KBG CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Abigail is currently undertaking a civil and family Law pupillage with Charlotte Ash as her pupil supervisor. She will be accepting instructions in all areas of family and civil Law from 2 nd April2024.
Before joining Chambers as a pupil, Abigail was an Assistant Support Lecturer for the University of the West of England lecturing on a variety of areas of law including legal method and legal rules, crime, employment, commercial, family, EU, and ADR. She also lectured on the Professional Skills Negotiation Course for trainee solicitors.
Abigail volunteered from 2019-2023 for North Bristol Advice Centre, specialising in Personal Independent Payment appeals. All cases she represented were successfully appealed. Her client rapport was commended.
In 2023 she completed her dissertation, ‘A review of the current UK surrogacy laws, Law Commission recommendations, and suggestions for reform', and received a distinction. It will be published later this year in Child and Family Law Quarterly.
Ali is one of the busiest and most experienced barristers on the Western Circuit.
Ali joined chambers in 1993. His career is largely focused on criminal law although he also takes instructions for hearings before the family court.
In crime, Ali has worked hard to retain his standing as a specialist engaging in a serious and heavy weight criminal practice. Ali is on the Crown Prosecution Service panel of Advocates permitted to prosecute serious criminal offences.
He is regularly instructed in murders, serious violent/sexual offences, serious frauds, drugs cases as well as regulatory matters.
Ali is a specialist in dealing with cases involving vulnerable clients or witnesses. He is very skilled in dealing with those who may have additional needs / young witnesses or those suffering with mental health issues.
Alison is a well established practitioner with extensive experience in all areas of family law. She is approachable and has a direct yet sensitive manner which is used to particular advantage when representing clients with learning disabilities and/or mental health difficulties. She is regularly instructed by the Office of the Official Solicitor.
Alison is well organised and efficient. She welcomes ongoing communication between herself and those who instruct her, throughout the life of a case, and she responds promptly to requests for advice and assistance.
Alison is skilled at and experienced in the demands of fact management and she relishes the challenges presented by complex fact finding hearings; in whichever area of her practice they arise.
Practice Areas
Matrimonial Finance
Alison has wide ranging experience in all areas of family finance; including cases where the assets are substantial, where there is a family owned business, those where the interests of third parties are placed in issue and those which ignite discussion of the relevance of pre or post nuptial agreements.
Alison has been practicing at the Bar since before the introduction of Pension Sharing Orders and "pension cases" are an area of special interest to her.
In addition to her experience in financial provision upon divorce Alison has experience in Schedule 1 Children Act applications.
Job Titles:
- Member of STEP
- Recorder & Mediator
Andrew is an established chancery practitioner specialising in contentious and non contentious trust and probate work and regularly provides advice to executors, trustees and beneficiaries under will trusts and other settlements. Andrew's expertise extends to a wide range of work in this area and includes drafting all trust documents, trust instruments, court applications and attending trustee meetings to give advice which can then be minuted.
Andrew has also written widely on the subject of trusts including for Westlaw, the Trust Quarterly Review, the STEP Journal and the New Law Journal. Andrew is a full member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).
Andrew is also a fully qualified and accredited civil and commercial mediator and is available to mediate a wide range of disputes including personal injury, property disputes and chancery actions.
Andrew sits as a Recorder (in civil, family, care and crime) on both the Western and Midland Circuits.
Andrew successfully completed the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust Disputes with Distinction (January 2017- 2018), the STEP Advanced Certificate in Principles of International Taxation, AML and Compliance with Distinction (October 2021-March 2022) and regularly hosts seminars on contentious trusts, estate law and tax for MBL Seminars.
Andrew is also Consultant Editor for Halsbury's Laws of England Vol 91 'Settlements' Fifth Edition.
Practice Areas
Trusts, Wills and Estates
Andrew is a member of STEP (the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and contributor to Westlaw's UK Insight on the variation of trusts, the doctrine of renvoi and the power of advancement. Andrew has also written for the Trust Quarterly Review, the STEP Journal and the New Law Journal on trust matters.
Bethany completed her pupillage in October 2022 with a focus in Family Law under the supervision of Deni Mathews and the Family Law team. Prior to completion of pupillage, Bethany worked for the police dealing with various civil claims against the Constabulary and for an international law firm in which she dealt with professional indemnity and directors and officers insurance claims. Bethany previously volunteered with the Personal Support Unit assisting litigants in person in representing themselves at court.
