28 members recognised in Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2026

Selborne Chambers – Band 3

• “The clerks at Selborne go out of their way to get to know the instructing solicitors and to help them.”
• “The clerks will provide a summary of their barristers’ expertise in the area, with examples and a fee estimate, making the instruction of new counsel as straightforward as possible.”
• “The clerks have a can-do attitude and are a real pleasure to work with.”
• “The clerking is efficient, reasonable and very user-friendly.”
• “Their clerks are the best in the business; they are extremely helpful and fast to react.”

Ian Clarke KC – Band 3

• “Ian is an amazing communicator who is excellent with both solicitors and clients. He embodies the collaborative approach found at Selborne Chambers.”
• “Ian has an impressive ability to deal with complex international matters. He effortlessly identifies key issues and documents in order to pursue an advantageous litigation strategy.”
• “Ian’s advocacy is exceptional.”
• “Ian’s ability to engage with and understand complex and detailed matters is unrivalled.”
• “Ian is a joy to work with. He is responsive, user-friendly and great with clients.”

Nicholas Trompeter KC – Band 4

• “Nick’s client handling skills have been exemplary and his advocacy stellar. In addition, his knowledge of the law is second to none, and his commercial acumen is excellent.”
• “A really dynamic intellectual who is extremely efficient in his turnaround times, and a man with a keen eye for detail. It’s not surprising he was made silk so young. He’s just a brilliant litigator.”
• “Nicholas is a very impressive all rounder. He has excellent technical skills, but is also very commercial and good with clients.”

Duncan Kynoch – Band 4

• “Duncan is very very thorough. He knows what he is doing, and he impresses in court with how he gets things over to the judge.”
• “Duncan Kynoch is accessible, responsive and knowledgeable.”

Alexander Goold – Band 4

• “Alexander Goold is excellent. He’s extremely good to work alongside and is first class with clients.”
• “Alexander is user-friendly, very intelligent, highly analytical and a repository of fantastic legal knowledge. Both commercial and practical in his approach, he’s a terrific advocate.”
• “Alex is a really tenacious guy. If you want someone to really get stuck in and really see it through to the bitter end, he’s your man. He won’t let go until he’s exhausted every possibility.”
• “Alexander is very good at understanding what we want. He’s helpful, practical and someone who deals well with client expectations.”
• “Alexander Goold is very experienced at dealing with complex cross-border disputes. He has great advocacy skills and steers judges through complexities in a calm, convincing manner.”

Simon McLoughlin – Band 4

• “Simon is fabulous. He’s very bright, helpful and responsive.”
• “Simon McLoughlin is an intellectual advocate with a keen commercial eye.”
• “Simon has advised on a range of matters for me, and in each case his advice has been very thorough and exactly what we needed at the time. He cannot be faulted.”

Ian Clarke KC – Band 3

• “Ian Clarke is very knowledgeable and able to quickly identify the real issues and provide practical solutions.”
• “Ian is someone I would recommend highly. He never sits on the fence and takes a clear view on things.”
• “Ian Clarke is an exceptional advocate who can work through complex information. He has great persuasive skills, and his knowledge of traditional chancery and trusts is second to none.”
• “Ian Clarke KC of Selborne Chambers is an established silk with a strong background in commercial and real property matters. He is also noted for his expertise in complex trusts and probate cases.”
• “Ian is fantastic on his feet. He is a trial advocate who is able to swiftly navigate the judge around the case and build trust quickly.”

Clifford Darton KC – Band 3

• “Clifford Darton is excellent all round. He is as good on his feet as he is on paper.”
• “His advocacy skills are second to none and he is an absolute genius with witnesses at cross-examination.”
• “Clifford Darton KC of Selborne Chambers has a comprehensive chancery and commercial practice, which includes handling probate cases involving sizeable estates.”
• “Clifford Darton possesses one of the sharpest minds I have ever come across. If I ever found myself in trouble, he is the man I would want in my corner.”
• “Clifford Darton possesses one of the sharpest minds I have ever come across. If I ever found myself in trouble, he is the man I would want in my corner.”

Julia Beer – Band 4

• “Julia has excellent knowledge of the law and her advocacy skills are impeccable.”
• “Julia is able to advise on complex probate disputes and take a commercial view as to what settlement should be considered.”
• “Julia Beer is very good on her feet and in cross-examination.”
• “Her experience in company, partnerships and contentious probate is very useful. She deals with pressure really well and holds her own in front of silks. She spots points that others might not.”
• “Julia Beer is very reliable, incisive, and her contentious probate work is excellent.”
• “Julia Beer of Selborne Chambers advises clients in contentious probate cases. She has particular expertise in domicile and cross-border estates, fraudulent wills and 1975 Act claims.”

