St Philips Chambers wins three major awards

8 Dec 2025Events

Photo (L-R) James Withers, Annabel Hale, Peter Haynes KC, Molly Roberts, Oliver Edwards, Sara Lewis KC, Joe Wilson (all of St Philips Chambers) and James Cowdell (of Chambers & Partners)

St Philips Chambers has been recognised for excellence by winning three significant awards in over a year

The Birmingham-based set was named Chambers of the Year at the British Legal Awards on 26 November 2025, following their recognition as Regional Set of the Year at the Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards 2025, and Legal 500's Set Outside London of the Year in September 2024. These accolades highlight that St Philips has not just had a strong year but has set a benchmark for excellence that competes with the best chambers in the nation.

The set’s established reputation is reflected in the diverse range of instructions it receives, which come from across the UK and internationally. The work undertaken spans various areas, including Business and Property, Crime, Employment, Family, Personal Injury, and Regulatory, evidencing St Philips’ longstanding position in a competitive market. Joe Wilson, CEO and Director of Clerking, expressed pride in the achievements, stating "The Chambers & Partners and British Legal Awards titles are a massive statement, particularly following last year’s Legal 500 win. It proves consistency. It shows that the collective expertise and work ethic of our barristers, clerking and administration teams is delivering results for clients year after year. I'm incredibly pleased for the whole team; we've earned the right to proudly sit alongside the UK’s best sets."

Winning at the British Legal Awards is especially significant as it places a regional set on par with London's renowned chambers, validating Birmingham and the wider Regional Bar on a national platform. As Birmingham continues to attract a growing share of complex, high-value matters, national and international firms are increasingly establishing a presence in the West Midlands. St Philips is effectively capturing substantial and intricate cases, reinforcing its influential role in shaping the legal landscape of the region. These awards not only affirm St Philips' advocacy and legal expertise but also reflect operational strengths including strategic business development, enhanced fee income, dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as significant investments in wellbeing, training, and outreach.

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Trust, transparency and the limits of legal self-regulation

Transparency reforms were meant to empower consumers, but uneven delivery now risks undermining confidence across the profession

Government scraps audit reform

What the collapse of the Audit Reform Bill means for regulation, accountability and legal practice

Sewage pollution litigation after Manchester Ship Canal

How the Supreme Court’s ruling is reshaping nuisance claims, protest litigation and regulatory limits across England and Wales

FCA non-financial misconduct rules clarified

The FCA’s final guidance on non-financial misconduct offers clarification, but leaves firms grappling with judgement-heavy implementation

Judiciary launches new diversity strategy initiative

The judiciary's new strategy aims to enhance diversity in the UK judicial system over five years

Personal injury claims numbers plummet dramatically

The number of personal injury claims in the UK has hit unprecedented lows, especially motor injury claims

Government urged to review legal costs

A senior costs lawyer has called for an independent review of fixed costs in the legal industry, highlighting the detrimental impact on firms and access to justice.

Building Safety Act litigation redefines investor risk

Recent case law shows how courts and tribunals are extending Building Safety Act liabilities beyond what investors originally anticipated

US musicians lose challenge over UK performers' rights restrictions

High Court rules treaty obligations non-justiciable in domestic law without parliamentary incorporation.

Actinon PTE Limited v Char Biocarbon Inc: Affirmation and contractual obligations

Commercial dispute highlights principles of waiver by election and contract interpretation

Matthew Haydon v R: Court of Appeal clarifies "likely" in explosive substances offences

Court confirms "likely" means "could well happen" rather than "more probable than not"

Cloisters Business Centre v Anvari: mixed-use premises and service charge protection

Court confirms tenants of mixed-use properties qualify for statutory service charge controls.

NHS commissioning activities fall outside TUPE protection, Court of Appeal rules

Employment law case clarifies when healthcare reorganisations trigger transfer protections for staff.

BTR Core Fund v HMRC: Upper Tribunal clarifies overpayment relief exclusions

Stamp duty land tax overpayment relief and the meaning of "mistake in a claim"

Court of Appeal rules criminal earnings count as income for ESA purposes

Criminal activity constitutes work and generates income for benefits assessment purposes.

SJ Interview: Joelle Grogan

Dr Joelle Grogan is a legal scholar specialising in the rule of law in times of crisis. She presents The Law Show on BBC Radio 4, and is Co-Academic Director of the Rule of Law Clinic at the CEU Democracy Institute (Budapest), and a Senior Research Fellow at the UCD Sutherland School of Law. Her work focuses on constitutional accountability, emergency powers, and legal misinformation. In this interview, she examines the pressures facing the rule of law in the UK, from executive power and court delays to media narratives, emergencies, and the impact of AI on legal practice.

Justice reform risks targeting the wrong fix

As 2026 approaches, ministers eye jury trials while ignoring deeper causes of England’s criminal justice crisis