As one leading solicitor comments, counsel should have a proper grounding and know how to win a trial from the outset.

For junior counsel of this calibre, 5 Stone Buildings’ Andrew Simmonds, Christopher Tidmarsh and Alastair Norris all rate a number of mentions. Also mentioned are Michael Sullivan at 5 Bell Yard, Christopher Parker and Edmund Cullen at 7 Stone Buildings, headed by Charles Aldous QC, and Simon King at 9 Bedford Row.

And for chancery-related work, Tom Dumont and Gilead Cooper at 11 New Square are mentioned, as are 11 Old Square barristers Jonathan Simpkiss and Keith Rowley; and senior junior Charles Turnbull and Jonathan Seitler for property finance negligence at Wilberforce Chambers.

At Brick Court Chambers George Leggatt, who receives a number of mentions, is “intelligent and hardworking”, William Wood is also mentioned and the more junior Alan Roxburgh is seen as having “great potential”. Also mentioned is Andrew Popplewell.

At Fountain Court Chambers, Simon Browne-Wilkinson is “absolutely wonderful” and Tim Howe is also mentioned, as are Raymond Cox and Guy Philipps.

At 3 Verulam Buildings, “top-notch” Peter Cranfield has joined recently and does both plaintiff and defendant work, and juniors Rory Phillips, Andrew Onslow, Caroline Lewis and David Quest are also singled out for mention, and James Evans “is a useful junior”.

At 7 King’s Bench Walk, juniors Dominic Kendrick and Christopher Butcher are seen as ones to watch, as is senior junior Paul Rees at 1 Crown Office Row, headed by Robert Seabrook QC. At 1 New Square, Richard Fawls and Philip Hoser get a mention.

Philip Jones rates a number of mentions at Thirteen Old Square, as does new tenant Richard Walford. At 9 Old Square, John Dagnall is “meticulous” and Katharine Holland and senior junior David Hodge are also rated.

At 24 Old Buildings, headed by Colin Brodie QC, Michael Gadd, and Elizabeth Weaver get the nod, as does Grahame Aldous.

Paul Reed at Hardwicke Buildings is highly regarded for cases involving valuers, Nigel Jones rates a number of mentions, while Hugh Jackson and Peter Kirby tend to be used for mortgage lending cases at that set. Michelle Stevens-Hoare is “experienced” and William Bojczuk is “at the cutting edge”. David Cavender at 1 Essex Court is good for construction, and Andrew Green at 2 Hare Court is good for insurance broker work.

At Littleton Chambers, Ian Gatt, Mark Lomas, Philip Bartle, Paul Lowenstein and Antony Sendall, as well as the more junior Naomi Ellenbogen, are all noted.

At New Court Chambers, headed by George Carman QC, Hugh Tomlinson has carried his construction knowledge into the professional indemnity arena. Peter McMaster at 3 Paper Buildings, headed by Isaac Jacob, is also noted for valuers and accountants cases.

At 5 Fountain Court, Birmingham, Ralph Lewis is a “good advocate and academic”. And at Trinity Chambers, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Ian Atherton “is getting quite a name for himself”. At Plowden Buildings, which is based both in London and the North East Circuit, Bruce McIntyre and Richard Craven are singled out, as is Catherine Foster. Michael Heywood, who was at this set, has now joined 3 New Square, and at 24 the Ropewalk Chambers in Nottingham, Richard Payne, Patrick Limb and Simon Beard rate honourable mentions.

In Leeds, at 39 Park Square, Patrick Walker and Jonathan Klein have caught the eye. Julian Goose at 10 Park Square, Leeds, is “one to watch”.

Stephen Davies is rated for professional indemnity work at 8 King Street, Manchester, as are Digby Jess and Ian Wood at the same set; Andrew Grantham, Philip Butler and Jonathan Grace at Deans Court Chambers; and “streetfighter” Neil Berragan, and Paul Gilroy at 9 St John Street, Manchester. Mark Cawson at St James’s Chambers is also singled out.

Other honourable mentions go to Edward Bartley Jones at Exchange Chambers in Liverpool and Iain Goldrein at the city’s Corn Exchange Buildings.

Neil Levy is known for mainstream banking work at St John’s Chambers in Bristol, but can be approached for professional indemnity work. Stephen Davies at Guildhall Chambers, Bristol, is also good from the insolvency side. Geraint Jones at “well-run” 9 Park Place, Cardiff, has also served well.