4-5 Gray's Inn Square Makes Major Advances In The Legal 500 2027 Rankings
Chambers now has 35 individual rankings, up from 26 last year, with 26 named barristers recognised compared with 17. Chambers' Elections team has been elevated to a Tier 1 set, joining Social housing, which retains its Tier 1 status.
The growth spans a broad range of specialisms:
Elections: Now a Tier 1 set. The directory notes that members have been instructed by returning officers and a wide range of political parties, and highlights Adam Richardson's Court of Appeal appearance in Moore v Royal Mail Group, in which Timothy Straker KC and Rupert Beloff also appeared for the Returning Officer . Adam and Rupert join Vivienne Sedgley and Timothy Straker KC as ranked barristers, doubling chambers' recognised Elections practitioners from two to four. One reviewer wrote of Tim that "his knowledge is incomparable".
Commercial litigation and defamation and privacy: Adam Richardson is recognised in two new practice areas for chambers.
Inquests and inquiries: Ranked barristers rise from two to five, with Imogen Sadler, Gus Waschefort and Michael Harwood joining Ramya Nagesh and Vida Simpeh.
Immigration, including business immigration: Dr S Chelvan is ranked Tier 1, bringing a new practice area to chambers' Legal 500 profile following his arrival last week.
Planning: Simon Randle joins Timothy Straker KC and Vivienne Sedgley in the rankings.
Professional disciplinary and regulatory law: Rowena Wisniewska is recognised as a Rising Star, the first Rising Star listing for chambers in this area.
Social housing: Chambers retains its Tier 1 ranking, with Andrew Taylor and Ayesha Omar newly ranked. The directory highlights work including R (Ivory) v Welwyn Hatfield BC and Court v Fenland DC.
Client feedback in this year's edition praises chambers' barristers for thorough preparation, strong advocacy and excellent client care, with Rayan Imam, Iain Colville and Ian Peacock among those singled out. Recognition also continues across all 11 practice areas including Administrative Law and Human rights, Employment, Sport, Professional disciplinary and regulatory law, and social housing on the Midland Circuit.
Emily Martin, Senior Clerk, said: "I am immensely proud of this year's Legal 500 results. To see more of our barristers recognised, a second Tier 1 set ranking and new practice areas appearing in the tables in just twelve months is a testament to the ambition and dedication of our members across every area of chambers. This kind of external recognition reflects the quality of advice and advocacy they provide day in, day out, and the trust that our clients and solicitors place in them. I would like to thank all our members and the wider clerking and administrative team for their commitment, and I look forward to building on this momentum."
