Catherine Knowles

Call 2004

knowles@exchangechambers.co.uk

"We really value Catherine's advice and level of expertise. Her attention to detail is second to none and she views everything through a commercial and reputational lens."

Chambers and Partners 2024
Photo of Catherine Knowles

  • Recommendations

    “Catherine is an excellent advocate; calm, precise, and she presents her arguments in a clear and persuasive manner.”
    The Legal 500 2024

    “We really value Catherine’s advice and level of expertise. Her attention to detail is second to none and she views everything through a commercial and reputational lens.”
    Chambers and Partners 2024

    “Catherine is very experienced and well versed in military claims. She is incredibly thorough in her work and advice. In addition, she is very approachable and a very good advocate. One of the best barristers operating in the field.”
    The Legal 500 2023

    “Catherine is thorough, has great attention to detail and is a particularly good advocate. Not only is she a fantastic barrister she is very approachable. Catherine deals with high value military claims and is able to provide clear and concise advices, deals with quantum matters effectively and produces good results.”
    The Legal 500 2022

    “An exceptional barrister who’s attention to detail is second to none. Very logical stance and would not hesitate to recommend to anyone needing an employment barrister in the Northern circuit.”
    The Legal 500 2022

    “Very straightforward and strong on her feet. A strong and approachable barrister.”
    Chambers and Partners 2021

    “Catherine is a particularly thorough and efficient advocate, who we know we can rely on to perform and achieve good results.”

    “She has particular expertise in military claims.”
    The Legal 500 2021

    “Efficient, thorough and articulate.”
    The Legal 500 2020

    “Noted for her expertise in discrimination claims.”
    The Legal 500 2018/19

    “Recommended for discrimination matters.”
    The Legal 500 2017

    “A tenacious advocate with a great eye for detail and commercial acumen.”
    The Legal 500 2016

    “Her workload spans areas such as whistleblowing, discrimination and TUPE.”
    The Legal 500 2015

  • Education

    • BA Jurisprudence, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford (Class II.i, 2002)
    • Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law (Outstanding, 2004)

  • Appointments

    • Junior Counsel to the Crown – Regional Panel A

  • Memberships

    • Employment Law Bar Association
    • Employment Lawyers’ Association
    • Personal Injury Bar Association
    • Licensed for Direct Access

  • News

Inquests

Catherine has experience in representing interested persons at inquests.

She has a well-earned reputation for her organisation, her teamwork and her ability to merge sensitivity with strength when instructed.

Catherine is currently on the Attorney-General’s Regional A Panel of Junior Counsel and she has been instructed to represent the interests of government departments at inquests, including in Article 2 inquests before a jury.

Inquests Cases

Recent instructions include:

  • Representing the Ministry of Justice in a multi-day jury inquest arising from a death in custody at HMP Liverpool.
  • Acting on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (as one of several interested persons) at a pre-inquest review arising out of a death of a resident of Approved Premises.
  • Representing the Ministry of Justice in an inquest arising from a death in custody at HMP Manchester.
  • Representing Highways England at an inquest touching the death of a driver whose fatal accident was witnessed by employees of Highways England.
  • Representing a general practitioner who had seen a resident of an Approved Premises shortly before his death.