Ian serves as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at 3PB, where he plays a key role in shaping the strategic planning, promotion, and advancement of chambers across a spectrum of specialist practice groups. Ian embarked on his clerking career in 1999 as a junior clerk at a prominent regional chambers located in the Midlands. Throughout his career, he acquired extensive experience in the specialised fields of Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Employment, and Family Law.
Ian's commitment extends to his ongoing position as the Practice Director for the Family group. Simultaneously, he maintains a close working relationship with all 3PB Practice Groups and Directors. Within his role, Ian manages a diverse set of responsibilities, encompassing daily interactions with instructing solicitors, work allocation, oversight of barristers' schedules, and the facilitation of fee negotiations. Additionally, Ian plays a pivotal role in the management of barristers' practices and personal development.
Outside of work, Ian is a dedicated family man, happily married with two children. In his leisure time, he enjoys his passion for football and actively contributes to various grassroots initiatives aimed at nurturing and developing young talent.
Ian is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
- The Legal 500 - Included Clerk 2025
Recommendations
"The clerks go over and above and always seem to do what they can to accommodate."
"Practice manager Ian Charlton is friendly, eager to please and will always go the extra mile."
Chambers and Partners 2025
“Ian Charlton, practice director, Isabelle Lee, practice assistant, Patrick Robson, centre manager and Patrick Steptoe, practice manager are all very reliable and have a great personal touch.”
Chambers and Partners 2023
"The knowledge and experience of the barristers with the support of their clerking team is extraordinary." "The clerks are excellent and trustworthy in their recommendations." "The clerking at 3PB is excellent. The clerks are efficient and proactive. They work well as a team and give second-to-none customer service." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are the family practice directors.
Chambers and Partners 2021
Client service: "In the professionalism of their clerking and the range of counsel available, I have never failed to be impressed by 3PB." "They are well organised and forward-thinking." "My overall impression is excellent, from clerks to counsel and everything in between. They have fantastic teamwork." Robert Leonard and Ian Charlton are family practice directors.
Chambers and Partners 2020
'Ian Charlton is amazing and always eager to assist.’
'Ian Charlton is approachable and experienced. All clerks communicate really well and organising logistics is hassle free.
'3PB are brilliant. Ian Charlton and Patrick Steptoe are both excellent clerks. They will move mountains to find a barrister even on short notice.'
Legal 500 UK Bar 2025
‘Ian Charlton and his team offer a hands-on approach where special requests are never too much trouble. He goes above and beyond to provide a Rolls-Royce service and is a real credit to his chambers and the profession in general.’
‘The clerks at 3PB are always very helpful and prompt in responding to any queries. Ian Charlton is a stand-out member of the team.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2024
‘Extremely good service from the clerks and especially Ian Charlton there who is always there to assist and discuss cases to find the right counsel for the job.’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2022
“Ian Charlton leads an excellent clerking team at 3PB and is a real asset to his chambers and the reason many solicitors make 3PB one of the first chambers they approach when looking to instruct counsel. He is friendly, professional and reliable and can be trusted to only ever offer someone who he knows has the right skills and experience for the case in question. The whole clerking team are always very prompt in responding to enquiries, reliable and professional.”
Legal 500 UK Bar 2021
‘The warmest, most caring clerk – he will do everything possible to help solicitors find appropriate counsel’
Legal 500 UK Bar 2020