Lydia Pemberton – Band 4

• “Lydia’s efficiency and quality of work is of an exceptionally high standard. She is highly reliable and so insightful.”
• “Lydia Pemberton can be relied upon to deliver timely, concise, commercially aware advice.”
• “Lydia Pemberton of Selborne Chambers has significant experience of working on High Court matters in London and on the Midlands Circuit. She acts on trusts and probate matters, and also takes on property cases.”
• “Lydia is very compelling and strong in court, and really fights your corner for you. She is good to work with because she just understands the clients.”

George Woodhead– Band 4

• “George is a superb barrister. Not only is he a very safe pair of hands, but he puts lay clients at ease with his manner and approach. His litigation awareness is second to none.”
• “George is an exceptional barrister who is destined for great things. He has a calm demeanour and he backs that up with technical prowess. He is always on top of the documents.”
• “George Woodhead is a really natural advocate. I have been very impressed by him. He is pragmatic, has good judgement and is strong on all things.”
• George Woodhead of Selborne Chambers has a strong profile in the Chancery Bar. He acts in contested probate, trusts and property litigation. He particularly stands out for cases relating to sham trusts.

Chris de Beneducci – Band 4

• “Chris is just a really nice, good, likeable guy with a good legal mind. He presents in a simple, logical way that makes you want to agree with him.”
• “Chris de Beneducci of Selborne Chambers advises clients on disputes concerning wills and estates, including claims brought under the Inheritance Act. His work also includes real estate disputes and professional negligence matters.”
• “Chris is very comfortable on his feet, he deals with a difficult case well and his advocacy is very assured. He’s very pragmatic to deal with.”
• “I would describe Chris as a very capable junior who is a real rising star. He is very good and I would have no hesitation recommending him. He is good with clients and very user-friendly.”
• “Chris de Beneducci is user-friendly, easy to get along with, and very collaborative and proactive. He is ultimately very keen and good at his job.”

William McCormick KC – Band 6

• “William is hands on and has a hard-hitting style and excellent written and oral skills. He is superb in cross-examination.”
• “William McCormick is responsive and creative. He takes a no-nonsense approach with clients, which is hugely valued – he really cuts to the chase.” 

Carly Sandbach – Band 1 (Northern Bar)

• “She is very articulate and very persuasive in court.”
• “Carly Sandbach is a barrister with a leading commercial and chancery practice, and has particular expertise in professional negligence, insolvency and company cases. She acts for both claimants and defendants, and often handles matters concerning solicitors and accountants. She is also adept at handling winding-up petitions and directors’ disqualification proceedings. Her clients include multinational corporations, banks, private individuals and government departments.”

Rahul Varma– Band 3

• “Rahul is an exceptional advocate with a really good eye for detail. Extremely responsive and very user-friendly, he’s someone who really thinks about the commercial drivers of any piece of litigation.”
• “Excellent across the board and someone whose commercial vision is very strong.”
• “Rahul Varma handles company law cases as part of a broad commercial chancery practice, and has appeared in a number of matters concerning claims against directors and minority shareholders’ relief. He has been instructed, both led, unled, and has appeared as leading counsel.”
• “Hard-working, clever and inventive, I have seen him regularly duff up silks up in court.”

William McCormick KC – Band 1

• “William is a punchy brilliant advocate who is fantastic with clients.”
• “William is a force of nature.”
• “William is tenacious as ever with very good judgement.”
• William McCormick KC is considered a go-to practitioner for commercial and personal defamation and contempt matters. He is highly valued for his cross-examination and advocacy skills.

Clifford Darton KC – Band 3

• “Clifford is a go-to barrister who is good on environmental matters.”
• “Clifford Darton KC of Selbourne Chambers has a practice focusing on all manner of water law issues, including flooding, drainage and sewage cases. He frequently acts for water companies, as well as landowners.”

Justin Kitson – New Silks

• “Justin Kitson KC has developed a considerable media practice and acts in significant contractual, copyright and royalty disputes in the music industry.”
• “I have never seen anybody quite so good on their feet with a witness. He is also an accomplished concert pianist, so he knows the music industry and is good with musicological evidence.”