Bethany read law at the University of the West of England and achieved a First Class degree before continuing her studies to complete the BPTC in which she achieved a Very Competent. She was called to the Bar in July2021 by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Bethany has recently completed her LLM Master of Laws.
Job Titles:
- Family Fee Clerk
- Family Fees Clerk
Charlotte has a range of experience in relation to both private and public law family matters , Charlotte has a very strong reputation in all areas of children law, particularly in relation to her work in complex private law matters and child protection cases.
Charlotte is instructed in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, historical sexual abuse and non-accidental injury.
Charlotte began her career at the bar in London where she practised for a number of years before relocating to Cornwall.
Her practice areas include personal injury; credit hire; property; contract & commercial; bankruptcy & insolvency; licensing matters, and general common law. Charlotte takes on cases at all levels, and regularly travels to courts around the country.
Charlotte has a busy specialist inquest practice, having represented all types of Interested Persons, including at Article 2 and jury inquests. She regularly appears in high profile inquests, many of which have involved Leading Counsel.
Charlotte sits as a Deputy District Judge and as a First Tier Tribunal Judge within the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber. As a Tribunal Judge Charlotte hears appeals on behalf of patients detained in psychiatric units under the Mental Health Act1983. She is the author of "A Practical Guide to the Mental Health Tribunal" published by Law Brief Publishing.
Charlotte is on the steering committee of the Western Circuit Women's Forum, heading up the mentoring programme, and was a 2020 Social Mobility Advocate for the Bar Council.
Qualifications & Appointments
Claire attended the University of Liverpool and attained an Upper Second Class Law Degree. After completing the Bar Vocational Course at Nottingham Law School (Very Competent) she completed a 12 month pupillage at King's Bench Chambers and became a tenant in 2004.
Claire Appleby has spent time during lockdown becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England which means she is trained in mental health skills and awareness. The course teaches in depth skills for providing first aid to people who may be experiencing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and psychosis. Claire hopes that this training will enable her to offer the very best support to clients with mental health issues to enable them to participate fully in the court process.
Job Titles:
- Criminal Clerk
- Senior Criminal Clerk
Clare joined KBG in January 2023 as our Criminal Clerk.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager / Senior Clerk
- Senior Practice Manager
Colin joined our team in 2005 as a Junior Clerk, he then became our Criminal Clerk before we made him our Senior Clerk in March 2011. Before that he gained a BA(Hons) in Business Studies, studying a variety modules including Marketing, Accountancy, Taxation and Corporate Business. After this he spent two years in banking as a customer service manager before becoming a Clerk. In 2009 Colin completed a BTEC in Chambers Administration.
Colin has operational responsibility for clerking and professional matters including client management, the negotiation of fees, the clerking of all members of Chambers, the development of clerking procedures and a system of Individual Practice Development for members.
In his spare time Colin is a keen runner. He runs for Storm Plymouth and has taken part in 10k's, hlaf marathons, marathons and even Ultras.
‘A good service from the clerks room. Rebecca Shepherd and Colin Palmer are standout clerks in this chambers.'
‘Colin Palmer is efficient, tirelessly helpful and a pleasure to work with'.
Daniel practices in family and civil law. His family practice focuses on private law children matters and financial disputes arising from relationship breakdown. In addition, he is instructed in public law proceedings, usually on behalf of local authorities and often in complex finding of fact hearings.
Daniel's civil practice includes dealing with disputes arising between unmarried couples following separation (TOLATA) and Probate, Succession and Trust matters.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Daniel worked in offshore corporate management in Hong Kong. This gave him a detailed knowledge and understanding of the use, structure and function of offshore companies, double taxation treaties and anti-money laundering regulations.
‘Daniel is an exceptionally skilful, talented, and compelling advocate. Daniel is meticulous in his preparation, regardless of the volume of his case load. He is calm and reassuring in any circumstance, empathic, and able to focus minds,'
Job Titles:
- Supervisor
- Head of Chambers
Deni has a scientific background in zoology and marine biology. His regulatory practice has a particular emphasis on matters involving expert scientific evidence.
