The last of the six founding members of St John’s Chambers, Christopher Sharp KC has retired from full practice after more than 50 years. Christopher has been in practice in Bristol since 1975 and took Silk in 1999, making him one of those unusual barristers who has been a silk longer than he was a Junior. He has been a Deputy High Court Judge and Recorder for many years.
Christopher started at another Bristol set, but in 1978 he left there to set up St John’s Chambers with 5 colleagues. He was subsequently deputy head or head of the chambers for 20 years. 47 years on, the business is one of the leading sets in the South West, with over 80 members and recognised as top tier in all major areas of law.
Christopher has been a formidable advocate and has been extremely supportive to his peers and clients over the years. He has been involved in ground-breaking cases in the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords and for some years was the author of the Financial Remedies Update written for the FLBA’s ‘Family Affairs’.
Unsurprising, due to his sheer determination and commitment, Christopher will remain as an associate member where he will help assist parties in family finance disputes at Private FDRs (Financial Dispute Resolution hearings) as a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Find out more here.
Christopher has been ranked in the leading legal directories for over 20 years where he has received incredible feedback from instructing solicitors including:
- “Christopher has a brain the size of a planet.”
- “He’s just incredibly thorough and is lovely with clients.”
- “A superb and formidable advocate whose attention to detail and excellent grasp of the issues results in him outclassing his opponents time and time again.”
- “He’s an intellectual powerhouse who leaves no stone unturned. “
- “He has encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and infallible judgement.”
- “Phenomenal advocate.”
Upon the anniversary of his 50 years at the Bar, Christopher talks to Ben Handy, Deputy Head of our Personal Injury team about his distinguished career, reflecting on life as a pupil in the 70s, the changes and developments he has seen over the decades, the cases he has won (and lost!), what St John’s means to him, and his plans for the next 50 years. You can listen here.
HH Nick Marston has also published an article about Christopher for the Bristol Law Society which you can read here.
Christopher will be truly missed, and we wish him a happy retirement.
It has been a marvellous ride, but it’s time to get off! I am delighted that St John’s goes on from strength to strength and I wish the chambers all the very best for the future.”
Christopher Sharp KC