Nicholas Trompeter KC – Band 4

• “Nicholas Trompeter KC is the perfect blend of being incredibly intelligent, good with the court, knowing how to pitch advice to the clients and being a pleasure to work with.”
• “Nicholas Trompeter KC is an exceptionally talented advocate with a rare combination of courtroom prowess and behind-the-scenes brilliance. I would trust him with any matter.”
• “Nicholas Trompeter KC of Selborne Chambers has strong expertise in landlord and tenant work and real estate more generally, which gives him an excellent grounding in professional negligence disputes in the property sector. His clients include landlords, investors and the Chief Land Registrar.”
• “He’s incredibly clever, easygoing and approachable. Brilliant to work with.”

Hugh Jackson – Band 4

• “Hugh Jackson of Selborne Chambers is an impressive senior barrister who is instructed in professional negligence cases involving property and chancery elements. He acts for claimants and defendants in complex, multiparty litigation, especially with regard to allegedly negligent advice from solicitors, surveyors, and tax and financial advisers.”
• “Hugh Jackson is very good on professional negligence. He reads judges very well and knows which points to take and not take.”
• “Hugh Jackson is very knowledgeable about the area and is someone who has acted on both sides so can counsel well on the merit of a case.”

Gary Blaker – Band 3

• “Gary is impressive and really tries to build consensus around things. He is good at bringing people with him.”
• “Gary Blaker KC handles property damage cases which often stem from floods or fires. He has appeared in cases before the TCC and has dealt with disputes involving multimillion-pound claims.”

Selborne Chambers – Band 2

• “Senior clerks Darren Madle and Paul Bunting provide an excellent service; I always feel prioritised and well looked after in their capable hands.”
• “Darren Madle and Paul Bunting are bona fide legends of clerking who always get it right.”
• “The clerks are the best I have ever come across and I have been doing this a long time.”

Ian Clarke KC – Band 2

• “Ian Clarke KC is noted for his exceptional client service. He handles property work alongside his private client and professional negligence matters. He has a strong reputation for cases concerning mortgages and land registration matters. He acts for clients including international corporations, commercial landowners and investors.”
• “He is no-nonsense, direct and someone I would recommend highly.”
• “Ian has a real eye for detail and combines that with excellent commercial awareness.”
• “Ian is the quintessential English barrister – calm, charming and knows where to go for, and how to get, answers.”

Mark Warwick KC – Band 2

• “He can absorb a large amount of information like no one else and he is brilliant in court.”
• “Nothing is too much trouble for Mark. He can turn his hand to anything with a smile.”
• “Mark Warwick KC is a highly respected silk whose work regularly consists of high-profile and complex real property litigation. He also handles property-related professional discipline matters. He is a leading expert on break clauses.”

Gary Blaker KC – Band 2

• “Gary is superb. Watching him in court is a joy, how he grasps every single issue at all times and leaves the court to believe his outcome is the only possible outcome.”
• “Gary is a strong advocate, quietly spoken but delivers powerfully.”
• “Gary is technically excellent and a pleasure to work with.”
• “Gary Blaker KC earns praise for his approachability and practical work style. Easements, mortgages and boundaries are some of his areas of specialism, alongside the full range of commercial and residential landlord and tenant work. He is also well versed in real estate-related claims in professional negligence and civil fraud.”

Nicholas Trompeter KC – Band 2

• “Nicholas Trompeter KC is applauded for his impressive knowledge and handles top-level property work as part of a wider commercial chancery practice. He also represents both landlords and tenants in opposed and non-opposed lease renewals.”
• “He is incredibly clever, brilliant to work with and I come back to him again and again.”
• “He is a brilliant advocate who is not afraid to take a difficult point and fight it with real conviction.”
• “Nicholas is my go-to for complicated matters. His attention to detail and advocacy are second to none.”

Justin Kitson KC – New Silks 

• “He is very clear, I know I can trust him and he is good with clients.”
• “Justin is a superstar and I am very pleased to see him obtain silk – it is what he has deserved for a number of years!”
• “Justin is really accessible, a very good advocate and understands clients really well.”
• “Justin Kitson KC has a great deal of expertise in property-related professional negligence and regularly handles high-value property disputes more generally. His experience includes dealing with cases that involve easements, sales contracts and restrictive covenants, as well as conveyancing disputes and dilapidations matters.”

Neil Mendoza – Band 5

• “Neil Mendoza is a respected commercial litigator who has expertise in land and property matters. He exhibits great talent for commercial landlord and tenant property litigation, and is also often called upon by mortgage lenders to take charge of complex repossessions. Mendoza is highly experienced in professional negligence claims against solicitors and surveyors.”
• “Neil is great on cross-examination; he is very punchy and straightforward in questioning and makes the complicated straightforward.”
• “He is very approachable, personable and easy to talk to.”

