1 week to go for Brighton Legal Walkers! - Jun 2021
Rachel is a member of the civil team. She accepts instructions in a range of common law areas including Property Law, Contractual and Commercial Disputes, Professional Negligence and Personal Injury and Court of Protection matters.
With extensive experience in a range of courts and tribunals, she has strong advocacy skills as well as expertise in the provision of written advice and the drafting of statements of case; witness statements and applications.
Rachel has a deserved reputation for her professional and thorough approach as well as her excellent client care and the ability to put even the most nervous and vulnerable litigants and witnesses at ease.
She acts for a variety of clients including individuals, companies, educational institutions, insurers, local authorities, and charities.
Rachel returned to the civil Bar in 2016 after a prolonged absence, during which time she was employed as a Senior Crown Prosecutor; set up a business and also had a career break with her family. This range of life experience informs her legal practice and is valued by solicitors and clients alike. Rachel is also an Associate Lecturer of Law and provides training and seminars to solicitors both from Chambers and in-house.
Property, Landlord & TenantRachel is instructed in a wide range of property law disputes and her robust yet sensitive approach is of particular value in such cases, where the individuals involved are often under an immense amount of stress.
She acts for both landlords and tenants in possession proceedings and housing related anti-social behaviour injunction applications.
Rachel also has experience in matters concerning leasehold properties and service charges as well as cases involving Orders for Sale, boundary and right of way disputes.
Rachel’s practice includes fast- and multi-track commercial and contractual matters. She is able to advise at the pre-issue stage; to draft pleadings and to then assist the client through to trial.
At all stages her pragmatic approach aims to encourage clients to take a commercial approach to proceedings and to avoid, if possible, the costs and stress involved in litigation. She is able to act for clients both in formal mediation as well as in “door of the court” negotiations aimed at securing a favourable outcome for her clients.
Rachel has extensive experience in personal injury matters including multi-track cases and also inquests. She accepts instructions on behalf of insurance companies and local authorities as well as private Claimants and Defendants.
Her experience in the criminal courts means not only that she is particularly adept at cross-examining those suspected of fabricating claims but also that she has ample experience of dealing with vulnerable and sometimes traumatised clients and witnesses who might need a particularly sensitive approach during the litigation process and particularly at trial.
Rachel is willing to consider accepting instructions on a Conditional Fee basis.
Rachel acts in Court of Protection proceedings and is also able to assist with both pre-and post-hearing conferences, Round Table Meetings and drafting.
Rachel’s sensitive approach and experience of dealing with vulnerable individuals is particularly valued in cases where families are involved and challenging decisions such as capacity and deprivation of liberty.
Rachel is also able to advise with regards to applications for the appointment or displacement of Nearest Relatives.
Rachel accepts instructions in all areas of Police Law. This includes: ASBIs, disclosure matters, DVPOs, SPOs, SHPOs, SROs and notification orders.
Rachel accepts work from lay clients via Direct Access. You can view her profile here.
Gestmin v Credit Suisse: Restating and Re-evaluating the Court’s Approach to Witness Evidence - Jun 2021
Rachel Baker considers the case of Gestmin SGPS S.A. v Credit Suisse [2013] EWCA 3560 (Comm) and its relevance to the preparation of witness evidence. In 2013 the High Court commercial case of...
PART 36: A Round Up of Recent Developments by Rachel Baker - Mar 2021
I often explain to clients that, contrary to popular opinion, much of a lawyer’s time is spent advising people on how to keep out of court rather than encouraging them into it. If nothing else,...
Reflections on Reflective Loss: Sevilleja v Marex Financial Limited [2020] UKSC 31 - Oct 2020
A recent Supreme Court decision in Sevilleja v Marex Financial Limited [2020] UKSC 31 has restated the longstanding principle of “reflective loss” in a way that will be of interest even to...
Catch up on our latest Civil Law Seminar on housing possession claims and civil procedure amendments - Aug 2020
Catch up on our recent civil law seminar with experts Rachel Baker and Matthew Withers. The recording of the event and speaker's slides are linked below for you to listen at your convenience. ...
Remote Court Hearings and How to Manage Them - May 2020
Rachel Baker offers tips and guidance for litigants in person facing remote civil court hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic Since March 2020 lawyers have been working in unprecedented...
Possession Proceedings under Covid-19: the Latest From the Court of Appeal - May 2020