39 Essex Chambers features in The Lawyer Top 20 Cases of 2025
39 Essex Chambers are pleased to feature in three of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2025. Published annually, the Top 20 Cases series recognise the leading cases to be heard in the UK from all civil courts and arbitrations. With another landmark year for the English Courts, two cases involving 39 Essex members are highlighted.
The Pan-Nox Emissions Group Litigation (Dieselgate)
Judith Ayling KC acting for the defendant, High Court, King's Bench Division
The Pan-NOx Emissions Group Litigation is the culmination of the Dieselgate story, which broke in late 2016. The High Court group action comprises over 1.2 million claimants and the total alleged damages are more than £6bn. Claimant firms on the roster include Pogust Goodhead, Leigh Day, Milberg and Hausfeld, while defence firms include Freshfields, Linklaters, Herbert Smith Freehills and DLA Piper.
39 Essex Chambers' barrister Judith Ayling KC is instructed by CMS partners instructed by CMS partners Kenny Henderson, Louise Boswell and Dan Keating, senior associates Zainab Hodgson and Nicholas Quirke, and associates Tobias Seger, Jack Laidlaw, Zoe Homer, Maxie Chopard and Stephanie McTighe on behalf of the applicant, Jaguar Land Rover.
The New Lottery Company Limited and Northern & Shell PLC v The Gambling Commission
Rose Grogan acting for the defendant, Technology and Construction Court, King's Bench Division
One of the later cases in this year’s Lawyer’s Top 20 will run through almost to the very end of the 2025 court season. The Gambling Commission – the UK’s governing body overseeing the National Lottery – is facing claims that are the result of three years of seething discontentment from The New Lottery Company (TNLC) and Northern & Shell (N&S).
39 Essex Chambers' barrister Rose Grogan is instructed by Hogan Lovells partners Charles Brasted, Jennifer Dickey and Rupert Sydenham, counsel Anne Littlewood, senior associate Lee Wake and associates Anastasia Tropsha and Shivani Ananth on behalf of the applicant, The Gambling Commission.
NMC Health (in administration) v Ernst & Young
James Shaerf acting for the claimant, Commercial Court, King's Bench Division
EY, one of the big four accountancy firms, will fight a $2.7bn claim brought against it by former FTSE 100 healthcare group, NMC Health, in a trial set to last for 12 weeks. As a result, it would be the largest auditor negligence claim in the UK’s history.
39 Essex Chambers' barrister James Shaerf is instructed by instructed by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan partners Richard East and Aidan O’Rourke, of counsel Nikolas Bruce-Smith, and associates Will Bartlett, Paige Coulter, Antonia Glover, Neerja Gurani and Alex Quirk on behalf of the applicant, NMC Health PLC (in administration)
