Please find all details of up and coming events, seminars, news, publications and articles from the members of 4-5 Gray's Inn Square.

Legal 500 2022 - Top Tier Rankings for 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square

We are delighted to announce that 14 members have been included in Legal 500 2022 in 6 practice areas.

We have been ranked as Tier 1 for our Social Housing law team, Tier 2 in Local Governmrnt law and Tier 3 for our Mediation team.

Thank you to all our clients for your support during the year and a particular thanks to everyone who gave feedback on our barristers.

 

Social Housing: Tier 1 

The barristers at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square advise on the full range of social housing issues and are 'absolutely brilliant, thrive to set case law and always happy to assist'. The set has recently established a notable reputation for fire safety and cladding issues following significant involvement in the Grenfell inquiry and members of the set, Andrew Dymond among others, representing bereaved and survivors of the disaster. In 2020, Christopher Baker successfully defended Agudas Israel Housing Association before the Supreme Court in R (on the application of Z) v Hackney LBC, a challenge brought by a concerning the allocation properties in Stamford Hill specifically fitted out for the needs of Orthodox Jews. Toby Vanhegan has been involved in a number of cases concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing and homelessness, such as in Bankole-Jones v Watford BC, concerning the interpretation of priority need. Also noteworthy, Anneli Robins was involved in Croydon LBC v Kalonga, a case concerning the ejection of anti-social tenants on flexible tenancies, which do not generally have forfeiture clauses.

 

Leading Juniors

Tier 1
Christopher Baker ‘ Chris has a superb knowledge of the residential landlord and tenant law and understands the broader social housing picture and the regulatory environment. His measured approach to advocacy works well in the tribunals and higher courts. ’

Jonathan Manning - ‘ It is clear from his advocacy style that he is highly knowledgeable in this area of law. ’

Toby Vanhegan - ‘ Toby is a quick thinker and can see arguable legal points where others may not. ’

Tier 2

Andrew Dymond - ‘ I think that there are few barristers who would have his combination of knowledge and commitment. ’

Ian Peacock - ‘ He is very approachable, has extensive knowledge of local government, homelessness appeals and judicial reviews. ’

Tier 3

Annette Cafferkey 

Stephanie Lovegrove ‘ A highly experienced barrister who has an excellent command of all aspects of housing law. ’

Tier 4

Anneli Robins  'Tenacious and committed to every instruction - her strengths are her knowledge of the law and of people, and the ability to work well with her clients.'

 

Local Government: Tier 2

4-5 Gray’s Inn Square is ‘reliable and always well prepared in the areas of housing, public law and administrative law ‘. The set is increasingly active in cases concerning financial, modern slavery, mental health, housing, planning and public space protection matters. Recent work for the team includes the ‘clear and concise advocate‘ Jonathan Manning obtaining an injunction for Birmingham City Council for the purpose of banning the much-publicised protests outside Anderton Park School by parents opposed to the school’s sex and relationships education lessons.

 

Leading Silks

Tier 2

Timothy Straker QC - ‘ His strengths are that he is knowledgeable, intellectual and personable - and the clarity of his advice. ’

Leading Juniors

Tier 2

Jonathan Manning - ‘ Very good advocate, clear and concise, always to the point. Very good with clients humorous and calm. 

Vivienne Sedgley - ‘ She has excellent advocacy skills. ’

Tier 3

Christopher Baker – ‘Christopher is well versed in his specialist area of practice. He brings a concise and problem solving approach to any matter upon which he is asked to advise. His advice is always focussed and he provides sensible and workable solutions. 

 

Mediators: Tier 3

Hall of Fame

Tier 1

Colin ManningAn accredited mediator since 1997, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square's Colin Manning is 'good at getting the client's confidence and brokering a settlement'. Manning brings approximately 50 years' experience as a commercial litigator to the mediation of commercial disputes involving contracts, professional negligence, partnership, company, shareholders, construction, property, international trade, and trusts and probate.

Tier 3

Stephen Barker4-5 Gray’s Inn Square‘s ‘calm and authoritative‘ Stephen Barker, who practises jointly through CEDR Chambers), is ‘an appropriate mix of sensitive and commercial, and reads the dynamics of the room extremely well‘. Barker’s experience includes over 100 successful mediations, with recent experience including multi-party shareholder disputes, insolvency cases and professional negligence mediations.

Tier 4 

Patrick Taylor - ‘A very reliable mediator‘, Patrick Taylor of 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square ‘has gravitas; he is relaxed, focused, builds rapport, and gently guides parties to settlement‘. Taylor’s practice areas cover private law disputes, commercial agents’ claims and multi-party matters, with recent mediations involving property disputes, often with agricultural dimensions.

 

Property Litigation 

Leading Juniors

Tier 3

Christopher Baker‘Chris has a superb knowledge of the residential landlord and tenant law and unlike many barristers understands the broader social housing picture and the regulatory environment; he is approachable and his written work is first class. His measured approach to advocacy works well in the tribunals and higher courts that I use him for.’

 

Planning

Leading Silks

Timothy Straker QC - Tier 3

 

Administrative Law and Public Law (Including Elections): Tier 4

4-5 Gray's Inn Square 'has an established reputation in public law' and is noted for its 'leading silks in election law', who are 'supported by many excellent juniors'. In one such example, Timothy Straker QC and Vivienne Sedgley successfully defended the London Borough of Newham in a case brought by campaigners submitting a petition seeking a referendum on abolishing the role of elected mayor in 2020. The matter featured issues of coronavirus legislation, which had stopped petitions being brought as part of the one-year freeze on local elections, and a breach of the embargo on the judgment by the campaigners.

Leading Silks

Tier 2

Richard Price QC  - ‘ Richard is one of, if not the, preeminent barristers in this field. What he doesn't know about elections and election law probably isn't worth knowing. Combined with this is his fantastic sense of humour and his willingness to help and advise whenever necessary. ’

Timothy Straker QC - ‘ He is the go-to silk for any electoral work. His knowledge and insight is second to none and he fights hard. An absolute star. ’

Leading Juniors

Tier 2

Vivienne Sedgley‘ Vivienne is an outstanding junior in election law, and is constantly up-to-date on all aspects of election law. Assiduous and thorough in research and other work, including drafting of complex legal arguments. ’

 

The Legal 500 UK 2022 is now available online. You can view the results for 4-5 Gray's Inn Square Chambers and its members here.

Once again we would like to take this opportunity to thank our clients for their continued and valued support.

 



Awards

  • Sports Law

    - Legal 500
  • Social Housing - Midlands Circuit

    - Legal 500
  • Social Housing - London (Bar) Top Tier Set

    - Legal 500
  • SHIPPING

    - Legal 500
  • Property Litigation

    - Legal 500
  • Professional Discipline & Regulatory Law

    - Legal 500
  • Planning - Leading Set

    - Legal 500
  • Mediators - Leading Set

    - Legal 500
  • Local Government - Leading Set

    - Legal 500
  • Inquests and Inquiries

    - Legal 500
  • Elections - Leading Set

    - Legal 500
  • Court of Protection

    - Legal 500
  • CMC Registered Mediators

    - Civil Mediation Council
  • Administrative and Public Law - Leading Set

    - Legal 500
  • Social Housing - Midlands (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Social Housing - London (Bar) Top Tier Set

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Real Estate Litigation - London (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Professional Discipline - London (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Planning - London (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Mediators - All Circuits

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Local Government - London (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners
  • Election Law - London (Bar)

    - Chambers and Partners