We are delighted that 2022 has been one of St Ives Chambers most successful years to date, as we further our reputation as one of the region’s leading sets.
Our rankings in the 2023 edition of the Legal 500 have been particularly pleasing. Chambers boasts 38 rankings across five practice areas, enjoying top tier rankings in family law (children and matrimonial finance) and social housing. We are also ranked as a leading set in business and regulatory crime, general crime, and property & construction. We are proud that rankings cover the full spectrum of experience from silk (Elizabeth Isaacs KC) to 35 leading juniors, including three rising stars, demonstrating the wealth of talent throughout Chambers.
The family team is highlighted by Legal 500 as “a first call on family matters” with a “ high calibre of barristers available at the set”. The social housing team are noted to have “real in-depth expertise of housing law” and our criminal team is home to a “pool of highly talented criminal practitioners”. We are also particularly proud that our exceptional clerking team continue to be recognised for their unsurpassed levels of client service.
We are also please to confirm that, in the last year:
- Chambers has commenced the process of a significant refurbishment project to our premises on Whittall Street. The project is anticipated to be completed in Spring 2023 and involves modernisation and increased flexibility across all floors. There will be reorganisation throughout the staff and members areas. Existing client facilities will be updated. The changes will help to ensure that we are at the forefront of developments regarding hybrid working patterns, and that we continue to offer the highest quality of service to our clients, through the creation of a modern working environment.
- James Picken has been appointed a circuit judge. James, who was head of our Private Law team, has been deployed to the Wolverhampton Combined Court.
- Two members of chambers, Tony Watkin and David Payne, were appointed as recorders.
- Two members of chambers, Ben Douglas-Jones KC and William Douglas-Jones appeared in the leading authority of R v Luckhurst [2020] EWCA Crim 1579 in the Supreme Court.
- Three members of chambers were featured in the FreeBar Visibility Project, further cementing our commitment to equality and diversity.
- Chambers offered tenancy to our three exceptional pupils and three more pupils commenced their training with us at the start of October.
- We will offer a minimum of a further three pupillages next year.
Chambers continues to welcome applications from skilled and dedicated practitioners in our core practice areas.