Alongside his criminal practice Deni undertakes licensing matters of all types. He appears at both first instance and upon appeal. He has experience of licensing matters involving entertainment, hospitality, taxi services, exotic animals and "exotic" private shops.
Deni is regularly commended for his simple style, ease of communication with clients, and tactical awareness.
Emma joined KBG Chambers in 2017 as an associate member where she is instructed in Children Law matters. Emma covers all types o public and private law cases. Emma's recent cases include allegations against the parents of Non Accidental Injury, Placement Order Applications and national and international relocation. Emma represents Mothers, Fathers, other relatives and interveners as well as Guardians. Emma appears in all courts in the South West.
Emma represents bereaved families in Article 2 Inquests involving deaths in custody, police pursuits and deaths involving NHS Trusts. Emma acts in all stages of the inquest process from the pre-Inquest stage through to the civil claim and judicial review proceedings.
Emma is a member of Garden Court Chambers where she is instructed on Inquests, Actions Against the Police and Public Law matters. Emma was junior counsel to Michael Mansfield KC in the Hillsborough Inquests from 2013 to 2016. Emma acted for the family in the inquest into the death of Marc Cole in which the jury concluded that the use of a taser by a Devon and Cornwall police officer contributed to his death. Emma is instructed in the Keyham inquests.
Emma Pearce joined KBG chambers in Plymouth as a tenant in 2007 after successful completion of her common law pupillage there. In her first few years Emma undertook mostly criminal work spending a period of time on placement within the CPS. She continued to undertake criminal and civil work (mostly personal injury) whilst building her family practice and since 2013 has practiced exclusively in children's family law both public and private.
Francesca joined KBG Chambers in September 2015 following successful completion of pupillage under the guidance of her pupil supervisor, Deni Mathews. Francesca accepts instructions in all areas of Criminal Law and has developed a busy and successful Criminal practice. Francesca has experience prosecuting and defending the full spectrum of offences and is particularly good with clients who are vulnerable or who have mental health difficulties. She also undertakes Civil work.
On leaving school in Winchester Garth joined the Royal Navy and in addition to completing Officer training at BRNC Dartmouth, he studied law at Warwick University. After leaving the Navy he went to Bar School and was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple.
He completed pupillage with John Leslie at 1, GardenCourt, Middle Temple and afterwards practised at 3, Dr. Johnson`s Buildings. Subsequently he accepted an invitation to join the Chambers of the late David Owen-Thomas, QC at 2, King`s Bench Walk and since then has practised exclusively on the Western Circuit.
In 1995, in order to promote his expanding regulatory work, he moved to 3, Paper Buildings operating from the Winchester annexe. However, as his home was in Devon since the early 90`s he eventually moved to Chambers in Devon.
Garth is a specialist criminal and regulatory practitioner who has acted on either side of murder cases and other serious cases of violence, rape and serious sexual offences, and serious frauds. He has represented clients in regulatory matters, in particular concerning Health and Safety, Local Authorities and Police Authorities.
He accepts instructions in family law cases, mainly representing parents of children in care cases, and involving drug addiction, domestic abuse and non-accidental injury.
He was the first barrister on the Western Circuit to be assigned by the Crown Court to act as cross-examiner for a defendant acting in person in a sexual offences case. He was the Hampshire constituency member fo rthe Western Circuit for over 15 years and it was due to his lobbying that a disabled chair lift was installed for access to Court1, and that there was a complete refurbishment of the Barristers` dining room
Practice Areas
CRIME
Garth is a grade 3 prosecutor and has been on the CPS RASSO list since its inception.
After a successful family and criminal law pupillage, under the supervision Deni Mathews and Jenny Kumeta, Georgina became a member of KBG Chambers on 3 rd October 2023. Prior to starting pupillage, Georgina worked as a family paralegal in Truro, focusing on public law children matters and representing parents in these proceedings. In addition, she had conduct of hearings for Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders for the firm.
Georgina currently assists in managing the Schools Consent Project in Devon and Cornwall, which provides education about the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in secondary schools. Previously, Georgina volunteered as an advocate with the School Exclusion Project, acting for children facing permanent exclusion from mainstream schools, often with complex learning needs. She also taught debating in prisons across London with Vocalise.
