Today Landmark Chambers’ three 2022 Silks are formally sworn in at the Queen’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony. Toby Watkin QC (left), Carine Patry QC (right) and Galina Ward QC (centre) have been appointed as Queen’s Counsel on Monday 21 March 2022. We would like to say a huge congratulations again to the three silks on their appointment.
Toby is recognised as a leading practitioner in the field of property law. His practice encompasses all the core areas of real estate litigation, including conveyancing and land registration, commercial and residential landlord & tenant, rights of light, restrictive covenants and property-related professional negligence. He has specialist expertise in the Electronic Communications Code and in claims involving trespass by protesters and by ‘urban explorers’. His important recent cases have included: Monsolar IQ Ltd v. Woden Park Ltd (2021, Court of Appeal, the principles governing the court’s ability to correct drafting errors through interpretation); TW Logistics v. Essex CC (2021, Supreme Court, the effect of a landowner’s own use during period of establishment of a town & village green); Regency Villas v. Diamond Resorts (2019, first Supreme Court case on the nature and possible scope of easements); Sportcity 4 Management Ltd v. Countryside Properties (2020, whether cladding claims brought under the Defective Premises Act 1972 barred by limitation); Ansco Arena v. Law (2018, whether a landowner can seek removal of YouTube footage encouraging trespass to its property). Toby is a qualified arbitrator (MCIArb; AHKIArb) with extensive experience of complex arbitrations, and is an accredited mediator.
Carine is a Public and Administrative law specialist. She also undertakes a range of Court of Protection work. Carine has strong judicial review experience, and has particular expertise in education, care standards and safeguarding, healthcare, asylum & immigration, planning and human rights. Her particular areas of interest has meant that unlike many public lawyers, she has extensive experience of cross-examination, including cross-examination of experts. She regularly represents both government and a range of other clients in public law challenges in the courts at all levels. She is a member of the Attorney General’s “A” Panel of Counsel and in the Legal 500 directories, she is described as “Knowledgeable, committed and highly applauded by clients”.
Galina is a specialist in public and property law. She is regularly instructed both for and against central and local government in public law cases and acts for a diverse range of property clients, from social housing tenants and public bodies to major property companies. She has particular expertise in cases at the intersection of public and property law, including claims relating to land held by public bodies and where human rights and/or Equality Act points arise in property disputes.
Galina is an acknowledged expert in education matters, ranging from school exclusion and admissions to higher education funding. She recently represented the Department for Education in a number of strands of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. She also has a significant rating practice and regularly advises and appears on behalf of the Valuation Office Agency, billing authorities and individual ratepayers in both statutory appeals and liability order claims. In addition to those specialisms, her recent work has encompassed immigration, healthcare, community care, social security and prisons. She is a member of the Attorney General’s “A” Panel of Counsel.