Chambers & Partners 2012 recommendations  

CHAMBERS & PARTNERS 2011 RECOMMENDATIONS

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Civil liberties and Human Rights - Northern

"This Manchester-based set is highly regarded in the North for its long-standing commitment to civil liberties work, which interviewees recognise as being at the core of much of its members' work. This expertise is complemented by strength in prison and immigration law. The front-line staff at Garden Court North are considered a real asset, with sources noting that the clerks are "helpful, friendly and easy to deal with.""

" Pete Weatherby is a top-drawer practitioner who is singled out for the "commitment and tenacity" he displays in his well-established practice covering a broad range of complex civil liberties cases. Recent noteworthy successes include a case which held that forcing sex offenders to remain on the register for life without a mechanism for review was a breach of their human rights."

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Administrative and Public law – the Regions

"Rising star" Pete Weatherby of Garden Court North is said by sources to be "strongly committed to the interface between human rights and prison law." He recently achieved success in two Supreme Court cases, one that declared sex offender indefinite notification requirements to be incompatible with the ECHR and another that dealt with prison sentencing. He "inspires confidence with his incisive intelligence." "

"Also at this set is Ben McCormack , who has built up a substantial reputation for acting against public bodies on housing law claims. He has had a busy year challenging allocation schemes and decisions relating to community care provisions. He also takes on cases involving asylum and human rights issues. Peers label him as "extremely approachable and knowledgeable." "

" James Stark is commended for his "encyclopaedic knowledge of housing case law." A recent highlight saw him acting before the Supreme Court in the case of Manchester City Council v Pinnock. Sources credit him as being "on the ball" and "accomplished at understanding the urgency of a case." "

" Kate Stone is the latest addition to the tables from these chambers. She earns recognition for acting on behalf of claimants in human rights claims. She is also singled out for her detailed knowledge of prison law, and recently conducted a successful judicial review of Parole Board procedures. Commentators say she is "a tenacious advocate who is thoroughly conscientious." "

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Crime - Northern

"... Pete Weatherby of Garden Court North, who is a criminal, public law and civil liberties expert. His is a name synonymous with "serious cases," according to sources, and he has a strong appellate practice. Weatherby advised on a Supreme Court challenge to sex offender registration requirements."

" Mark George QC is at the same set and is admired for being "a very clear thinker." His recent work includes acting for the defence in R v Power, a case involving an accusation of murder in a Prestwich pub."

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Crime – London

Ian Macdonald QC is recommended in this category

Employment - Northern

"Newly ranked Kerry Smith of Garden Court North is highly sought after by claimants and trades unions for unfair dismissal, breach of contract, redundancy, TUPE and whistle-blowing claims."

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Immigration - Northern

"Garden Court North is lauded for its public law work, especially in relation to immigration and asylum. With an attractive range of call and experience available, the barristers offer a broad spectrum of expertise, including on matters relating to deportation and the ECHR. Areas of specialism include discriminatory breaches, the points-based system, EEA family reunion, refusal of sponsorship licences, and sovereign immunity."

"Children and immigration matters are a big part of Vijay Jagadesham's practice. He is "excellent with clients and a first choice if the case concerns children or vulnerable clients," say clients. He "has a detailed and thorough knowledge of the law." "

" Rory O'Ryan handles complicated and wide-ranging cases. Sources say: "He is meticulous and excellent on procedure." Moreover, he has "a calm and confident presence in tribunals and the ability to cut to the chase without alienating the client." He recently acted in cases involving migrants seeking leave to remain seeking contact with their children under the Immigration Rules or for Article 8 purposes."

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Immigration – London

"... Ian Macdonald QC has extraordinary immigration law expertise. He is marked out from the crowd as the author of the leading practitioners' textbook, Macdonald's Immigration Law and Practice. His practice covers the whole field of immigration law, and he also advises various football clubs and other sporting bodies as to overseas professional staff."

Social housing - Northern

" James Stark of Garden Court North is ...praised as a leading tenant barrister, and is lauded for always having his eye firmly fixed on the salient points in a case. In one recent highlight, he acted in the Supreme Court in Manchester City Council v Pinnock, a case concerning the bearing of Article 8 of the ECHR on possession orders. "

"... Ben McCormack of Garden Court North [is] an increasingly important presence at the Social Housing Bar, McCormack is praised for his thorough and able approach."

" Laura Cawsey of Garden Court North is noted by sources for the volume of social housing work that she undertakes. Her down-to-earth manner plays very well with her clients."

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> 29/10/10 - Chambers & Partners 2010 rankings