Leading Set in Chambers & Partners UK Bar Guide 2026
We are excited to announce that New Square Chambers have once again been recognised as a leading set in the Chambers & Partners Bar 2026 rankings.
New Square Chambers have achieved 41 individual rankings across 15 practice areas, including the London Bar, Midlands Bar, South Eastern Bar, and Offshore Bar. We are thrilled with our consistent rankings and multiple improved rankings. We have been described as a set with “fantastic knowledge”, that are “excellent” and “delivers high-quality work”.
We would like to make a special acknowledgement to our two new rankings; Hermione Williams and James McKean in Chancery Traditional. As well as our members who have improved in their rankings; Mark Hubbard, Aidan Briggs, Jessica Powers and James Saunders.
New Square Chambers wish to congratulate our remarkable barristers, whose dedication have earned them high praise and the clerking team for their exceptional client service standards. We are proud to share their outstanding feedback below:
“George Laurence KC is a public law and real property silk with a sterling reputation. His caseload includes issues of contested access, often over unusual types of land, such as railway lines and riverbanks. Sources recognise his long-standing experience handling very complex rights of way issues.”
“George Laurence is probably the leading KC for village green right-of-way work.”
“George Laurence KC is regularly trusted with potentially law-defining cases. He is especially well known for right of way and village green cases.”
“George Laurence KC is a well-regarded silk who is noted for his expertise in cases involving novel points of law. He draws significant praise for his handling of cases concerning village greens and public rights of way. He is regularly instructed to act on behalf of the public, landowners and local authorities.”
“George is a legend. He has fantastic commitment and is polite and courteous to all.”
“George Laurence KC handles a range of real property law issues but is particularly highly regarded for his work on rights of way and village greens. He has also acted on cases concerning rights of navigation.”
“He is superb.”
“Nicholas’s knowledge is insane. He quotes trusts from the book, but he is also really commercial about it.”
“Nicholas Le Poidevin KC is a distinguished silk who enjoys a commanding reputation at the Chancery Bar, and is regularly sought after for cases concerning contentious trusts and disputed wills. His experience in offshore disputes is well established, and he is particularly noted for his expertise in Jersey and Guernsey matters.”
“Nicholas Le Poidevin’s drafting style is second to none. He can take really complicated issues and explain them in a way that they are understood by lay clients and judges.”
“Nicholas Le Poidevin is a go-to for technical offshore matters. He knows how the courts operate, knows the judges well and anticipates the matters well.”
“Nicholas is a go-to for technical offshore matters. He knows how the courts operate, knows the judges well and anticipates the matters well.”
“Nicholas Le Poidevin KC is considered one of the standout names at the offshore Bar. He has outstanding capabilities in contentious trust, estate and probate work. Cases with a financial services element are a particular strength. He has been active in the Channel Islands and throughout the Caribbean, and has experience handling trust disputes in Bermuda.”
“Nicholas is a go-to for technical offshore matters. He knows how the courts operate, knows the judges and anticipates matters well. For knotty arguments, he is the go-to.”
“Nicholas Le Poidevin KC is a much-trusted silk known for his expertise in Channel Islands matters. His trusts work is a strong element of his wider traditional chancery practice, and he is frequently instructed in both contentious and non-contentious work.”
“Nicholas’s knowledge is insane. He is really commercial and there’s no one else you’d want to go to.”
“Nicholas is really informed, academically excellent and someone who understands trusts. He is very collaborative and communicative as well.”
“Nick is extremely easy to deal with and turns around cogent, strong advice in a short time.”
“Alexander is still so accessible. He’s very willing to muck in and roll his sleeves up. He is also a commanding advocate and has the gravitas you’d expect of a KC.”
“Clients love Alexander because he exudes confidence.”
“Alexander Learmonth is technically excellent and establishes a great rapport with clients in very difficult and emotional situations.”
“Alexander is a really good, very creative thinker for when you need someone who thinks laterally.”
“Alexander Learmonth KC is an exceptionally well-known silk who is recognised for both his advisory and litigation expertise, and is regularly instructed in cases concerning disputed wills and trusts. He is particularly noted for his strong trial advocacy.”
“He is a first-class advocate, really good at taking risks, creative and thoughtful.”
“Alexander Learmonth KC is an active Court of Protection barrister who handles a number of complex cases related to property and affairs. He is adept at handling statutory wills and gift applications.”
“A commanding advocate, he has the gravitas you’d expect of a KC. He is also excellent with clients.”
