Legal 500 Client Guide 2008

Gough Square’s ranking in Legal 500’s Client Guide to the legal profession has increased to 20 barrister listings in Personal Injury, Crime: Fraud, Clinical Negligence and Healthcare, Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (incorporating Police Law) and Health and Safety with in a new ranking for its Crime practice.

Personal Injury

In Personal Injury the Guide confirms that few sets match 9 Gough Square for sheer size and level of talent and the claimant-led set has clerks that deliver "reliable and attentive" service. Grahame Aldous QC is described as "approachable and user-friendly", John Foy QC, as the "godfather of occupational disease claims" and the set's juniors tap "deep reservoirs of knowledge". Chief among them is Andrew Ritchie, who has outstanding technical knowledge allied to "tough forensic skills" and a "personal and decisive approach". Likewise Roger Hiorns climbs a tier for his "clear, respectful" and "thorough" advice. "Quietly brilliant" Christopher Goddard is also recommended, as is Jacob Levy - "a complete perfectionist" and Stephen Glynn who appears in the listing for the first time in recognition of his leading work in asbestos claims. Nick Hillier continues to be highly ranked in this area.

Crime

In Crime 9 Gough Square has “real strength in depth” as they “instil confidence that a client will be thoughtfully yet robustly defended”. Rosina Cottage 'pays attention to detail and drafts succinctly. Her advocacy can best be summed up as the iron fist in a velvet glove'. Simon Carr is highly regarded as a 'specialist in sex cases'. Tom Little is 'particularly strong for cases requiring well-considered cross examination of robust prosecution witnesses, and a keen eye on documentary evidence'.

Fraud: Crime

9 Gough Square is ranked in Fraud: Crime and the Guide notes that Andrew Baillie QC successfully prosecuted the Independent Insurance fraud, and 'did a fantastic job, with a deadly cross examination'. Rosina Cottage is 'a strong advocate with a nice style that invites jurors to think for themselves'. Fred Ferguson is listed as a Leading Junior in Crime and is rated as 'a very experienced fraud junior'. Martin Pinfold 'moves the prosecution forward in a relentless, yet intelligent fashion. His understanding of investigations from his SFO experience enables him to interact positively with the police'. Phillip Henry is listed as a Leading Junior in Criminal Fraud, and is rated as a barrister with 'great experience, who takes a good strategic view'. Tom Little is again recommended for Fraud: Crime in the Guide.

Clinical Negligence and Healthcare

Duncan Macleod continues to be recommended in Clinical Negligence and Healthcare.

Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (incorporating Police Law)

The Guide has introduced a new section covering Professional Discipline and Regulatory Law (incorporating Police Law) and at 9 Gough Square it reports “the very experienced Duncan Macleod is “first class” and represented the Metropolitan Police in the inquest into the deaths of Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales and Dodi al Fayed. Other recommended juniors are Vincent Williams, Jonathan Loades and Edwin Buckett. Rajeev Shetty appears in the Guide for the first time in recognition of his extensive Police Law practice.

Health and Safety

Christopher Goddard, is also listed as a leading junior in Health and Safety.