St John's Buildings

Joshua Daley successfully prosecuted three Defendants, who were each charged with two separate counts of S.18 inflicting grievous bodily harm. Find out more: shorturl.at/TwAFI

Jessica Foster has successfully defended a police officer charged with two counts of assault on an emergency worker. Jessica was instructed by Darren Cook of Gorvins Solicitors. Find out more: shorturl.at/PaBBN

The team had a great night celebrating Women In Criminal Law Manchester's Third Birthday with a black tie dinner at Hallé St Peters on Friday evening.

Samantha Hillas KC, Leader of the Northern Circuit, has been speaking out about Access to Justice and Jury Trials. Barristers practising in courts across the North West invited MPs to meet them in Liverpool and Chester Crown Courts. Find out more: shorturl.at/oHk2p

Thanks to all our Family Law clients, members and staff for making last night's wine tasting such a brilliant event. Thanks also to Claire Scorer from Jean Juviniere Ltd for being such a fantastic host and bringing along such great wines. We look forward to doing it again soon!

Join us for our in-person, all-day Care seminar at Manchester Hall on Friday 27th February 2026, chaired by Lorraine Cavanagh KC. For a full list of speakers and to book, visit: shorturl.at/Z7EYD

We are delighted to have 14 members of our family team listed in Doyle's Guide 2026.

Congratulations to all the members who have been included this year. For the full list, visit: shorturl.at/wilxr

We are delighted to welcome Blaise Morris to Chambers. Blaise is a criminal law specialist and joined Chambers from a North Eastern set after re-locating back to the North West. Visit Blaise's profile: shorturl.at/RWYp1

We are delighted to invite you to a new series of lunchtime seminars in our Leeds Chambers. The first session focuses on current topics in Family Law proceedings, with talks by Paul Edwards and Natalia Levine – and lunch is included. There are just a few places remaining. To book: shorturl.at/7aoah

We are delighted to announce that Hannah Walker will be returning to Chambers on 16th February following her maternity leave. Visit Hannah's profile here: shorturl.at/OT50h

Lorraine Cavanagh KC and Daniel Currie appear in the Supreme Court case of X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside) UKSC 2025/0039, on behalf of the Association of Lawyers for Children (ALC). For more: shorturl.at/QSPv7

Please join us for a new series of online seminars for our Property Law clients. The first seminar is on 3rd March and will feature Christopher Moss giving an update on nuisance in property matters. Click through to see the other speakers, topics and to book: shorturl.at/L3WgY

Rebecca Penfold leading Emily Calman defended in this complex case which involved historic allegations of child prostitution, child sexual exploitation and possession of a firearm, with separate indictments of criminality including indecent images, false ID documents and drugs.
shorturl.at/CyH3M

We are delighted to announce that Robert Cline has been appointed as a Salaried Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health jurisdiction), from 2 February 2026. He will continue to sit as a Fee-Paid Employment Judge.

Congratulations from everyone at Chambers! shorturl.at/S8VnD

Yesterday we hosted Watson Ramsbottom for in-house training on Family Law Proceedings Involving Children provided by our Family barristers Sara Mann and Beronique Addington. Talks were followed by nibbles, drinks and networking with the wider family team. Thanks to all for a great evening!

We are delighted to welcome Sean Batterton back to Chambers. Sean is a specialist civil practitioner with a focus on personal injury and fraud. Sean rejoins SJB having previously worked as a barrister at a large multinational law firm. shorturl.at/uB74w

We wish everyone a very happy and restful Christmas and New Year! Details of our opening hours are below. Click through to see how to get in touch should you need to: shorturl.at/SVENh

Congratulations to Philip Clemo, Jemma Gordon, Thomas Sherrington, James Hudson, Emily Calman, Curtis Dunkley and Jill Newton. They have all been successful in their recent CPS re-grading applications. Find out more: shorturl.at/xxq8C

James Hudson prosecuted a case in which the defendant received a sentence of 19 years' imprisonment.
shorturl.at/E1BWx

We are delighted to welcome Urd Varlo Larsen back to Chambers following her maternity leave. Urd returns to practice today - 10th December. Visit her profile here: stjohnsbuildings.com/barrister/ur...

Job opportunity! We're hiring for a Senior Clerk to join our Sheffield site. This is a great chance to join one of the largest barristers’ chambers servicing clients across the country. For a full job description and to apply: shorturl.at/bCo28

Pépin Aslett has secured a committal order against a defendant who ignored the requirements of a freezing injunction to provide a list of her assets. Pépin represented Mr Sahota, instructed by Ali Legal Ltd. The case has been reported on and the judgment has been released. shorturl.at/7ITRB

On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities #IDPD, Catherine Dent has written an article reflecting on whether it is the disability — or the impairment itself — that better predicts an individual’s employment prospects. Read the article here: shorturl.at/xoDsh

Lorraine Cavanagh KC is speaking at the Family Justice Council's 18th Annual Debate on 3rd December. The motion for this year's debate is: “Does the term ‘permanence’ help or hinder outcomes for children?” For more information: shorturl.at/aS23b

It was lovely to be joined by Claire Kelly for A Big Thank You from @headwayuk.bsky.social - the brain injury association for the funds raised at our PICN charity dinner. The photo shows our Senior and Assistant Senior PICN clerks receiving the thanks for our fundraising efforts.

Emma Swindell recently represented the appellant in a Court of Appeal case (R v H). She successfully argued that the 12 months immediate custodial sentence which was imposed by the Crown Court judge was manifestly excessive. Emma was instructed by Rachel Mason of Slater Heelis. shorturl.at/SOL3v

Nicholas Jackson represented the Appellant in Westfield Park v. Harworth Estates which was heard at the Court of Appeal in October 2025. Nicholas was instructed by Mairtin Breathnach at Griffiths and Hughes Parry Solicitors. To find out more and read the judgment, visit: shorturl.at/xkh6H

Karl Rowley KC and Lorraine Cavanagh KC are appearing in the Court of Appeal in the case of Re J: Re M: Re P (Loss of Parental Responsibility) Conjoined Appeals.
Live stream here: shorturl.at/K3OFz
More info: shorturl.at/wzToP

We are delighted to have been highly commended as a Regional Family Law Chambers of the Year at the
@lexisnexisuk.bsky.social Family Law Awards 2025, recognised for “outstanding teamwork and commitment to clients." Well done to all the winners and those shortlisted! shorturl.at/1gwkZ

Joshua Daley, who completed pupillage and became a full member of Chambers in October 2025, has been successful in two Crown Court trials within a week. To read more about the trials, visit our website: shorturl.at/v3DGD