Nigel Frank International Limited v Peter Byrne (2012)
Appeared for the successful claimants in this five day case involving breaches of employment contract, restrictive covenant, and duty of confidence.
Will Byrne
Call 2006
EXPERTISE
Civil
Will is instructed by both claimants and defendants in a wide range of personal injury cases. He has dealt with road traffic, employers’ and occupiers’ liability claims, increasingly at the level of fast track and above. He has considerable experience of credit hire, low velocity impact, and issues arising out of portal claims. He represents interested parties at inquests and claimants in criminal injuries claims.
Drawing on his experience in dealing with road traffic cases in the civil courts, Will maintains a niche practice in appearing for defendants charged with motor offences in the both the Magistrates’ and Crown Courts. He deals with all charges including dangerous and careless driving, speeding, driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs, and section 172 notices. He is often called upon to make exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments.
Business
Will's practice encompasses a broad spectrum of business-related work. He has dealt with multi-day corporate disputes including consumer and commercial contracts, Sale of Goods Act claims, theft of business information, breach of covenants, and injunctions. His work extends to both corporate and personal insolvency, possession matters, and he has experience of consumer credit including PPI claims. Outside of work in the civil courts, Will is also instructed in cases in other forums, such as in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal, and the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber.
Costs
Will is instructed in costs and litigation funding cases. He appears for both paying and receiving parties at detailed costs hearings. He has developed proficiency in the recent civil justice reforms and is often instructed to argue discrete costs points, for example within portal claims, on costs budgeting and provisional assessments.
MEMBERSHIPS
- North Eastern Circuit
- The Haldane Society
LECTURES & SEMINARS
Will often delivers CPD accredited seminars to solicitors, most recently on interim injunctions, personal injury and on human rights. In 2010 he gave a lecture to the Italian Criminal Bar Association in Italy.
EDUCATION
- 1998-2002 BA (Hons) Law with European Law, Universities of Nottingham and Göttingen, Germany
- 2005-2006 Bar Vocational Course, University of Northumbria
- 2005-2007 LLM Advanced Legal Practice (Distinction), University of Northumbria
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS
Gray’s Inn
- 2007 The Graham Challis European Scholarship - Awarded for work at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
- 2006 The Lee Essay Prize - Awarded for an extended essay examining the compatibility of laws criminalizing Holocaust denial with the European Convention on Human Rights
- The Kalisher Scholarship Trust - 2006 Kalisher Award “In recognition of evident talent and commitment to the criminal bar.”
University Prizes
- 2006 The Lexis Prize University of Northumbria Awarded to the BVC student who achieves the highest mark of the year in the legal research examination.
- 2002 The Law Graduates’ Association Moot Prize University of Nottingham - For the “best competitor in the final of the Moot Competition.”
- 2002 The Punch Coomaraswamy Prize University of Nottingham - Given to a student “who has made an outstanding contribution to the life, work and well-being of the School of Law and to its capacity to operate successfully as a multi-cultural community.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Between 2002 and 2005, Will taught English at a Senior High School in rural Japan. Before commencing pupillage with Trinity, Will spent a little over three years at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and continues to maintain a link to international practice. Starting as an intern, he was appointed consultant to the office of the prosecutor. He has subsequently worked as legal assistant for the defence of two accused charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity arising out of events at Srebrenica in July 1995.
R v Michael Mount (2012) [Independent Newspaper Report]
Appeared for the appellant in this case, widely reported in national newspapers as ‘Peterlee police torture’. The appellant’s conviction was overturned on appeal.
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Prosecutor v Haradinaj, Balaj and Brahimaj (Judgement 2008; Partial Retrial 2011-2012)
As part of the prosecution team at the first trial.
Proseuctor v Popović et al. (The “Srebrenica Seven”) (Judgement 2010; Appeal Ongoing)
As part of the defence teams of Ljubomir Borovčanin at trial, and for Milan Gvero on appeal.
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.’
Chris Gibbin
Clerk
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.'
Paul McNab
Civil & Criminal Silks' 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 packing down in the second row although he has been on the verge of "retirement" from club rugby for the last three seasons but as a former club captain it's difficult to let go. When Paul does hang his boots up he plans to start learning to play the guitar again. When not playing rugby Paul is a season ticket holder at Wasps RFC and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where possible where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"!
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 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.’