Archives 2024

Holly joined Trinity Chambers as a pupil in January 2024 and is accepting instructions in all areas of family law and general civil work. Drawing on her time as a volunteer for SOS Silence of Suicide, Holly has experience connecting with vulnerable individuals, fostering empathy, and putting them at ease whilst effectively advocating on their behalf.

Prior to pupillage, Holly graduated with a first-class law degree and served as a personal assistant for a family law barrister before graduating with a Distinction in her Bar Practice Course with Masters at the University of Law.  She secured an Exhibition scholarship from the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple and an Advocacy Scholarship from the University of Law. Holly was called to the Bar in July 2023.

David Stevens specialises in Civil and Financial Remedy cases. He is also available to conduct ‘Private FDRs’.

David joined Trinity Chambers as a pupil in January 2024. He was called in 2023 having qualified as a Solicitor in 2008 and as a Solicitor-Advocate (Higher Rights Civil Proceedings) in 2018. His wide ranging expertise covers a broad range of civil practice, including chancery, personal injury and insolvency, together with financial remedy matters. David has an approachable and personable style together with a detailed knowledge of law and procedure.

David sits as a Recorder and a Deputy District Judge.

Before joining Chambers, Adam volunteered at Citizens Advice and, prior to embarking on a career in law, spent a number of years touring North America in a blues/rock band from his home on the Isle of Man.

Daniel Proctor accepts instructions in all of chambers’ key practice areas. Daniel has consistently received positive feedback from his  professional and lay clients alike for his empathetic yet robust approach in court.

Family Law
Daniel’s family practice incorporates both private and public children cases, financial remedies as well as injunctions. Daniel has acted at all stages of family litigation including fact-findings, final hearings and appeals.
Daniel’s private children work began when he provided pro-bono advice and represented litigants-in-person whilst he was completing his professional qualifications.

Civil Law
Daniel also has a broad civil practice and has been instructed to appear in trials and interim applications in a wide range of civil matters including Road Traffic Accidents, Personal injuries, Contracts and Banking.
Prior to starting his pupillage Daniel gained over 4 years’ worth of invaluable experience working as a paralegal in the clinical negligence department of a leading national law firm.

John Brooke-Smith specialises in Financial Remedies, private Children Act work and personal injury.

John was called to the Bar in 1981. He practised in London before moving to East Anglia in 1988, where he has established his practice working for solicitors and direct access clients throughout the region and beyond. John was appointed a Recorder (part-time Judge) in 1999 and sits in the County and Crown Courts, hearing family, civil and criminal cases.

John is a strong advocate with excellent technical knowledge who easily gains clients’ trust.  He is highly experienced and approachable and has been recommended in the Legal 500 in it’s 2024 edition: ‘John is a confident and exceptional advocate. He is calm, focused and professional and has a strong ability to express arguments clearly. He firmly grasps the issues in cases and obtains excellent results for clients. His attention to detail is impeccable, and he is able to relate and build a rapport with a wide range of clients..’  The Legal 500 puts him in Tier 2 of its rankings of leading juniors.

John’s previous entries in the Legal 500 said: “He has the gravitas that you want. When you instruct him it’s like having the wind at your back. He has a good grasp of the issues and is an excellent advocate.” and “He is a charismatic practitioner and is great at explaining matters to clients in simple language.”

Legal 500 2024

‘John is a confident and exceptional advocate. He is calm, focused and professional and has a strong ability to express arguments clearly. He firmly grasps the issues in cases and obtains excellent results for clients. His attention to detail is impeccable, and he is able to relate and build a rapport with a wide range of clients.’

John Brooke-Smith has ‘an incredible knowledge of the law and his vast experience is invaluable in more complex financial remedy cases’.

Legal 500 2023

‘John is well-known and very much-liked for his client-facing approach. He has a broad knowledge in and out of the courtroom of matrimonial and cohabitation law, he is a local go-to.’

John Brooke-Smith is known to be ‘well prepared and amiable and be empathetic with individual circumstances’.

