DEKA CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Fees & Finance Clerk
- Fees & Finance Clerk / Marketing
Amy Seingier joined Chambers in 2018, having previously worked for a leading Property Chambers for 10 years.
Amy works in the Fees Team alongside Tom Priest and Audrey Cockram and in the Finance Team alongside Gordon Walters.
Outside of chambers Amy enjoys Photography and baking.
Audrey Cockram has worked in chambers for 30 years.
She works in the fees team alongside Tom Priest and Amy Seingier.
Cameron Baker joined Chambers in July 2022.
Her main responsibilities include lodging documents with the court, assisting with the day-to-day tasks of the Criminal and Family Teams, and with the smooth running of the clerks room.
Outside of chambers Cameron enjoys shopping and creating artwork in her spare time.
Cameron is happy to assist with all enquiries.
Job Titles:
- William Dean Give Training to Osbornes Solicitors
Cyrus Katrak has acted for both Claimants (and occasionally Defendants) in many high profile cases including the British Coal Disease Litigation and the Paddington Rail Disaster.
He also represents medical professionals in regulatory health care proceedings, has prosecuted in the General Medical Council and currently sits as a legal assessor at the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Cyrus also acts on behalf of injured clients before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
First and foremost Cyrus aims to put litigants at ease in what are often the most stressful of circumstances and is careful to ensure that conferences are tailored to fit the client's particular needs. He considers that client care is fundamental but nonetheless will always give clear, direct and robust advice.
He currently advises on numerous cases in Jersey and is familiar with the differences in procedure between the Channel Islands and England.
Cyrus lives in Twickenham and can accept instructions at short notice either by DX or email. He is married to a Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon who practices at The Royal Surrey County Hospital. One day he intends to retire to New Orleans to play the blues piano in a bar.
Expertise
Personal Injury
Cyrus acts in all areas of personal injury litigation, but primarily focuses brain injuries, fatal accident claims and accidents causing injuries of maximum severity. He has also acted in numerous amputation cases, those involving chronic pain and giving rise to unusual liability and causative issues.
Notable Personal Injury cases
Job Titles:
- Joint Deputy Senior Clerk
David has an in depth knowledge of all work across the Chamber. He deals with all fee negotiations and cost-budgeting together with the Senior Clerks.
David Landa started clerking in 1988 in a leading Criminal set of Chambers.
With over 34 years of clerking experience, David joined Chambers in 2012 as Senior Criminal Clerk.
David leads the criminal clerking team. His responsibilities include fee negotiations, practice development and work allocation to all members of the criminal team. David has undertaken the Bar Council direct access training course for clerks and can assist with any enquiries.
Outside of chambers David enjoys quality time with his family and trying to play golf.
Job Titles:
- Appointed Senior Independent Director
Dr Russell Wilcox read Modern History at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, has a PhD in Law from the University of London and was an academic for several years.
He continues to publish academic work when his practice permits and is a visiting lecturer at Strathmore Law School in Nairobi, Kenya.
He was an associate member of McNair Chambers in Qatar where he worked on a number of large-scale cross-jurisdictional commercial disputes and on international arbitral proceedings.
He has a busy practice in fields of public, regulatory and civil and commercial law. He is instructed in a wide range of civil and commercial proceedings, both first instance and appellate. He appears in the County Court, the Chancery Division of the High Court and the Lands Tribunal including in high value multi-track cases.
In the field of regulatory law, he appears before various disciplinary bodies and tribunals, including, in particular, the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, as well as being instructed before the High Court on associated statutory appeals.
He was a junior disclosure counsel in the Grenfell inquiry and disclosure counsel in Athenasios Sophocleus & Others v Secretaries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Defence relating to actions of the Colonial Administration in Cyprus during the Cyprus Emergency 1956-1959.
He also practices at all levels, from the First-Tier Tribunal to the Court of Appeal, in the field of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality law.
In addition to his independent practice, Dr Wilcox is appointed Senior Independent Director on the Board of Directors at Medefer Ltd, a healthcare technology company.