Stuart Hornett – Band 2

• Stuart Hornett concentrates on real property matters and has a particular focus on landlord and tenant disputes. His practice also takes in general commercial litigation and chancery disputes.
• “His commerciality sets him apart and is revered by his clients.”
• “Stuart is peerless in being able to assist with seemingly intractable problems.”

Duncan Kynoch – Band 5

• “Duncan Kynoch’s practice covers a full range of property litigation aspects. He is well versed in adverse possession, lease issues and party wall disputes, among many others. He has experience appearing in the High Court and Court of Appeal.”
• “Duncan is exceptional at what he does. He is commercial and a lateral thinker.”
• “Duncan is a very effective advocate.”
• “Duncan is a highly experienced operator who combines commercial acumen with an excellent knowledge of the law.”

Richard Clegg – Band 5

• “Richard Clegg is property specialist with a focus on commercial litigation and arbitration. He handles both residential and commercial land property issues, as well as cases concerning easements and restrictive covenants. He has acted in a number of cases relating to the Law of Property Act 1925 and land registration law”
• “Richard gives me a real sense of comfort that the case has been fully evaluated, and he is a tenacious advocate who fights hard for his client.”
• “He has a real forensic eye for detail and as an advocate he is first-rate.”

Jonathan McNae – Band 4

• “Jonathan McNae garners praise for his performance in front of judges. He acts in commercial and residential property cases, including those regarding restrictive covenants and possession actions.”
• “He offers pragmatic and sensible advice and is a first-class advocate.”
• “Jonathan is delightful to work with. He really knows his stuff.”

Henry Webb – Band 3

• “Henry was a reassuring presence for the client, had an easy manner with the judge and was very skillful at presenting the case.”
• “He is very popular with clients for his calm and approachable manner, his expertise and clarity, and his strategic and practical advice.”
• “Henry is very clear and pragmatic but also an expert advocate.”
• “Henry Webb acts in a range of property cases, such as those concerning leaseholder disputes, easements and breaches of trust. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

Paul De La Piquerie – Band 3

• “His courtroom manner is nuanced depending on the requirements of the case, the opponent and the judge.”
• “Paul is a silk in the making. He is really detail-orientated, sees things others don’t and in court he has a calm, confident and persuasive style.”
• “Paul has a very strong technical grasp of issues in the field of property litigation.”
• “Paul De La Piquerie is particularly strong in residential and commercial property landlord and tenant disputes, but undertakes a wide range of property-related disputes. He has appeared in a number of reported cases and notched up a notable run of victories in recent years.”

Rahul Varma – Band 4

• “Rahul Varma has a well-rounded property-focused practice. He has significant experience in an array of matters including land and landlord and tenant disputes. He also displays a strong knowledge of insolvency matters in his practice.”
• “Rahul is a real star and should be a KC.”
• “Rahul is a KC in the making, with a fantastic blend of outstanding technical legal skill, faultless commercial awareness, compelling advocacy and superb client care.”
• “Rahul is a confident advocate who is not afraid to take calculated risks.”

Simon McLoughlin – Band 4

• “Simon McLoughlin regularly acts on landlord and tenant and real estate matters, including those with aspects of company and insolvency law. He is frequently instructed as sole counsel in complex disputes.”
• “Simon is magnificent. He really gets stuck in and is a pleasure to deal with.”
• “Simon is a pleasure to work with and is keen to make client goals a reality through his legal knowledge.”

George Woodhead– Band 4

• “George Woodhead is recognised for his expertise in cases where property law intersects with trusts. His practice therefore focuses on domestic chancery cases, during which he has gained plenty of experience in the High Court.”
• “George is an outstanding barrister – excellent with lay clients, exceptionally reassuring and a fierce advocate.”
• “George gets to the heart of the matter quickly, is commercially astute and handles complicated issues with aplomb.”
• “He is a rare combination of being extremely knowledgeable and a decisive and formidable advocate, who is always well prepared and able to think on his feet.”

Isabel Petrie – Band 4

• “She came into her own with her knowledge on how to tackle complicated matters with large case loads.”
• “Isabel Petrie is a talented junior with broad experience, which includes the likes of recovery, fraud and nuisance-related property cases. She has experience acting on both the landlord and tenant sides of claims.”
• “Isabel is a very strong advocate and is clear, tactical and commercial in her advice, and always with a personal touch.”
• “Isabel is a rising star and absolutely devastating in her advocacy.”

