NINE ST JOHN STREET - Key Persons
Amy Smith is a practising barrister who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Amy can be found here.
Amy's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Amy to undertake Tribunal work for a brief fee plus additional refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees may be available depending on the circumstances. Amy will typically return paperwork within 7-14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Areas of Expertise
Criminal
Andrea is highly experienced advocate and a specialist in Criminal Law undertaking a full range of prosecution and defence work. She is on the CPS Advocate Panel at Level 3.
Andrea was a solicitor for 24 years before transferring to the Bar in 2016.
She worked in both civil and criminal defence and personal injury practice and as a Magistrates court clerk before joining the CPS as a Senior Crown Prosecutor in Humber and Greater Manchester dealing with serious and complex cases including murders, serious assaults, Rape (RASSO trained), firearms, complex drugs conspiracies and the full range of dishonesty offences before concentrating solely upon advocacy in the Crown Court.
Andrea's wealth of experience in a number of different roles across a wide spectrum of both civil and criminal courts has put her in an enviable position when prosecuting or defending cases, she has real insight, cutting to the issues in a case with logic and intellect. She is a well prepared and poised advocate who will fight her client's corner with considerable tenacity.
Andrea is practical and proactive dealing with cases confidently, calmly and with a sense of humour when merited. She has many years experience in dealing with young and vulnerable witnesses in difficult or sensitive cases. She is conscientious, approachable and able to grasp and put forward what a client wants to say in the most effective and persuasive manner.
She is direct when she needs to be but also very sensitive. She has an excellent manner with clients, instilling in them confidence and reassurance that they are in safe hands.
Miss Lock is a practising barrister, regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Andrea can be found here.
Assunta Del Priore has been consistently ranked as Leading Junior in Employment law on the Northern Circuit since 2015. She joined Chambers in late 2010 and previously, she practised as a barrister from Chambers in London and Manchester. Immediately before joining Chambers, she was a Senior Law Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Assunta is recognised for her hard work on every matter, immersing herself 100 per cent in the brief. She is strongly driven to provide optimum presentation of the case.
She prides herself on building a collaborative relationship with her clients.
Ben has considerable expertise in defending civil fraud claims, having been at the forefront of this area for over a decade. He is a formidable advocate, whose forensic analysis of a case ensures that his clients are placed in the best position to defend these such claims. His expertise particularly encompasses the spheres of Employer's Liability and Public Liability fraud.
Ben has the advantage of bringing over a decade of experience of litigating insurance fraud cases to this area. He is keenly aware of the importance and impact that fraudulent gastroenteritis claims in particular are having on the industry and is experienced in advising on and litigating these claims.
Ben is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Ben can be found here.
Brian McCluggage is a barrister specialising in catastrophic personal injury cases. He is Head of 9SJS Personal Injury Team. With extensive experience in handling cases where the pleaded value exceeds seven figures, Brian is well-equipped to act as sole counsel in cases valued at up to £15 million.
Brian's approach to evidential analysis and preparation is rigorous and he has a particular expertise in dealing with complex scientific and technical evidence. He enjoys working collaboratively with professional clients who share this philosophy as part of a team dedicated to achieving the best outcome for their clients.
Brian is a formidable advocate in the courtroom, adept at cross-examining both lay and expert witnesses, particularly when exposing inconsistencies and challenging evidence that seeks to obscure rather than clarify the issues. He is known for his robust and incisive approach to advocacy.
Mr McCluggage is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr McCluggage can be found here. Chambers take complaints seriously. A copy of the complaints procedure, which details the process and any time limits which may apply, can be found here. The Legal Ombudsman website provides decisions it has made about legal service providers, which can be accessed here.
Job Titles:
- Called: 2018 - ( Qualified As Solicitor - 1994 )
Charles Holbech specialises in private client work, both contentious and non-contentious, and increasingly involving technical advice on tax, trusts and estates. Whether advising in conference, on paper, or in court, Charles applies a detailed, but clear, analysis to complex issues. Charles is recognised by Chambers UK Bar, Chambers HNW and The Legal 500 UK Bar as a leading junior for Chancery and private client work. Charles is regularly instructed in reported cases and writes extensively on estate planning, Inheritance Tax and trusts. He has also edited Halsbury's Laws of England on Inheritance Tax.
Charles Holbech is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Charles can be found here.
Charles's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Charles to undertake Court work for either a fixed fee or brief fee plus additional refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees may be available depending on the circumstances. Charles will typically return paperwork within 10-14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales. Shorter timescales can be accommodated, please notify Charles's clerk at the time of instructing if this is required.
