Dere Street Barristers: Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2020 recommendations

Dere Street Barristers are delighted to have 13 members of chambers recommended in the Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2020 edition.

Crime

Dere Street Barristers is noted for its expertise across a broad range of serious criminal matters. Members are often instructed in complex cases relating to fraud, murder, drug conspiracies and serious sexual offences, and the set is home to several Grade 4 and RASSO panel advocates. Recent work includes R v Williams, a gross negligence manslaughter case concerning a novelty bed for small children which caused the death of a baby.
John Elvidge QC
Former leader of the North Eastern Circuit who attracts plaudits for his impressive experience of dealing with a broad variety of serious criminal matters. He has expertise in cases involving homicide, serious and organised crime, commercial drugs supply and serious sexual offences. He has been instructed to prosecute and defend cases brought by the CPS Complex Crime Unit.
Strengths: “A very well-respected barrister.”
Recent work: Represented a financial consultant in R v Black and others, a £17 million fraud case centred around the sale of solar panels.
Peter Makepeace QC
Respected silk who is experienced at both prosecuting and defending a range of serious crime cases. His practice includes cases concerning drugs, homicide and serious violence. He sits on the CPS Specialist Fraud Advocate Panel.
Strengths: “He has a very good manner and is fantastic with clients.”
Recent work: Prosecuted in Operation Sidra, a case concerning a conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Employment

Dere Street Barristers regularly represents NHS trusts, local authorities and the police in a broad range of employment matters. The set also adeptly handles cases for individuals, including constructive dismissal claims. Members frequently act in claims relating to gender and religious equality, discrimination and victimisation.
Samuel Healy
A specialist employment advocate with a vast abundance of experience to offer to his clientele across the breadth of the practice area. He has impressive experience handling TUPE and discrimination claims.
Strengths: “Excellent, very pragmatic and sensible, gets to the point, and is good with clients.” “He has a good level of experience in tribunals and he also acts as a deputy district judge, which adds a certain level of gravitas and gives the client confidence.”
Recent work: Acted in Grosset v City of York Council, an unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claim brought by a teacher who was fired after showing an 18-rated horror film to school children.

Family/Matrimonial

Dere Street Barristers’ family team is particularly able in public and private law children matters. Assisting family members, local authorities and Children’s Guardians, its barristers are active in cases as varied as fabricated or induced illness and non-accidental injury cases, contested adoptions and international child abductions. Its “large number of counsel, with lots of varying levels of experience” are well prepared to take on instructions of a multi-jurisdictional scope, sometimes engaging with supranational legislation in respect of children cases.
Pauline Moulder
An experienced senior junior who is exceptionally well-versed in child care law. She represents parents and children alike in complex – and often medically challenging – cases of serious injury, abuse and parental negligence.
Strengths: “She is immaculately prepared and a fierce cross-examiner.” “Very experienced, thorough, excellent in court and gives robust advice.”
Crispin Oliver
Applauded senior junior well-versed in financial orders, high-value ancillary relief and cases featuring complex overseas assets. Children law matters, including contested adoptions and international relocations, also prove a frequent source of instruction. He acts as an arbitrator as well as an advocate.
Strengths: “He provides very good-quality advice and is easy to work with.” “He’s very empathetic with clients, listens to them and understands what they want. He is also good in court and the judges listen.”
Elizabeth Callaghan
A committed family law advocate, with a focus on cases involving child fatalities and alleged non-accidental injury, in addition to contested adoptions, sometimes with a multi-jurisdictional component. She acts for both parents and children. Her practice covers both public and private law.
Strengths: “She fights really hard and her advocacy is very good.” “She has got a very calm, reassuring manner with clients and can explain things to clients with different capabilities.”
Timothy Donnelly
Well-regarded advocate who has built up a varied public and private family law practice. His cases concern a diverse array of issues as varied as allegations of inter-familial sexual abuse and adoption applications.
Strengths: “Whenever he says something in court, the judge will listen. He brings with him excellent preparation but also gravitas.” “Tim is unflappable. Clients like him and he has a manner about him which commands respect.”

Carly Henley

A public law specialist, she has expertise in child abuse and serious non-accidental injuries cases for local authorities, children and relatives. Her role as an assistant coroner means she is particularly adept at handling highly technical medical and factual evidence. She is also experienced in handling child cases with an international element.
Strengths: “She is incredibly bright, very hard-working and gets excellent results.”
Karen Lennon
Has a broad family practice incorporating both private and public law children work. She is very familiar with care and wardship proceedings, and has experience handling complex cases of injury, abuse and neglect on behalf of parents, children and local authorities.
Strengths: “If you have a case where you want every point to be fought, she fights her corner and is a very strong advocate.” “She is fearless.”
David Rowlands
Specialises in private and public law child cases. He often acts for local authorities and families in connection with grave charges, such as of factitious illness and physical or sexual abuse.
Strengths: “He has a great rapport with clients.” “He will eloquently and forcefully argue his client’s case.”
Sarah Woolrich
Impressive family law advocate who mostly takes on public law instructions encompassing alleged sexual and physical abuse, non-accidental injuries and international child abduction. She acts for parents, guardians, relatives and local authorities.
Strengths: “The most efficient person I’ve ever met.” “Always well prepared, calm and assured at all times.”

Personal Injury

Daniel Edwards
A highly regarded barrister who maintains a broad personal injury practice. He represents both claimants and defendants in catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims, with particular expertise in cases involving issues of employers’ liability. He counts insurers, businesses, trade unions and private individuals among his clients.
Strengths: “He has a really good way with witnesses and a fantastic manner in court. He’s also incredibly bright and very good on paper.”

Real Estate Litigation

Stephen Fletcher
Provides high-quality representation in property-related tribunals and trials. He has experience of an interesting array of issues including rights of way, landlord and tenant disputes, covenants and joint ventures.
Strengths: “A great intellect with an even greater knowledge of the court process and also one of the best cross-examiners I have come across.” “A formidable opponent and very experienced.”
Recent work: Acted in a dispute over a farm valued at £1.4 million.