Barristers at Bank House, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Chambers are currently accepting applications for a common law pupillage to commence September 2009. Applicants are requested to submit a covering letter, together with a copy of their CV for the attention of Karen Buxton. The closing date for applications is the 31st January 2009. Regrettably no applications will be considered after that date.
Please note that we do not accept applications via e mail.

Simon Pallo and Louise Rafferty were guests of The Resolution Family Law Day in Sheffield. Each ran a workshop throughout the morning.
Many thanks to Alison Fernandes, Michaela Heathcote and Michelle Cooper for there kind invite to this well organised event.

Matthew Stanbury attended at Howells Solicitors in Sheffield and provided a talk on Prison Law. Thank you to Sarah Haynes at Howells for organising. Anyone requiring assistance with Prison Law issues please contact Wayne Digby or Matthew Stanbury.

Chambers held its annual mooting competition at the Sheffield Crown Court. It was between Nottingham and Leeds BVC. The standard of advocacy was exceptionally high but was eventually won by Nottingham who took the Bank House Trophy. Chambers would like to thank both teams for taking part and John Butcher at the Crown Court for lending us a courtroom.
But also thanks to the members who gave up there own time to assist, not least Louise Rafferty who organised the event.

Simon Pallo and members of the Family Team were pleased to be the guests of the Irwin Mitchell Family Team. Simon provided a talk on ancillary relief matters which was well received by all those who attended.

Chambers is yet to make a decision as to pupillage for 2009 - 2010. The news page will be updated once a decision has been made.
Regrettably, Bankhouse Chambers can no longer offer students work experience placements.

The deadline has now passed so no further applications will be considered.
For all those who have already submitted an application, we are currently sifting and notification of interviews will be sent shortly. The interviews will be taking place within the next month.

On the 24th October 2007 David Webster gave a presentation to the Sheffield and District Law Society on the Bad Character and Hearsay Provision of the Criminal and Justice Act 2003.
The event was accredited with 1 ½ hours C.P.D. for solicitors.
Bank House Chambers is committed to the continuing Professional Development for the legal profession and will continue to support local training events.

16.10.07
Prison Law Presentation: 'Indeterminate sentences and the Parole Board - the future'

In light of significant recent developments in the law relating to indeterminate sentences and the parole board, Matthew Stanbury of these chambers is to provide a presentation on the subject at the Sheffield and District Law Society on 21st November 2007.
The event is CPD accredited and it is hoped that it will be of interest to both criminal and prison law solicitors. Please contact the Sheffield Law Society for further details.

Chambers are currently recruiting a common law pupil to commence September 2008. Applicants are requested to forward a covering letter, together with a copy of their c.v. for the attention of Karen Buxton. the deadline for all applications is the 31st December 2007.

Chambers are pleased to announce that Jane Wheatley, formerly a partner of Wake Smith Solicitors, has accepted tenancy at Bank House Chambers. Jane specialises in all areas of family law and will be available for work from the 26th November 2007. Jane’s expertise in care and guardian work will be a welcome inclusion to the family team and will only add to the strength and depth that exists within the Chambers.

Chambers are delighted to announce that Olivia Weir and Heidi Cotton have returned to Chambers after a period of maternity leave. Olivia will continue to specialise in all aspects of family law, with particular emphasis on Local Authority work. Heidi will primarily be accepting instructions in criminal law, and will also continue to support the family team.

Gulzar Syed also returns to Chambers after an absence of three months. Gulzar will be available for all aspects of family and criminal law work.

Chambers also welcome booking enquiries via email and text. The Clerks can be contacted seven days a .week on or on 07712 577235.

Please do not hesitate to contact a member of the clerking team who will be happy to assist with any enquiries you may have.

Chambers have a training day at the Malmaison Hotel, Glasgow on Saturday 15th September 2007

The guest speaker is Mr Paul Vella, Principal Examiner and Forensic Computing Consultant for Evidence Matters Ltd. who will speak on aspects of computer crime.

Paul has been working within the computer industry since 1986, and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and a Comp TIA A+ registered engineer. He is listed on the Sweet & Maxwell 'Directory of Expert Witnesses 2007' as a 'Checked' Expert, and the 'UK Register of Expert Witnesses'.

Paul is also a member of the 'First Forensic Forum' (F3), the British Computer Society, the Society of Expert Witnesses and the Institute of Computer Forensic Professionals.

Chambers are delighted to announce that Farah Bhatty has secured tenancy after successfully completing her pupillage. Farah will be available for all aspects of family work.