Christina Chinnock was called to the Bar as a mature student and has practised exclusively at the Family Bar for many years. She has developed a busy practice and has extensive experience in the area of family law with experience at all levels up to and including the Court of Appeal. She practises mainly on the Northern Circuit but also continues to work remotely further afield.
Christina Chinnock is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Christina can be found here.
Christina Chinnock's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Christina to undertake Court and advisory work for a brief fee and refresher fee for each additional hearing day. For advisory work, conferences and/or additional paperwork, it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate where an estimate is given as a maximum amount to be charged, although if preferred fixed fees can be negotiated at the point of instruction. Christina typically returns paperwork within 14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales. If that is the case you will be notified and a new timescale provided.
Christina also undertakes Direct Access work. This work is undertaken on a contractual basis agreed between the client and Christina's clerks. This is on fixed fee basis for a specific events such as a conference, advisory work, a hearing with additional hearing days (refreshers) or the drafting of specific documents. All work agreed to be undertaken by Christina with the fixed fee cost will be clearly outlined in the direct access contract signed by the client and will be payable in full prior to the commencement of the work.
Job Titles:
- Head of 9 St John Street
- KC Is Head of Chambers at 9 St John Street
Most of Chris' instructions come from insurers and he usually represents Defendants in cases where the Claimant has suffered very severe injury or where there is a point of more general importance to be decided. However, he enjoys representing Claimants and is happy to receive instructions to do so.
Christopher Kennedy KC is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Christopher Kennedy KC can be found here.
Christopher Kennedy KC's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Christopher Kennedy KC to undertake Court, Tribunal and Mediation services for a brief fee plus additional refresher days. For advisory work, drafting and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate. Conditional Fee Agreements and Damages Based Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Christopher Kennedy KC will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Christopher Scorah is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about him can be found here.
Christopher Scorah's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Christopher to undertake Court services and advisory work for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus additional refresher days For advisory work, drafting and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements and Damages Based Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Christopher will typically return paperwork within 10 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Areas of Expertise
Criminal
David Bruce has practised at the Criminal Bar for 26 years. His practice includes all aspects of criminal law, both defending and prosecuting. He has substantial experience in all areas of serious crime including numerous murders and gangland killings. He is regularly instructed in Drug Trafficking and supply offences and has particular experience and interest in Fraud. David also has expertise in firearms offences, conspiracy cases and offences involving serious violence or homicide. David has appeared as Leading Junior in many serious cases. He has built up a reputation in cases of a serious sexual nature. David has significant experience in the Court of Appeal and he is a grade 3 prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service.
David Calvert is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about David can be found here.
David's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for David to undertake Court work for a fixed fee and brief fee plus refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements and Damages Based Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. David will typically return paperwork within 14-21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Areas of Expertise
Employment, Occupational Disease and Clinical Negligence
David Campion is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr David Campion can be found here.
David Campion's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found for employment here and for personal injury here. It is most common for Mr David Campion to undertake Court and Tribunal advocacy for a brief fee plus refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences work is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements can be considered in certain types of cases with favourable prospects of success. David Campion will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however annual leave, other professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales. Any requests for urgent advice should be plainly marked as such.
David Gilchrist is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about him can be found here.
David Gilchrist's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for David to undertake advocacy before courts and tribunals for a fixed fee in respect of preparation and the first day (brief fee) plus a further fee (refresher) in respect of each additional day in court. Advisory work (including conferences) is commonly charged an hourly rate, although a fixed fee may be negotiated. He will typically return paperwork within 14 days, although other professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation may affect this approximate timescale.
Dawn Thomas is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Dawn can be found here.
Dawn's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Dawn to undertake Court and advisory work for a brief fee plus additional refresher days. For any advisory work including paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate. Dawn also accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. Dawn will typically return paperwork within 10 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Areas of Expertise
Clinical Negligence, Employment, Regulatory and Professional Discipline Group, Insurance Fraud, Personal Injury
Dr Howard prides himself on dealing with papers promptly and is keen to work as a member of the legal team during case preparation; encouraging calls from instructing solicitors when difficulties are encountered or when informal input is required.
Dr Howard's employment law specialism led him to spend a year on secondment working for Johnson, Stokes and Master in Hong Kong, the largest Solicitor's firm in Asia. His work in Asia focused on providing legal advice on discrimination law to several airlines such as Cathay Pacific & international banks such as HSBC and BNP Paribas, whilst he gained a unique insight into the challenges and demands made on Solicitors, which is of great benefit to those who instruct him.