Andrew Bailey has established a strong and varied practice in Essex and London, specialising in all aspects of family law, property disputes and employment cases.

Andrew joined Trinity Chambers at its inception in 1997 following his success in chambers in Chelmsford.

He has a notable practice in employment law, including dismissal claims and discrimination cases for both Claimants and Respondents. He appeared for the Essex Police Authority in a claim for sex discrimination. In addition to litigation, he has also advised in uncontentious contractual matters.

Andrew is perhaps best known for his work in family law litigation. He is recognised for his ability to assist in complicated public law Children Act cases, acting effectively and sensitively for Local Authorities, for Respondent parents and Guardians.

In private law family work, Andrew provides a highly professional level of support at all levels of court hearings for parents and partners. His work in this area covers all aspect of family life from children act disputes to cohabitation litigation and ancillary relief. Andrew is able to combine an approachable manner with helpful negotiating skills, as the case requires. He also applies his scrupulous preparation in contested hearings.

The Legal 500 in its 2024 edition placed Andrew in Tier 3 of its leading juniors and described him as “a go-to counsel on TOLATA matters. His strong presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses is impressive”.  He appeared in the Supreme Court in the landmark case of Kernott v Jones.  This claim, brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, which involved a determination of the parties’ interest in a jointly owned property following 14 years separation.  Andrew held this case from trial in Southend County Court, to the High Court and Court of Appeal before eventually appearing before the Supreme Court in May, 2011.

Andrew sees the case of Kernott v Jones as a reflection of his practice interests. That case sees the cross-over between family and trust law and the conflict between the principles of ‘fairness’ against the background of 20 years of chancery jurisprudence.

Member of FLBA, ELBA, Society of English and American Lawyers.

Legal 500 2024

‘Andrew is a go-to counsel on TOLATA matters. His strong presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses is impressive.’

Legal 500 2023

‘Andrew is extremely thorough in his preparation. He is an excellent advocate and builds a wonderful rapport with the clients.’

Daniel is recognised by the Legal 500 as a Leading Junior in both divorce/financial remedy and Children Act proceedings. His family law practice is complimented by a solid background in civil and chancery matters.

His fused practice is reflected in membership of both the Family Law Bar Association and the Chancery Bar Association.

Daniel is meticulous in his preparation of cases, good with clients and strong on his feet, with an effective court manner.

Financial Claims on Separation

Daniel is a specialist in financial claims arising on separation, whether those claims fall within the sphere of ‘family law’ or chancery business. He has a detailed knowledge of family and civil procedure giving him a sound tactical awareness. Mindful of the economies of litigation, where possible, Daniel endeavours to provide realistic advice at an early stage of proceedings.

Financial Remedy and Schedule 1 Claims

Daniel is frequently instructed in financial remedy proceedings (between parties to a marriage or civil partnership) and Schedule 1 claims (between parents of children). His chancery background makes him particularly well-suited to those claims in which the assets include trust property, companies or partnerships, or indeed where issues of insolvency, inheritance or probate are live.

Intervenor Claims

A significant proportion of Daniel’s financial remedy practice is advising and acting in preliminary ‘intervenor’ claims concerning the disputed beneficial or contractual interests of third parties (usually members of the extended family or business associates). In these complicated disputes, Daniel is particularly valued for his legal clarity, precise drafting and robust presentation.

Trusts of Land

Much of Daniel’s practice is advising and acting in cohabitation claims between unmarried couples brought under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act. He has a sound knowledge of the different species of equitable claims and defences that arise in those disputes, and years of experience running them to trial.

The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act

Often, Daniel will be instructed to represent parties in claims for financial provision brought under the Inheritance Act.

Private Law Children

Daniel has a strong private law children practice, and frequently acts in child arrangement disputes and cases of internal/external relocation. His cases will often involve: serious allegations of violence (including sexual violence) towards partners/children; parental alienation; substance abuse; poor mental health; and hostile litigants in person, all of which he is well suited to deal with.

