No.18 Chambers is delighted to announce that, for the eleventh consecutive year, we have achieved increased recognition in the annual Legal 500 rankings, strengthening our Tier 2 status for Family and Tier 3 status for Employment.
The Legal 500 assesses law firms and barristers’ chambers across the country, and this year No.18 Chambers has again been recognised as a recommended set on the Western Circuit for Family and Employment, as well as being the only set ranked for Immigration.
We are also delighted that 12 of our barristers have received 16 individual rankings, including recognition within the Leading Juniors categories across Family: Family: children and domestic abuse, Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy, Employment and Immigration.
We would like to thank all those who have supported, and continue to support, No.18 Chambers. We are extremely grateful for your continued confidence in us.
Family: Children & Domestic Violence
Specialist family law set No.18 Barristers Chambers is home to a number of notable barristers in the children’s law arena. One such member is Tracey Hennessey, who boasts expertise in both public and private law matters, especially cases surrounding capacity issues, neglect, and sexual abuse. Nigel Cholerton is another key member of the set, who is sought after to represent parents, extended family, and children in private law cases, while Laura Baines routinely acts for parents, guardians, and children in public law proceedings revolving around a wide range of issues, from domestic violence and substance abuse, to issues around placement outside of the jurisdiction
Leading Juniors: Family: children and domestic abuse
Tracey Hennessey (2001) - No.18 Chambers ' (Tier 2)
'Tracey is extremely competent, thorough, able to relay information to clients in a way that is comprehensible and adept at taking instructions. She is a formidable trial advocate’
‘A high standard of advocacy, who is able to highlight key points in a very persuasive way. Tracey is able to think on her feet, respond to changing situations, and remain calm under pressure, even when faced with difficult situations.’
Nigel Cholerton (2007) - No.18 Chambers. (Tier 3)
'A safe and dependable pair of hands that you can trust to do the best for the client. His advocacy style is very collected and composed, which comes across as very reassuring for the client’
‘A good legal knowledge. A strong advocate prepared to put the client's point across strongly. Good client care skills. Is detailed in his paperwork and preparation’
Laura Baines (2007) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 1).
‘Laura is an all-around excellent advocate in both private and public law. She is articulate and has a wide and deep understanding of both private and public law. She is relatable and friendly, making her a first choice’
‘A high standard of advocacy, able to highlight key points in a very persuasive way. Laura is able to think on her feet, respond to changing situations, and remain calm under pressure, even when faced with difficult situations. Laura is formidable. ‘
Claire Hook (2010) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘Claire is highly rated by professional clients. She gets to the core of the issues and goes the extra mile.’
‘Claire is an all-round excellent advocate. She is knowledgeable and has the ability to convey herself in a highly persuasive and articulate manner. She has exceptional social skills and is a favourite with both parent clients and professionals. She always makes herself available to talk through problems that may crop up, making her a popular choice of barrister.’
Francis Payne ( 2014 ) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 4)
‘Francis is an extremely articulate advocate and ensures that the main strengths of the case are robustly put forward. He is very quick-thinking and makes strong counterarguments. He offers clear advice to the client in a calm and empathetic manner but is equally not afraid to highlight any weaknesses in their case during conferences. He is well prepared for conferences as well as the hearing itself and is always up to date with new and relevant case law. Francis is an extremely charming and confident barrister, with clients and instructing solicitors feeling they are in very safe hands.’
‘Francis is excellent with clients, offering a good balance of clear advice and sympathy. In the courtroom, his advocacy is commendable. He is able to focus on the details without losing sight of the overall objective.’
Amelia King (2016) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 4)
‘Amelia's advocacy is exemplary; she understands her brief and represents the client to her best ability. She is always well prepared and provides the instructing solicitor with an attendance note and a summary of what took place at court.’
‘Amelia is a great advocate and very compassionate; she is especially good with vulnerable clients, such as victims of domestic abuse.’
Rachel Chapman (2017) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘Rachel is a strong and confident advocate who excels at breaking down complex legal matters so that they can be understood by her clients. She is sought after by both parent clients and professional clients thanks to her personable and empathetic manner.’
