What did you do before joining the Bar?
Prior to the Bar, I had a career working in diversity and inclusion starting at a business that developed contextual recruitment. After that I went to the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), where I sought ways to increase representation of female judges, judges with disabilities, and judges from other minority backgrounds. I also volunteered at Advocate answering the phone and at a prison teaching debating.
Why did you apply to Serjeants’ Inn for pupillage?
I had an interest in public law – specifically judicial review, inquests, and Court of Protection work. I liked that Chambers touch on both interesting ethical and social dilemmas. I also knew that Serjeants’ Inn has an excellent reputation in the legal sector.
How would you describe the pupillage process?
Legal problem heavy!
What was a stand out case during pupillage?
There are so many to choose from, but particularly remembera 2 week inquest with my supervisor Sebastian Naughton. It focused on the Mental Health Act which I got to learn a great deal about during the course of proceedings.
What do you like most about Chambers?
The genuinely supportive atmosphere and mentoring. There is always someone to go to no matter the practice area. It is really helpful and important to have supportive people around you. We are assigned mentors in different practice areas and there is lots of internal training. We also have a WhatsApp group to speak about cases and the law more generally.
There are also interesting events and opportunities for collaboration on academic projects. In my first year of tenancy I was a co-author of the textbook Medical Treatment: Decisions and the Law alongside 26 other members of Chambers.
I have also enjoyed the pro-bono work I have been able to do at Chambers.
How would you describe your practice now that you are 3 years into tenancy?
I go into court multiple times most weeks. I then balance that with paperwork and advisory work. A large part of my practice is Court of Protection: health & welfare hearings relating to decisions about people who lack capacity. I have also started receiving instructions for serious medical treatment cases.
I am now very familiar with multi-day and multi-week inquests and I enjoy meeting with experts to discuss evidence needed to run a civil or clinical negligence claim.
I have just had a case with my ex-supervisor Sebastian Naughton. It is always a highlight when you get to work with other members of Chambers!
