Dere Street Barristers – The Legal 500 Directory 2021 recommendations.
October 1, 2020
Crime – General and Fraud
The criminal practice group at Dere Street Barristers is ‘fantastic, vibrant, and technically diverse in their ability to deliver excellent advice, guidance and service with clients in this field‘. John Elvidge QC prosecuted a 78-year-old man who was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after accidentally shooting his great-grandson dead with an illegal high-power air rifle. Anne Richardson prosecuted a married couple – the husband was convicted of numerous historical sex offences, while the wife helped him feign disability, including pushing him into court in a wheelchair.
Leading Silks
John Elvidge QC – Dere Street Barristers ‘An excellent leader with a cool head.’
Ranked Tier 1
Peter Makepeace QC – Dere Street Barristers ‘Recommended for serious drug-related cases.’
Ranked Tier 2
Leading Juniors
Anne Richardson – Dere Street Barristers ‘Committed, conscientious and careful, she is invariably instructed by the prosecution in their most sensitive and serious cases, particularly those involving vulnerable witnesses.’
Daniel Cordey – Dere Street Barristers ‘His attention to detail in complex fraud matters is second-to-none, and he can immediately put the client at ease, even when delivering bad news.’
Anthony Davis – Dere Street Barristers ‘An excellent advocate with considerable tactical acumen and a large and loyal following.’
David Lamb – Dere Street Barristers ‘He is meticulous in his case preparation. He has excellent judgement. A very fair but tough opponent. An excellent legal mind – a very good case organiser.’
Chancery Probate & Tax
Dere Street Barristers’ Stephen Fletcher is a chancery, commercial, and property law practitioner who is seen as an ‘experienced and formidable litigator‘. ‘I have never yet been let down by Stephen,’ said one instructing solicitor. His practice includes shareholders’ disputes, director’s duties, appointment and removal of directors, and unfair prejudice petitions, as well as wills, probate, and Inheritance Act claims.
Ranked tier 1
Stephen Fletcher – Dere Street Barristers ‘He is a very approachable and talented barrister with great skills with clients and nothing is ever too much trouble.’
Employment
Dere Street Barristers’ employment law practitioners represent both claimants and respondents including local authorities, NHS trusts, trade unions, multinational PLCs, and police authorities. Members appear in tribunals not only throughout England and Wales but also Scotland. The team is headed by Samuel Healy who undertakes all areas of employment claims, but with a particular specialism in discrimination, TUPE, working time, and breach of contract disputes. In recent instructions of note, he represented Dnata in a dispute over the application of TUPE in a change of ground handling provider at an airport. Healy also represented the successful respondent company, defeating claims brought by an ex-director claiming over £30,000 of back pay on the basis that he was not paid the national minimum wage.
Ranked tier 1
Sam Healy – Dere Street Barristers ‘A very capable and approachable advocate who gets directly to the point.’
Ranked tier 3
Angharad Davies – Dere Street Barristers ‘Acts for both claimants and respondents in Equality Act and dismissal claims.
Family Law
Dere Street Barristers remains a strong presence in the North Eastern circuit with members providing strong advocacy private and public children law disciplines and at every level of the courts. Among the host of strong juniors, Tim Donnelly heads the family group and acts on behalf of family members and children’s guardians. Pauline Moulder works exclusively in children law and is involved in complex medical, sexual, and physical abuse cases. Carly Henley is noted for her expertise in significant non-accidental injury work and has acted in a number of international child abduction cases. Elizabeth Callaghan is recognised for her experience in dealing with vulnerable clients and is ‘extremely professional‘ and ‘always well prepared‘ in cases.
Child Law Public & Private
Ranked tier 1
Pauline Moulder – Dere Street Barristers ‘An excellent advocate who is always well prepared but has the ability to think on her feet with the result that she is able to present her client’s case in a clear and effective way. She has very good communication skills which means that she is able to deal with both lay clients and professionals alike.’
Ranked tier 2
Elizabeth Callaghan – Dere Street Barristers ‘Liz is extremely professional and is always well prepared. She is a master of detail and is my first choice when a forensic approach is needed on a case. she also has a charming but firm manner with lay clients and makes them feel at ease.’
Tim Donnelly – Dere Street Barristers ‘Tim is smart and combines a rigorous attention to detail in preparation with a quietly ruthless advocacy style which makes him a very effective unit as a barrister.’
Ranked tier 3
Carly Henley – Dere Street Barristers ‘Specialises in abuse cases.’
Karen Lennon – Dere Street Barristers ‘Straight-talking, extremely thorough and passionate about the case she’s advancing. You know exactly where you are with her. If you need a tough cookie, they don’t come much tougher than her.
Recommended
Elizabeth Lugg – Dere Street Barristers ‘Liz is a tenanacious, no nonsense barrister. She is also fearless and will do all she can to advance a client’s case. She is extremely good with vulnerable and/or challenging parents. She is frank in sharing strengths and weaknesses in a case during conference with client and will set out expectations to lay clients.’
Harvey Murray – Dere Street Barristers ‘Mr Murray has great expertise and is incredibly knowledgeable whilst also being approachable. He is an effective advocate and is well liked by lay clients who find is gentle manner reassuring when they are often in very difficult circumstances. He is also popular with professional clients including Children’s Guardians, due to his professionalism and skill.’
Divorce and Financial Remedy
Crispin Oliver – Dere Street Barristers ‘Crispin is always thorough and reflective in his approach to cases. He treats clients and other professionals alike with respect and instils a sense of confidence and safety. Unlike many of his fellow counsel, Crispin listens to the views of both lay and professional clients and has the maturity and humility to take these into account when formulating his advice and submissions.’
Personal Injury
Dere Street Barristers’ Daniel Edwards has a wealth of experience in brain injury, catastrophic spinal injury, and amputation cases, as well as employers’ liability claims, occupational disease, and civil fraud in relation to road traffic accidents.
Ranked tier 2
Daniel Edwards – Dere Street Barristers ‘Very thorough on paper and an excellent advocate in court.’
