Cloisters' Legal 500 Rankings 2023

News

29 Sept

We are delighted to announce that Cloisters has been ranked across 5 practice areas and is once again recommended as a tier one set for employment law by the Legal 500. In the 2023 edition, Cloisters is describes as a ‘first-rate set of chambers with an excellent range of specialist employment barristers’ with ‘strength and depth at all levels of call, from silks to newly called’. We are extremely proud of all of our barristers and staff for their contributions to another successful year as recognised by the Legal 500.

Individual acknowledgments and congratulations go out to the following ranked barristers this year:

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Robin Allen KC (Tier 1)

‘One of the most brilliant barristers in the country. When in court, he is an outstanding advocate – sharp, focused and eloquent, and he particularly excels in cross-examination. Despite all his outstanding qualities, he is an extremely humble and kind advocate who is always willing to advise and assist, which makes working with him an incredibly rewarding experience.’

Paul Epstein KC (Tier 1)

‘A favourite silk for employment matters. He is clever, incisive, approachable and considerate, and he performs well under pressure, quickly winning the confidence of demanding clients. His delivery before the tribunal is low-key – no frills and very effective.’

Caspar Glyn KC (Tier 1)

‘As an advocate, Caspar is an unstoppable force. Clear and persuasive advocacy with great client skills, and very strong on holiday pay issues.’

Jason Galbraith-Marten KC (Tier 2)

'Mr Galbraith-Marten is personable, pragmatic and easy to work with.'

Rachel Crasnow KC (Tier 2)

‘Rachel has great strength in discrimination and equality law cases, providing very clear and accessible advice on complex issues. She has a good strategic approach when defending complex and sensitive claims, evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a case very quickly, and has great client-handling skills – clients immediately know that she’s on top of her brief and fighting their corner, and appreciate her sharp analysis and pragmatic approach.’

Schona Jolly KC (Tier 2)

‘Schona is a superb advocate and very skilled at dealing with challenges – she really gets results. Clients love working with her.’

Daphne Romney KC (Tier 2)

‘A very committed and experienced advocate who commands the ear of the court – vast experience in the field of equal pay litigation.’

Tom Coghlin KC (Tier 3)

‘Tom has a superb grasp of the finer details of employment law; and he is fantastic with clients due to his highly personable, but firm and pragmatic, approach. Tom’s drafting is brilliant, and his ability to see through to the heart of the matter and formulate a successful strategy is unparalleled. His advocacy is razor-sharp, he is always on top of the issues, and his delivery is calm, authoritative and hugely persuasive – a lawyer at the top of his game.’

Jacques Algazy KC (Tier 4)

Ed Williams KC (Tier 4)

‘A true star of the employment law field – immensely calm, skilful and collaborative, with strong analytical skills that are matched with persuasive advocacy. An outstanding team player, who is also excellent in the appeal courts.’

Dee Masters (Tier 1)

‘Dee is an exceptional barrister and advocate, who is very smart, has great client skills, and her cross-examination at trial is superb – better than most KCs.’

Claire McCann (Tier 1)

‘Claire is a fantastic advocate – her cross-examination is superb, aided by the fact that her preparation is excellent and she has a forensic knowledge of the case and the trial bundle. She is calm under pressure, and solicitors, in trial, feel in safe hands.’

Christopher Milsom (Tier 1)

‘No weaknesses – he has a truly encyclopaedic knowledge of the law. On his feet, he is authoritative without being longwinded and engaging without being lightweight. His attention to detail is superb, he inspires the confidence of clients, and he is straightforward and frank about the strengths and weaknesses of a case, and solutions-oriented when weaknesses are identified. He identifies novel points of law and is fearless (without being reckless) in pursuing them – the best employment lawyer of his generation.’

Anna Beale (Tier 2)

‘Anna is a tenacious advocate, and possesses an unrivalled instinct when it comes to the points that will land with both a judge and the other side in negotiations – a first-choice counsel for the more complex cases where intellectual firepower is required.’

Carolyn D’Souza (Tier 2)

‘Carolyn has a razor-sharp legal mind, is always thoroughly prepared and goes the extra mile for her clients. She is both warm and personable with clients, forensic in her approach, and absolutely brilliant on her feet. Without doubt, a go-to lawyer when it comes to complex whistleblowing cases, particularly where there is a financial services/regulatory overlay.’

Paul Michell (Tier 2)

‘Paul is a go-to counsel for complex tribunal cases. He is exceptionally easy to work with, gets across the detail very quickly, and is a very effective advocate who is committed to winning the case. He has a very reassuring and calm manner with clients.’

Declan O’Dempsey (Tier 2)

‘Declan has a wealth of experience and knowledge of employment law. He is extremely forensic in his approach to advice, and will always search out the unusual argument; and he is a compelling advocate, with an assured approach in tribunal. He is also good at explaining complex issues to lay clients.’

Tom Brown (Tier 2)

‘Tom has it all! Technically excellent and gets to grips with a case fast. A brilliant strategist, tremendous advocate, and a complete joy to work with.’

Catherine Casserley (Tier 2)

‘Knowledge of disability discrimination law that is second to none – lively mind, responsive, great with clients, and speaks with authority, building trust.’

Olivia-Faith Dobbie (Tier 3)

‘Clear advice, ability to get to the key issues quickly, excellent soft skills, and a strong communicator.’

