St John's Buildings
banner
stjohnsbuildings.bsky.social
St John's Buildings
@stjohnsbuildings.bsky.social
An award-winning, tier-1 ranked, multi-disciplinary set of barristers, providing exceptional advocates and national coverage from Chambers in Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds.
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
February 11, 2026 at 2:33 PM
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
February 10, 2026 at 2:54 PM
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
February 9, 2026 at 2:04 PM
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
February 5, 2026 at 9:30 AM
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
February 5, 2026 at 9:29 AM
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
February 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
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
January 29, 2026 at 3:21 PM
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
January 23, 2026 at 11:05 AM
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!
January 23, 2026 at 10:30 AM
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
January 5, 2026 at 10:07 AM
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
December 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM
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
December 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
James Hudson prosecuted a case in which the defendant received a sentence of 19 years' imprisonment.
shorturl.at/E1BWx
December 16, 2025 at 9:27 AM
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...
December 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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
December 5, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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
December 5, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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
December 3, 2025 at 10:09 AM
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
November 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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.
November 27, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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
November 25, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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
November 25, 2025 at 12:17 PM
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
November 24, 2025 at 11:18 AM
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
November 20, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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
November 6, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Congratulations to Henry Vanderpump who has been gifted a Red Bag by Michael Redfern KC. In accordance with the tradition, Civil Clerk Nicole Hillick presented Henry with the bag.
November 6, 2025 at 9:54 AM