“Alexander is a first-class advocate, who’s really good at taking calculated risks and not overcautious. He’s very charming, highly astute and just a breath of fresh air.”
“Alexander Learmonth KC is recognised as a major presence at the Bar for his experience in trusts and succession matters. His practice encompasses significant offshore work and he often acts for trustees, beneficiaries and charities in high-value disputes.”
“Alexander is a smooth advocate, who has done some major trusts cases.”
“Lynton Tucker is an exceptionally well-known junior with a highly respected traditional chancery practice. He is focused on offshore trusts, in which field he is a noted expert. Tucker is widely respected for his confident and detailed advisory work.”
“The breadth and depth of Lynton’s knowledge is excellent to witness in chambers.”
“Lynton Tucker is a respected and seasoned litigator with a wealth of experience in trust law, who has an offshore practice encompassing work across the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands, the BVI and Hong Kong. He is also instructed in company law disputes and has a wealth of regulatory experience.”
“Lynton has a huge reservoir of knowledge in dealing with trustees.”
“Lynton Tucker is exceptionally sharp and dependable. He doesn’t let anything slip through the cracks and has a remarkable ability to dive into the detail of a case without missing a thing.”
“The quality of his written work is outstanding, and he is someone who can argue and fight a difficult corner.”
“A phenomenally good trust lawyer, who is just incredibly bright.”
“Lynton Tucker is lauded for his extensive experience and knowledge of trusts law on both a domestic and offshore basis. He is also one of the editors of the textbook ‘Lewin on Trusts’. Market observers recognise his in-depth expertise in key overseas jurisdictions, including the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong.”
“David is learned, authoritative, diligent and approachable.”
“David is a very experienced senior junior. He’s really, really good and knows company law inside out. He is the rock-solid core of the Company Bar.”
“David is a pleasure to work with as he’s user-friendly and responsive. Always willing to help, he’s both a polished advocate and a lovely person.”
“David Eaton Turner of New Square Chambers is a respected senior junior with an impressive company practice who is often called upon to handle high-stakes shareholder disputes and directors’ duties cases. He also demonstrates strength in reorganisations of capital and insolvency work, and in matters concerning securities and asset recovery.”
“David is a pleasure to work with, being user-friendly, responsive and always willing to help. He is a polished advocate.”
“David is a very experienced senior junior who knows company law inside out. You can go to him with confidence.”
“David Eaton Turner is learned, authoritative and, most importantly of all, approachable.”
“He is learned, authoritative, diligent and most importantly of all approachable.”
“David is user-friendly, responsive and a polished advocate.”
“David Eaton Turner is a well-established junior undertaking significant domestic and cross-border work. He regularly acts on behalf of both private individuals and large corporations. He is frequently instructed in disputes concerning asset recovery, directors’ duties and professional negligence.”
“Ross Crail is an excellent junior specialising in real property, noted by peers for her intellectual prowess. Her practice covers both private and public law claims around rights of way, and she sits as a town and village green inspector. She regularly acts for public bodies, landowners and private individuals in both the Chancery Division and the Administrative Court.”
“Ross never fails to impress deeply. Her intellect is dazzling and she is ferociously knowledgeable. She has forensic oratory, which in quality and effectiveness is second to none.”
“Ross is very clever and focused. Her strength is in advice and in writing.”
“Ross is a preeminent barrister in this area with outstanding knowledge and understanding of the law.”
“Simon Adamyk has a significant amount of experience acting in high-profile agricultural and rural affairs matters. He has extensive expertise in judicial reviews related to rights of way issues, land restrictions and registrations.”
“Simon Adamyk is remarkable. I have found him incredibly impressive. He grasped the principles extremely well and was very persuasive.”
“Simon is absolutely phenomenal. In our case, he predicted arguments the other side would make way before they were actually made. He’s also very accessible.”
“Simon is very meticulous, and his attention to detail is really second to none. He’s also great at communication, and his email structure is impeccable.”
“Simon Adamyk is very intelligent; he works very hard, and he is great value. He’s really good.”
“I regularly use Simon Adamyk as a leader on cases. He is very intelligent, he works very hard and he represents the best value at the Bar. He is really good.”
“Simon was absolutely phenomenal. He would predict arguments the other side would make way before they were actually made.”
“Simon Adamyk is very meticulous; his attention to detail is really second to none. He is great at communications, and his email structure is impeccable. It’s a pleasure working with him.”
