NO18CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Barrister
- Qualified Legal Representative
Amelia has a busy family practice that spans all areas of Family Law, with a specialism in private client matters including financial remedies, domestic abuse and in private law children matters relating to Child Arrangements, Prohibited Steps and Specific Issues. spans all areas of Family Law, with a specialism in private client matters including financial remedies, domestic abuse and children law.
Amelia was called to the Bar in 2016 after obtaining a ‘Very Competent' grade on the BPTC which she studied on a part-time basis whilst working full-time as a Paralegal in a Hampshire law firm.
Amelia is an experienced advocate having practised as a County Court Advocate prior to obtaining pupillage where she attended courts on the Western Circuit for a variety of hearings including mortgage repossessions, infant settlements, Consumer Credit Act disputes and general applications.
Amelia has been praised for her professionalism, client care and quality of work which has led to her receiving repeat instructions.
Asher is a specialist family law Barrister who is authorised to practice by the Bar Council and is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. He has a right of audience in every court in England and Wales.
Asher is a former Royal Marine and served on operations around the world. He graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a First Class Honours Degree (LLB), achieving the highest degree classification of his academic year.
Asher joined Chambers in 2012. However, he has also practiced as in-house counsel with a prominent firm of solicitors and has extensive litigation experience.
He brings a depth of life experience to his practice. He is able to offer exceptional client care, combined with pragmatism and sound legal judgement
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Barrister
- Chambers' Head of Pupillage
Barnaby is a member of the employment, insolvency and family finance teams. He is often praised for his detailed approach and ability to quickly distil the issues, something for which he has been recognised in the Legal 500 where he features as a tier 2 junior of the Western Circuit for his employment law work.
Prior to joining chambers, Barnaby completed placements with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative in Accra in Ghana, the formerly named Department for Constitutional Affairs and held the post of Chair of the Free Representation Unit.
Further to his contentious and non-contentious work, Barnaby currently serves as Chambers' Head of Pupillage and holds a position as Case Editor for the leading employment law title Harvey on Industrial Relations & Employment Law.
Barnaby Large represented the Respondent in a claim for Unfair Dismissal involving Polkey deductions & Contributory fault, together with Victimisation discrimination.
Mr Large is a fantastic counsel I have to say. Been incredibly impressed with the last few cases we've done together.
Claire joined Chambers following the successful completion of her pupillage in October 2017. Prior to pupillage, Claire worked for an insurance company in fleet motor claims and as a public liability claims handler before becoming a Solicitor Agent. She has built up her family practice which includes private and public child law as well as applications for injunctive relief and ancillary relief matters.
I have always found Amelia to be extremely reliable and consistent. She has an approachable and friendly mannerism with clients, and she is responsive to queries and always provides very thorough attendance notes promptly following a hearing. This makes things infinitely easier for me as the instructing solicitor. I therefore have no hesitation in instructing Amelia on all family matters.
Outside of Chambers, Elicia is a keen rugby player having played at various levels of the women's grassroots game. Previous clubs she has played for include: Rosslyn Park, Wasps Women FC and Teddington ladies. At Rosslyn Park, Elicia won the top try scorer award 3 years in a row.
Francis is a courageous advocate who strives to secure the best possible results for his clients. Commended for his "valiant submissions" (HHJ) in Court, Francis often demonstrates advocacy skills beyond his year of call. Coupled with this, his background makes him an instant hit with clients, who are reassured by his ability to provide comprehensive legal advice in a straightforward digestible form.
He has a wealth of experience conducting trials in all jurisdiction s.
Francis has a varied practice across many of No 18's areas of expertise, with a particular focus in private law children and matrimonial finance matters. Public access accredited, Francis is able to take instructions directly from members of the public.
Francis has also been appointed to the Government Legal Department's Junior Panel of Counsel and takes suitable instructions from the government.
Francis is passionate about the provision of legal services to all who require it. His dedication is such that he is the Co-Founder of a Legal Advice Clinic for a London charity, Shelter from the Storm. Coming from a ‘non-traditional' background and keen to promote diversity at the Independent Bar, Francis regularly gives talks to Secondary School and University students about entry into the legal profession.
