Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
Residential landlord & tenant for the most part, with occasional forays into commercial L&T and trusts of land. Most of my instructing solicitors act either for private landlords or local authorities and registered housing providers. My day to day work involves a lot of court advocacy, which I enjoy. I am also a Recorder and a deputy district judge, both part-time roles mainly in Surrey and West Sussex. I seem to have had half of Chambers in front of me at one time or another!
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
My dad was a family solicitor in north Lincolnshire and my form of teenage rebellion involved telling anyone who asked what I wanted to do when I grew up, that it would be “anything but a lawyer”. But I really enjoyed debating and public speaking at school, and by the time I had finished a master’s degree in Renaissance French literature I had been persuaded by some college friends who were going to the Bar to try a couple of mini-pupillages, and the rest is history.
Is there a certain case that stands out to you in your career? If yes, why?
Draycott v Hannells [2010] EWHC 217 QB: the first reported case to knock a hole in the very poorly drafted original version of the tenancy deposit protection legislation (Housing Act 2004). Appearing for the successful landlord in this case before Tugendhat J (by coincidence the father of Tom Tugendhat MP) took my practice to a new level and it was followed by several more reported cases on tenancy deposits in which I appeared before the High Court & Court of Appeal.
What’s your favourite thing about being a barrister?
Not being answerable to a boss. I have always had interests outside the Bar and if I were not self-employed I would not have been able to spend over a decade as an elected councillor and eventually to lead a local authority. I have been able to see the world of housing both as a legal practitioner and also in setting the policy of a local housing authority, giving me a very different perspective on this vital area of human endeavour. I’m also very grateful for the friendly and collegiate atmosphere in Chambers and the support of my professional clients and our clerks.
What do you do to relax?
Long walks and spending time with family and friends. I have almost completed a 138-mile pilgrimage walk organised by my local church, from the shrine of St Swithun at Winchester Cathedral to that of St Thomas Becket at Canterbury. My daughters are both musical and listening to them singing or playing the trumpet, piano or organ is an absolute delight. Visits to France or to watch cricket are always welcome.
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
I’ve already been a (local) politician, and my family think I should be a vicar! So perhaps my life would have been a toss-up between House of Cards and Barchester Towers….
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