Our Expertise

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Parklane Plowden Chambers named as Tier 1 barristers’ set across five practice areas in Legal 500 2023 rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parklane Plowden Chambers has been ranked as a Tier 1 set across five practice areas and a Tier 2 set across one area in the Legal 500 2023 rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chambers has been named as Tier 1, the highest ranking a Chambers can achieve, across the chancery, probate, and tax; clinical negligence; employment; family and children law and personal injury practice areas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parklane Plowden is also the only set to be ranked for chancery and clinical negligence on the North Eastern circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additionally, the set has been ranked as Tier 2 for inquests &amp; inquiries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>59 Parklane Plowden barristers were ranked in this year’s edition across:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>Court of Protection</li><li>Chancery, Probate, and Tax</li><li>Clinical Negligence</li><li>Commercial Litigation</li><li>Employment</li><li>Family and Children Law</li><li>Personal Injury</li><li>Property and Construction</li><li>Inquests and Inquiries</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can find out more about Parklane Plowden Chambers’ ranking in <a href="https://www.legal500.com/firms/9565-chambers-of-james-murphy/9565-leeds-england/?layout=uk-bar&amp;token=d07cec346fdb1d90a16be580843ed8e5">the Legal 500 2023 edition here</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

Parklane Plowden Chambers announces six figure refurb of Leeds City Centre premises to create flexible working environment

The set is investing in a complete reorganisation of the chambers’ internal space to create a high quality new environment to support flexible working patterns and an increasing number of remote hearings. The refurbished premises will feature a barristers’ lounge and study to support agile working, and dedicated case rooms and phone booths for remote conferences and hearings. There will be an external face lift for the building’s entrance and flexible meeting rooms will also be introduced alongside a south-facing roof terrace and bar. A new ventilation system will also be installed throughout the building to enhance airflow. Refurbishment work is scheduled complete by the end of the year. While the work takes place PLP will be temporarily relocating to Avenue HQ in Leeds. PLP head of chambers, James Murphy, said: “Our goal is to further enhance our reputation as an excellent, vibrant and progressive chambers alive to the needs of its clients and colleagues. It is our shared purpose to make a positive difference in all we do through expert advice and advocacy, excellent client care, and by being the place were talented people want to work. “That is why we are investing to create an excellent new working environment to meet the evolving needs of our colleagues and clients. It’s a very exciting project and we are looking forward to moving into our newly-refurbished premises later this year.” Leeds-based Bowman Riley Architects designed the new workspace, which is being fitted-out by Bradford-based Hurst Stores &amp; Interiors. Shelby Group, a construction consultancy based in in Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, has been appointed to manage the delivery of the project. Find out further information on our barristers’ expertise <a href="https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/expertise">here</a>.

Elizabeth Hodgson and John Jackson elected as Deputy Heads of Chambers

After acting as Deputy Head of Chambers for the past 4 years, <a href="https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/barristers/james-murphy">James Murphy</a> was recently elected to Head of Chambers. Consequently, previous Executive Committee Member, <a href="https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/barristers/elizabeth-hodgson">Elizabeth Hodgson</a>, and Plowden Facilities Director, <a href="https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/barristers/john-jackson">John Jackson</a>, have been elected as the new Deputy Heads of Chambers. Speaking on their respective appointments, John said: “I have been a member of Chambers for 14 years and I am proud of its growth in that time. I am also aware of how Chambers has supported me since I joined and the importance of how we are perceived not just in our base cities of Leeds and Newcastle but throughout the whole of North Eastern Circuit. In this role, I hope to continue promoting PLP and extend my current contributions to Chambers as a barrister, pupil supervisor and director of Plowden Facilities. I am confident that with James Murphy as Head of Chambers, Liz and I as Deputies and the new members of our management boards we will continue the strong work of our predecessors and continue to build on the reputation of PLP over the coming years.“ Liz commented: “Having been a member of Chambers’ Executive Committee since its inception in 2015, I am delighted to be joining John as Deputy Head of Chambers. Chambers has gone from strength to strength in recent years: that is a result of sound management and, most importantly, the provision by both members and staff of an outstanding service to our clients. Our aim is to maintain this positive trend, supporting our specialist teams in the continued provision of an outstanding quality of service, thereby further securing PLP’s position as a leading Chambers the North East and well-beyond.”

Parklane Plowden dominates Chambers &amp; Partners 2021 recommendations for the North Eastern Circuit.