Expertise
Public Sector & Human Rights
Russell has very considerable experience in all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality law. In relation to the same, he regularly appears in the First Tier and Upper Tribunals, as well as to the High Court and the Court of Appeal, where he has been lead and sole counsel in a number of cases.
His experience of judicial review claims is extensive.
In addition to his experience in immigration and nationality claims, he has recent experience advising in relation to challenges to Ofsted inspections, and other aspect of education law.
Edward Bishop KC has practised in the fields of clinical negligence and personal injury for most of his career.
He has also more recently developed expertise and experience in claims involving violations of human rights in the healthcare setting.
Edward is a contributing editor and author of 7 chapters of Kemp and Kemp on the Quantum of Damages and is a qualified arbitrator.
Expertise
Public Sector & Human Rights
Edward acted, with Lord Faulks QC, in the leading Article 2 case of Van Colle v Chief Constable of Hertfordshire in 2008, and since then has been instructed in numerous cases involving alleged violations of human rights in the healthcare field and beyond.
Ella Davis has a broad civil practice with a particular emphasis on clinical negligence and personal injury.
She regularly appears in court and has a busy paperwork practice. She also acts in mediations and settlement meetings. She has experience in handling complex cases on her own and working with a leader. Ella prides herself on being a thorough and approachable advocate.
Expertise
Public Sector & Human Rights
Ella has particular experience of cases concerning the private law duty of care of public authorities. She also has experience in claims brought under the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act, including in a clinical context.
Ellie Brand joined Chambers in September 2013, after completing a Business Management degree. She is responsible for the day to day management of the Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Dispute Resolution and Cost teams.
Her primary responsibilities include practice management of Members of Chambers, fee negotiation and diary management of over 50 Members. Ellie also undertakes more business development initiatives with her senior colleagues.
Ellie is also the principal Clerk for Chambers growing Alternative Dispute Resolution team.
Ellie has undertaken the Bar Council direct access training course for clerks and is happy to assist with any enquiries. She is a qualified member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks and regularly attends seminars and lectures to keep up to date with the industry's ever changing structure.
Away from Chambers, Ellie's interests are travelling, cooking and socialising with friends.
Ellie is currently on maternity leave.
Emma Williams oversees all marketing at Deka Chambers.
She works closely with members of chambers, the directors and clerks, and the marketing team, managing and delivering all marketing activities including events and seminars.
She is also responsible for Chambers' digital content including the website and social channels.
Francesca is recognised as "highly experienced", "formidable on her feet" and is praised for her attention to detail and commercial nous in both major legal directories. She is "an excellent advocate who produces clear, concise and persuasive documents and precise advice". She has particular expertise in trial and at contested hearings and her practice is chiefly focussed on Professional Negligence, Clinical Negligence, and Local Authority Liability (including historic sexual abuse, and social services claims), and injury-related claims (particularly Inquests, EL/PL and difficult cases at the juncture of private and public law).
In 2020, Francesca was appointed to the Attorney-General's C Panel of Counsel and is instructed by the Government in a range of cases - particularly those that involve vexatious litigants and that require civil restraint orders (see eg. Soeb v Secretary of State for the Home Office [2021] EWHC 3403 (QB), Morrell v Health & Safety Executive [2022] 6 WLUK 142).
Francesca was an elected two-term member of the Bar Council and was appointed to the Reform Working Group and to the Women's Retention Committee. She now sits on the Inner Temple Bar Liaison Committee.
Before coming to the Bar, Francesca read History at Cambridge University, where she was a Senior Exhibition Scholar. She obtained an MSc from the London School of Economics gaining a Distinction before studying the GDL/BPTC at City University. The Inner Temple awarded her consecutive Major Scholarships for both years of training and she received The Times Ashley Jackson Law Prize.
Expertise
Public Sector & Human Rights
Francesca has represented Local Authorities and Police Forces across the UK in defending claims related to accidents, alleged historic sexual abuse, and data breaches - and especially where the question of tortious liability is legally complex.
She frequently advises on social services and police claims (many of which include claims brought under the Human Rights Act 1998 and Equality Act 2010) and is sensitive and proficient in dealing with Litigants-in-Person.