Civil

Aside from his trusts of land practice (see above), Daniel retains a civil practice divided between court and advisory work. He has a particular interest in disputes relating to land including: boundary and title disputes; adverse possession; rights of way and other easements.

Mediation

Daniel is qualified as a civil and commercial mediator, a service he is happy to provide within Chambers or at another agreed venue. His good manner with clients and broad litigation experience compliment this role, which he fulfils with patience and creativity.

Legal 500, 2024

“Daniel Attridge is admired for his ’calm authority in the courtroom’ and has particular expertise in complex private law children cases.” (2025)

“Daniel is intelligent, quick-thinking, incisive and thorough. He is an excellent advocate, quick to turn things around and absorbs details incredibly. He is focused and accurate.” (2025)

“Daniel is very knowledgeable and knows his stuff inside and out. He is very good with clients, giving them confidence in his advice.” (2025)

“Daniel quickly analyses material and finds practical and realistic ways forward to suit his client’s needs. He provides clear, user-friendly advice supported by considered authoritative guidance. He is an extremely formidable and effective advocate and meticulous in his preparation.” (2024)

Daniel is happy to receive instructions under the direct/public access schemes

Liam regularly deals with a variety of Children Act, Family Law Act, and Matrimonial Causes Act matters. He frequently represents Local Authorities as well as Children’s Guardians, parents, other family members and interveners.

Liam has particular expertise in complex matrimonial finance matters including a number of high profile and high asset cases.

Liam also appears in a broad range of civil matters. He appeared before the Court of Appeal in the reported case of Thurrock Borough Council v Aaron West [2012] EWCA civ 1435.

Alice Newton specialises in private and public Children Act disputes and financial remedy. She is ranked as a Leading Junior in the 2024 edition of the Legal 500.

Alice has developed a busy and successful practice. Following a degree at Oxford University, Alice initially maintained a broad practice, gaining extensive experience in criminal law, family law and many aspects of civil law. Alice’s exposure to a range of disciplines has provided her with invaluable insight and experience in dealing with all levels of tribunal. 

Alice is regularly instructed to act on behalf of parents, children, grandparents, proposed special guardians and Local Authorities. She has been instructed on many complex cases, involving for example non-accidental injuries, sexual or serious domestic abuse. She also has particular experience and success in dealing with relocation applications (cases where one parent wishes to leave the jurisdiction). Alice has had great success in representing parents seeking to care for their children. 

Alice also undertakes financial remedy cases. She frequently represents clients in financial remedy work, including variation and enforcement of financial orders as well as TOLATA applications and again has achieved good results. 

Alice is known for her friendly yet assertive approach and has enjoyed considerable success in cases she has undertaken. She is always well-prepared and will strive for the best outcome for her clients, while providing sensible and pragmatic advice. 

In her spare time, Alice plays a variety of musical instruments. 

Legal 500 2024:

“Alice is very thorough in her preparation for financial remedy proceedings. Her work is meticulous. She quickly establishes a good rapport with clients who are comforted by her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their cases. She provides clear and decisive advice.”

“Alice is quick on her feet, clear, concise and fights her client’s corner. She is hard to rattle.”

Alice Newton is “very knowledgeable and hardworking”, and her “advocacy is tenacious and determined”. 

Some recent feedback: 

Client: “I can’t thank you enough Alice.  You have been an absolute star and I am so glad that [my solicitor] chose you to represent me.  She said you would be perfect for the job and she was right.” 

Client: “I was going to email you because I wanted to say how fantastic Alice was on Wednesday. She really put me at ease as I was feeling really anxious.”   

Solicitor: “Alice did a fantastic job in securing this Order for [client] and I am very pleased with the outcome.” 

Solicitor: “Fantastic Alice, very well done indeed!” 

Alice enjoys a busy practice in all aspects of Family Law including financial remedies, child arrangements disputes, care proceedings and applications for non-molestation and occupation orders. Alice also accepts instructions on a direct access basis.

Prior to joining Chambers in 2015, Alice worked as a civil dispute resolution paralegal for a large regional law firm before joining the litigation team of a London borough council.