Unity Street Chambers

Huge thanks to Clair Ponting and all the crew from the Bristol Law Society for a wonderful evening at this years awards. It was a pleasure to sponsor the table decorations and I was so pleased that the Orchids were such a success, I think each plant was taken home and kept. Apologies Maddie Steele, I did try and keep you one but they all went! Thanks to our guests Alex Jeffery, Katy Zikking and Sylvie FELTHAM for joining us, I still can't believe we didn't win the raffle, having purchased ALL the tickets..... 🤣 #BLSawards2024 #awards #Bristol #Law #Legal

Back from a week's bike packing, only to discover that both Edward Conlan and Chloe Yeung will be joining us as tenants from the 1st October is wonderful news :) I would post a picture of them, but I haven't seen them yet as they are both in court. I thought you may like to see one of me instead from my travels, yes I was in Scotland and yes we had amazing weather all week. Someone told me it rains up north....I wouldn't know ;) #pupils #pupillage #tenancy #Bristol #law #Scotland

And just like that she is back! Fantastic to have Laura Gardner return from maternity leave 😀 Laura will be working Mondays to Wednesdays initially and it's great to see her diary filling up. As a niche set we pride ourselves in giving people the flexibility and freedom in their practice. Encouraging those back into work, providing a supportive and family atmosphere is very rewarding. It also means we get to see more of Millie, who is absolutely divine ❤️ P.S I had forgotten how photogenic you are Laura Gardner...not that I am jealous or anything...... HA! #maternity #backtowork #bristol #bristollaw #law #chambers #family #familylaw

“Family Portrait from Spain” And just like that another Chambers trip has come and gone. It was a joy and delight at being able to share time away with our chamber’s family. Amanda Rhodes Courtney Daley Livia Pality Charlotte Bignell Emily Shopland Saoirse Harris Toby Halliwell John Isherwood Maddie Steele Caleb Sayer Toby Huggins TEP Phoebe Oliver Robert Welch. Like every family we have our ups and downs, but at the end of the day we choose to spend time together and that speaks volumes. David Curwen Caroline Harvey Iain W. Edward Counsell Laura Gardner and of course Ali Bartlett, you were all missed but we do understand, your real families’ commitments take priority…. 😉 You have no idea how much arguing took place, when I said I wanted everyone in height order…for the record Phoebe Oliver you are not 5ft 8 😉x #family #lawyers #bristol #legal #spain #barristers #holiday

I am beyond proud to read this feedback for Chloe Yeung and Edward Conlan. Well done both of you, this really is fantastic. "She was everything you would want your barrister to be. Chloe was fantastic, she was professional and supportive, I felt at ease with her through a difficult situation" "I am writing to say how impressed I was with the way in which Edward dealt with my daughter’s case. He has a professional yet friendly approach and had clearly done his homework. He put my daughter at ease immediately and took her through every potential outcome of the proceedings, so much so that neither of us had any questions at the end of the consultation. I just felt you should know that he is an asset to your Chambers" #lawyer #bristol #barrister #pupil #law #feedback #legal #chambers

Housing Disrepair Claims Management Company 'Whistleblower' denouncing his employer's alleged practices awarded £14,607.00 by the Employment Tribunal - despite just 3 weeks in the job! Though dated Jan 2022 I came across this ET judgment last week whilst conducting some basic due diligence on a new housing disrepair case I'm defending for a social landlord ***Some of the parties & individuals named in this judgment are presently active in the HDR CMC game*** ***Suggests CMC employees make £10-£30 commission for every “converted sale” of a disrepair claim to a law firm*** ***Reveals some methods CMC’s might use to generate claims (i.e. literally following tenants down the street - that's a new one!)*** A sensational read if you're into disrepair law (particular the bit about drugs & blacklisted directors) - but if you don’t have time to read the whole judgment here are some of the protected disclosures which were found by the tribunal to have been made by the whistleblower to his employer. Sound familiar?:- “the tenant has not complained to their landlord before. This cannot be put forward as a claim” “the team knows that they are not to leaflet drop at people’s houses. Why is it that you are instructing them to do so?” “I know you are over inflating claims and adjusting costs at your end” “Even the Solicitors you use aren’t regulated. You have a total disrespect for anything legal” And here are some of the comments the tribunal found were made by the whistleblower to his employer, but did not amount to ‘protected’ disclosures. “you are actively committing fraud. You are defrauding councils and housing associations. I have evidenced this to you before but you have done nothing about it and just continued in the same vain” “At every opportunity you look to misrepresent the claims of people that are vulnerable and trust you.” “why do you not follow the guidelines for claims for disrepair.” “why are you approaching members of the public.” “why are some of you following members of the public when it is clear they do not wish to speak with you.” “Why are you using a different name when doing CFA calls?" Of course the tribunal made no findings that these activities took place - this is just what one employee said to one employer - but it certainly does make you wonder what's going on out there!

And just like that another busy week goes by, these two had the right idea... 😎 Thanks Emily and Charlotte Bignell. If you haven't tried Swoon, you really should. Best gelato in Briz if you ask me! #shoplocal #fridaytreat #weekend #bristol

We are thrilled to announce that Chloe Yeung and Edward Conlan our current pupils, will be on their feet and able to accept instructions from Tuesday 2nd April.   Following 6 months of working alongside their supervisors Toby Huggins TEP, Courtney Daley, and Robert Welch, they have seen a range of hearings from Family, Court of Protection and Crime through to Company and Contractual Disputes, Probate and Housing matters. Chloe and Edward now enter the next stage of their careers, and we can’t be more excited for them. If you are interested in instructing either or both of them, please do get in touch with myself or Phoebe Oliver. #pupilbarrister #bristol #law #barrister #

Happy #internationalwomensday2024 When USC began we had four women in chambers, now I am delighted and very proud to say, we now number more than half. We have the wonderful and very talented Amanda Rhodes as co-Head Of Chambers and we simply could not function, without the amazing Phoebe Oliver and Alison Bartlett. We pride ourselves on supporting everyone here with however they want to run their practice. Whether it’s full-time or part-time, arranging work around childcare or looking after elderly parents. Supporting people coming back from maternity leave or simply wanting a work-life balance that works for them. So, let’s celebrate all the women who make USC such a wonderful and inspiring place to be Courtney Daley Laura Gardner Caroline Harvey Saoirse Harris Livia Pality Maddie Steele Charlotte Bignell Emily Shopland Chloe Yeung   #iwd2024 #inspireinclusion #empoweringwomen #womeninlaw #equality #progress #bristol

Recently represented the mother in the reported case of PJ v HB [2023] EWHC 3400 https://lnkd.in/eatcssEx An Appeal by the father against order reducing his contact with child, following his refusal to accept finding of fact made against him. Wonderfully supported and assisted by Rebecca Page, as always.