9 Park Place achieves record rankings in Chambers UK Guide

04 NOVEMBER 2015

9 Park Place Chambers is again celebrating being recognised as a leading, Band 1 set, as a record number of its members have been named in the most recent release of Chambers UK Guide as notable practitioners on the Wales and Chester circuit, with Lisa Thomas and David Gareth Evans having been added to the cohort in Chambers already recognised as leaders in their field.  

9 Park Place is once again listed as a Band 1 set in crime in the 2016 edition of the guide, which records that its barristers “are ‘great with complex work’" and that "sources would ‘never hesitate to use them on any case.’”  The guide continues: “9 Park Place possesses an excellent quality bench of barristers across its family law practice” and “the clerking service is excellent”.

Of this year's new entries, Lisa Thomas is recommended for her family law practice. Chambers UK 2016 notes: “She is an experienced junior advocate who is particularly praised for her rapport with clients and her constructive advice.  Strengths: "Extremely articulate and put the case forward in the best way for her client." "She is a fantastic advocate."”

David Gareth Evans records his first appearance in the UK Guide within family work, recommended as “a talented junior barrister who focuses on family law. Has a diverse practice incorporating public and private law care work as well as divorce and financial disputes.  Strengths: "He is very, very professional, measured, pragmatic and thorough." "He is so responsive and the clients love him. He does a really fantastic job."”

The clerking team at 9 Park Place is particularly well-regarded in this year’s Chambers UK guide, which notes: “The set receives praise from sources for its flexible, user-friendly service... senior clerk Michael Lieberman and his team are amazing and go above and beyond. The clerks there are fabulous” and “The clerking service is excellent. They are always approachable, efficient and accommodating of both solicitor and client needs.”

Also remaining listed in Chambers UK 2016 from 9 Park Place are: 

Chancery and Dispute Resolution:

Gwydion Hughes (“intellectually he is very sharp and his written advice is always very accurate and to the point. He is excellent in court, and has very good cross-examination skills”);

Richard Kember (“... probably the most professional, courteous and thorough barrister I have ever worked with. One of his best skills is to read a case and interpret what is likely to happen, so that we can move the case forward”); and

Emyr Jones (“a very good intellect, he is hard-working, thorough and really gets to the bottom of the case. His advocacy is effective and he has broad experience of dealing with various judges”) (in both Chancery and Dispute Resolution);

 

Employment: 

Robert Vernon (“pragmatic, sensible, easy to work with and good at keeping up to speed. He is a tribunal judge as well, which helps build client confidence in him”).

 

Family:

Paul Hopkins Q.C. (“his advocacy and attention to detail were outstanding - the amount of detail and knowledge of the case he displayed was particularly impressive”);

Owen Thomas (“never ruffled by anything - he makes the most complex matters look easy and relaxes clients with his approach.... outstanding advocacy: he was incredibly impressive in the courtroom”);

Christopher Felstead (“grasps a case so quickly and in such a proactive way that he adds an extra level of service and value... financially astute and commercial and gets to the crux of a case very quickly”);

Matthew Barry (“very highly regarded for a mix of work... has an accommodating attitude and is exceptionally good with clients on a personal level - they relate to him well”); and

William Seagrim (“... really impressed: he blew us away with the knowledge and familiarity with case law he displayed in his work”).

 

Crime:

David Elias (“a wealth of experience in the big cases and exudes an aura of confidence”); 

Roger Griffiths (“an excellent reputation in drugs cases and is very knowledgeable on the subject matter.  He has meticulous attention to detail”); 

Heath Edwards (“anticipates things that will come up and has answers at the ready.... a very personable and very good advocate... a safe pair of hands... highly impressive in court”); and 

Elizabeth Pearson (“fights very hard for her clients”).

 

The news has been warmly welcomed by Head of Chambers, Paul Hopkins Q.C., who said: "This is brilliant news for 9 Park Place Chambers, for our outstanding clerking team, and for the individuals who have been listed in the guide, all of whom fully deserve the recognition of being recommended as leaders in their field.  It is a reflection of the quality of representation and first-class customer service we continue to provide at 9 Park Place."