“Simon Adamyk is a highly experienced company law barrister with a strong international practice who has experience of appearing unled in court in the Bahamas, the Isle of Man and the BVI. He also has experience in arbitration proceedings, and those before the Supreme Court.”
“No case is too difficult or demanding for Simon Adamyk. He combines a towering intellect with a phenomenal work ethic and dedication to the client. It’s a real pleasure to work with him.”
“Simon would predict arguments the other side would make way before they were actually made. He also handled the tribunal with grace.”
“Mark is is very user-friendly, always available and never difficult to work with. He will speak on the phone at awkward times if need be and he really gives his time to tricky trusts cases.”
“Mark’s commercial approach to cases involving complex law and facts is always superbly impressive. He’s sensible, practical and a master of the written word.”
“Mark Hubbard is an able and experienced individual.”
“Mark Hubbard is noted for his strong offshore expertise within a broader traditional chancery practice. He is regularly trusted with high-value cases, and frequently handles trusts, estates and probate matters.”
“His advocacy is compelling, both written and in court. He is also very approachable, combined with having a deep understanding of the law. He has a lot of information right at his fingertips.”
“Mark Hubbard is our go-to barrister. He has the mind and ability of a KC. He is very hands-on and so good at the strategic side, but also good at rolling up his sleeves.”
“Mark Hubbard is hyper-commercial and a pleasure to work with. He never loses sight of the commercial rationale, and his advice is accordingly often incredibly practical.”
“Mark Hubbard of New Square Chambers handles complex international fraud matters as one strand of a vibrant commercial practice. He represents both claimant and defendant clients. He is adept at obtaining injunctive relief.”
“He is very user-friendly, always available and never difficult.”
“He is sensible, practical and very effective at using the written word.”
“Mark Hubbard has a wide-ranging offshore practice and displays considerable skill handling trusts, company, civil fraud and insolvency litigation. He frequently acts for private individuals in estate disputes. The Bahamas, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are jurisdictions he has particular experience practising in.”
“Mark consistently provides technically comprehensive advice on a wide scope of trust law issues.”
“Mark Hubbard is excellent. His commercial approach to complex law and facts has been absolutely superb.”
“Mark Hubbard is frequently instructed in complex and high-value trusts disputes, many of which are offshore or involve multiple jurisdictions. He is adept at advisory as well as litigation work. His clients include professional trustees as well as individuals and families.”
“Mark is an excellent barrister. He is very strong technically and very clever.”
“Mark is very user-friendly, always available and never difficult to work with. He will speak on the phone at awkward times if need be, and he really gives his time to tricky trusts cases.”
“Mark Hubbard is the best value for money at the Chancery Bar. He has the quality and academic knowledge of a silk but at a lesser cost.”
“Nigel carried a lot of weight in a difficult case. He has a maturity beyond his year of call.”
“Nigel Hood of New Square Chambers represents claimants and defendants in headline-grabbing civil fraud claims arising from allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty. He has appeared in a number of cases originating in Europe and Asia.”
“Stuart is one of the most thorough property barristers currently practising. Judges appreciate his comprehensive and considered analysis, and he can be relied on to get the best result for the client.”
“He is excellent. His paperwork is extremely detailed and packs a punch.”
“Stuart Armstrong is a highly experienced property junior whose practice includes advising on cases involving residential and commercial matters such as landlord and tenant issues, boundary disputes, adverse possession and right to manage matters.”
“William Hopkin of New Square Chambers is a charity specialist well known for working with the Charity Law Association, delivering seminal lectures, and co-chairing conferences. His experience includes investigating whistle-blower allegations and acting as counsel for charities. He acts for a range of clients including private enterprises, schools and universities, national charities, public bodies and foundations.”
“Will provided an opinion in a tricky matter which was both technically complex and showed great practical nous.”
“The services William has provided for us have been outstanding and without fault. William’s advice is always timely, easy to digest, coherent and detailed.”
“Will Hopkin is an excellent barrister. He was advising on a high-profile, delicate matter with a client expecting results. He managed the situation very well and was thorough and commercial.”
“Will combines a huge brain with great humility and is always a pleasure to work with.”
“William Hopkin is a very sound and dedicated charity law practitioner.”
“James Davies is a well-regarded barrister who receives praise for his expertise in commercial disputes and property matters. He is noted for his expertise in cases concerning guarantees, partnerships and franchises. He is also frequently instructed in both corporate insolvency and individual bankruptcy cases. He regularly appears in the Bankruptcy Court, High Court and county courts.”
