Called: 2007
Circuit: South Eastern
Chambers: Selborne Chambers
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2024
PLEASE GIVE DETAILS OF YOUR CHAMBERS/ORGANISATION AND MAIN PRACTICE AREA(S).
I am a Chancery and commercial barrister at Selborne Chambers, a specialist Chancery and commercial set in London.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A BENCHER?
To be honest, I had not really given much thought to becoming a Bencher; I had not applied previously, nor thought that I would be a realistic candidate anytime soon. (I still find it quite funny that they have let me in.)
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT FINDING THREE BENCHERS TO PROPOSE YOU?
Two Benchers I had worked with on the Scholarships and Outreach Committee contacted me, saying that they would like to nominate me. It was a lovely surprise. When I spoke to them about applying, I was told that two other Benchers might also support me, were I to apply.
I then reached out to those two further Benchers. Both strongly encouraged me to apply. They recommended that I speak to a further (fifth) Bencher who might also support me.
Ultimately, five Benchers supported me - two from the criminal Bar or judiciary, and three from the Chancery Bar or judiciary. I would not have applied but for their kindness and generosity.
HOW HAD YOU DEMONSTRATED YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE INN BEFORE APPLYING TO BECOME A BENCHER?
I have served the Inn from my earliest years in practice - not to ‘demonstrate my commitment’, but because I care about the Inn’s work; without a scholarship from the Inn, I might not have become a barrister at all.
Most of my work for the Inn has related to outreach, including with PASS and The Sutton Trust.
Because of this work, I was co-opted to the Bar Liaison Committee in November 2018. Whilst there, I joined the Scholarships and Outreach Committee, became a scholarships interviewer, and sat on various working groups.
IN ONE SENTENCE, WHY DO YOU BELIEVE BEING A BENCHER IS REWARDING?
It allows me to influence policy on matters that are close to my heart.
NAME SOMETHING ABOUT THE INN YOU HAVE LEARNED SINCE BECOMING A BENCHER?
The number of volunteers who work for the Inn, and how hard they work.