Barristers from a range of Trinity's practice groups have again been recognised in the recently published 2018 edition of Chambers and Partners:
"This well-regarded set with offices in Newcastle and Middlesbrough is instructed by SMEs, partnerships, local authorities, lawyers and individuals to handle commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution both regionally and nationally. It offers expertise in company, contractual and shareholder disputes, as well as professional negligence, insolvency and civil fraud cases. Members are also noted for their experience in the engineering, IT and construction sectors."
"They are approachable, sensible, practical and good value for money, especially in comparison to London counsel," reports one source."The clerks give appropriate advice on whom to instruct and do not foist inappropriate barristers onto you." "Senior clerk Richard Embley turns things around very quickly."
Simon Goldberg
"Excellent senior junior who heads the commercial group. He is actively involved in shareholder and partnership disputes and has a special focus on civil fraud matters. Goldberg is increasingly instructed in complex, high-value international arbitrations, and is a very popular choice for solicitors faced with commercial and contract disputes, professional negligence cases, contentious probate claims and property litigation." "He is an impressive court performer, who is not bombastic and will go to the nth degree for his client." "He is as sharp as a razor and able to take on and get to grips with matters of significant complexity very quickly."
Richard Stubbs
"Very well liked by clients," "Richard Stubbs enters this year’s ranking due to strong support from the market. He is an all-rounder specialising in many different areas of commercial chancery law, who is also an expert in employment and sports disputes. His commercial practice spans all forms of consumer and commercial contract, sale of goods, restraint of trade, partnership and shareholder litigation."
"Excellent with clients, on paper and on his feet before the judge." "He has an approachable attitude and blends pragmatic solutions with determined advocacy."
"Prominent set with a number of respected and experienced criminal practitioners who both defend and prosecute cases ranging from dangerous driving to homicide. The set is noted for its strength in the Newcastle area, and has members who frequently appear before the Privy Council and the Court of Appeal. The clerking team is comprised of criminal clerks Liam Gorman and Peter Finkill-Coombs."
Toby Hedworth Q.C.
"Noted as a "popular choice for the defence," his practice includes a wide range of criminal and regulatory cases. He is recognised for his adept handling of complex judicial review proceedings." "He's an outstanding advocate in trials, and he gives peace of mind to clients who are facing the most stressful of times."
Christopher Knox
"An experienced barrister who is praised for his skilful advocacy in organised crime cases. While he regularly acts for the defence, he has also acted for the CPS and HMRC. He also has significant experience in homicide cases and matters concerning financial crime." "He's exceptionally able and in demand."
Family/Matrimonial
"Prominent North Eastern set, based in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, with a wide-ranging family law offering. Matrimonial finance is an area of particular strength, and attracts a steady flow of instructions from high net worth individuals seeking to resolve their finances after having separated or divorced. Members have considerable experience, not only in contentious proceedings, but as accredited arbitrators and mediators. Market commentators describe the set as being "exceptionally good" and "of really high quality when it comes to finance and children work." "The clerks are approachable and accommodating." "The clerks are very helpful and easy to deal with." Ken McLafferty, Steven Preen and Paula McLure are the civil and family clerks.
Nicholas Stonor Q.C.
"Head of the family group, he is widely admired for his work on complex childcare proceedings. He regularly acts in the public sphere on cases involving complex medical, religious and cultural issues, including forced marriage and female genital mutilation. In addition he advises on matrimonial finance and private law children matters." "He is magnificent! His bedside manner, the way he deals with the clients, is very special. He is a wonderful barrister." "One of the most able, pleasant, professional and well-prepared barristers on the circuit. A joy to watch in action!"
James Richardson
"Focuses his practice on family finance work, including cohabitation claims as well as traditional ancillary relief work. He regularly represents high net worth individuals in complicated disputes involving substantial business, property and financial concerns. Sources pay tribute to his depth of knowledge and thorough preparation of cases." "James is very seasoned. He is extremely measured but has great attention to detail. He is a tough advocate and chooses the right battle to fight." "He develops an excellent rapport with clients and manages cases in a very sensible manner."
Timothy Spain
"Known for his expertise in financial relief and children work, he is a forceful advocate as well as an accredited family arbitrator. He has handled a number of complex divorce cases involving businesses, farming, insolvency and hidden wealth, and has considerable familiarity with TOLATA claims."
