Barristers
Browne Jacobson Barristers understand that making sure you have the right advocate presenting the strongest case possible whilst robustly protecting you and your organisation’s reputation in court is paramount. Operating in the same way as self-employed counsel, our team of high calibre barristers can be instructed directly by clients or through any of the specialist legal teams at Browne Jacobson to represent for you in court when it matters most.
Our in-house Chambers of practising barristers, professionally clerked, have a wealth of experience acting for public bodies including central and local government, health and education clients, as well as insurers on behalf of large corporate bodies and small to medium sized enterprises.
Approved by the Bar Standards Board to provide the highest quality training and delivery of advocacy through to full Bar qualification via our Pupillage training route, we’re also acknowledged as a leading employer by the Social Mobility Foundation. Our team is proudly diverse and driven by industry leading employment practices to improve representative inclusion at the Employed Bar.
Why choose Browne Jacobson Barristers?
As trusted practitioners, our barristers have extensive experience working hand in glove with our solicitor colleagues at an early stage and throughout the lifetime of proceedings, ensuring you always have the highest quality legal expertise.
What we do
- A one-team approach, committed to establishing long term relationships with you and your legal teams to gain an in-depth understanding of your cases and the wider culture and ethos of your organisation.
- Highly experienced practitioners in inquest, litigation and judicial review proceedings across all county and high courts in England and Wales, including specialist courts such as the Court of Protection.
- Specialist tribunal experts in areas such as employment, property, health and social care, special educational needs and disability.
- Support with early settlement and resolution matters.
- A quality, expert, flexible and efficient service at all times.
Related expertise
Featured experience
School Academy Trust
Counsel, Holly Quirk, secured the first Female Genital Mutilation Order nationally on behalf of a school who had concerns a pupil might be removed from school for this purpose.
Tapton School
Ben Bentley, Barrister, successfully defended the school’s decision to require pupils to wear face masks during the lead judicial review case nationally, brought during the Covid pandemic against DfE Guidance.
NHS Trust
Fiona Butler, represented the Trust at an inquest which examined the safeguards of an offender who was released on licence having murdered his partner, who went on to kill his next partner.
NHS Trusts
Samantha Paxman has represented a number of public bodies in applications to the Court of Protection to determine whether it is in P’s best interests to have the Covid vaccination where family members disputed this.
Key contacts
Fiona Butler
Partner (Barrister)
Claire Ward-Smith
Lead Clerk
Ben Bentley
Partner (Barrister)
Samantha Paxman
Partner (Barrister)
Ian Perkins
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Sarah Vince
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Luke Berry
Barrister (Senior Associate)
Andrew Cullen
Senior Associate
Holly Quirk
Senior Associate
Heather Andersen
Barrister (Associate)
Kiera Riddy
Barrister (Associate)
Sherelle Appleby
Pupil-Barrister
Testimonials
“They have responded to requests at short notice and are able to manage periods of high demand. They work within the principles of the organisation: Honesty, Trust, Compassion, Respect and Teamwork with every case.”
“I have been particularly impressed by the approach of the lawyers in the team who have engaged, and supported, family and friends present during proceedings as family are an integral part of the care provided in life and being included following a death is so important.”
“The approach taken by Browne Jacobson Barristers in every matter is robust, clear and informed.”
You may be interested in...
Online Event - Shared Insights
Shared Insights with Irwin Mitchell: Improving communication with patients and families
Press Release
Browne Jacobson announces appointment of Barrister to its Cardiff office
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroner’s Question Time
Legal Update
Inquests and Article 2 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) A practical guide following the case of Maguire
Legal Update
Learning from Reports to Prevent Future Deaths in Mental Health settings - A Review of PFDs nationally 2022-2023
Legal Update
Freedom of Speech – how to prepare for the new statutory duties
Legal Update
Reports to Prevent Future Deaths: What are the issues affecting ambulance trusts nationally?
Online Event
Mock Inquest Training Sessions
Legal Update
Regulating harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education
Legal Update
High Court dismisses Welsh RSE right to withdraw claim
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners’ Question Time
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters - January 2023
Legal Update
Safeguarding at scale report published
Opinion
Coroner’s refusal to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Report following death in prison custody inquest was lawful
Legal Update
LPS consultation and ‘go live’ planning
Legal Update
Top three training topics 2022-23
As well as providing day-to-day support to help you focus on managing your settings, we also provide training and professional development on a range of topics to keep you and your staff up-to-date.
Legal Update
Hair discrimination – stop pupils being unfairly singled-out for their appearance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) recently issued new, non-statutory guidance regarding the wearing of natural or protective hairstyles, specifically in reference to their representation in uniform, behaviour or standalone appearance policies.
