Public law specialist joins Cornerstone Barristers

Public law specialist David Welsh has joined Cornerstone Barristers.

The set said Welsh has a busy public law practice, including high-profile constitutional litigation. Since being called to the bar in 2017, he has appeared in courts at all levels, including before the UK Supreme Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Welsh appeared as junior counsel before a full bench of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Wightman v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union ([2019] Q.B. 199), “an important judicial review seeking clarification on when and how the UK notification to leave the European Union (EU) could be unilaterally revoked before the two-year Brexit deadline”.

He also acted as junior counsel before a full bench of the United Kingdom Supreme Court in Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland [2019] UKSC 41, a historic decision that held the decision of then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to prorogue parliament was unlawful.

Welsh will remain a member of Axiom Advocates for his practice in Scotland.

His appointment increases the number of tenants at Cornerstone Barristers to 65, including 14 silks.

Joint head of chambers, Philip Coppel KC and Tom Cosgrove KC, said: “With an exceptionally strong background in public law and constitutional litigation, David Welsh will make a great addition to Cornerstone Barristers. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

On joining Cornerstone Barristers, Welsh said said: “I am really pleased to be joining this impressively strong group of public law barristers. The opportunity to collaborate with such accomplished colleagues is incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to get started.”