Andrew Thomas | Brick Court Chambers

Senior Clerk

Tony Burgess

Tony joined Brick Court Chambers in 2012, having previously been the Deputy Senior Clerk at Monckton Chambers, and was appointed Senior Clerk in 2018.

Along with Paul Dennison, Tony leads the clerking team and manages and develops the practices of members of chambers. Tony has a detailed knowledge of all members’ practices and the areas of law in which Brick Court operates. In addition to day to day responsibility for the individual practices, Tony focuses on client relationships, business development and the promotion of chambers both in the UK and abroad.

He is a member of chambers’ executive and marketing committees which oversee all aspects of chambers' business and strategic development.

Tony is a member of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks, the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Client feedback includes:

"Tony Burgess is an extremely good clerk. It's still the case now that barristers' clerks can be quite stuffy, but Tony is firmly in the twenty-first century." C&P 2024

"Brick Court has an excellent clerking team. Tony Burgess in particular remains brilliant." C&P 2024

“Tony Burgess is extremely good at running the chambers, ensuring you're accessing the barrister best placed for your issue. He is good at keeping in touch, and is very important for the business development of the chambers." C&P 2024

‘Tony Burgess is an absolute superstar.’ L500 2024

“Tony Burgess is my go to! He builds relationships and will make sure that you get the right counsel for the task at hand. Extremely accommodating and accessible.’ L500 2024

"Tony Burgess is an industry leader and strong contact for the firm – he knows all instructions large and small are crucial to the client and always wants to ensure we get the right people on the right cases." L500 2023

For out of hours requests please contact Tony via his mobile phone: +44 (0)7984 521141

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Deputy Senior Clerk

Jo Francis

Jo joined Brick Court Chambers in 2014 and was appointed Deputy Senior Clerk in April 2024.

Having graduated from King’s College London in 2008 in English Language & Communication, Jo joined a law firm specialising in criminal defence work before becoming a clerk in 2010.

Jo works closely with the other members of the senior clerking team to ensure the smooth running of Chambers, on day-to-day clerking, marketing and business development (both domestically and internationally), and practice development and Chambers strategy.

Recent client feedback includes:

"Senior practice manager Jo Francis is efficient and a pleasure to deal with every time."

"Jo Francis is bright, super responsive and someone who make herself available to deal with you."

"Jo Francis at Brick Court is incredible and maintains a good balance between advocating for barristers and meeting the needs of clients."

"Jo Francis is a particularly efficient clerk."

(Chambers & Partners 2024)

“Jo Francis and Tony Burgess are always very helpful and a pleasure to deal with.”

“Jo Francis is an excellent clerk to deal with. Reasonable, considerate and responsive.”

(Legal 500 2024)

For out of hours requests please contact Jo via her mobile phone: +44 (0)7730 800562

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Practice Managers

Ben Rippengale

Ben began his clerking career in 2010 with New Square Chambers before moving to Wilberforce Chambers in 2017 as a Practice Manager. After five successful years with Wilberforce, Ben joined Brick Court Chambers in April 2022 as a Practice Manager and his responsibilities include the management and development of the members' practices across all levels of seniority. This includes the management of their diaries, fee negotiations, listing hearings and developing client relations, both domestically and internationally.

Client feedback includes:

"Ben Rippengale is excellent. It is always a pleasure to deal with him."

“Great to deal with. Friendly, approachable, and highly responsive."

“The clerking service is very good. Ben Rippengale is very responsive, unfailingly polite and professional”

“Solicitors have been ‘particularly impressed’ by Ben Rippengale”

“‘Superb’, ‘on the ball, efficient, personable and a genuine pleasure to deal [with]’”

For out of hours requests please contact Ben via his mobile phone: 07538 522666

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Sam Jones

Sam started his clerking career in 2011 at 3 Verulam Buildings and then spent four years at New Square Chambers, before joining Brick Court in 2018.

Sam’s main responsibilities include fee negotiation, case fixing, diary management and assisting with the overall development of members’ practices.

Client feedback includes:

"The clerks are good, effective, and responsive. Sam Jones does a great job."

"The clerks provide an excellent service. They are responsive, efficient and friendly. I would mention Hannah Rayner, Sam Jones and Tony Burgess."

"The clerks at Brick Court are in my experience the best at the bar. Responsive, helpful and easy to deal with. Individuals I would single out in this regard are Tony Burgess and Sam Jones."

"We've worked with Jo Francis, Sam Jones, Ben Rippengale, Tom Bennett, Hannah Rayner, James Knapp and Kate Trott, and they are all great to deal with. They are friendly, approachable, and highly responsive."

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Assistant Practice Managers

Tom Bennett

Tom began his clerking career in 2014 at Ely Place Chambers and then spent 3 years at 9 Gough Chambers, before joining Brick Court in March 2022. Tom’s main responsibilities include diary management, fee negotiation and case fixing. He is a member of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks.

For out of hours requests please contact Tom via his mobile phone: 07497 846585

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Clerking Team

Andrew Thomas's Clerking Team