Exchange Chambers

Exchange Chambers wins Barrister of the Year

Paul Burns has been named “Barrister of the Year 2009” at the Liverpool Law Society Biennial Legal Awards held on 26th June 2009.

The nominees were reduced to a shortlist of two which was published in mid June. Paul was declared the winner of the coveted title at a packed function held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool on Saturday night.

This success comes on the back of a series of notable successes for Paul in recent years.

In 2007 he became the only barrister to date to be awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation by Merseyside Police for "commitment, professionalism, dedication and motivation" relating to his role as Counsel in serious and complex gang related litigation in Merseyside.

In 2008 Paul was the only barrister in the north west of England to be listed by The Times as one of the top 10 UK “Future Stars of the Bar”.

In early 2009 Paul was awarded the highest available ranking for local government work in the North in Chambers & Partners 2009, having consistently been recognised as a leader in his field by that and other independent publications in recent years. He was noted for his "incredible level of expertise … You know you'll get the best representation out there when you instruct him and you know he'll always do a damn good job for you" [Chambers and Partners 2009].

Commenting on being Barrister of the Year 2009, Paul said:

“I am thrilled to have won this award which is a great accolade for me personally but also great news for the whole team at Exchange Chambers”.

Director of Chambers Tom Handley added:

"This award is thoroughly deserved and everyone at Chambers is delighted for Paul.

"With Tania Griffiths QC winning this award in 2007, Paul's success keeps the Barrister of The Year accolade within Chambers for another two years."