Legal 500, one of the world's largest legal referral guides, ranks Garden Court counsel among the best leaders in their field. Among top counsel commended for their leading edge practice are QC's Ian Peddie and Jo Delahunty:
Children law (including public and private law) - leading set (2)
Garden Court Chambers is a name synonymous with high-quality children law work. Ian Peddie QC is ' a man of great humanity', being 'exceedingly conscientious' and well regarded for work in difficult abuse cases, having been involved as counsel in matters involving witchcraft, paedophilia and incest. Jo Delahunty QC, who enters the table for the first time this year, is known for her child protection work. She was appeared in Haringey LBC v S, which concerned care arrangements for a child suspected to be under threat of assault, with allegations of wilful neglect in respect to ritual abuse.
Leading silks: Jo Delahunty QC (2), Ian Peddie QC (2)
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Leading Claimant Set
Garden Court Chambers is highly recommended in immigration, and also recommended in crime, civil liberties and administrative and public law, and gets a new ranking for social housing under property litigation. Stephen Knafler's skills are widely recognised.
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Crime - leading set (3)
Garden Court Chambers is ' one of the best... committed and able at the highest level'. Courtenay Griffiths QC is ' charismatic, with an extraordinary ability to bring the outside world into the courtroom'. Henry Blaxland QC is a ' hard-working, down-to-earth silk, with an excellent grasp of complex legal issues', attributes that suit both appellate and jury hearings. Adrian Eissa is ' skilled in legal submissions and cross-examination', and Dexter Dias is ' strongly recommended'; he was involved in various alleged Islamic terrorist cases.
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Administrative and Public Law including local gov - leading set (3)
' I have no hesitation in recommending this set', said one contributor; Garden Court Chambers is ' doing good work' in the public law arena, with ' a creative approach'. Jan Luba QC remains a seminal figure in housing law. Stephen Knafler delivers ' sensible and commercially sound advice', and ' he has a good success rate on difficult cases'.
Leading silks: Jan Luba QC, Owen Davies QC
Leading juniors: Stephanie Harrison, Stephen Knafler
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Human rights and civil liberties - leading set (2)
Members of Garden Court Chambers have broad claimant human rights expertise, as well as more recently tackling terrorism-related cases. The practice takes a principled approach, with a strong commitment to pro bono work. Solicitors have ' every confidence' in the set. Joint head of chambers Courtenay Griffiths QC has been defending Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia. Stephen Simblet is praised for being ' an excellent advocate who is good with clients', and Leslie Thomas inspires a high level of confidence among instructing solicitors.
In addition to the above, the following sets should be considered as expert in the field of civil actions against the police, formerly covered in the police law section. Doughty Street Chambers offer Heather Williams QC, as well as Phillippa Kaufmannn and Henrietta Hill; Cloisters offer Philip Engelman and Patricia Hitchcock, who also have good regulatory law experience. Stephen Simblet and Leslie Thomas of Garden Court Chambers are also recommended.
Leading silks :
Owen Davies QC, Coutenay Griffiths QC
Henry Blaxland QC, Mark Muller QC
Leading juniors :
Stephanie Harrison, Terry Munyard, Leslie Thomas, Fran Webber
Dexter Dias, Richard Harvey, Stephen Simblet
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Immigration and nationality - leading set (1)
The team at Garden Court Chambers covers all areas of immigration work. Dubbed ' the god of nationality law', Laurie Fransman QC remains ' the leading counsel on all nationality issues'. Ian Macdonald QC is strong on the racial relation aspects of immigration, with expertise on high-profile anti-deportation campaign cases. Richard Scannell has an ' in-depth knowledge of public law', while Stephanie Harrison and Nadine Finch are expert at family immigration matters, Finch being recommended as ' someone who thinks around the subject'. Continuing to ' provide cost-effective and commercial advice', Duran Seddon appeared in Saadi and is praised for being ' with 'an exceptional eye for detail'. Kathryn Cronin is recommended for her ' useful combination of childcare and immigration law expertise' and Nicola Rogers is rated as a ' leading junior EU law practitioner'.
leading silk
(1): Laurie Fransman QC
(2): Ian Macdonald QC
leading juniors:
(1): Rick Scannell
(2): Stephanie Harrison
(3): Nadine Finch, Duran Seddon
(4): Kathryn Cronin, Nicola Rogers
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Property litigation (including agriculture and housing)
Also strongly recommended are Garden Court Chambers's Jan Luba QC and Stephen Knafler for housing law.
leading silk
(3): Jan Luba QC
leading junior: Stephen Knafler
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Environment
leading silks: Owen Davies QC
