Head of Trinity Chambers Toby Hedworth Q.C.said of the recently published Legal 500 2014 listings ‘At Trinity we continue to move forward despite challenging times in the legal sector. The directory has endorsed our barristers in more areas of practice than ever before, significantly Trinity is now ranked as a Tier One set, giving clients throughout the North East access to a chambers at the very top of the tree.”
For the first time Trinity Chambers has achieved Tier 1 status. The listings are as follows:-
Trinity Chambers Overview
Trinity Chambers is ‘a fine set' with ‘a fantastic reputation in the North East'. It has strength in depth across a broad spectrum of areas, including crime, family and employment. Chambers also provides niche advice on renewable energy matters, and cases with an agricultural element including Inheritance Act disputes, complex estates and capacity issues. In terms of judicial appointments, Michelle Temple and Robert Adams were recently appointed to the District Court and circuit bench respectively. Alison Dickason’s ‘helpful' clerking team provides an ‘excellent' service; the clerks are ‘knowledgeable about counsel and provide reasonable brief fees'.
Commercial, Banking and Insolvency
Trinity Chambers’ broad commercial practice handles litigation, mediation and arbitration. Insolvency and company law are also areas of strength. Chambers’ non-contentious workload has grown recently. Simon Goldberg - ‘His strong work ethic and written work is of a very high quality. ’Charles Holland - ‘A reassuringly knowledgeable and confident practitioner, who is good at dealing with difficult individuals.’ James Kemp - ‘A highly effective Chancery practitioner.’ Jamie Morgan - ‘Calm and approachable.’ Antoine Tinnion - ‘Fiercely combative and intelligent.'
Crime
Trinity Chambers’ broad criminal law practice contains many members with expertise in motoring offence cases and white-collar financial crime. Chambers houses several court martial advocates, some of whom have ex-military backgrounds. Toby Hedworth Q.C. - ‘A heavyweight presence in the courtroom.’ Caroline Goodwin - ‘She adopts a rigorous approach to case preparation.’
Employment
Trinity Chambers is ‘a fine set' for employment matters. Members specialises in equal pay claims, and several barristers feature in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of preferred counsel. Practitioners regularly represent trade unions, local authorities and NHS trusts among other entities. In 2013, Antoine Tinnion acted for the claimant in unfair dismissal proceedings arising out of the Winterbourne View Care Home scandal. Jamie Anderson - ‘Willing to take a commercial approach.’ Jane Callan - ‘Reassures clients through her manner and the thoroughness of her preparation.’ Simon Goldberg - ‘An excellent draftsman and advocate, and manager of clients’ expectations.’ Jamie Morgan - ‘He is very approachable and has excellent advocacy skills.’ Richard Stubbs - ‘He has a superb grasp of the law and is excellent with clients.’
Family
Trinity Chambers’ ‘extremely strong' family group is well regarded for its expertise in public law care work, but practitioners have expertise in all areas of family law. The set is also recommended for financial remedy work, and cases involving companies, farming and agricultural businesses. Claire Brissenden - ‘A personable barrister, with strong client care skills.’ Angela Giovannini - ‘Skilled at handling clients.’ Justin Gray - ‘Approachable and happy to assist with queries.’ Christopher Knox - ‘He always goes the extra mile.’ James Richardson - ‘Nothing goes under the radar, and he fights to the end.’ Nicola Shaw - ‘Very approachable and always well prepared.’ Timothy Spain - ‘A specialist in high-value financial remedy cases' Nicholas Stonor - ‘Extremely calm and reassuring in the most trying of circumstances.’
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Trinity Chambers’ practitioners act for claimants and defendants. A number of barristers also have niche expertise in diverse areas such holiday-related claims, costs litigation and employers liability. Mike Hill - ‘Fantastic attention to detail.’
Property
Trinity Chambers’ Chancery barristers have experience in all aspects of property law, particularly disputes in relation to easements, restrictive covenants, repossessions, housing disrepair, and landlord and tenant matters. Charles Holland - ‘His no-nonsense but approachable manner is refreshing.’
Regulatory, Health & Safety, Licensing
Trinity Chambers has separate practice groups for regulatory and licensing matters. The regulatory group regularly prosecutes and defends in hearings involving HMRC, HSE and UK Border Agency, among other bodies. A number of practitioners also have experience in disciplinary proceedings involving lecturers, teachers and pharmacists. Charles Holland - ‘His varied licensing practice includes applications for large-scale and high-profile events.’ Ros Scott Bell -‘Her varied practice includes a significant amount of prosecution work for the HSE and local authorities.’ Joan Smith - ‘She regularly represents police officers and police forces in misconduct and coronial proceedings.’
Public Law
Trinity Chambers is recommended for public and administrative law, particularly in cases involving immigration and mental health issues. Members act for individuals, local authorities and NHS trusts. Philip Engelman - ‘A true expert in judicial reviews.’