Joint head of chambers back in full-time practice after year as Chairman of the Bar
The first day of the new term on Monday will see the return of Desmond Browne QC to full-time practice after his year as Chairman of the Bar.
Desmond says: “I never intended to leave the Bar for good; 5RB has been, and always will be, my life. The past year has been demanding and enthralling, but I cannot wait to get back into court and revive links with old clients. I’m also looking forward to playing my part as a member of the Justice Secretary’s Working Group on the law of libel”.
Desmond is instructed with 5RB‘s Matthew Nicklin by Carter-Ruck in Boris Berezovsky’s litigation against Russian Television and Radio, due for trial on 8 February. He is also acting with 5RB‘s Victoria Jolliffe for Alex Mardas in his litigation against the New York Times, instructed by Stockler Brunton, in which a preliminary issue is due to be heard in March.
During his year as Chairman of the Bar Desmond grappled with the reforms to the way in which barristers practise and fought to ensure that cuts in legal aid did not turn it into a second-class service. He also led Bar delegations to the Gulf and India, and joined with the Chairman of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in leading a mission to Zimbabwe to examine the current situation over human rights.
Fellow head of chambers Adrienne Page QC comments: “We are all delighted to see Desmond back in his old room. The experience he has gained as Chairman of the Bar can only be to the benefit of 5RB and its clients.”
Links
- Berezovsky v Russian State Television & Another – 5RB.com case report
- Mardas v New York Times; Mardas v International Herald Tribune – 5RB.com case report