Jack Cottrell
Call 2018
Jack accepts instructions in all of Chambers’ practice areas, and is particularly interested in private children law, matrimonial finance and business and property law.
EXPERTISE
Jack accepts instructions in all of Chambers’ practice areas, and is particularly interested in private children law, matrimonial finance and business and property law.
Prior to starting pupillage, Jack worked as a paralegal for Clifford Chance. During this time, he worked closely with solicitors in Clifford Chance’s London, Madrid, Amsterdam and New York offices using a range of digital work platforms and legal tech. As such, Jack has considerable experience of remote working and is available to provide advice and representation via telephone or video-conferencing software if required.
EDUCATION
- Bar Professional Training Course, Northumbria University (Outstanding – first in the year)
- Graduate Diploma in Law, Northumbria University (Distinction - first in the year)
- Master of Studies in Medieval History, Hertford College, University of Oxford (Distinction)
- Bachelor of Arts in History, Christ Church, University of Oxford (First Class Honours)
- Longbenton Community College
AWARDS
- The Trinity Chambers Prize for the Best Performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (2018)
- The Parklane Plowden Chambers Prize for Excellence in Advocacy (2018)
- The Cathedral Chambers Prize for Excellence in Family Practice (2018)
- Bond Dickinson Prize for the Best Performance on the Graduate Diploma in Law (2017)
- Exhibition Award, Inner Temple (2017)
- Dean's Award Scholarship, Northumbria University (2017)
- Hertford College Book Prize (2016)
- The Gladstone Prize (2014)
- The William Gurney Prize (2013)
MEMBERSHIPS
-
The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Away from practice, Jack is a big racquet sports fan and spends most of his spare time playing tennis, badminton or squash. He retains a strong interest in history from his undergraduate studies and also enjoys watching American Football, going to the theatre, and being bothered by his two cats.
For more information, follow Jack on LinkedIn.
Steven Preen
Lead Family Clerk
Steve Preen joined Trinity in October 2011 after earning a position of considerable respect in HM Court Service where he worked for 17 years; he has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially on the Civil side.
Outside of Chambers Steve enjoys playing football at a semi professional level. He has undertaken an FA coaching certificate and coaches youngsters on a voluntary basis at a local club. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two children.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steve Preen is fantastic.’
‘Steve Preen is outstanding, he is highly personable and very helpful. A credit to chambers.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’ ‘Steven Preen is friendly and approachable, and there to help where he can.’
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Ken McLafferty
Family & Immigration Clerk
Ken joined Trinity in March 2007 after seven years clerking in Durham, culminating in being the Senior Clerk and taking on all the responsibilities so required. Working in Durham gave him the opportunity to return to the city where he spent three years enjoying life under the guise of studying for his degree in Theology and Religious Studies.
When not following the trials and tribulations of his chosen football and baseball teams Ken enjoys cooking and tending to the charges in his allotment - where he fights a losing, and seemingly never-ending, battle against the elements, weeds, and caterpillars.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Paula McLure
Family Clerk
Paula joined Trinity in June 2016 after 26 years in HM Court Service where she reached a position of considerable respect as the Civil and Family Listing Officer for Northumbria, skills which have stood her in good stead in her new role. Paula has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially with regard to listing.
Outside of Chambers Paula enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paula McLure is a huge asset, very professional and flexible.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’
Chris Gibbin
Clerk (Middlesbrough)
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Fiona Bullock
Direct Access Clerk
Fiona joined Trinity Chambers in 2007 after an established career in some of Scotland's top hotels and restaurants.
After gaining a BA in Hotel Catering and Management, Fiona progressed with her Food and Beverage Management career and on moving to the North East, she became one half of a North Yorkshire restaurant.
Fiona is Chambers Direct Access clerk and has found that her previous education and experience has stood her in good stead being in a client focused role.
Outside Chambers Fiona and her Labrador Olly volunteer with Wag & Co North East Friendship Dogs.
Steve Walker
Lead Civil Clerk
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
Josh Stewart-Tilling
Lead Employment Clerk & Civil Clerk
Josh joined Trinity in 2020 as a Clerk on the Civil team after working for 5 years in business management. The transferable skills gained have enabled him to make this change in career and given him the chance to revert back to his university degree in Philosophy and Theology.
Within the Civil clerking, Josh heads up the clerking of the Employment Law team.
Outside of Chambers Josh enjoys playing football and following his beloved Newcastle United where he has had a season ticket since he was a young boy. He also enjoys playing music as part of a band, predominantly playing drums but plays piano and sax as well.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'The service from the clerks is first rate. There is never any delay in replying to correspondence and they are always very helpful. Josh Stewart-Tilling is the lead employment clerk.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Aimee Bloxham
Civil Clerk
Aimee joined Trinity in 2021 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 1 year of working as a litigation paralegal in a well-regarded, Newcastle based law firm. Here she developed an eye for detail and great organisational skills, moreover she gained a sound understanding of court procedures and litigation paperwork.
Aimee achieved a first-class BA (Honours) degree in Children and Young People from Newcastle College University Centre in 2019. She completed a dissertation on the advantages and challenges of standardised testing in primary schools and comparatively researched the difference between testing in both Year 2 and Year 6. While studying for her BA degree, Aimee worked in a nursery for 2 years where she was able to enhance her communication skills and teamworking abilities.
Outside of chambers Aimee enjoys walking her dog along the beach, socialising with friends, and travelling.
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’