Parklane Plowden has been recognised in six practice areas in the 2021 edition and has 49 individual barrister recommendations across nine practice areas. We remain the only ranked set on the North Eastern Circuit, with Chambers as <em>"a go-to for clinical negligence matters…"</em> and <em>"the barristers are all very intelligent but also approachable - they have that personal touch which goes a long way in high-value personal injury work."</em> for personal injury. The Family: Matrimonial Finance teams moves up from Band 3 to Band 2, following the recruitment of 13 family law barristers from Zenith Chambers. Three individuals have received special recognition. <strong>Andrew Axon</strong>, is identified as a ‘Star Individual’ for his clinical negligence expertise. <em>"He has amazing intuition and a fantastic feel for what's going to work and what won't. Clients adore him and he has a lot of confidence." </em> Personal Injury barrister, <strong>Abigail Telford</strong> is also identified as ‘Up and Coming’ - <em>"A rising star at the set. She's able to analyse complex issues and quickly cut through to the heart of the matter."</em> <strong>Cait Sweeney</strong> &nbsp;is recognised as an&nbsp; ‘Up and Coming’ for her Chancery and Commercial expertise - <em>“She is intelligent, forward-thinking and collegiate with other members of the team." "She provides clear and simple advice. I can call her up and have a chat and bounce ideas around."</em> <strong>Team Accolades</strong> <strong>Personal Injury (Band 1) and only ranked chambers</strong> Parklane Plowden is the leading chambers on the North Eastern Circuit for personal injury matters. The set houses unrivalled expertise in the handling of complex injury claims, and its deep bench of experienced barristers has recently been bolstered by the arrival of several new tenants. Areas of expertise for the team include high-value catastrophic brain and spinal injury, amputation and industrial disease claims, and members act for both claimant and defendant clients. The set's barristers are frequently involved in high-profile and leading cases and have experience of appearing before both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Instructing solicitors praise the set as a "modern and forward-thinking chambers" and note that "the barristers are all very intelligent but also approachable - they have that personal touch which goes a long way in high-value personal injury work." <strong>Clinical Negligence (Band 1) and only ranked chambers</strong> Parklane Plowden is recognised as the leading chambers on the North Eastern Circuit for complex clinical negligence matters. The set houses an enviable bench of experts who are regularly instructed to act on behalf of both claimants and defendants in high-value delayed diagnosis and surgical negligence cases. Members are also experienced in the handling of complex birth injury and fatal accident claims arising from medical negligence. Instructing solicitors praise the set as "a go-to for clinical negligence matters," adding that "it is able to offer the full spectrum of expertise and has both very strong junior barristers and silks." <strong>Family: Children (Band 1)</strong> Parklane Plowden acts for a range of clients, including local authorities, parents and guardians, in a variety of children law proceedings. The cases undertaken by the barristers often involve serious abuse and injuries, as well as complex issues such as honour-based violence and forced marriage. The set is a first port of call for instructing solicitors handling care proceedings. The set's recent recruitment of 13 barristers from Zenith Chambers has further bolstered its strength in children matters. The set also possesses impressive strength in financial remedy cases, and the barristers are equipped to handle cohabitation disputes and cases involving assets held abroad or UK-based farming and business assets. <strong>Employment (Band 1)</strong> Renowned for its work tackling employment law matters of significant sensitivity and complexity including discrimination, harassment, and victimisation claims. The barristers are also knowledgeable about whistle-blower protection. The set maintains a broad client base which includes claimants and private or public sector respondents. Recently, it has successfully represented HMRC in a disability discrimination and harassment claim and acted in a novel Court of Appeal case on philosophical belief discrimination. <strong>Chancery (Band 1)</strong> Parklane Plowden is held in high regard as a "high-quality chambers" for its chancery offering. Areas of particular strength for the set include cases involving contentious and non-contentious trust and probate matters, as well as partnership, tax and company disputes. <strong>Family: Matrimonial Finance (Band 2)</strong> Parklane Plowden acts for a range of clients, including local authorities, parents and guardians, in a variety of children law proceedings. The cases undertaken by the barristers often involve serious abuse and injuries, as well as complex issues such as honour-based violence and forced marriage. The set is a first port of call for instructing solicitors handling care proceedings. The set's recent recruitment of 13 barristers from Zenith Chambers has further bolstered its strength in children matters. The set also possesses impressive strength in financial remedy cases, and the barristers are equipped to handle cohabitation disputes and cases involving assets held abroad or UK-based farming and business assets. &nbsp; All of the individual barrister recommendations can be viewed on the Chambers &amp; Partners <a href="https://chambers.com/law-firm/parklane-plowden-uk-bar-14:10330">website</a>.

Parklane Plowden Chambers clerking team recognised in the Legal 500 2021 Chambers Review.

We are delighted that our clerking team have been recognised in the Legal 500 2021 Set Overview.&nbsp; Based in Leeds and Newcastle, Chambers retains its Tier 1 status, active in personal injury work, in addition to having employment, family and commercial expertise. <strong>Clerks Testimonials</strong> <em>“Chambers admin is first class. </em><a href="mailto:https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/clerks-and-staff/michael-stubbs"><em>Mike Stubbs</em></a><em> heads a very effective set.”</em> <em>“Possibly the most highly respected clerking team in the north of England. Solicitor friendly and commercially aware set with increasing orientations toward new and developing areas of practice.”</em> <em>“All the clerks are extremely responsive and helpful. </em><a href="mailto:https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/clerks-and-staff/laura-storr"><em>Laura Storr</em></a><em> stands out to me as someone that is particularly helpful and I always feel able to pick up the phone to her and ask for help.”</em> <em>“</em><a href="mailto:https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/clerks-and-staff/hannah-townsend"><em>Hannah</em></a><em> is always willing to help and is a great member of the team. She is also a fantastic networker.”</em> <em>“The clerks are exceptional. </em><a href="mailto:https://www.parklaneplowden.co.uk/clerks-and-staff/james-mason"><em>James</em></a><em> in particular is always friendly, goes the extra mile to assist and recommends barristers based on the facts of the case. He has a keen interest in helping juniors come through and develop their knowledge of the COP.”</em> To view the Set Overview in full, please visit the Legal 500 webiste: <em>https://www.legal500.com/firms/9565-chambers-of-christopher-williams/9565-leeds-england/#rankings</em>