Francis is one of those barristers who is wise and experienced beyond his years of call, approachable, engaging and absolutely wonderful to work with. I never feel worried about reaching out ahead of hearing to discuss factors in a case and I am reassured to know that he takes as much an interest in each of his cases as those involved and instructing. The ability to work as a team with your barrister is only ever a positive for your client. I find that Francis is able to make my client's feel at ease with him the moment they meet him, and this is key when often you do not get a huge amount of time with the barrister before a hearing. He has a way of building a rapport with any client and ensuring that they fully understand everything that is going on at all times. My client's always comment about the confidence he instils in them and the main feedback is that not only do they have excellent outcomes but they felt heard. That is massively important in family work and Francis has a way of making the client's voice heard appropriately, without it being a barrage of gripes about the other party. Once I have instructed Francis once on a matter, I can be sure that the client will ask for him to be instructed for all future hearings. Francis' style in court has always impressed me, he is persuasive with the right level of force, he is as assertive but polite and respectful at all times, regardless of the circumstances which in family matters can often be very difficult or complicated. Francis always gets a great outcome for the client.
Gary has been in Chambers in Southampton since 1977 and is primarily a family and relationship practitioner. He has extensive experience in dealing with all types of applications under various legislation that involve Divorce and separation, and Public Law including; Matrimonial Causes Act, Children Act, Family Law Act, Civil Partnership Act, and Inheritance Act.
Gary is happy to advise in conference, in writing or over the telephone, and is able to take instructions from solicitors, and other professionals.
Public and Direct Access: Gary is authorised by the Bar Standards Board to conduct public direct access and litigation. Gary is happy to take on cases from Solicitors, to maintain continuum, where the client's money is limited.
I have instructed Amelia on a number of matters and have been very pleased with her work. She is efficient, reliable and thorough. Amelia also provides detailed and prompt attendance notes, which is very helpful in progressing cases quickly. Amelia is well liked by clients and I would not hesitate to recommend her.
Helen joined Chambers as a tenant in October 2023, after successful completion of her pupillage under the supervision of Nigel Cholerton. During her pupillage and since joining Chambers, Helen regularly practices in Employment Law and Family Law, with a particular interest in Children work and Matrimonial Finance.
Alongside her busy practice, Helen is active in the wider legal community. She is particularly passionate about access to justice and completed her pupil pledge with Advocate to take on pro bono work in her second six months of pupillage.
Helen was called to the Bar in 2018 with a ‘Very Competent' and grades of ‘Outstanding' in Cross Examination, Immigration, Resolution of Disputes Out of Court and Drafting.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Helen worked full-time as an Assistant Legal Officer for the Free Representation Unit, running her own caseload, as well as supervising the student volunteers with their matters. Prior to this, Helen worked as a legal caseworker for Advocate, the Bar's pro bono charity.
Ian came to the bar in his thirties, following a law degree at Southampton Solent University. He then studied at Inns of Court School of law in London. Between completing his legal education and coming to the Bar Ian taught employment and obligations law for undergraduates and postgraduate students in Southampton and London, and Legal Foundations for the Open University. He also represented clients in the Employment Tribunal as a lay representative from prior to being called to the Bar. He has been appearing in the Tribunals in one form or another since 1996.
Ian is a keen rugby player for Trojans FC (although he should know better at his age) and also enjoys tennis and football. He is also a keen golfer.
Ian is a strong, skilful advocate. He displays an unerring ability to sort the wheat from the chaff in even the most apparently complex of cases. (Tier 3)
James returned to the Bar at the start of 2016 having been employed by a UK top 40 Law Firm as a Solicitor-Advocate. James is an established family law specialist who appears before all levels of Judge in the Family Courts. He has a family practice which is broad, covering both public and private law children proceedings and cases covering financial remedies following the breakdown of a marriage.
In public Law proceedings James acts for Parents, Guardians and Local Authorities covering interim, fact finding and final hearings. During his time at The Bar he has dealt with many lengthy hearings where the issues have included Non- Accidental Injury, Neglect & Sexual Abuse.