Georgina received an academic scholarship from Inner Temple to study the Bar Course with the Inns of Court College of Advocacy, having previously undertaken a Graduate Diploma in Law at City Law School, and a History BA (Hons) at the University of York.
Grace first joined KBG Chambers in October 2016 as an apprentice Junior Clerk. Before joining Chambers Grace attended Notre Dame School, Plymouth, and achieved A-Levels in Biology, Health & Social Care and Media Studies.
Grace assists Jamie with the management and development of the civil team. This encompasses all aspects of their practices, the management of their diaries, fee negotiation, and developing client relations.
Hollie became a tenant in April 2017 following a pupillage under the supervision of Deni Mathews. She gained exposure to a wide range of criminal proceedings in both defence and prosecution work as well as Court of Protection proceedings and Appeals before the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health).
Hollie has over twelve years' experience in the legal profession, initially as a secretary, paralegal and police station accredited representative in a local firm of solicitors and more recently clerking in a local chambers.
Hollie completed the BPTC in Bristol, achieving an "Outstanding" classification and was called to the Bar in 2015.
As with all members of KBG Chambers, Hollie is happy to cover all Courts within the South West.
Hollie is a grade 3 prosecutor.
Hollie is a Level 1 CPS Prosecutor and regularly appears in Youth, Magistrates and Crown Courts throughout the South West, both prosecuting and Defending in a wide range of cases. She has received the Vulnerable Witness training. She has a particular interest in
Holly joined KBG as an Apprentice Junior Clerk in 2023. Holly provides support to all the clerks and is our first point of contact for any telephone enquires.
Ibraheem was admitted as a solicitor in 2017 and called to the Bar in 2019. He joined KBG Chambers as a door tenant in April 2020 and is a member of Normanton Chambers in London.
Prior to coming to the Bar Ibraheem worked as a legal adviser for the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) for almost 6 years, providing advice to residential leaseholders, lawyers and managing agents on a wide range of landlord & tenant matters and to the park home industry (local authority officers, site owners and park home owners) on all aspects of mobile home legislation.
Jade has a thriving practice of Private Law, Public Law, applications under Part IV Family Law Act 1996 (Domestic Violence) and ancillary relief matters.
Jade represents both parents and children (through their 16.4 Guardian's) in private law proceedings covering all aspects from first hearing through to final hearing. Jade is regularly instructed to represent local authorities, parents, children (through their guardians), and other interveners in care proceedings. Jade has a particular interest in financial remedy disputes and regularly represents clients across all stages of financial remedy proceedings including applications for variation, enforcement and interim relief.
Jade is often praised for the thorough and detailed approach she takes to every case ensuring no stone is left unturned and that her client has been able to explore all options. She is popular with professional clients for her quick updates and timely attendance notes. Jade's experience is strengthened by having spent a year working as an Advocate on the Western Circuit specialising in contentious civil litigation disputes and two years as a paralegal specialising in care proceedings at a leading Bristol firm.
Qualifications
• ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator
• University of the West of England, Bristol - Very Competent (80%)
• University of the West of England, Bristol - First Class Degree
• Ede and Ravenscroft Prize for Outstanding Personal Achievement
• Exhibition Award (Major Scholarship) - The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
• Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Award - The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
• Winner - Guildhall Civil Advocacy Competition
Practice Areas
Matrimonial Finance
Jade has a developing practice in financial remedies/ancillary relief matters and accepts instructions from both private and publicly funded clients. Jade regularly represents clients across all stages of financial remedy proceedings from providing bespoke advice regarding settlement or tactical approach through to final hearing.
Jade has particular experience in cases of modest means where the pension is the main asset. Where negotiation is possible, Jade strives to help her clients find creative solutions to their dispute, helping them to move forward in their lives.
James has been an advocate since his first day as a trainee solicitor in 1991.
James spent his first sixteen years in practice in county courts, district registries, employment tribunals, valuation tribunals and local authority independent person enquiries throughout the country. He represented household name PLCs, private businesses, local authorities, senior executives and high net worth individuals.
In 2007, James got stuck into management for nine years, first in his own firm and later as a consultant. He also undertook training in tax planning and mediation.
