachable and supportive, and is frequently sought out to provide a sounding board or second opinion in particularly difficult matters. Solicitors say "he is awesome and tackles complex issues like cutting cake".
Jack is Panel Counsel to a major chain of fast food restaurants in relation to employers' and public liability claims.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager ( Family )
"[The client] found Kate's advocacy approach strong and professional, and straight to the point. She complimented Kate's competency and knowledge. She managed to challenge the other parties' argument, very robustly and critically."
Kevin is a specialist family law barrister with a very rounded knowledge of public and private family law. Having worked for over 13 years with leading local authorities Kevin brings a socio-legal understanding to family law not generally found at the Family Bar. Extremely hard working and dedicated to his clients, he is always in demand. Recent client comments include "Kevin was AMAZING today - brilliant!He was able to get a grip quickly and kept this as on track as possible with missing bits of the bundle and parental tactics" and "Thank you so much for all your work. You are a wonderful barrister and I felt confident you would represent me well and you did. Thank you again!".
Kevin began his career as a probation and aftercare officer in Jamaica. Through that work, he developed skills and an interest in working with children, and he is highly skilled at engaging with families and working for fair solutions. He is often instructed to represent mentally unwell and vulnerable clients to whom he brings a calm and reassuring approach. Trained in systemic therapy, Kevin has a solution-focused approach when working with clients and advocates alike.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Kevin danced professionally as a contemporary ballet dancer for 6 years. He is the lead choreographer and dancer during the annual Miscellany Production at Gray's Inn. He retains a commanding stage presence which he uses to great effect in court.
Michael is a very experienced property litigator with a calm and professional manner which puts clients at ease. He is intellectually sharp with great attention to detail, but never forgets that people are at the heart of all disputes and treats his clients with kindness and empathy.
Michael's primary practice is property litigation, particularly landlord and tenant and construction cases. He also has experience in in contract litigation, insolvency, professional liability and judicial review proceedings.
In addition to his litigation practice, Michael is a qualified mediator and adjudicator. His commercial and legal expertise combined with his pragmatic people skills make him a great choice for resolving complex disputes. Michael was Head of Chambers for 20 years, gaining invaluable experience of managing people and dealing with their differing needs and personalities, which he brings to his mediation practice.
Michael is a Bencher of Middle Temple.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks
- Practice Manager ( Civil )
- Practice Manager of Our Civil Team
Rob is the Practice Manager of our Civil Team. This involves the management and development of all aspects of our members' practices, including the management of their diaries, fee negotiations, listing hearings and developing client relations.
Rob is a qualified member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks having gained a distinction in the BTEC course in clerking and administration.
"Simon is an excellent barrister and it's great to know your matter is in safe hands"
Biography
Simon has a busy personal injury and credit hire practice, appearing regularly for defendants as well as representing claimants. He specialises in defending cases relating to transport accidents and also has considerable experience in cases relating to travel and holidays.
He is very experienced at defending cases involving allegations of fraud, including those involving exaggeration, dishonesty and misrepresentation, and has given seminars to insurers on various QOCS issues.
Simon also has wide experience of costs issues (including technical arguments arising out of cases exiting the RTA Portal).
Simon approaches every case with a great attention to detail; his careful analysis makes him very well suited to cases where there are complex or technical arguments. He is often instructed to act in cases where there are costs issues, arguments about allocation, pleadings or other technical points.
Simon is extremely approachable and easily forms good working relationships with solicitors and clients.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Practice Manager
"Trisan is highly industrious and first-class preparation of extensive, voluminous papers. She is very engaging with the client and has excellent manners."
Trisan has a lot of experience of representing clients in remote hearings, and acted in a number of cases at the beginning of the Covid pandemic which set the terms for the way in which cases involving vulnerable children should be managed: K (Threshold - Cocaine Ingestion - Failure to give evidence) [2020] EWHC 2502 (Fam): Care proceedings arising from the death of a young child; A Local Authority v The Mother & Ors [2020] EWHC 1233 (Fam): Covid-19 - Fair Hearing - Adjournment - determination of how witnesses should give evidence, whether remotely or in person and C (Children: Covid-19: Representation) [2020] EWCA Civ 734.
Trisan represents all parties to proceedings including those with mental health difficulties, vulnerable parties and those where English is not their first language. She also has experience of private law proceedings which become public law ones, and is able to represent clients throughout both stages of such a case.
Trisan also has a practice in professional disciplinary proceedings, focussing on health care professionals. She regularly represents nurses and midwives appearing before the Nursing and Midwifery Council, as well as dentists before the General Dental Council.
Trisan has been instructed on cases which have included allegations of professional incompetence, fraudulent and incorrect registration, as well as sexually motivated and dishonest conduct. She is very thorough and confident at dealing with the law and complex professional rules. Trisan has experience of appellate advocacy in the High Court, and will ensure that decisions under appeal are carefully and comprehensively challenged.
William joined Chambers in October 2021 having had a mixed pupillage within Chambers. He is now building a successful practice in civil and commercial law. He is personable and instils confidence with the ability to quickly build good working relationships.