In financial remedy cases James is often consulted from a very early stage offering advice and representation from interim applications through to FDA,FDR and final hearings. He has dealt with many high net worth cases where family owned companies and assets based overseas have been at issue.
James puts his clients at ease with his wealth of knowledge and expertise having been a solicitor practicing for 6 years prior to coming to the Bar.
James has a reputation for his thorough preparation of the papers. His clients can expect honest, practical advice and a very robust presentation of their case where agreement cannot be reached. His approach is friendly and down to earth, which is combined with equal measure of common sense.
James is a keen sailor, skier and hiker having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and trekked in the Annapurna region in Nepal.
John joined chambers as a pupil in April 2017. He previously served as an engineer in the Royal Navy where demanding roles in specialist areas such a Mine Countermeasures and boarding operations, he used his peerless capacity and motivation to work gain impressive qualifications in his spare time through the Open University. John converted to law in 2014 and his aptitude for legal argument and persuasive advocacy quickly became apparent when he was selected for three hotly contested scholarships by his Inn of Court and his training providers.
Katherine is an all-round class act. One of the best in conference with clients - she is so reassuring and empathetic. Her preparation for a case is meticulous, and her written documents are top-drawer. She is superb in court too - she gets to the heart of issues, is very persuasive, and the respect that judges have for her is obvious
Katherine is a very committed barrister. She is a tireless worker who genuinely wishes to achieve the best result for her clients. She is extremely thorough in her preparation, but is able to be very pragmatic so that her clients have a realistic overview of their case from the start. She delivers difficult advice sensitively, a particular skill of hers, which means her clients respect her.
‘Katherine is a powerful advocate and meticulous in her preparation. She has in-depth expertise in Children Act cases. She is superb with clients, and gives reassurance and confidence to the most nervous of them. A fantastic communicator.' (Tier 2).
Job Titles:
- Barrister
- Launch of the International Education Forum Executive
Before being called to the Bar, Laura had extensive experience in the areas of child protection and public family law matters as a paralegal for Lancashire County Council. In the past she has used her spare time to focus on family issues having worked with Preston Women's Refuge and the National Centre for Domestic Violence when at Bar school. To widen her experience Laura also worked as a solicitor's agent across the North Western Circuit for LPC for 2 years before pupillage.
Laura is a leading junior in the Legal 500 specialising in family law and immigration law. She continues to practice family law particularly Public and Private children work and the cross over this brings with immigration law.
Laura Baines speaks at the launch of the International Education Forum Executive Business Network
Ms Baines is a highly competent, confidential and caring Barrister and Advocate. She always goes the extra mile to ensure that clients have the opportunity to feel they have been able to provide full instructions, endeavours to put them at ease as much as possible. She is thorough and always prepared. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to represent any party within care proceedings.
Amelia is a brilliant barrister. She is both professional and personable, and a pleasure to work with.
Job Titles:
- Slough Children 's Services Trust
Obtaining a finding that that the claimant was not an employee and therefore unable to bring claims concerned with her contract and for unfair dismissal.
Nigel first qualified as a solicitor in 2004. Thereafter he gained Higher Rights of Audience in 2005 and was then called to the Bar in 2007 (Lincolns Inn). Nigel enjoys a busy practice in all matters concerning Family law with a focus on matrimonial finance , children ,inheritance and cohabitation settlements involving the application of TOLATA. Nigel is highly regarded for finding resolution in seemingly intractable disputes. His clients include high net worth individuals and complex cases involving children following separation.
Nigel strikes a balance between empathy and impartiality, applying a constructive methodology while recognising confusion and distress where they exist. He provides a protected environment where the parties can take time to arrive at a fair settlement which will release them from deadlock.
Nigel is an excellent advocate. His preparation is exemplary and he has a very good manner with clients, immediately putting them at ease. Nigel's attention to detail and his preparation set him apart.
Rachel joined Chambers in October 2019 following successful completion of her pupillage.
Rachel was called to the Bar in July 2017 following obtaining an ‘Outstanding' grade on the Bar Professional Training Course. She also won the Western Circuit Advocacy Prize in 2017, as well as being nominated for Bristol Law Student of the Year.
