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Chambers & Partners 2011

Crime: North Eastern

A favourite with instructing solicitors in Leeds and the surrounding areas, Park Court Chambers "offers an excellent service and has an impressive breadth of quality counsel."  Amongst its ranks, Robert Smith QC is widely considered "the best and most impressive silk on the circuit."  He has a very wide criminal practice, handling not only general criminal matters but also cases with health and safety, human rights and medico-legal angles to them.  Fellow silk Simon Bourne-Arton QC is a "high-quality performer" who both defends and prosecutes in the most serious criminal cases.  "He is excellent with very difficult clients such as those with serious anger management problems."  Michael Harrison QC's successful practice is largely focused on murder, money laundering and commercial fraud.  Observers are impressed with him and also Alistair MacDonald QC who is excellent at handling complex criminal cases requiring an advanced level of medical and scientific knowledge.  McDonald shares a set with Tom Bayliss QC who has a practice heavy on murder and terrorism cases.  He is especially noted for his client handling, as is silk Paul Greaney QC, who also received praise for his "excellent advocacy skills."  He was recently instructed on behalf of the prosecution in the second of three trials relating to a so-called honour killing.  Sound juniors at the set abound.  Gul Nawaz Mahboob Hussain is "an impressive communicator," who focuses his practice exclusively on defence work, recently appearing in a terrorist-related case.  "Even coming into a case at very short notice he handles it well," says solicitors.  Like Hussain, Nicholas de la Poer receives praise for his "ability to pick cases up at very short notice and quickly get immersed in them."  He has received many instructions as a led junior and is noted for his "excellent way with clients."

Health & Safety: The Regions

Robert Smith QC of Park Court Chambers, "a top-drawer barrister who is great with juries and brilliant on the law."  Highly regarded by clients and instructing solicitors alike, he has a special interest in the treatment of science and medicine in the law, and is admired for his "staggering command of the facts" when he takes a brief.

Employment: North Eastern Juniors

Ceri Widdett who is "always on top of a case and has a very clear understanding of the law."

Administrative & Public Law: Northern Juniors

Alex Offer of Park Court Chambers in Leeds, who has significant expertise in housing law and cases raising human rights and discrimination issues.  Offer acted for the lead claimants in a judicial review challenging an eviction from one of the UK's largest unauthorised gypsy and traveller sites.

Professional Discipline: London

Paul Greaney QC of Park Court Chambers has an interesting practice which is divided between prosecuting doctors and defending police officers.  He scores well with solicitors.




9th November 2010