A number of cases in which Dr Howard has been involved have been reported in Kemp & Kemp and Current Law.
Dr Howard offers an insightful and pragmatic approach to litigation, robust approach in court and is meticulous in his preparation, all of which are great assets in any case in which he is instructed.
Dr Anthony Howard is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Anthony can be found here.
Anthony's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Anthony to undertake Court and Tribunal work for either fixed fees or a fixed brief fee plus additional refresher fees per day. For advisory work, drafting and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Anthony will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Caroline Curry was called to the Bar in 2003 by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple. Caroline specialises exclusively in family law and is an established Barrister with considerable experience in private law children, matrimonial and financial disputes.
Caroline is well respected for her meticulous preparation and her understanding and analysis of issues and relevant legal principles involved in each case. Caroline is approachable, empathetic and compassionate. She delivers robust and realistic advice being ever conscious of the costs (financial and emotional) of litigation and ongoing dispute. She is diligent and has good client care skills, particularly with anxious and/or vulnerable clients, This ensures that clients feel ‘heard' and can be confident that their position is understood and advocated. Caroline is knowledgeable, reliable, pragmatic and persuasive. She is a skilful negotiator and will assist clients, where appropriate, to reach an agreed settlement.
Miss Caroline Curry is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Miss Curry can be found here. Miss Curry's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Miss Curry to undertake Court services for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus additional refresher days. For any advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees are available. Miss Curry also accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. Miss Curry will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Areas of Expertise
Family
'She has expertise in financial remedy cases.'
Christine Riley is Head of the Family Team and has practiced exclusively at the Family Bar for many years. She practices mainly on the Northern Circuit in the High Court and other Family Courts.
Christine Riley represents parents with learning difficulties and mental health difficulties, including work for the Official Solicitor. She also has considerable experience of working with intermediaries, of children giving oral evidence and of representing parents from different cultures.
Christine Riley has extensive experience in childcare work, acting regularly for guardians and parents in cases including serious non-accidental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and emotional abuse and neglect.
Miss Christine Riley is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Miss Christine Riley can be found here.
Miss Christine Riley's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Miss Christine Riley to undertake court work for a brief fee plus refreshers for additional days. Advisory work, paper work and conferences are usually charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees are available. Miss Christine Riley also accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. Miss Christine Riley will typically return paperwork within 21 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect this timescale.
Alistair Bower specialises in Personal Injury litigation having a broad experience of cases involving employers liability, industrial diseases, public liability and road traffic accidents.
His practice includes a good balance of both Claimant and Defendant work. He regularly undertakes cases on behalf of Local Authorities in public liability and employers liability claims.
In road traffic cases involving allegations of fraud he has experience of LVI cases, staged accidents and exaggerated claims.
He also accepts instructions in all aspects of travel law.
In industrial disease related claims he has experience of asbestos related claims, exposure to fumes, deafness and RSI claims.
Alistair's practice is mainly civil litigation based. He receives instructions in contract matters. His practice is complimented by experience in Coroners inquests, Health and Safety and Trading Standards matters.
Mr Alistair Bower is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr Alistair Bower can be found here.
Mr Alistair Bower's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Mr Alistair Bower to undertake any Court, Tribunal and Coroner Court services work for a brief fee plus refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Conditional Fee Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Mr Alistair Bower will typically return paperwork within 10-14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Mr Andrew Clark is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr Clark can be found here.
Mr Andrew Clark's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Mr Clark to undertake advocacy before courts and tribunals for a fixed fee in respect of preparation and the first day (brief fee) plus a further fee (refresher) in respect of each additional day in court. For advisory work, it is most common for Mr Clark to charge an hourly rate, although a fixed fee may be negotiated. Mr Clark will typically return paperwork within 14 days. However, professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation may affect this approximate timescale.
Carlo Breen is recognised asone of the premier employment barristers in the North West. Lauded by Legal Directories for his intellectual and technical abilities, clients have praised Carlo for his "excellent advocacy" and his "meticulous grasp of complex cases". In addition he has been recognised for his ability to assimilate large quantities of information and masterfully and tactically execute a case management strategy. He is known to be thoroughly prepared and to tenaciously execute his advocacy.
Carlo Breen has been the only "Junior" Counsel in the North West to be instructed by Councils and Local Authorities in multi-party equal pay litigation. To this extent, he has advised Councils and Local Authorities on the implementation of single status, the implementation of job evaluation schemes and all aspects of equal pay and discrimination law. He has conducted several genuine material factor defence hearings and equal value hearings which have involved several thousand Claimants. He has also been instructed by the Government, to advise on various cross-border equal pay issues involving Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
In relation to equal value, Carlo has advised multiple local authorities and private employers on the subject, has conducted multiple hearings, and carried out internal audits to ascertain the robustness of the internal pay structures. He has been fully engaged in these issues for several years, and by reason of his experience in equal pay litigation, this makes him the barrister of choice for respondents.
