Leading NHS and social care law King's Counsel retires from the Bar

David Lock KC, one of the leading specialists in NHS and social care law and former Head of Landmark Chambers’ Public Law team, is to retire from the Bar this month.

The set said: “In his time at Landmark, David has been involved in hundreds of significant cases for the NHS and social care sector, many of which had profound consequences for individuals and the public bodies involved.

“He has had an extensive practice advising NHS bodies but also acted for victims of the infected blood scandal for several years pro bono before securing improvements in the payment regime and was part of the team that pushed for the Public Inquiry, now nearing its completion under the chairmanship of Sir Brian Langstaff.

Lock is also the lead author (with Hannah Gibbs) of the only practitioners’ book on the law of the NHS, “NHS Law and Practice” and appeared in a series of significant social care cases such as R (Cornwall Council) v Secretary of State for Health in the Supreme Court which changed the way ordinary residence of disabled children was understood. 

Before moving to Landmark in 2014, David practised from Chambers in Birmingham and was the Birmingham Law Society “Barrister of Year” in 2011, the year he was awarded silk.

Lock was a local councillor from 1995 to 1997, when he was elected as the Labour Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest. 

Samantha Broadfoot KC, Joint Head of the Public Law Group at Landmark Chambers with Fiona Scolding KC, said: “From all of us at Landmark, we wish you all the best for your retirement from full-time practice.  Your vast contribution to Chambers and to the development of Landmark’s Public Law practice is immeasurable and we are grateful for your hard work, dedication and your invaluable leadership over the years.

“You will be greatly missed by all of us at Landmark and we hope to see you frequently between your trips cycling all over the world.”

Fiona Scolding KC added: “David’s advice and guidance have been invaluable to the vast majority of us in the public law team at Landmark.  He has been a fantastic supporter of young talent and his championing of those from diverse backgrounds has made a material contribution not just to Landmark, but to the Bar as a whole.  It is his humanity that we will most remember – David never forgets that our work is about people and his care for them should be the most important legacy he leaves.”

Lock will continue as an Associate member of Chambers and will continue to sit as a part-time High Court Judge and Recorder. He will also remain as a visiting professor at LSE.