After getting that out of his system and re-inspired by his successful opposition of professional negligence claims and professional misconduct allegations on behalf of his client firms, James decided in 2016 to transfer to the Bar. He set up his own chambers in Worcester in January 2018 and become an associate member of KBG Chambers in 2021.
James now practises in property, professional negligence, professional regulation, employment and commercial work. He spends much of his time helping businesses and people to avoid trial.
James Jarvis is a mediator and part of the CMC (Civil Mediation Council) Profile
Memberships
Accredited Civil & Commercial Mediator, CMC (Civil Mediation Council). His profile can be viewed here
Practice Areas
Employment
From 1999-2007, James practised exclusively in employment, pensions and employment taxes. He set up the employment law unit at his own firm, growing the team to a complement of 7 and the client base to include locally, nationally and internationally recognisable businesses working in fields ranging: from optical retail to MoD procurement; from accountancy to the entertainment industry; from banking to the environment; from mining to make-up.
During that time, James gave his one and only instruction to counsel but was otherwise instrumental in the successful appeal from the Pensions Ombudsman in Trustees of the Uppingham School Retirement Benefit Scheme for Non-Teaching Staff and another v Shillcock [2002] EWHC 641 (Ch)
James also gained substantial experience working with and against local authorities and other public bodies. He remains one of the few lawyers to appear at an Independent Person enquiry and subsequent full District Council meeting on behalf of a statutory Monitoring Officer, who was cleared of all but one, minor allegation after three years under suspension.
Since his transfer to the Bar in 2016, James' skills and experience in employment law have been relied on for advice, assistance and advocacy by well over 100 clients, both employers and employees.
Jamie joined Chambers in April 2011. He started his clerking career as a junior clerk in 1996 with a leading Chancery set of Chambers in Lincoln's Inn, London.
Jamie is KBG Chambers' Senior Civil Clerk and is responsible for the management and development of members' practices, including diary management, work allocation, fee negotiation, business development and developing client relations.
In his spare time, Jamie enjoys quality time with his family along with fishing and playing golf.
Jennifer is an established family law barrister, with significant experience in representing clients in all aspects of family law proceedings, with a focus on cases involving children
Jennifer regularly represents local authorities, children (through their appointed Guardian), parents and family members.
Jenny joined Chambers in 2009, having been a tenant previously at Cobden House Chambers in Manchester.
Jenny represents clients in Family and Civil proceedings. She also appears in the Criminal jurisdiction, specialising in road traffic law and regulatory law. In addition to her full time practice, Jenny is currently teaching the Civil Procedure unit of the ILEX professional qualification.
Practice Areas
Children (Public Law)
Jenny has developed her experience in complex disputes in cases concerning children both in care cases and private law cases, including family law injunctions. Jenny acts for parents, guardians and local authorities. In care cases, she is able to reassure and encourage parents to remain strong and positive in the face of complex and often distressing circumstances and use her clear and focused advocacy to achieve favorable outcomes.
Jeremy joined chambers on the completion of his pupillage in February 2013. Following his call to the bar and prior to completing pupillage Jeremy gained experience working with several local firms of solicitors primarily in family law. This experience gives Jeremy a practical understanding of how just important the solicitor/client relationship is in relation to client/counsel. Jeremy's pupillage was under the supervision of Gina Small who oversaw the family element (financial remedy and children) and Rawdon Crozier who oversaw his civil work.
Since joining chambers Jeremy has developed a very busy broad practice. Alongside representing Local Authorities in public law and children in both public and private law, Jeremy is sought after to represent private clients involved in complex and/or ‘highly charged' disputes in all areas of family law. His authoritative yet supportive and understanding approach sets clients at ease and is aimed at helping them through the maze that is often encountered within the court process.
Jeremy has a particular interest in financial remedy disputes and regularly represents clients across all stages of financial remedy proceedings including applications for variation, enforcement and interim relief.
Whilst family law has been the predominant work in his practice and for what he may be best known locally, Jeremy continues to accept instruction in civil matters. He is a senior lecturer on the Bar Training Course (BTC) at the University of West England teaching civil litigation and advocacy, and is module leader for the Family Law course. In addition, Jeremy provides teaching on the LPC/SQE as required.