She is also frequently instructed in internal disciplinary proceedings by the Metropolitan Police.
Francesca O'Neill is experienced and tenacious in the defence of fraudulent civil claims. Having secured many findings of fundamental dishonesty as sole Counsel, she now has a niche practice in much larger scale suspected fraud rings and credit hire cases. Most recently, she struck out a fraudulent claim worth in excess of £100,000, obtained a costs order on the indemnity basis, and succeeded in persuading the Judge to order the Claimant's solicitors (who had applied to come off the record) to show cause why they should not be personally liable for the wasted costs of the Defendant insurer. Francesca also has detailed knowledge of s.32 of the Limitation Act, and can advise on claims where arguments about limitation, fraud and mistake run concurrently with her wider professional liability practice.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Frazer joined Chambers in March 2022 after several years at a Commercial set and started his clerking career in 2015.
Frazer is responsible for the management of Civil Team, negotiating fees, fixing hearings and allocation of work.
He is a member of the Institute of Barrister's Clerks and sits on their Career Development Committee.
Outside of Chambers, Frazer enjoys attending the gym, mountain biking and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
George Housden joined Chambers in September 2021.
His main responsibilities include diary management, attending listing appointments, and assisting with the day-to-day tasks of the Civil Team.
He is a member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks and has undertaken Bar Councils Direct Access Training. George is happy to assist with any enquiries.
Gordon Walters directs the non-clerking side of chambers operations through leadership in finance, ICT, HRM, facilities, compliance and corporate governance. He also collaborates with Michael Goodridge in business development and marketing.
A PwC trained Chartered Accountant (ICAEW), he remained in public practice for an extended period; ultimately as a senior Management Consultant within the Financial and Strategic Unit of a boutique consultancy.
He joined chambers in 2018 after several years applying his commercial experience to interim management roles, including fifteen months as interim CEO with a leading family set.
Gordon's wider interests have included being a volunteer director for MENCAP, mentor for The Prince's Youth Business Trust and Deputy Chairman of The Lord Chancellors Advisory Committee.
An elected fellow of the RSA and member of the LPMA, he travels extensively.
Jack Harding is a popular and highly experienced practitioner who specialises in complex personal injury claims.
His practice encompasses the whole range of chambers personal injury work, but with a particular focus on two sub-specialties: public sector and human rights, and travel and cross border claims
In his public law practice, Jack is regularly instructed on behalf of authorities such as local councils, NHS Trusts and the police and emergency services against a range of tortious and statutory claims, and has been involved in high profile decisions in the field of Vicarious Liability, Sexual abuse, Occupiers' Liability and Occupational Stress
Jack is also regarded as a leading junior in the field of travel law, regularly appearing on behalf of claimants and defendants in high profile cases. He co-authors one of the major practitioner texts in the area and is ranked by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 in this field.
Expertise
Public Sector & Human Rights
Jack specialises in defending public sector claims, with particular expertise in cases that involve complex issues concerning duty of care, the imposition of vicarious liability, limitation, discrimination and the interplay of the common law and alleged human rights breaches.
He regularly advises social services in claims arising out of historic sexual abuse and neglect, both at common law and under the European Convention of Human Rights.
He is frequently instructed by local authorities in claims against schools, and is regarded as a specialist in claims against highways authorities, having successfully represented defendants in a number of recent claims in the High Court.
His work for NHS Trusts comprises advice on employers and occupiers liability, as well as an increasing number of claims for Occupational Stress.
Job Titles:
- Joint Deputy Senior Clerk
- Member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks
Jaime joined Chambers in 2009, having previously spent 4 years at another leading common law set in Grays Inn.
He became Senior Clerk in 2016 responsible for the Family and Court of Protection teams. He is also responsible for the management of the civil clerking team.
He is responsible for both the operational needs and business development of both the Family and Court of Protection teams and other responsibilities include the day-to-day practice management of Members of Chambers, as well as fee negotiation and allocation of work and developing all clerks in chambers.