‘A high standard of advocacy, able to highlight key points in a very persuasive way. Rachel is able to think on her feet, respond to changing situations, and remain calm under pressure, even when faced with difficult situations. Rachel is formidable.’
Sara Chalk (2018) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 2)
‘Sara is an outstanding barrister. She is extremely well prepared, researching legal points in depth so that she can present concise and clear legal arguments. Sara is calm and personable and has a great deal of empathy for her clients. She is always professional and affable.’
’ Sara is very sharp in preparing every case and in her verbal submissions. She will not miss anything.’
Family: Divorce and Financial Remedy
Leading Juniors: Family: divorce and financial remedy
Nigel Cholerton (2007) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘Nigel is knowledgeable and well-prepared for matters. He is able to explain complex legal principles to clients in a manner that they are able to comprehend.’
‘Nigel is always thoroughly well prepared and has strong attention to detail.’
John Franklin (2016) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘John is an extremely effective and knowledgeable advocate. He is very rarely flustered, and he is a serious presence in the court. He is a concise communicator and is able to build up a rapport with people very quickly.’
‘I have instructed John Franklin in family matters and have found him to be a competent and conscientious barrister. He conducts himself professionally and deals with matters in an appropriate and efficient way.’
Francis Payne ( 2014 ) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘ Francis is a clear & robust barrister, offering direct and firm advcocay.’
Employment
The members of No.18 Barristers Chambers appear before all levels of tribunal. Department head Ian Wheaton is ‘very good with clients’ and acts for both employers and employees, and is especially skilled in public interest disclosure cases. Of recent note, he represented the respondent in Thornton v D R Groundworks, a case involving allegations of age-based discrimination and the constructive dismissal of a 60-year-old labourer. Barnaby Large‘s ’attention to detail and knowledge of the law are unparalleled‘, and he routinely acts in contentious and non-contentious employment law mandates. John Franklin is ’exceptionally quick to grasp the core issues in complex cases‘ and recently acted for the respondent in Bedford Sackey and Ors v Royal Mail Group Ltd, which involved three claimants alleging direct race discrimination and victimisation after failing to receive permanent roles
Leading Juniors: Employment
Ian Wheaton (2002) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 2)
‘Ian has an excellent way of explaining and summarising the issues at hand and the applicable law. Clients appreciate his forthright and practical approach to progressing their matters.’
‘Ian is always calm, focused, and methodical in his advocacy style, providing accurate and targeted cross-examination while exuding confidence in his knowledge, skill, and experience to clients.’
Barnaby Large (2007) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 2)
‘Barnaby is astute, organised and charismatic. He is willing to go the extra mile to make sure that clients receive the best result possible. His calm and thoughtful approach is particularly helpful and gives confidence to those instructing him.’
‘Barnaby is approachable, practical, and well-prepared. In the recent matter I instructed him on, he took the time to speak with the client in advance of the hearing, which helped reassure the client and ensure they were fully prepared. His advocacy is clear, focused, and measured. He has an excellent grasp of the factual and legal issues and communicates advice in a straightforward and commercially sensible way.’
John Franklin (2016) - No.18 Chambers (Tier 3)
‘John ensures that he has a thorough grasp of the case well in advance of the hearing and is a tenacious and effective advocate.’
‘Strong, sensible approach. Prepares well and knows what he is working with. Confident on his feet and personable with clients.
Immigration
The team at No.18 Barristers Chambers is well-versed in immigration law and represents its broad client base on a variety of complex cases, such as human rights claims and emergency High Court injunctions.
Leading Juniors: immigration
Laura Baines (2007) – (Tier 1)
Sarah Hirech (2012) – (Tier 1)
Clerking
‘Mark Windebank is excellent. He takes appropriate time on the telephone to understand the requirements and makes sure work is carried out as agreed. He is also friendly and informative.’
‘The clerking services are excellent. Mark Windebank is extremely helpful, always willing to go the extra mile and delivers outstanding clerking’
‘The clerks are incredibly helpful and attentive. They go above and beyond every time, and for that reason, they are our first port of call.’
‘Mark Windebank is an outstanding clerk who goes above and beyond to assist’
Mark is a champion of No18 Chambers and is incredibly helpful ,with great communication skills’