Rebecca transferred to the Bar in 2023 from her role as a Chartered Legal Executive working in private practice. Before being called to the Bar, Rebecca began her career working in private practice in 2012 and qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2018 throughout this time specialising in children and family matters. Rebecca began undertaking advocacy in 2016 in a range of matters including public and private law children, domestic violence and injunctions and family finances. Rebecca passed the Bar Transfer Test in 2019 and for the latter four years has primarily specialised in public law children matters.
Richard had previously had a general common law practice before specialising more specifically in his core areas. He has a busy and robust care practice with a focus upon non-accidental injury cases and representing particularly vulnerable clients. Richard has experience of dealing with fact-finding and final hearings involving bruising, fractures, injuries by way of a shaking mechanism, inter-relational rape, child sexual abuse (including rape), serious domestic violence and dishonesty. He regularly deals with clients who have issues in respect of their capacity, are represented through the official solicitor or require intermediaries.
Richard has provided bespoke in house training to solicitors as well as generalized training on conducting family proceedings.
Richard is a keen, (if not accomplished tennis player) and enjoys hiking when he can find the time.
Richard is a tenacious advocate who is thorough in his preparation of cases and forensic in his cross examination. He has an easy manner which allows him to put clients at ease whilst dealing with incredibly distressing topics and getting to the heart of their instructions in a short space of time to be able to effectively give voice to their case. Richard is realistic and empathetic in his advice and can often settle matters where appropriate in a manner which the client is able to walk away happy with.
Sara has been working in the legal sector for over 15 years and has practiced in family law for over 11 years. Sara transferred to the Bar in 2018 from her role as a Legal Executive Advocate working in private practice. Before being called to the Bar, Sara worked in private practice for 15 years dealing with a range of matters including conveyancing, wills and probate, crime and family matters. In addition to working in private practice, Sara has worked in-house for a Local Authority undertaking litigation and advocacy relating to public law children matters. As a result of her work in private practice, Sara has an in-depth knowledge of the various stages of proceedings and pre-proceedings and applies this knowledge to her current practice. Sara has spent the last 11 years specialising in family matters which is something she really enjoys and this is the key focus of her practice. Sara is well known on the Western Circuit and receives regular instructions from local solicitors.
Sara continues to accept instructions from all parties involved in public law care proceedings. Since transferring to the Bar, Sara has been involved in complex Finding of Fact hearings relating to allegations of non-accidental injury and sexual abuse. In November 2019 Sara represented a child through their Children's Guardian at the Court of Appeal and continued to represent the child and Children's Guardian at 10 day re-hearing of the Fact finding where she was led by Queen's Counsel.
Sara has excellent judgement. She is fearless, tenacious and eloquent. She leaves no stone unturned and as such her lay clients feel that every effort has been made on their behalf.recommended for advising on both financial remedy and care proceedings' (Tier 1)
Sara is a meticulously prepared advocate. She has a knack of identifying the key areas of focus in case and exploring with witnesses those points to further her client's case. She has commendable client care skills, immediately putting clients at ease with her personable and warm manner.
Sara is a very strong advocate, always thoroughly prepared and able to tease out the relevant information and ask the difficult questions. She is also well-liked and particularly adept at giving difficult advice to vulnerable clients.
Sarah was called to the Bar in 2018 after obtaining a ‘Very Competent' grade on the BPTC.
Sarah joined chambers in 2020 after the successful completion of pupillage within chambers.
Prior to pupillage, Sarah provided assistance to solicitors in child law matters, working as a Paralegal for a Local Authority and then for a local firm of solicitors, specialising in child care law. Sarah has also held voluntary positions with both the National Centre for Domestic Violence and the Witness Service in the Magistrates' Court.
Sarah joined Chambers in August 2016 following the successful completion of pupillage. Sarah has a busy practice consisting of family and immigration matters and has been recognised as a Leading Junior in the Legal 500 in respect of immigration matters.