Barnaby Hope– Band 5

• “Barnaby Hope possesses broad commercial chancery experience but devotes the majority of his practice to real estate litigation matters. He is well-versed in a wide variety of issues including those related to property ownership, fraudulent transfer of properties and dilapidations. Hope spends time working as a Deputy District Judge and a mediator and is also called to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean.”
• “Barnaby always provides the same high level of expertise, sophistication, and commitment to each matter.”
• “Barnaby provides excellent advice with an incredible ability to pick matters up quickly and thoroughly.”

Chris de Beneducci – Band 5

• “Chris de Beneducci handles a wide range of property litigation matters, in particular landlord and tenant disputes. He also regularly acts on matters involving commercial disputes, insolvency, professional negligence, restrictive covenants and secured lending. He was appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown for a five-year term from September 2021.”
• “Chris is a very capable junior who is a real rising star.”
• “Chris is very comfortable on his feet; he dealt with a difficult case well and his advocacy was very assured.”

Rosamund Baker – Band 5

• “She is tough when needs to be but not confrontational.”
• “She has excellent skills in court, both in handling opponents and as an advocate.”
• “Rosamund is a real star in the making. She is a great advocate and makes solid submissions that gain a judge’s trust, and has great instincts.”
• “Rosamund Baker is a solid junior who is regularly instructed in high-profile property litigation mandates. She has expertise in a broad range of issues including possession, rent and boundary disputes. Baker also has expertise in commercial chancery litigation and frequently appears as counsel in the County Court and High Court.”

Peter Shaw KC – Band 3

• “Peter Shaw KC advises on a mixture of corporate and personal insolvency cases, and has a significant focus on matters containing a fraud element. He acts mainly in contentious matters and has a particular expertise in cases concerning directors’ misfeasance claims. He is regularly instructed to act for liquidators and HMRC.”
• “He is commercial in his outlook and approach and is very good at drawing strands together.”
• “He backs up commercial judgements with excellent legal knowledge.”
• “Peter Shaw is a strong all-round performer who goes the extra mile for his clients.”
• “He is excellent with clients and is smart, articulate and very user-friendly.”
• “Peter is an excellent advocate capable of seizing the most important points immediately. He is also very accessible.”
• “He is a very knowledgeable and hard-working barrister with excellent advocacy skills.”

Carly Sandbach – Band 1 (Northern Bar)

• “Carly Sandbach is a leading junior who undertakes contentious corporate and personal insolvency work as part of her broader commercial litigation practice. She demonstrates skill in areas such as breach of directors’ duties and cases containing fraud elements. She possesses additional experience in cases comprising professional negligence claims arising from insolvency. She has appeared before the Court of Appeal and is also regularly instructed by the Secretary of State in public interest winding-up petitions.”
• “Carly is very straight-talking, robust and gets the job done.”
• “She’s very effective, she knows the law and she is quite driven.”
• “She was extremely well prepared, a real safe pair of hands and we are confident that she covers all bases, anticipates things before they happen and addresses them in a concise way.”

Isabel Petrie – Band 5

• “Isabel Petrie is an impressive performer in the restructuring and insolvency space, regularly handling sophisticated claims relating to directors’ duties and in particular, insolvency claims in the commercial property sphere.”
• “She is extremely precise and thorough and her work ethic is fantastic.”
• “She provides advice and support on all aspects of the case. When working with Isabel, you know you’re in a safe pair of hands.”
• “She spots the issues quickly, is enormously hard-working and expresses good views.”

Paul Wright – Band 5

• “Paul is smart, responsive and strategic. He has impressive legal abilities far beyond his year of call.”
• “Paul Wright carries out substantial work in the restructuring and insolvency space and is routinely called upon to act in matters involving misfeasance claims and claims against directors.”

Justin Kitson KC – New Silks

• “Justin Kitson KC of Selborne Chambers is a well-versed telecommunications silk. He is able to offer expert advice on the telecommunications code and regularly acts for operators, developers and also corporate clients.”
• “Justin Kitson is very good at getting lay clients to understand the process and the difficulties to overcome.”
• “Justin Kitson is very thoughtful and persuasive.”
• “Justin Kitson is good on his feet and he works very well in a team.”
• “Justin is a natural advocate; he brings an emotional sort of force to his submissions.”
• “Justin is incredibly diligent and very good at getting across all the information. He takes the mess of the case law and builds a way through it. He is very capable.”