Chambers & Partners 2021: “St Ives Chambers is known as a “first class” set”

We are pleased to confirm that St Ives Chambers has been ranked as a leading set by the legal directory, Chambers & Partners.

26 different members of chambers have been ranked in five practice areas. Chambers enjoys 29 rankings in total. St Ives is ranked as a band 1 set in three areas: family (children), family (matrimonial finance) and social housing. Chambers is also recommended in real estate litigation and crime.

In relation to the band 1 family team, Chambers and Partners observes that “St Ives Chambers is known as a “first class” set and has an impressive list of silks and juniors whose expertise spans across all areas of family law. Its members have experience in all manner of matrimonial finance disputes, as well as both the public and private spheres of children law.” Jeremy Weston QC and Elizabeth Isaacs QC are both ranked as band 1 silks. Eight juniors are ranked in child law and a further five juniors are ranked in matrimonial finance. Our dedicated family clerking team also received special praise: “The clerking is of an unrivalled standard. The clerks have a strong personal touch and will never present you with a problem without also having a solution to hand. Their communication and financial management are second to none.”

The band 1 social housing team comes highly recommended, being the only set on the Midland Circuit ranked by the publication. The team is described as “pre-eminent in this market, and its barristers act in complex possession proceedings and anti-social behaviour injunctions, in addition to other related matters. One instructing solicitor notes: “They feel like an extension of my team and are both very good in the courtroom and very approachable.” The clerking is described as “really impressive”. Seven juniors are ranked, meaning that chambers have the highest number of ranked juniors of any set outside the capital.

Two juniors are ranked within Real Estate Litigation for the first time: “A new entrant to the rankings, St Ives Chambers is a well-respected set which is equipped to handle a range of complex property disputes. Tenants of the set are adept at acting in matters including trespass cases, possession and forfeiture disputes and boundary disputes. The set frequently acts for commercial landlords and tenants, private individuals and local authorities.” The specialist clerking is also recognised: “The clerking is excellent, with Ross Hands and Catherine Merry, the practice manager and assistant practice manager for civil law, being particularly helpful and easy to deal with.”

Five juniors are ranked within the criminal team which “is an impressive set, noted for its expert handling of cases arising from the full range of criminal offences.” The clerking is noted as “superb – they really understand the criminal justice system and they are proactive in terms of how they deal with cases.” Members are recommended in both crime and financial crime.

Head of Chambers, Jeremy Weston QC, said “Hot on the heels of our fantastic reviews contained within the Legal 500, I am equally delighted with the 2021 Chambers & Partner rankings which emphasises the fantastic 12 months we have enjoyed, especially even given the prevailing national situation. Our members have risen to the challenge and they are to be applauded.

Particular congratulations are owed to our wonderful clerks, who are appropriately recognised on repeated occasions within the guide. The service they offer to our clients has been second-to-none during the last year, in the most challenging of circumstances.

I am particularly pleased to note that Charmian Jackson, Michelle Caney and David Nuttall are all ranked in more than one category; and also that members are ranked in the Real Estate Litigation banding for the first time.

We have every reason to be proud about what we have accomplished over the last 12 months and we are delighted to be in an incredibly strong position to tackle 2021.”

To see the set profile for chambers please click here.