Due to the dissolution of North Church Street Chambers, chambers are delighted to welcome the following members:

For further information please click on the relevant barristers profiles, or contact the clerks to discuss each individual caseload.

Chambers are pleased to announce that a new family clerk will join the clerking team from the 2nd July 2007. Chantelle Bedworth joins us from the Employment Tribunal, having worked there for a number of years. Chantelle will be the dedicated clerk to the family team and will continue the high standard of clerking within chambers.

Chambers have Farah Bhatty, a family pupil who is shadowing David Hawkins. Farah is undertaking work during her second six month pupillage and will conduct all aspects of family work.

Chambers would like to thank all visitors for their patience during the recent renovation work within Chambers.

07/07/06
Pupillage
Chambers are unfortunately not offering a common law pupillage for 2007.
Chambers however welcome applications from January 2007 for a mini-pupillage
placement during June - August 2007.

20/3/06
Paul O'Shea
Chambers welcome Paul O'Shea, formerley of North Church Street Chambers. Paul specialises in all aspects of criminal work and is a grade 4 prosecutor.Chambers are unfortunately not offering a common law pupillage for 2007.
Chambers however welcome applications from January 2007 for a mini-pupillage
placement during June - August 2007.

27/02/06
Olivia Weir
Chambers are pleased to announce that Olivia Weir has joined Bank House Chambers with effect from the 6th February 2006. Olivia specialises in Family Law, with particular emphasis on Local Authority and private law children act matters.

7/10/05
Tenancies
Chambers are delighted to announce that Matthew Stanbury and James Horne have succesfully secured tenancy after a twelve month pupillage with Bank House Chambers.

Louise Rafferty
Chambers also are delighted to welcome Louise Rafferty as a family pupil. Louise will be shadowing the family team for the next six months, and will be able to undertake work as from April 2006.

7/10/05
Tenancies
Chambers are delighted to announce that Matthew Stanbury and James Horne have succesfully secured tenancy after a twelve month pupillage with Bank House Chambers.

18/08/05:
Changes to Pupillage applications
To all prospective pupils, Chambers announce that they are seeking to recruit a family pupil only for the year commencing September 2006. All applications received by Chambers already, will be acknowledged accordingly. The closing date for applications will be 1st September 2005. If you have any further enquiries then please contact Justine Cole or Karen Buxton at Chambers.

09/09/04
Proceeds of Crime Discussion - 29/7/04
The discussion which was postponed in July has now been scheduled to take place on the 21st October 2004 at Chambers.
Simon Pallo
Chambers are also pleased to announce that Simon Pallo has secured his tenancy following his successful pupillage. Please contact Chambers with any queries regarding his workload, where one of the clerks would be happy to discuss matters further.
Mr Tony Coyle
Chambers have also welcomed Mr Tony Coyle, formerly of Graysons solicitors, who has began his pupillage and is shadowing Jason Hill. Mr Coyle will be available for work from the 12th October 2004.

30/01/05:
Pupils
Chambers have currently two pupils shadowing Counsel during their 12 month pupillage. Both Matthew Stanbury and James Horne will be available for work during their second six month pupillage as from March 2005. Please contact Chambers if you have any questions regarding the type of work they will undertake for this period.


Matthew Stanbury	James Horne

Mr Tony Coyle
Chambers are delighted to announce that Tony Coyle has secured tenancy as from January 2005. Tony will undertake all types of civil litigation work. Please contact chambers should you wish to discuss his practice.

30/07/04:
Proceeds of Crime Discussion - 29/7/04
The conference arranged for the 29th July 2004 at Bank House Chambers has been postponed to a later date due to commitments by the police officers attending. The conference will be re-scheduled sometime in September.

16/07/04:
Proceeds of Crime Discussion - 29/7/04
Being pro-active in matters relating to Continual Professional Development, Chambers has recently arranged for members of the Police Financial Investigations Unit to come and talk to the Bar in Sheffield. The talk is due to take place in the boardroom of chambers. Members of other sets of chambers have accepted invitations to attend, as have lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service. The Bar Council have accredited the talk with 2 CPD hours.
Parents With Learning Disabilities - Getting The Right Result - 15/10/04
In conjunction with Sheffield Citizen Advocacy, Chambers have organised a conference on the above, which will take place on the 15th October 2004 at 9.30 at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Hillsborough, Sheffield. Members of other Chambers, Solicitors, anyone who works with adults with learning disabilities or who has an interest in this topic would be most welcome to attend. The Bar Council have accredited the conference with 5 CPD points to anyone who attends. Please contact David Hawkins at Chambers if you wish to attend and have not received an invitation.