"Tim is excellent. He is very detailed and has high-quality preparation. He is a very good negotiator and will fight clients' corners." "He puts clients at ease and is pragmatic and realistic in his advice."
Justin Gray
"A well-respected advocate who handles the full range of children law, and has particular specialisms in care proceedings, adoption and forced marriage. Many of these cases are of an international nature. He also takes on instructions concerning the safeguarding of vulnerable adults."
"A very measured and bright advocate." "He is an absolute master in preparation and he is very reliable."
Christopher Knox
"Vastly experienced senior junior who has an excellent reputation for ancillary relief work. He specialises in cases of high value and complexity, often with corporate and insolvency issues, and receives praise for his effective courtroom advocacy."
"Clients find him wonderful. They really like him. He is fantastic on his feet. His cross-examination is great!" "He is very experienced and someone you can call 24/7."
Chancery
Simon Goldberg
"Respected commercial chancery practitioner on the North Eastern circuit. He is frequently instructed in contract and partnership disputes as well as insolvency matters."
"Very sharp and excellent on his feet, he is a master advocate. He knows the case law and CPR inside out and he is always exceptionally well prepared."
Recent work has included acting for the defendants in a partnership dispute concerning allegations of fraud.
Employment
Jane Callan
"Represents a diverse range of clients including local and health authorities, blue-chip companies and individuals, and offers specialist expertise in equal pay and discrimination cases."
"She's quite highly sought after, exceptionally knowledgeable and great with clients. She has a very good rapport with judges and a very good way of advocating." "I was struck by her very high level of preparedness." Jane recently appeared in Bryant v Durham County Council, an unfair dismissal claim relating to the right of a head teacher to suspend an employee for a non-disciplinary reason.
Simon Goldberg
"Peers heap praise on Goldberg for his impressive level of experience representing respondents and claimants nationally in the Employment Tribunal, EAT and High Court. He is noted for his depth of industry knowledge across the employment sphere. He offers niche services in post-termination restrictions and fiduciary duties." "A real expert with real gravitas, he's extremely experienced and very personable." "Simon is a strong advocate who quickly absorbs information and identifies the legal issues, readily highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each case."
Simon recently represented the second respondent in a case relating to whether TUPE applied to an employee who moved from one care home to another.
Richard Stubbs
"Best known for his experience advocating in complex employment matters and regularly appears for a variety of clients, from individuals to local authorities and large corporates. He is well versed in handling multi-day hearings, TUPE, discrimination, equal pay and protected disclosures."
"He's commercially aware and prepared to understand the client's perspective and importance." "He's well prepared, good with clients and witnesses and easy to deal with."
Jamie Anderson
"Has developed a sterling reputation for the advice and representation that he provides to both claimants and defendants in employment law cases. He is adept at supporting individuals seeking to negotiate exit arrangements." "He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of employment law and he's very proactive in his approach." "He's technically very good and knows how various judges approach things. He works well with clients and goes the extra mile."Jamie recently advised a local authority in respect of its current annual leave arrangements and its historical liability for annual leave.
Jamie Morgan
"A diligent advocate who regularly appears for claimants and respondents in all conceivable reaches of the employment law practice area, from redundancies and dismissals to discrimination cases. He has a particularly esteemed reputation for handling equal pay litigation and acting for claimants in maternity-related claims." "He handles negotiation in a very clever and sophisticated fashion." "His approach with clients is fantastic. Jamie also has the ability to get to grips with a matter very quickly and gives a good insight into how tribunal proceedings may go." Jamie has recently successfully represented a long-serving manager, dismissed for misconduct, in a claim of unfair dismissal.
Michael Hill
"Has a well-established reputation as a key clinical negligence barrister with a particular focus on dental claims. He represents both claimants and defendants." "He provides good client care and is especially strong on all matters involving dentists."
Licensing
Charles Holland
"Licensing forms a large part of his broad civil expertise. He predominantly acts for licensees and has developed a wide-ranging practice, acting on tobacco, entertainment, SEV and taxi licensing disputes." "An extremely effective advocate. Very practical and straight to the point." "He's very clever and won't leave a stone unturned."