Silks

Lord Thomas of Gresford QC OBE  (Door Tenant)

Specialises in all areas of criminal and civil law.

Lord Thomas joined chambers in 1967 and was a pupil to His Honour Eifion Roberts QC.  He took Silk in 1979 and has developed an extensive practice at Court of Appeal, House of Lords and Privy Council level.  He has wide experience of acting for local authorities and public corporations in judicial review and public inquiries, together with an extensive criminal law practice.  He also acts in matters of human rights, health and safety and personal injuries.  Lord Thomas was appointed a Recorder in 1976, a Deputy High Court Judge in 1985 and has been a Bencher of Gray's Inn since 1989.  He practises from Goldsmith Chambers, Temple, London.

Lord Carlile of Berriew QC (Door Tenant)

Lord Carlile's practice is focused upon serious crime, local government and public law including licensing and planning, and personal injuries litigation.  He has appeared in many leading criminal cases - Peter Moore, the 'Man in Black' on charges of multiple murder; Elmore Davies of 'Mersey Blues' on charges of serious police corruption; R -v- Palmer et al ( the largest timeshare fraud tried hitherto); R -v- Regan et al (CWS corruption trial, defence of City Solicitor).  He represented Paul Burrell, butler to the late Diana Princess of Wales, at his trial for theft from the Princess's estate. His licensing cases include RBNB -v- Cheshire Licensing Justices [House of Lords], the leading case on disclosure of ownership in relation to licensed premises. 

He is a former MP and is available to chair Committees and Inquiries.  He was Chair of the Carlile Review, appointed by the National Assembly for Wales to review child protection in the NHS.  He was Chair of the General Medical Council's committee to improve procedure in conduct cases.   

In 2001 he was appointed by the Home Secretary as Independent Reviewer of terrorism legislation.  He broadcasts frequently on issues bordering law and politics; and lectures particularly on matters concerning counter-terrorism legislation.  He is President of the Howard League for Penal Reform and is a Deputy High Court Judge and Recorder. 

Lord Carlile practises from 9-12 Bell Yard, London

Robin Spencer QC (Door Tenant) 

Educated at the King's School, Chester and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Robin Spencer was called to the Bar in 1978 and has practised at 1 Stanley Place Chambers (formerly Sedan House) since pupillage.  As a junior he specialsed in serious crime, fraud and trading standards (including food law).  He had a wide civil practice including most common law work, employment and personal injuries.   

He took Silk in 1999.  His main areas of practice in Silk are crime (particularly homicide and fraud), trading standards and judicial review.   

He was appointed a Recorder in 1998 and a Deputy High Court Judge in 2001. 

He practises from 9-12 Bell Yard, London

Michael Chambers QC (Door Tenant) 

Michael Chambers was called to the Bar in 1980 and took Silk in 2003. 

He specialises in serious crime with particular focus on murder, manslaughter, sexual offences and fraud.  He has extensive experience of cases involving complex medical and financial issues.  His practice also includes licensing and disciplinary work.   

HM Customs and Excise (formerly circuit Standing Counsel as junior)

Legal Assessor to the General Medical Council

Recorder

Member of the Criminal Bar Association 

He practises from 9-12 Bell Yard, London

Andrew Thomas QC

Andrew Thomas was born and brought up in Wrexham, where he still lives now.  He studied law at the University of Cambridge and completed bar finals at the Inns of Court School of Law in London.  He undertook pupillage and practised at 1 Stanley Place Chambers until October 2008. 
He was appointed Queen's Counsel in January 2008 and also practises from Lincoln House Chambers, Manchester

Gillian Irving QC

Gillian Irving began her career at the Bar practising in the field of personal injury and industrial disease. She subsequently went on to apply her interest in and knowledge of medical issues to the child care arena. She has now gained over 20 years experience in cases involving allegations of non-accidental injury, fabricated illness, failure to thrive, neglect and sexual abuse. She appears for both Local Authorities and parents. More>...

Ruth Henke QC

Ruth Henke QC joined 1 Stanley Place Chambers in March 2009 and specialises in Child Care, Family Law, Public & Administrative Law, Education Law.

Ruth was educated at Howells School, Llandaff before reading Jurisprudence at Worcester College, Oxford from 1983 to 1986. She then undertook her Bar Finals at the Council of Legal Education in London the following year.

"...works incredibly hard, very sage, with a clear understanding of where a case should be going".
Chambers & Partners 2008

"...extremely astute - sensitive, but holds her ground in difficult children's work".
Legal 500 2008

 She also practices from 30 Park Place, Cardiff