Practice Areas
Children Law
Jeremy has represented Local Authorities and parents in public & private law matters from the initial hearing right the way through to fact-find and final hearings to High Court and beyond. Jeremy's age and life experience provides clients with the reassurance he is someone who understands the difficulties they face whilst his family centred client approach ensures they receive the appropriate advice no matter how unpalatable in a sensitive manner.
Following on from his successful pupillage with Gina Small, Jeremy has retained a particular interest in financial remedy disputes and regularly represents clients across all stages of financial remedy proceedings including applications for variation, enforcement and interim relief.
Joe Stone KC has specialised in criminal defence for over 30 years. He was called to the Bar in 1989 and appointed Queens Counsel (QC) in 2013.
He represents those indicted with all types of homicide (murder, manslaughter, death by reckless/careless driving and infanticide), large scale international drug conspiracies and top tier organised crime. He is also instructed privately in high profile sex allegations and has secured acquittals in the most complex of cases.
His primary focus is trial work and high profile appeals. He is currently instructed on one of the most notorious alleged miscarriages of justice in English criminal history - the Jeremy Bamber case. He has successfully represented over many years those indicted with murder under the joint enterprise rules in major city gang related stabbings, shootings and executions. He has conducted over 200 murder trials and is recognised in the directories as a leader in this field.
Joe has a reputation as a committed and tenacious defence barrister with a proven track record in murder defences.
He is highly skilled in advancing complex pro-active defences in the most demanding of cases with the most challenging of clients.
He has been constantly instructed by high profile defendants (see Homicide and Grave offences category below)
He has extensive understanding of the operations of Category A dispersal prisons (HMP Belmarsh, HMP Frankland, HMP Full Sutton, HMP Wakefield, HMP Whitemoor and HMP Woodhill), Close Supervision Centres (CSC) and the Special Intervention Unit (SIU) at HMP Manchester. Given the wide geographical reach of these prisons (London, Newcastle, York, Wakefield, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Manchester) he has extensive experience of the issues surrounding homicide on the prison estate.
He has specialist expertise in defending individuals suffering from extreme personality disorders and is knowledgeable on the procedures/systems that operate at the three main high security psychiatric hospitals - Broadmoor, Rampton and Ashworth.
He is skilled in presenting highly technical expert evidence to juries in a clear and lucid manner in the fields of forensic psychiatry, forensic pathology and forensic medicine. He has been regularly published in the specialist criminal journals (see Publications)
Joe is particularly interested in cases where scientific and medical evidence is disputed such as allegations of shaken baby syndrome and unexplained deaths in infants (SIDS).
He has a detailed knowledge of all facets of criminal investigation including cell site analysis, gunshot residue (GSR) analysis, facemapping, shoe-lift and key areas of trace evidence - fingerprints and DNA and has appeared in leading appeal cases in some of these areas (see Appeals)
With over 30 years experience in representing those indicted with serious class A drug importations Joe understands the operational techniques and practices utilised by Her Majesty Revenue and Customs (HMRC). He represents "drug supergrasses" and is familiar with the rules and procedures surrounding Witness Protection Units (WPU), law enforcement debriefing procedures and immunity/inducement packages under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 and in camera (closed/secret) hearings. He has represented diplomats facing allegations of drug importation and is familiar with the rules/procedures concerning diplomatic immunity.
Joe Stone QC has a specialist defence practice involving a detailed understanding of joint enterprise law and gang rivalries in London and beyond. He led Michael Newport (Lamb Buildings) and was instructed by MB Law Solicitors (Hounslow).
John specialises in private rights of way, adverse possession and freehold restrictive covenants.
He appears in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber - Land Registration), the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), and in the Applications Court.
Before coming to the Bar he was a computer consultant.
John-Paul commenced pupillage in July 2018 under the guidance of his pupil supervisor, Deni Mathews; he is undertaking a purely criminal pupillage and is available to take instructions in the magistrates' court, crown court and in courts martial from February 2019.
John-Paul is a warfare officer in the Royal Navy, holding the rank of Lieutenant Commander, on completion of his pupillage he will return to uniformed service as a military barrister specialising in both criminal and international law. His 15 years of service makes him ideally suited for courts martial work and offences involving service personnel.
John-Paul is a qualified civil-commercial mediator and is happy to be instructed as a mediator at both the pre-action stage of a dispute and during stayed proceedings. He has delivered CPD training to lawyers in London and has been engaged to deliver a lecture to the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society in early 2019. As with all members of chambers John-Paul will cover all courts within the South West but he is equally happy to travel further afield as required.
