St Philip's barristers appointed to sit as recorders

Jun 2 2009 by Tom Scotney, Birmingham Post

St Philips Chambers has announced that five of its barristers have been appointed to sit as recorders on the Midland Circuit.

Nicolas Cartwright, Simon Ward and Andrew Smith – members of the set’s criminal group – together with commercial practitioner Ed Pepperall and property barrister Anthony Verduyn will be sworn in during the summer.

Mr Cartwright’s appointment will complement his role as a Deputy District Judge, an appointment he has held since 2004.

Simon Ward’s appointment comes on the back of strong work at his serious criminal practice, and at only 34 years old, Andrew Smith will become one of the youngest appointments ever to be made.

Mr Verduyn, who has also recently taken over as the head of the property law group at St Philips, was contending against barristers and solicitors of considerable standing nationally for one of only nine vacancies available within the Civil Jurisdiction.

Mr Pepperall is a member of the chambers High Value Litigation Team, a dedicated team of the most experienced barristers in Chambers’ Commercial Group dealing with cases of the highest value, above average complexity and/or length.

In additional to these successes for the leading set, employment barrister Jim Tindal was recently appointed as a deputy district judge and family law specialist Louise McCabe as an assistant deputy coroner.

Head of Chambers James Burbidge QC said: “These most recent appointments are the latest in a succession of good news for chambers.

“They are resounding acknowledgment of the overall level of expertise at St Philips Chambers.’