Akua Reindorf (Tier 3)

‘Akua is very collaborative in her approach, and she presents a unified front with instructing solicitors, which is always great for clients to see and not something that can be taken for granted when instructing Counsel. She is hardworking, very client friendly, and tenacious and very persuasive in her advocacy.’

Chesca Lord (Tier 4)

‘Calm, clever and strategic. She is great with clients, who find her presence in hearings reassuring but also appreciate her determination to fight for the best result at all times.’

Caroline Musgrave-Cohen (Tier 4)

‘She is brilliant, adapting her style to the witness and particular tribunal to great effect. She is also incredibly well-prepared in all cases, giving great confidence to clients – always a first choice.’

Sarah Fraser Butlin (Tier 4)

‘Sarah is a leading academic and knows the law inside out. In an area like employment law, which is so dynamic, this is a real strength. Her written advocacy is strong, and she is very responsive and personable, and gives clear advice.’

Adam Ohringer (Tier 4)

‘Always calm and reassuring for clients, and able to explain the situation in an empathetic and supportive manner while providing sound pragmatic advice. Adam is highly skilled in being able to provide creative and strategic solutions to complex situations, yet is also able to provide clear technical advice that is commercially sound – reliable and always available to talk things through when needed.’

Sheryn Omeri (Tier 4)

‘Sheryn’s advocacy skills are first class. She is able to think on her feet, is calm, and gets her point across clearly and effectively – never fazed by what the opposition might throw at her. All her work is delivered in a timely manner, and she is thorough, analytical and practical. Above all else, she understands that litigation can be stressful for those she represents, and she is empathetic.’

Rachel Barrett (Tier 4)

‘Rachel is an extremely talented junior – smart beyond her years. She’s brilliant for complex, technical matters, but equally smart when it comes to strategy, and particularly good on discrimination and whistleblowing cases. Her client-care skills are very good, she works incredibly hard, and is an excellent team player.’

Nathaniel Caiden (Tier 5)

‘Nathaniel is an excellent barrister, who is super-intelligent and always helpful. He takes a real pride in his work, is a great communicator, and he is an excellent advocate. Nathaniel also has a great way with clients, who value his friendly and down-to-earth manner.’

Jennifer Danvers (Tier 5)

‘Intelligent, articulate and technically strong, while also being very approachable to witnesses and instructing solicitors. She is happy to advise at an early stage in a matter, leading to her feeling like an extended member of the team, rather than simply an advocate for the hearing. Her advocacy skills are fantastic.’

Yvette Genn (Tier 5)

‘Incredibly helpful to deal with and offers very practical advice – she does not disappoint and is able to reassure anxious clients.‘

CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE

Simon Taylor KC (Tier 1)

‘He has an excellent understanding of complex medical issues and an ability not to be distracted by irrelevant detail, but to get to the root of the issues quickly in negotiations.’

William Latimer-Sayer KC (Tier 1)

‘A leading member of the Bar on the question of quantum of damages.’

Patricia Hitchcock KC (Tier 3)

Joel Donovan KC (Tier 4)

‘A quiet assassin. He is tactically very astute, super bright, and has a steely resolve when required. ’

Simon Dyer KC (Tier 4)

‘Simon has a pragmatic, personable and empathic approach to clients whilst ensuring that experts are well-tested and the risks in a case are fully explored.’

Anna Beale (Tier 3)

‘Anna is a delight to work with. She is exceptional with clients, incredibly intelligent and able to navigate her way around tricky cases with ease.’

Sarah Fraser Butlin (Tier 3)

Tamar Burton (Tier 3)

‘Tamar is the consummate junior who has everything: she is efficient, hardworking and nothing is too much trouble. Exceptional people and client-management skills.’

Linda Jacobs (Tier 3)

Hannah Godfrey (Tier 3)

‘Very thorough and approachable.’

Chesca Lord (Tier 4)

‘Chesca is very experienced in catastrophic work.’

Martyn McLeish (Tier 4)

‘Martyn is very approachable and easy to communicate with. He has very good client care skills and is always well-prepared and on top of the details of a case.’

Catriona Stirling (Tier 4)

‘Catriona is exceptional. She has a wonderful manner with clients. She is always calm, and gives the impression of reassuring competence. In negotiations she is thoughtful and responsive, but utterly committed to securing the client a good outcome.’

PERSONAL INJURY, INDUSTRIAL DISEASE AND INSURANCE FRAUD

William Latimer-Sayer KC (Tier 1)

‘One of the go-to silks on high-value catastrophic injury matters. He is a delight to work with. A genuine star and phenomenally gifted.’

Joel Donovan KC (Tier 4)

‘Joel is very clever, sees the issues in a case for what they are and has a strategy to get the best possible outcome.’

Daniel Lawson (Tier 1)

‘Daniel is highly recommended amongst the senior juniors.’

Chesca Lord (Tier 5)

‘Very approachable and has a clear understanding of the relevant issues to the claim. Client like her. Without doubt a future personal injury star.’

Tamar Burton (Tier 5)

‘Tamar is fantastic; switched-on, effective, personable and incredibly hardworking. Super junior counsel in big cases – contributes beyond her years.’

ADMINISTRATIVE AND PUBLIC LAW

Robin Allen KC (Tier 3)

Ed Williams KC (Tier 4)

Schona Jolly KC (Tier 4)

‘Schona is a keen intellect and a practical and yet creative thinker. She is a strong and unwavering advocate with in-depth knowledge and expertise of civil liberties and human rights with the domestic and ECHR frameworks.’

Claire McCann (Tier 3)