*/
(L-R) Anthony Vaughan KC, David Rhodes KC, Adam Wagner KC, Peter Caudwell KC and Jonathan Price KC © Jennifer Moyes
David Rhodes KC, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It is an immense privilege to be entrusted with the defence of an individual against the state in a criminal trial. It is all I have ever wanted to do. For more than 20 years I have been blessed to practise alongside wonderful colleagues at Doughty Street Chambers, led by the peerless Edward Fitzgerald KC. I am truly delighted to have been appointed a King’s Counsel and to be given the opportunity to go on doing what I love from the front row in silk.’
Anthony Vaughan KC, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It’s a huge honour to be appointed KC and it’s all the more special that this happened just nine months after being elected as a Member of Parliament. While I’m focused on representing my constituents, I still intend to keep my legal skills and expertise up to date.’
James Whiting, CEO, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It has been a special year for Doughty Street Chambers with five tremendous new silks. We are proud to have supported them on their journeys to being awarded silk. They represent the variety of work done at Doughty Street, including human rights, public law, crime, media, immigration, sanctions and extradition. All are united by shared commitment to fair access to justice and top-quality representation.’
(L-R) Rob Mundy KC, Jennifer Josephs KC and Tom Walkling KC © St Philips Chambers
Jennifer Josephs KC, St Philips Chambers: ‘It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been appointed a KC. I was so proud to share the joyful day with my family, friends and colleagues. Receiving this accolade has been such a validation of the last 25 years, and I look forward to continuing with my practice in crime as a silk.’
Joe Wilson, CEO & Director of Clerking, St Philips Chambers: ‘We are immensely proud of Jennifer, Tom and Rob on their richly deserved appointment to King’s Counsel. Achieving silk is an outstanding accomplishment, reflecting years of unwavering commitment. We congratulate them warmly on this significant milestone in their careers.’
(L-R) Gerard Hillman KC with Tom Barnes, clerk, Libertas Chambers © Katrina Campbell Photography
Gerard Hillman KC, Libertas Chambers: ‘Being appointed KC is a huge honour and marks the start of the next stage of my career. Celebrating this personal achievement with family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my professional journey was a particular highlight.’
Simon Csoka KC, Head of Libertas Chambers: ‘The whole of Libertas Chambers congratulates Gerry upon his thoroughly deserved appointment. He was a founding member in 2020 and his practice since then has gone from strength to strength. Three of our founding members have now taken silk, which is a testament to their talent and hard work. It reflects the continuing growth and success of chambers.’
(L-R) Emily James KC and Richard Jones KC © 1GC
Emily James KC, 1GC:‘What it means to be appointed King’s Counsel is immeasurable. It is the culmination of hard work, commitment and sacrifice made possible by those who have so generously supported me, both personally and professionally over the years. I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues and clerks, judicial assessors and instructing solicitors and of course, to my family. I am very proud to have been appointed in a year of increased diversity alongside such able friends and colleagues.’
Richard Jones KC, 1GC:‘They say it takes a village to raise a child and the same is true of raising a silk! It simply does not happen without the tremendous efforts of your Head Clerk (Paul Harris), clerking team, solicitors and colleagues. The support of family and friends cannot be overstated. For me personally, from a working class community in the Rhondda valley, taking silk means a great deal and I hope it inspires others from similar backgrounds to aim high!’
Naomi Madderson KC © Leo Francis
Naomi Madderson KC, Crown Chambers, Hull: ‘Being appointed King’s Counsel is a profound honour. As the first female and first family law silk in Hull, I hope this milestone inspires others to pursue their dreams, regardless of background. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my family and my exceptional Senior Clerk, Hayley, for their unwavering support.’
Hayley Rodgers, Senior Clerk, Crown Chambers, Hull: ‘We are beyond proud of Naomi and her prestigious appointment as King’s Counsel. This is a historic moment as Naomi becomes the first female silk and the first family law silk in Hull. She has inspired so many, and it’s been a privilege to watch her become the incredible family law advocate she is today.’
(L-R) Cecilia Ivimy KC and Tom Cross KC © 11KBW
Tom Cross KC, 11KBW: ‘Taking silk would be a difficult business on your own. My colleagues, clerks, and Chambers staff have been brilliant. My greatest fortune, as through my life, has been my family – there through thick and thin with patience and love. I hope, in silk, I can make them all proud’.
Daniel Stilitz KC, Head of Chambers, 11KBW:‘All of us at 11KBW congratulate Tom Cross warmly on his appointment to silk. Tom has developed an impressive and varied practice at 11KBW and this professional recognition is very well deserved. I have no doubt that he will continue to go from strength to strength.’
(R) Bilal Rawat KC pictured with senior clerk, Mark Waller, 5 Essex Chambers © 5 Essex Chambers
Bilal Rawat KC, 5 Essex Chambers‘It was an unforgettable day made more special by my being able to share it with family, friends and colleagues. I have so many people to thank for the support and kindness they have shown to me over the course of my career. It’s an exciting time to be in these Chambers and, as I move into the next stage of my career, I look forward to playing my part in our continued success.’
5 Essex Chambers is delighted to congratulate Bilal Rawat on his appointment as King’s Counsel.
(L-R) Anthony Vaughan KC, David Rhodes KC, Adam Wagner KC, Peter Caudwell KC and Jonathan Price KC © Jennifer Moyes
David Rhodes KC, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It is an immense privilege to be entrusted with the defence of an individual against the state in a criminal trial. It is all I have ever wanted to do. For more than 20 years I have been blessed to practise alongside wonderful colleagues at Doughty Street Chambers, led by the peerless Edward Fitzgerald KC. I am truly delighted to have been appointed a King’s Counsel and to be given the opportunity to go on doing what I love from the front row in silk.’
