LEGAL 500, 2009

The 2009 edition of Legal 500 ranks Monckton Chambers with 52 recommendations (up from 43 in 2008).  The following are the direct quotes from this year's directory:

ADMINISTRATIVE & PUBLIC LAW ~ LEADING SET

Monckton Chambers' niche is in the crossover between public, EU and procurement law, exemplified by Michael Bowsher QC's excellent reputation for public procurement disputes. Also highly rated are Christopher Vajda QC for his 'an incredible intellect', and Peter Roth QC. Tim Ward is 'more of a public law generalist', while Kassie Smith offers 'excellent attention to detail and an analytical mind', and Daniel Beard is 'universally well-liked by clients'. 

Leading Silks:  Christopher Vajda QC, Peter Roth QC, Michael Bowsher QC

Leading Juniors:  Tim Ward, Kassie Smith, Daniel Beard

 

CONSTRUCTION

Also recommended are procurement expert Michael Bowsher QC at Monckton Chambers, who is 'bright, practical and has incomparable experience of public procurement cases'

 

EDUCATION

Leading Juniors: Robert Palmer

 

ENVIRONMENT ~ LEADING SET

Monckton Chambers' Jon Turner QC leads on environment matters, recently championing Greenpeace's challenge in the Court of Appeal to the UK Government's inaction to protect dolphins in the Western English Channel.  The set includes the in-demand and 'approachable' Gerry Facenna, lead by Turner for the Environment Agency in the landfill test case Anti Waste Ltd -v-EA, as well as the recommended Kassie Smith.

Leading Silks: Jon Turner QC  

Leading Juniors: Gerry Facenna, Kassie Smith 

 

EU AND COMPETITION ~ TOP TIER LEADING SET

Monckton Chambers possesses tripartite strength in competition, EU law and public procurement.  The ability to field large teams remains a plus.  Paul Lasok QC appeared in the Cityhook case, contesting a decision on the OFT's case closure protocols, a case of wide significance, alongside Ben Rayment, whilst Jon Turner QC and Meredith Pickford appeared for the interveners.  In Tesco v Competition Commission, Peter Roth QC, who has an 'intellectual and considered style, with extensive experience and a client-orientated approach' acted for the Commission, with three other members, including Daniel Beard and Valentina Sloane.  Public procurement is familiar territory for both Nicholas Paines QC and Michael Bowsher QC.  On the European law side, John Swift QC has taken up the cudgels for Ryanair in disputes against the European Commission and Aer Lingus.  Most praise fell to Jon Turner QC, who is 'one of the most conscientious, and hard-working of silks'.  Turner 'combines approachability with prodigious intellect and a willingness to get stuck in'.  Turner's 'ability both to be part of, and ultimately, to lead a team into court' made him 'one of the foremost QCs at the competition Bar'.  He joins illustrious peers such as Christopher Vajda QC, who 'has gracious advocacy skills, which veil an unexpectedly direct, and rigorous cross-examination style'.  At the junior Bar, Daniel Beard is praised for giving 'commercially focused advice rather than reciting heavily qualified black letter law'.  Work with George Peretz is 'enjoyable through his easy manner and the knowledge that you can always rely on him'.  Ben Rayment has 'excellent procedural knowledge, especially of CAT proceedings'.  Kassie Smith is 'tenacious and thoughtful, with the client's best interests always at heart, whilst practical and extremely knowledgeable'.  Ronit Kreisberger, Anneli Howard, and new entrants Josh Holmes and Valentina Sloane are also highly recommended.

Leading Silks: Jon Turner QC, Paul Lasok QC, Peter Roth QC, John Swift QC, Christopher Vajda QC, Rupert Anderson QC, Michael Bowsher QC, Sir Jeremy Lever QC, Nicholas Paines QC

Leading Juniors: Daniel Beard, Meredith Pickford, George Peretz, Kassie Smith, Julian Gregory, Paul Harris, Josh Holmes, Anneli Howard, Ronit Kreisberger, Andrew Macnab, Ben Rayment, Jennifer Skilbeck, Valentina Sloane, Tim Ward

 

HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES

Monckton Chambers Piers Gardner, Ian Rogers and Tim Ward play to chambers' recognised strength on all European law matters.  This includes strength in EHCR litigation, in which court members of chambers have appeared regularly.

Leading Juniors: Piers Gardner, Ian Rogers, Tim Ward 

 

IMMIGRATION

Leading Juniors: Robert Palmer

 

MEDIA, ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT ~ LEADING SET

Monckton Chambers' sports practice is achieving increased recognition.  'First-class legal mind' Peter Roth QC, and the 'direct and down to earth' Paul Harris, Christopher Vajda QC and Ronit Kreisberger acted in the multi-party dispute of Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhound Services, regarding televised horseracing in betting shops. Fiona Banks also handles football and motor racing cases.

Leading Silks: Peter Roth QC, Christopher Vajda QC

Leading Juniors: Paul Harris, Fiona Banks, Ronit Kreisberger

 

PLANNING

Leading Juniors: Robert Palmer

 

TAX: VAT ~ LEADING SET

With aligned experience in EU law, Monckton Chambers is strong across the board in VAT and indirect tax matters, with strength in depth at both silk and junior level, and a reputation for 'excellent' client service.  Melanie Hall QC is 'one of the most respected and able counsel in the field of VAT advice and advocacy' and highly regarded accordingly.  Paul Lasok QC regularly receives instructions from Deloitte, KPMG and PwC, and has advised HMRC, as well as taxpayers, on both actual and proposed VAT legislation.  Nicholas Paines QC gives 'unsurpassed advice' and 'knows what the government is thinking'; Rupert Anderson QC also regularly acts on behalf of HMRC, and is 'affable, focused and a good lateral thinker'.  Leading junior Valentina Sloane is described by clients as 'a tough, tenacious and brilliant advocate' while Paul Harris is 'excellent, works hard and has a great grasp of detail'.  Peter Mantle is praised for his 'very good tactical awareness'; Raymond Hill successfully appeared in the Court of Appeal 'Pringles' litigation for HMRC.

Leading Silks: Melanie Hall QC, Paul Lasok QC, Nicholas Paines QC, Rupert Anderson QC

Leading Juniors: Valentina Sloane, Paul Harris, Raymond Hill, Peter Mantle

 

OTHER LEADING SETS

Top-tier EU and competition set Monckton Chambers is also recommended in tax, construction, administrative and environmental law, and gains a mention in media, entertainment and sport.