Carlo Breen represented Knowsley Borough Council in the first litigated case of its kind in the United Kingdom, whereby it was alleged that the Local Authority White Book Job Evaluation in 1987 could be displaced and as such was not a valid job evaluation study by reason of changes that had taken place since 1987 to the jobs of various Claimants and comparators within an equal pay context. Carlo Breen was successful in persuading the Employment Tribunal that the White Book Job Evaluation could indeed be displaced resulting in the strike-out of a multitude of claims brought by various Claimants against the Council. This was a landmark decision.
Furthermore, Carlo Breen is retained by a multinational company to advise them in all aspects of employment law. He has undertaken a variety of high profile sex, race and disability discrimination cases for and against various Constabularies and NHS Trusts.
Carlo Breen is generally regarded as the Leading Junior in the North West on complex issues involving the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations. He has been instructed by various PLC's on these issues and also various multi-national companies, Trusts and Airport Authorities.
He is approved by the Commission for Racial Equality and the Equal Opportunities Commission to act in discrimination cases. In addition, he acted for numerous applicants in the Armed Forces pregnancy dismissal litigation, conducted by the Employment Tribunals across the United Kingdom in 1994 and 1995.
Carlo has extensive experience in collective redundancies, unlawful deduction of wages claims, employee status claims, and whistle blowing litigation. He regularly appears on behalf of various NHS Trusts, various well known supermarket chains, and various Local Authorities in such cases. He has recently successfully represented a college in a whistle blowing claim valued at in excess of £700,000.
Carlo has particular expertise in age and disability discrimination claims. He has recently represented the CEO of a large, multinational company in a landmark age discrimination claim, and was successful in securing the Claimant substantial damages.
Carlo also has particular significant experience in high value wrongful dismissals and bonus disputes. He has represented companies and individuals in high value wrongful dismissal and bonus claims including those resulting in 7 figure settlement sums.
He is a specialist in all forms of discrimination, and has been involved in a wide variety of discrimination claims throughout the UK. He is adept at dealing pragmatically with the wider commercial concerns and sensitivities that these can create. He has acted for a number of NHS Trusts in high value discrimination claims and also a large proportion of Universities. He has recently been described by the HR Director of one of his University clients as "a robust and aggressive litigator, the go to barrister in Manchester".
Carlo is currently instructed in:
Mr Carlo Breen is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Carlo Breen can be found here.
Carlo Breen's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Carlo Breen to undertake Court or Tribunal services for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus refresher days. Advisory work, paperwork and conferences are most commonly charged at an hourly rate, although fixed fees are available. Carlo Breen will typically return paperwork within 7 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Mr. Charles Garside is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Mr. Garside can be found here.
Mr. Garside's clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that he provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Mr, Garside to undertake any Court or Tribunal work for a fixed fee or a brief fee plus additional refresher days. For advisory work, including paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate although fixed fees are available. Mr. Garside also accepts instructions on legal aid rates where those are available, details of which can be found here. Mr. Garside will typically return paperwork within 14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate timescales.
Ms Amy Rollings is a practising barrister, who is regulated by the Bar Standards Board. Details of information held by the BSB about Ms Amy Rollings can be found here.
Ms Amy Rollings' clerks will happily provide no obligation quotations for all legal services that she provides. Their contact details can be found here. It is most common for Ms Rollings to undertake Court or Tribunal services for a brief fee plus refresher days. For advisory work, paperwork and conferences it is most commonly charged at an hourly rate. Conditional Fee Agreements will be considered in cases with favourable prospects of success. Ms Rollings will typically return paperwork within 14 days, however professional commitments, complexity and volume of documentation can affect these approximate.
Chancery (Northern Bar) "Regularly assists clients with traditional and commercial issues. He handles contentious wills, trusts and probate matters and is also instructed in real property and partnership disputes. Clark's commercial workload includes professional negligence cases." Chambers and Partners 2022 Commercial and Property: "Extremely thorough and technically brilliant. Andrew is very impressive." Legal 500 2022 Chancery (Northern Bar) Leading Barrister "He is a very detailed man." "Andrew is very good, very clever and knows his stuff." Chambers and Partners 2021
Job Titles:
- Administration
- Chambers Manager