Jaime is a qualified member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks and regularly attends seminars and lectures in order to maintain and improve his knowledge of a constantly evolving industry.
Jaime has recently completed his ILM Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Barristers' Clerks.
Jaime Brooks the set's senior family and court of protection clerk, is described as "an exceptional clerk who is always on hand to assist." Brooks knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of individual barristers and his ability to match the right counsel with cases is also appreciated by instructing solicitors, who note that "he always knows what you're talking about whenever you call and he knows his teams very well so he's able to provide a good academic view or be very direct in court."
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Jamie's duties include ensuring briefs are entered efficiently as well as the booking of Hearings and appointments into counsels' diaries.
Jay Levell joined Chambers in 2022.
He deals with all the general day to day duties of a Junior Clerk and assists in the smooth running of the Clerks room.
Job Titles:
- IT & Technology Coordinator
As the IT Coordinator, Jonathan Cutner ensures that all members and staff are operating at their best.
Joseph Arazi, Head of Legal at Travelers Legal says"One of the reasons I have instructed Francesca over other Counsel is because of her commercial acumen".
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Lauren Carter joined Chambers in April 2022, having clerked previously at a leading Criminal set.
She graduated from Queen Mary University London in August 2020.
Lauren assists Senior Criminal Clerk David with diary management and day to day running of the criminal team.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Louis Candy started his clerking career in 2018 at 1 Crown Office Row and joined Deka Chambers in April 2022.
He is now responsible for day-to-day practice management of the Family team which includes diary management, fee negotiation, and allocation of new work.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Clerking & Business Development
- Member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks
Michael Goodridge leads the Deka Chambers Clerking Team.
He is centrally involved in the management of Chambers, as well as building and maintaining relationships with our clients.
Under Michael's leadership, Chambers has received a number of awards; most recently Michael won the Legal 500 Chief Executive / Director of Clerking of the Year 2020.
Michael was also named Practice Manager Of The Year at the 2016 Personal Injury Awards.
His experience in the law industry now spans more than 25 years, with a career which started at the Law Commission then progressed to his first clerking job at a leading common law set in Gray's Inn, where he gained a valuable grounding in all legal disciplines.
Michael is a qualified member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks and has played an active part in the organisation for many years. He is particularly interested in education and further training for clerks. In 2009 he chaired the IBC Annual Conference.
Michael is recognised throughout the profession as an expert in the field of costs and conditional fees. His articles regularly appear in legal journals and he frequently contributes to training events run by organisations such as the Bar Council and APIL.
Michael has been instrumental in securing the recognition of Chambers as one of the country's leading personal injury sets. His knowledge of the industry is second to none, leading him to be described individually by the legal directories as ‘the best in the business' and as part of a clerking team characterised as both ‘superb' and ‘ferocious'.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Coordinator & Executive Assistant / Operations
Milena Zeqo joined Chambers in January 2021.
Milena works closely with the Directors, Clerks and members of Chambers, to coordinate the marketing activities of Chambers, with particular emphasis on expanding its marketing channels, social media presence.
She provides administrative support to the Director of Operations & Head of Chambers in relation to HR, events, facilities and similar matters.
She holds a masters in Economics and International Relations. Milena has a passion for languages and she can speak Albanian, Italian, French, and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager / Assistant Practice Managers
Phillip Austin began his clerking career at Enterprise Chambers in 2008, gaining further experience when moving to 12 King's Bench Walk in 2011.
He joined Chambers in March 2019 and is responsible for the day-to-day practice management of the civil team which includes diary management, fee negotiation and allocation of new work. Phillip also likes to focus on developing and maintaining client relationships on behalf of Chambers.
Phillip has undertaken the Bar Council direct access training course and is also a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Job Titles:
- Chief Constable of Hertfordshire [2008] UKHL 50
Defended police accused of violating right to life of a murdered witness who had reported threats.
Victoria Henley joined Chambers as their receptionist in 2022.
Her primary duties involve the care/booking of the conference rooms, answering the phones, and looking after clients.
She has a background in film and enjoys drawing and playing rugby.