Oliver Tonkinson
BACKGROUND
Oliver is undertaking a specialist civil/commercial pupillage at Trinity Chambers.
During the first six months of pupillage, Oliver was supervised by James Reckitt and Vilma Vodanovic. During the second six months of pupillage, Oliver is being supervised by Vilma Vodanovic and Paul Kerfoot.
Throughout his first six, Oliver gained a broad range of experience in Chambers’ core civil areas of practice. This included Business, Property, Housing, and Employment matters, such as:
- Boundary and Easement Disputes;
- Contractual Disputes;
- Housing Disrepair;
- Insolvency;
- Landlord and Tenant;
- Possession Claims; and
- Wills and Trusts.
Oliver has experience in drafting Particulars of Claim, Defences, Advices and skeleton arguments on a wide variety of civil matters, with a particular interest in Business and Property work.
Prior to commencing pupillage, Oliver worked in both private practice and legal technology. As a Property Paralegal, Oliver assisted with high-value residential property transactions for high-net-worth individuals, property developers, and international investors. Whilst working as an Analyst, Oliver applied his legal and analytical expertise to interpret financial agreements and extract key contractual data, supporting the automation of contract analysis within a legal technology platform.
MEMBERSHIPS
- The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
EDUCATION & AWARDS
- Post Graduate Diploma in Bar Practice (PGDip) – The Inns of Court College of Advocacy
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – University of Durham
- Lord Denning Major Scholarship – The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During university, Oliver served as President of the Durham University Bar Society, where he established a mentoring scheme supported by many members of Trinity Chambers. He remains committed to promoting access to the Bar.
Steve Walker
Lead Business, Property & Employment Clerk
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Lead Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for 30 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 2026
'Steve and Aimee are an asset to the set; they're always responsive and efficient.'
'The clerks at Trinity are always first-rate professionals, with Steve Walker being especially excellent.'
Legal 500 2026
'The clerks' room is efficient, prompt and considerate to solicitors' needs. They know their tenants and play to their strengths. Steve Walker is a circuit leader in this regard, a pleasure to work with and an asset to chambers.'
'Steve Walker is a clerk suited to a London set but fortunately for clients he is based in the North East. The service provided is unlike any other in the north of England.'
'Steve Walker is always willing to go the extra mile and builds great relationships with firms.'
'Paul McNab and Steve Walker provide excellent service - they are very responsive and understand the work area and the issues involved.'
Legal 500 2025
'Steve Walker is the perfect clerk'
'Steve Walker is a personable and sensible clerk'
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.'
Paul McNab
Lead Housing, Personal Injury & Public Law Clerk
Paul joined Trinity Chambers in March 2020 following the closure of Zenith Chambers.
Paul has a wealth of experience in the legal profession having commenced his career in the late 80's and qualified as a legal executive in the early 90's whilst working for one of the countries largest criminal law firms dealing with serious criminal cases before moving to Number One Fountain Court in Birmingham as the Senior Clerk. Following the merger of Number One with St Philips Chambers in 2002 Paul became the Senior Criminal Clerk looking after what was then the largest criminal team in the country at the time.
Paul took almost a decade away from clerking during which he was the Chief Executive of an International Law firm specialising in domestic and international public law and human rights law adding a range of business and management skills to his CV before returning to the Bar in 2017 as the Senior Civil Clerk at Zenith Chambers in Leeds.
Away from Chambers, Paul can be found on the sidelines at Five Ways Old Eds RFC where he played second row for many decades, or coaching the age grade players at Old Halesonians RFC. When not coaching rugby, Paul is a season ticket holder at Bristol Bears (following the demise of Wasps) and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"! With more time on his hands Paul plans to learn his native Irish language in 2025!
Chambers & Partners 2026
'Paul McNab is very responsive and always helpful.'
Legal 500 2026
'Paul McNab and Steve Walker provide excellent service - they are very responsive and understand the work area and the issues involved.'
Chambers & Partners 2025
'Paul McNab is one of the best clerks we deal with. He is a credit to the chambers.'
Legal 500 2025
'The clerks' room is excellent. Paul McNab goes the extra mile to assist us and ensures that we always have access to counsel.'
'Steve Walker and Paul McNab are very responsive and a pleasure to deal with.'
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Paul McNab is always available, commercial and pragmatic.'
'Paul McNab, clerk, is the go-to person. If Paul can't do it no one can. He is the finest clerk I have worked with. He's an asset to the chambers.'
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.’
‘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.’
‘Paul McNab is always available and always willing to assist where he can.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Paul McNab, clerk, is excellent and has never let me down.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are approachable and accommodating.’‘Paul McNab – contactable, adaptable, and provides a good service.’‘Paul McNab is responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Paul McNab is an excellent clerk. He's responsive, reliable and personable.'
Aimee Cummings
Business & Property 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.
Chambers & Partners 2026
'The clerks genuinely want to help and will go the extra mile to resolve issues. Aimee is more than happy to take up the mantle to get hearings listed and answers from the court.'
'Steve and Aimee are an asset to the set; they're always responsive and efficient.'
Legal 500 2026
'The Clerks are always available with good humour even when we are asking for the moon on a stick. Aimee Cummings...is fantastic and willing to bend over backwards to ensure we get what we need.'
'The clerks' room is efficient, prompt and considerate to solicitors' needs. They know their tenants and play to their strengths. Aimee and Josh are rising stars in the clerking world.'
Legal 500 2025
'Aimee Bloxham is an absolute asset to chambers and has a great rapport with solicitors.'
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.’
Lisa Tyczynska
Employment Clerk
Lisa joined Chambers in September 2024, after 6 years clerking the Civil & Family Team at St Paul’s Chambers.
Prior to her clerking experience, Lisa worked in International business for one of the largest retail companies where she gained a wealth of knowledge in business analysis and project management. During this time Lisa learned to deal with different aspects of the business and has used these transferable skills to assist her in her clerking role.
Away from Chambers Lisa coaches an all-girls U7 football team and enjoys spending time with her family.
Legal 500 2022
'Excellent service consistently from Lisa Tyczynska.'
Molly Sinnott
Junior Civil Clerk
Molly joined Trinity in September 2025, after graduating from Newcastle University with a 2:1 BA (Hons) degree in Law with Media and Communications. Her research focused on the relationship between gender and the law within modern contexts, and gave her a solid understanding of the legal system and how it operates.
Alongside her studies, Molly worked in retail for 5 years. In this time she developed her interpersonal and organisational skills, which has aided her in her clerking role.
Outside of work, Molly enjoys socialising with friends, keeping fit and listening to music.
Shannon Burns
Junior Civil Clerk
Shannon joined Trinity in 2025 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 9 years of working in a well-regarded Newcastle based law firm, working in both Administration & Accounts. During this time Shannon learned to deal with different aspects of the business and has used these transferable skills to assist her in her clerking role.
Outside of Chambers Shannon enjoys socialising with friends, spending time with her family and has recently taken up Clubbercise classes (basically dancing in the dark with glow sticks).