On-Demand
Insights from the Chief Coroner by His Honour Judge Thomas Teague, KC
Press Release
Law firm picks up record breaking sixth Education Investor Award
Browne Jacobson’s education team has been named as winner of the ‘Legal Advisors to Education Institutions’ category at the Education Investor Awards 2022 for a record sixth time.
Legal Update
Managed moves between schools
Press Release
Thousands take part in virtual careers event to help increase diversity in the legal profession
Over 3000 young people from across the UK and Ireland took part in a virtual legal careers insight event, aimed at making the legal profession more diverse.
Legal Update
Browne Jacobson’s market leading Education expertise recognised again in latest Legal 500 rankings
The new set of Legal 500 directory rankings have been published and we are proud to once again be recognised as one of the country’s leading firms advising the Education sector.
Legal Update
Liberty Protection Safeguards: points to note as consultation period continues
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards was due to transition to Liberty Protection Safeguards in October 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic. While the public consultation has now closed and we’re still unclear of what the final legislation and code will look like, it’s worth noting and keeping a watching brief.
Legal Update
The Civil Justice Council’s (CJC) proposed reforms to the Pre-Action Protocols (PAPs) and the possible mandatory ADR gateway. What could this mean for your case?
In November 2021, The Civil Justice Council’s published its interim report on proposed changes to the current Pre-Action Protocols, which included a mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) gateway. In this article, we look at proposed reforms and consider what this could mean for your case.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Coroners' Question Time
In this session, our speakers discussed fundamentals of disclosure, general points on disclosure & Post-Pandemic, interested Persons & Patient Safety Incident Response, and how we can help & Takeaway Tips.
On-Demand
LPS - it's out - what do you need to know? Part 3: the practicalities of implementation
This on-demand session deals with what we now know so far about the finer detail of the LPS proposals, particularly focussing on the practicalities of implementing the LPS system.Legal Update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards – how can we help?
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) were introduced in the Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019 and will replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system. The LPS framework aims to deliver improved outcomes for people who are or who need to be deprived of their liberty.
Legal Update - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Overview of inquests in relation to deaths in custody
In this session, our speakers discussed gave an overview of inquests in relation to deaths in custody and discussed three key themes; Documentation Provision, Communication, and Decision making. They also discussed Healthcare in a prison setting - manging the unique challenges.
On-Demand
LPS - it's out - what do you need to know? Part 2: the most significant changes
This on-demand session considers some of the most significant changes to the Code.Legal Update
be connected newsletter for higher education - May 2022
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the higher education sector.
Legal Update
Liberty Protection Safeguards – It’s out: MCA LPS Consultation
Following on from the first webinar in the Liberty Protection Safeguards (“LPS”) series delivered by Mark Barnett and Chris Stark, the key points below from the webinar are summarised below.
Legal Update
Harassment and sexual misconduct in Higher Education
Cases involving the handling allegations of harassment and sexual misconduct by Universities continues to hit the news. They are clearly difficult issues for Universities given the competing duties owed to both the reporting individual and the alleged perpetrator and the inevitable sensitivities around the nature of these matters.
On-Demand
LPS - it's out - what do you need to know?' Part 1: Regulations and Code of Practice
This on-demand session deals with what we now know so far about the finer detail of the LPS proposals, particularly focussing on the practicalities of implementing the LPS system.Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s C-suite exec level coaching team appoints two new education specialists
National law firm Browne Jacobson has grown its team behind its dedicated Space + Time executive coaching programme with the addition of two more qualified coaches who will work with clients in the education sector.
Opinion
LPS - it’s out
The long-awaited draft Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice, including the Liberty Protection Safeguards (“LPS”), has landed.
Legal Update
Liberty Protection Safeguards: What are they and will they ever happen?
Legal Update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards: brief update
The Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) will be used to authorise the proportionate and necessary deprivation of liberty for people aged 16 and above who lack the mental capacity to consent to their care arrangements.
On-Demand
Mental Health and Court of Protection Legal Update webinar
Watch now on-demand our Mental Health and Court of Protection Legal Update webinar, there have been some interesting recent legal developments in this area and topics that were covered during the session.
Legal Update
be connected newsletter for higher education - February 2022
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the higher education sector.
Opinion
Revisions to the Highway Code and potential impact on civil liability
The Highway Code has had its first major revision since 2007. Amongst several changes, a new hierarchy has been created, with road users who are most likely to cause harm having the greatest responsibility to reduce the threat they may pose to other road users (rule 204 of the Code).