Three barristers from one of the UK’s largest sets of chambers are among the 107 to be appointed Queen’s Counsel by the Lord Chancellor on Monday, February 22.
No5 Chambers has welcomed the news that Paul Cairnes, Richard Kimblin and Dr Simon Fox will be appointed QCs, taking the number of silks at No5 to 33.
A limited number of senior barristers are made Queen’s Counsel as a mark of outstanding ability. Most senior judges once practised as QCs.
Paul Cairnes was called to the bar in 1980 and specialises in planning and environmental work. Paul acts for developers and local authorities throughout England and Wales and he has considerable High Court experience with regard to planning and environmental issues. As part of the No5 Planning and Environmental Group, Paul makes an active contribution to its seminar programme as well as providing in-house training on planning and environmental matters to Planning Consultancies and LPAs. He is regularly instructed to appear and advise in high profile and large scale development proposals.
Richard Kimblin was awarded a PhD in 1991 and worked on major infrastructure and research projects. Called to the bar in 1998, he was appointed Junior Counsel to the Crown and is now one of the few planning Counsel on the Attorney General’s ‘A’ Panel. As a result, he has a busy planning, environmental and public law practice in the higher courts, both in London and the regional Administrative Courts. He defends judicial reviews and statutory challenges on behalf of the government and local authorities and frequently acts on behalf of claimants and interested parties.
Dr Simon Fox, based at No5’s Bristol office, was called to the Bar in 1994 and is a member of the Clinical Negligence, Court of Protection, Personal Injury and Inquests, Public Inquiries & Coronial Law groups. Simon initially qualified as a doctor and worked in the UK, New Zealand and Central. His experience included casualty, terminal care, neurosurgery and treating casualties from the Mozambique civil war. Due to his medical background he always intended to specialise in clinical negligence. He joined No5 Chambers in 2004 and in 2010 was appointed Assistant Coroner for Avon. Outside work, Simon is a keen hill runner, and competes in events up to 100km.
No5’s Practice Director Tony McDaid said: “We are delighted to see three more of our barristers appointed Queen’s Counsel, and offer them are warmest congratulations.
“The personal success of Paul, Richard and Simon is reflected in the professional growth and national recognition of No5 as a leading set of chambers. Excellence continues to be our goal for both clients and counsel, and it is gratifying to see this recognised in our growing number of silks.”
Picture caption: From left are Dr Simon Fox, No5 Practice Director Tony McDaid, Richard Kimblin and Paul Cairnes