This week, our spotlighted barrister is Barbara Zeilter.
Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
“I am pleased that in the early years of my practice I had a mixed civil law and criminal practice as it turned me into a more rounded lawyer. These days, my trips to the Magistrates’ Court are limited to cases involving statutory nuisance complaints in domestic premises. At Lamb Chambers my practice focuses on Property work and Employment Law.”
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
“I found that a hard question to answer. There was no ‘big bang’ moment. I suspect reading detective novels set in or near the Temple may have something to do with my decision to choose the Bar as a second career in my mid-30s. Liking the sound of my own voice probably also played a part.”
Is there a certain case that stands out in your career? If yes, why?
“I assisted a retired part-time judge who had brought a claim against the Ministry of Justice for a judicial pension. His claim was more than five years out of time. The Employment Tribunal had refused an extension of time to enable him to bring a claim. I represented him before the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) on behalf of the Bar Pro Bono Unit. The EAT found, in the specific circumstances of that case, it was just and equitable to extend time to enable the retired judge to bring a pensions claim. The case was remitted to a differently constituted Employment Tribunal, which held that the retired judge was entitled to his pension. I think I made a real difference to my client.”
What is your favourite thing about being a barrister?
“There is no routine and lots of variety.”
What do you do to relax?
“I board the Eurostar and explore the lesser known parts of Greater Paris.”
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
“A beekeeper. I think there is quite an overlap between a beekeeper and a barrister in terms of the skills required. Both jobs require powers of observation, the ability to work on your own, have thinking and reasoning skills, be thorough and pay attention to detail, and remain calm in stressful situations. Whether I would remain calm and collected faced with a hive full of angry bees is of course another question!”
