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Children lawyers to the fore in 2024 King’s Counsel appointments

Barristers practising in children law, procurement and planning are among the 95 individuals recommended for appointment as King’s Counsel in the 2024 appointments round.

Those appointed include:

  • Justin Bates, Landmark Chambers (housing, property and local government)
  • Joseph Barrett, 11KBW (procurement; public law)
  • Steve Broach, 39 Essex Chambers (health, education and social care; disability and children's rights)
  • Joanne Brown, 4PB (children law)
  • Josef Cannon, Cornerstone Barristers (planning; licensing)
  • Simon Forshaw, 11KBW (employment; commercial)
  • Anita Guha, 7BR (children law)
  • Richard Hadley, No5 (children law)
  • Susannah Johnson, 7BR (children law)
  • Edward Lamb, Deka Chambers (family law; Court of Protection)
  • Brendan McGurk, Monckton Chambers (commercial, public law and regulatory)
  • Richard Moules, Landmark Chambers (planning)
  • Matthew Rees, Angel Chambers (family and children law)
  • Amy Rogers, 11KBW (commercial; employment; public law)
  • Sharon Segal, 1GC (children law)
  • Paul Stagg, Deka Chambers (personal injury including claims against public bodies)
  • Ruth Stockley, Kings Chambers (planning; highways)
  • Judy Stone, 11KBW (employment; commercial)
  • Colin Thomann, 39 Essex Chambers (public law; environmental law)
  • Richard Turney, Landmark Chambers (planning)
  • Ewan West, Monckton Chambers (procurement)
  • Mark Westmoreland Smith, Francis Taylor Building (planning; environmental law)
  • Philip Woolfe, Monckton Chambers (competition law; procurement)

KC Appointments said the statistics for successful applicants were as follows:

  • The overall success rate was 33.6%; 95 out of a total 283
  • 65 male applicants, 32% success rate
  • 30 female applicants, 38% success rate
  • 13 applicants who declared an ethnic origin other than white, 27% success rate
  • 8 applicants who declared a disability; 47% success rate
  • One solicitor; 14% success rate
  • One employed barrister; 14% success rate

Monisha Shah, Chair of the Selection Panel at KC Appointments, said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to all the new silks announced today. The selection process is a rigorous and demanding one and I believe that every one of these new silks will be a credit to their profession.

“The competency framework for the award of King’s Counsel is set by the Professions. It is heavily dependent on the strength of the evidence provided by leaders and peers about each applicant. The submission of honest, evidence-based assessments is pivotal to the work of the Selection Panel. On behalf of the panel, I would like to thank the nearly 2000 assessors who provided assessments to the Selection Panel this year."

Shah added: “We continue to monitor the number of applications received from a diverse range of backgrounds and seek to ensure that our process is as clear and transparent as possible. To that end, we seek feedback and offer a range of events and webinars where prospective applicants can meet with members of the panel and engage with them directly. I am reassured that the number of applications we received this year are indicative of the clarity of our process and a confidence in our system.

“The KC award for excellence is based on evidence from assessors. We do not operate quotas for appointment; however we continue to monitor diversity data closely and while I would not expect successful applications from those with protected characteristics to increase each and every year, I am pleased to note that application rates from people of minority ethnic backgrounds and female applicants are strong and the number of successful applications remain broadly in line with the eligible population.”
A&M Bacon