Tell us a little about yourself and your practice.
“After a mixed crime, family and civil pupillage, I became a tenant in 1996 in a very small and newly-established set headed by John Cherry. I have specialised in personal injury law ever since. After 8 years our small set (which included Mark King and Joanna Kerr) merged with the much larger Lamb Chambers, where I have remained ever since!”
What is your first memory of wanting to be a barrister?
“In my year off pre-university I was working as a laboratory assistant and wondering whether this was truly what I wanted to do in the long term. My supervisor was studying law at night school and we had regular discussions and debates about legal issues. I realised then that I had found something that I would enjoy as a career. I started making enquiries about how I could switch from my planned science degree to a degree in law instead.”
Is there a certain case that stands out to you in your career? If yes, why?
“I often think about my old cases – I believe that there is something you can learn from every case. I tend to remember the people I have represented, and the ways that I have enabled them to live fuller lives following accidents and injuries. Whether it is by getting them money for an adapted vehicle, or support to enable them to continue with their pre-accident hobbies and lifestyle, the most important part of my work is to help people obtain the compensation they need to make the most of their post-accident lives.
I particularly remember a case from the first day of my first mini-pupillage. It was a fairly unremarkable liability and quantum trial in a personal injury claim, but I remember watching the advocates at work and thinking “yes, this is definitely what I want to do!”. Although the case was relatively minor, it was clearly of major importance to the parties, and the advocates were each skilfully cross-examining and arguing in order to obtain the best outcome on behalf of their client.”
What’s your favourite thing about being a barrister?
“After more than 30 years I still enjoy what I do, and I put that down to the endless variety of people and cases. Different clients, different issues to solve, travelling to different places. The unpredictability of this keeps you on your toes and constantly engaged.”
What do you do to relax?
“I have always enjoyed watching films, across a range of genres. I find it particularly relaxing to watch an old film I have seen several times before. It is like meeting an old friend.”
If you weren’t a barrister, what would you be?
“If things had been different, I probably would have remained on a STEM pathway – but not in a laboratory. I expect I would have ended up as a mechanical engineer or a civil engineer, or maybe even an architect.”