Qualifications and Memberships
Jonathon joined chambers in 2003 developing a successful family law practice. Since 2010 he has specialised in all aspect of financial provision resulting from the breakdown of personal relationships including financial relief in divorce, applications under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989 and claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Jonathon is recognised in the Legal 500 as a Tier 1 leading junior in Divorce and Financial Remedy, described as ‘An erudite and fearless advocate'. (2019) and ‘Personable, meticulous in preparation. Robust and forceful advocate with the inherent ability to put any client at their ease but knowing their corner will be fought with precision and skill.' (2020)
Qualifications
• LLB (Hons) University of the West of England:2000
Julie joined Chambers in 2018, having previously practised as a solicitor from 2010 (and before that as a member of ILEX)
Prior to joining Chambers, Julie worked in private practice in South Devon as a fee earner specialising in family law for 12 years and was then in-house at Cornwall Council for 6 years
Julie has practised in public and private law children matters since 2000, appearing in all Courts up to the High Court. Julie now specialises in public law matters and has considerable experience representing parents, children, local authorities, grandparents and the official solicitor
Julie was previously an accredited member of the Law Society's Children panel for over 10 years, representing parents, children and children's guardians
Whilst at the Council, in addition to dealing with public and private law children matters, Julie represented the authority at an inquest, was legal advisor to the fostering panel for over 5 years and advised the local children's safeguarding board. Julie developed a knowledge of the inner workings of the local authority which has assisted her greatly in her practice
Julie sits on the local family justice board (LFJB) and is a member of the Western Circuit, the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) and the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC)
Since completion of her pupillage at KBG Chambers, Katie has built a busy and successful Crown Court Practice incorporating a balance of Prosecution and Defence work.
She is regularly instructed incases involving serious violence, allegations of historic sexual abuse and heavy-weight drug offences. In 2021 she was instructed in a multi-handed £160mdrugs importation. She recently defended in a rape and kidnapping case involving a vulnerable child victim and Defendant. She has been led in cases involving allegations of sexual abuse, attempted murder and murder.
Katie builds very good working relationships with lay clients which regularly means that she is briefed for clients in repeat proceedings before the Court. She is compassionate and measured. She represents clients who are often very vulnerable and frequently deals with cases involving intermediaries.
Katie is instructed in regulatory work including prosecuting and defending involving DEFRA and the HSE. She also has experience in defending cases at Courts Martial. She has significant experience in Appellate work including in the Court of Appeal and the Administrative Court.
Katie is a Grade 3 CPS Prosecutor.
As with all members of KBG Chambers, Katie is happy to cover all Courts within the South West.
Katie Churcher's practice is evenly split between defence and prosecution work - she is regularly instructed in cases involving serious violence, allegations of historic sexual abuse, and major drug offences and recently acted for the defence in a complex case concerning the rape of a teenage girl by a man previously sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
Liam joined KBG in November 2018.
Liam is an established practitioner with extensive experience of care and private law proceedings. He undertook his pupillage and accepted a tenancy at Fenners Chambers, Cambridge for 12 years where he specialised in all aspects of family law. He appeared in the Court of Appeal on a number of occasions; three of the reported decisions are Re W [2012] EWCA Civ 528, Re F[2013] EWCA CIv 726 and Re L [2012] EWCA Civ 721.
In 2013 Liam relocated to the south west where he was employed for five years as in-house Counsel for a local authority. During that period he represented the local authority in all types of public law proceedings as well as providing training to the local authority lawyers and social workers.
In addition to his court experience Liam is the public law Consultant Editor of Hershman and McFarlane Children Law and Practice(Bloomsbury Professional) and is a co-author of A Practical Approach to Family Law (Oxford University Press).
Job Titles:
- Family Clerk
- Senior Family Clerk
Lizzie joined Chambers in 2007, following a successful temporary position she is now the Family Clerk. Before that she gained a BA in Business Studies, completing modules in Marketing, Commercial Law, Operations Strategy, Ethics and Psychology.
Lizzie is one of our family clerk and will happily assist with any enquiries.
Job Titles:
- Head of Civil Team ) & Mediator