Anthony Vaughan KC, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It’s a huge honour to be appointed KC and it’s all the more special that this happened just nine months after being elected as a Member of Parliament. While I’m focused on representing my constituents, I still intend to keep my legal skills and expertise up to date.’
James Whiting, CEO, Doughty Street Chambers: ‘It has been a special year for Doughty Street Chambers with five tremendous new silks. We are proud to have supported them on their journeys to being awarded silk. They represent the variety of work done at Doughty Street, including human rights, public law, crime, media, immigration, sanctions and extradition. All are united by shared commitment to fair access to justice and top-quality representation.’
(L-R) Rob Mundy KC, Jennifer Josephs KC and Tom Walkling KC © St Philips Chambers
Jennifer Josephs KC, St Philips Chambers: ‘It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been appointed a KC. I was so proud to share the joyful day with my family, friends and colleagues. Receiving this accolade has been such a validation of the last 25 years, and I look forward to continuing with my practice in crime as a silk.’
Joe Wilson, CEO & Director of Clerking, St Philips Chambers: ‘We are immensely proud of Jennifer, Tom and Rob on their richly deserved appointment to King’s Counsel. Achieving silk is an outstanding accomplishment, reflecting years of unwavering commitment. We congratulate them warmly on this significant milestone in their careers.’
(L-R) Gerard Hillman KC with Tom Barnes, clerk, Libertas Chambers © Katrina Campbell Photography
Gerard Hillman KC, Libertas Chambers: ‘Being appointed KC is a huge honour and marks the start of the next stage of my career. Celebrating this personal achievement with family, friends and colleagues who have supported me throughout my professional journey was a particular highlight.’
Simon Csoka KC, Head of Libertas Chambers: ‘The whole of Libertas Chambers congratulates Gerry upon his thoroughly deserved appointment. He was a founding member in 2020 and his practice since then has gone from strength to strength. Three of our founding members have now taken silk, which is a testament to their talent and hard work. It reflects the continuing growth and success of chambers.’
(L-R) Emily James KC and Richard Jones KC © 1GC
Emily James KC, 1GC:‘What it means to be appointed King’s Counsel is immeasurable. It is the culmination of hard work, commitment and sacrifice made possible by those who have so generously supported me, both personally and professionally over the years. I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues and clerks, judicial assessors and instructing solicitors and of course, to my family. I am very proud to have been appointed in a year of increased diversity alongside such able friends and colleagues.’
Richard Jones KC, 1GC:‘They say it takes a village to raise a child and the same is true of raising a silk! It simply does not happen without the tremendous efforts of your Head Clerk (Paul Harris), clerking team, solicitors and colleagues. The support of family and friends cannot be overstated. For me personally, from a working class community in the Rhondda valley, taking silk means a great deal and I hope it inspires others from similar backgrounds to aim high!’
Naomi Madderson KC © Leo Francis
Naomi Madderson KC, Crown Chambers, Hull: ‘Being appointed King’s Counsel is a profound honour. As the first female and first family law silk in Hull, I hope this milestone inspires others to pursue their dreams, regardless of background. My heartfelt gratitude goes to my family and my exceptional Senior Clerk, Hayley, for their unwavering support.’
Hayley Rodgers, Senior Clerk, Crown Chambers, Hull: ‘We are beyond proud of Naomi and her prestigious appointment as King’s Counsel. This is a historic moment as Naomi becomes the first female silk and the first family law silk in Hull. She has inspired so many, and it’s been a privilege to watch her become the incredible family law advocate she is today.’
(L-R) Cecilia Ivimy KC and Tom Cross KC © 11KBW
Tom Cross KC, 11KBW: ‘Taking silk would be a difficult business on your own. My colleagues, clerks, and Chambers staff have been brilliant. My greatest fortune, as through my life, has been my family – there through thick and thin with patience and love. I hope, in silk, I can make them all proud’.
Daniel Stilitz KC, Head of Chambers, 11KBW:‘All of us at 11KBW congratulate Tom Cross warmly on his appointment to silk. Tom has developed an impressive and varied practice at 11KBW and this professional recognition is very well deserved. I have no doubt that he will continue to go from strength to strength.’
(R) Bilal Rawat KC pictured with senior clerk, Mark Waller, 5 Essex Chambers © 5 Essex Chambers
Bilal Rawat KC, 5 Essex Chambers‘It was an unforgettable day made more special by my being able to share it with family, friends and colleagues. I have so many people to thank for the support and kindness they have shown to me over the course of my career. It’s an exciting time to be in these Chambers and, as I move into the next stage of my career, I look forward to playing my part in our continued success.’
5 Essex Chambers is delighted to congratulate Bilal Rawat on his appointment as King’s Counsel.
Please complete the Barristers’ Working Lives survey this month to help shape and prioritise the Bar Council’s work
AlphaBiolabs supports children’s Hospice with £500 donation
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the company’s commitment to giving back to communities across the UK
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Nick Bonnello and Aaron Young of RWB Chartered Accountants
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Animal sexual abuse is a distressing and taboo subject. Yet, write Christina Warner and Maya Badham, this hidden crisis, where legal, ethical and psychological factors converge, requires frank discussion
A cultural life and times
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