“He is very proactive and the quality of his work is very good.”
“Paul Wilmshurst has a well-regarded practice. He is a longstanding junior who is always well prepared.”
“Paul is extremely knowledgeable, very approachable and has good advocacy.”
“Paul has a very good manner with clients.”
“Paul Wilmshurst is a respected junior focusing on public law claims relating to property. He regularly handles rights of way disputes, including village green applications and common land designations. His instructions often emanate from local authorities and he also sits as a village green inspector at public inquiries.”
“Hermione Williams is commercially aware and very responsive.”
“Hermione Williams brings offshore and broader international expertise to a wide range of commercial and traditional chancery matters. She acts on contentious and non-contentious matters relating to trusts, wills, gifts and estates.”
“I would recommend Hermione. She has worked offshore a lot. She is a hard worker and growing her profile in trust law.”
“Hermione Williams is very bright, dedicated and always available.”
“John Campbell of New Square Chambers has a substantial commercial practice, focusing on contractual cases concerning the supply of goods and services, and matters involving property.”
“I was beyond impressed by Aidan’s ability to explain to solicitors and barristers complex trust issues.”
“Aidan Briggs has a varied agricultural practice, with experience as a mediator as well as representing parties in estoppel claims and other disputes affecting farms. He has expertise handling Farm Business Tenancy disputes and frequently appears before the High Court.”
“Aidan Briggs is excellent on his feet. He can take on KCs and outperform them.”
“Aidan provides clear, concise advice that eliminates the chaff and gets straight to the kernel of the case.”
“Aidan Briggs is an excellent advocate on his feet and good with clients. He has an excellent bedside manner.”
“Aidan is an absolute superstar. He is ridiculously sharp, great with clients and fantastically user-friendly.”
“Aidan is a bright and extremely hard-working barrister. He has excellent client and solicitor handling skills.”
“Aidan Briggs is a rising star whose varied practice earns him wide praise. He handles matters, many of which are fact-heavy and complex, across the full breadth of traditional chancery, including those relating to trusts, wills and estates.”
“Aidan Briggs is a rising star. He’s a bright and extremely hardworking barrister, who has excellent client and solicitor handling skills.”
“Aidan Briggs is a specialist in trusts, estates and property disputes who has been engaged in matters that span multiple jurisdictions. He also sits as a Deputy District Judge in civil matters.”
“A silk in the making, he’s an excellent advocate, who is good with clients. He has an excellent bedside manner.”
Jessica Powers is regularly instructed across both corporate and personal insolvencies. She is often instructed by corporate clients in relation to winding-up petitions.
“She is pragmatic and commercial.”
“Jessica is an exceptional advocate, she has the client’s best interests and commercial concerns at the forefront of her mind and is able to grapple very quickly with a high volume of documentation.”
“Jessica is an excellent counsel and a very safe pair of hands.”
“An outstanding advocate who is always an absolute pleasure to work with.”
“James McKean is a consummate team player who is always available to provide guidance, no matter how big or small the question. His responsiveness is second to none.”
“James McKean’s practice focuses on contentious trust and estate matters. His cases include disputed wills, contested estate administrations and Inheritance Act claims.”
“James McKean is always happy to pick up the phone and have a chat about drafts. He is very accommodating and also great on technical detail.”
“James is absolutely incredible. He is very thorough, he has the ability to cut through issues, he is clear with clients, and he has excellent technical ability too.”
“James Saunders works all round the clock. He is such a hard worker and he genuinely seems to care for the clients.”
“James Saunders is a very bright junior and great to work with.”
“James has commercial experience and works well for cases with a property issue. He is also organised and clients really like him. He is really user-friendly.”
“James Saunders has a broad chancery practice covering breach of trust disputes, executor and trustee removals, probate, as well as matters intersecting insolvency and trusts.”
“James combines clear commercial insight with a strong technical grasp of insolvency law, offering consistently pragmatic and straightforward advice.”
“James is astute, helpful, pragmatic and user-friendly.”
“He is very commercial and really keeps that at the heart of his decisions.”
“James Saunders is an strong junior who focuses his practice on insolvency work. He has strong in-depth knowledge of winding up matters, challenges to administrator appointments and director misfeasance issues, among numerous others.”
“James Saunders is very succinct and provides a high quality of advice.”