Prior to pupillage Sarah worked for a year as Assistant Private Secretary to the Advocate General for Scotland in Whitehall. Sarah was called to the Bar in July 2012, after completing a first degree in Applied Business Management at Imperial College London, converting to law and completing the BPTC. Following the BPTC, Sarah worked as an advocate in the First-Tier Immigration Tribunal, presenting a wide range of immigration cases on behalf of the Respondent.
Sarah Hirech is bright, personable and really knows the law. When she represents them, clients feel taken care of and they win, both are important.
Theo Huckle QC was during 2011-16 the Counsel General for Wales, a statutory member of the Welsh Government and its senior legal advisor and Law Officer. He joined Doughty Street in 2015 and is a Bencher of Lincoln's Inn and General Editor of the Butterworths' Personal Injury Litigation Service.
He began practice at the Bar with a broad based common law practice conducting 12 murder defences before specialising in complex disease cases and latterly also public/constitutional cases, and has great experience of advocacy at every UK level including 5 recent Supreme Court appearances, and in many different tribunals from public inquiry to coroner's court to magistrates, county and crown court, to employment tribunal and EAT, to CICA, to committees of both Commons and Lords, and, of course, to the National Assembly for Wales. He has conducted death-in-custody and child-clinical-negligence inquests, as well as Professor Pennington's 2008 E. coli O157 Public Inquiry.
He is currently advising for an inquest into the death of a handyman, killed when sulphuric acid sink/drain cleaner caused emission of fatal H2S gas, as a precursor to a high value product liability claim for seriously injured family members. Theo has a particular interest in complex medico-legal issues in civil and criminal or quasi-criminal contexts and especially enjoys cross-examining expert witnesses. He is also highly thought of for his empathy with victims of serious/fatal personal injury and their families.
Theo is a dual qualified mediator (ADR and LSOM) and PIcARBS qualified arbitrator and is a member of the www.PIcARBS.co.uk panel of arbitrators. He has particular experience of ADR in personal injury and family property claims and disputes, and given his broad experience of common law (crime, family, tort, contract) and public law, and his strategic role as a Law Officer at ministerial level in the Welsh Government during 2001-16, is happy to assist with disputes across a broad range of specialisms and also those engaging several legal fields.
Thomas joined Chambers as a Pupil in 2023. Before joining Chambers, Thomas worked full-time as a Solicitors Agent, representing both lay and professional clients in Civil cases on a daily basis at County Courts throughout the Western and South Eastern Circuits. Thomas' experience extends to the Court of Appeal where he worked as a Note-Taker on Smith v Pimlico Plumbers Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 70, having previously worked as a Barrister's Support Worker in Employment, Discrimination and Whistleblowing cases.
Tracey has a wealth of experience in dealing with both public and private law children cases and this is the main focus of her practice. She has a particular interest and skill in dealing with volatile clients and those with mental health difficulties and capacity issues. She offers a sensitive, client focused approach to her cases and is a tenacious advocate when necessary. She has a calm approach to even the most difficult and hotly contested cases always seeking to achieve the best outcomes for her clients.
Tracey has experience in dealing with Hague convention cases and Brussels II (Revised) in care proceedings in the High Court. More recently she has acted for a guardian where the children were removed from the jurisdiction by the parents to avoid local authority involvement where there were allegations of sexual abuse of one of the children by the father. There were lengthy arguments in respect of habitual residence and jurisdiction and also a fact find in the absence of the mother and the alleged perpetrator only attending to give evidence.
Tracey has experience of acting for both applicants and respondents in all manner of injunctive applications, non molestation orders, occupation orders. She has a particular interest in protecting clients from the malicious use of intimate images or "revenge porn" as it is becoming known. Sadly this is a growing area of concern whereby sexually explicit images are shared without the subjects consent to cause embarrassment and distress.
Tracey is an excellent advocate who is always thoroughly prepared and well-liked by clients
Job Titles:
- NHS Trust V B ( Rev 1 ) [2015] EWCOP 60 - Individual Autonomy Succeeds Against Medical Advice As to a Patient 's Best Interests
Wye Valley NHS Trust v B (Rev 1) [2015] EWCOP 60 - Individual autonomy succeeds against medical advice as to a patient's best interests