About Us

Head of Chambers: Matthew White

Chief Executive: Simon Rhodes

Leading Regional Set

St John’s Chambers is a leading regional barristers’ chambers with national reach. In 2022 we were awarded the prestigious Legal 500’s ‘Set outside London of the Year’. We were shortlisted for this award again in 2023 and 2024.

We have also been shortlisted for the ‘Regional Set of the Year’ by Chambers UK Guide to the Bar in 2024. In 2023, we were awarded the ‘Regional Family Law Set of the Year’ by the national Family Law Awards. We have been nominated for this award again in 2024.

Based in Bristol, we receive complex and valuable instructions from law firms across England and Wales, as well as from major insurance companies and local authorities.

Specialist Thought Leaders

Our barristers are praised for their legal expertise and thought leadership, offering market leading analysis and assessment through regular podcasts, seminars, webinars and articles. As a set, we are relentlessly striving for excellence in the legal services we provide, as part of our three-pillar commitment to being inclusive, commercial and excellent.

Our barristers have been involved in a number of landmark decisions in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The set’s stand-out legal expertise is also evidenced by the number of our barristers who go on to distinguished service in the judiciary. Within the team are five Recorders, one fee-paid Judge of the First-tier Tribunal, two High Court Judges, three Deputy District Judges, an Assistant Deputy Coroner and two members on the Attorney General’s list.

Our Approach

Our specialist clerking teams will help you from your first contact. They will help to get you the specialist barrister you need for your case. Once instructed, our barristers will provide the advice, support and court representation that you, your clients and customers need for your case. We will support you throughout.

Highlights of 2023 & Looking ahead in 2024

Our clients

Our client base includes regional and national law firms, local authorities, insurance companies, representing and advising prominent businesses and private individuals. We also provide advice and representation under the public access scheme to members of the public and individual professionals and executives such as planning consultants, managing directors and doctors.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

We also provide clients with all the following services: mediation, arbitration, private FDRs, and early neutral evaluation which can help to avoid litigation.

Mediation

For cases where mediation is appropriate, we have a team of 20 qualified mediators available to assist in the capacity of adviser, advocate or mediator. Find out more here.

Seminars and events

We are committed to providing first class CPD courses in all major areas of law. Clients have described our seminars as “an excellent day and one of the best I have ever been on.”

St John’s Chambers provides full, half-day and evening events, short tailored talks, bespoke courses and seminars in conjunction with law firms, charities and insurance companies. We offer outstanding hospitality at venues selected for their comfort, convenience and excellent catering.

History

St John’s Chambers opened in 1978 in Broad Street, Bristol with six members; the life expectancy of the business was six months. Forty six years on, the business is one of the leading sets in the South West, with over 80 members and recognised as top tier in all major areas of law.

Our offices

Our modern purpose-built offices in the centre of Bristol are easily accessible, close to the City’s historic harbour and major road links and just a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads train station. Read more.