We publish below our (now annual) profiles of a selection of recently appointed QCs.
The purpose of publishing the profiles is to illustrate the varied backgrounds and experience of those appointed as QCs. It also helps to demonstrate, through real life examples, that whatever may have been the position in the past, it is no longer the case that advocates have to be white, male, Oxbridge-educated barristers in order to be appointed QC. We also find the preparation of the profiles useful to us, because it gives us the opportunity to gather (albeit from a small sample) much richer feedback on applicants’ views of the QC appointment process. It is thus a valuable supplement to our annual surveys of all applicants, the results of which will also be published on this website.
Sir Alex Allan
Citadel Chambers, Birmingham
Gurdeep Garcha QC
GurdeepGarcha QC, who is believed to be the first BAME QC to be appointed at the Birmingham Criminal Bar, was sworn in as a new silk in March 2020. He is a criminal defence specialist, now concentrating on the most serious cases, essentially leading on murder/manslaughter, terrorism and very serious drugs and sex offences. Gurdeep was raised in Birmingham by working class parents who had arrived in England in 1965 from the Punjab. He considered that his career choice was strongly informed by his…
Prosecution Service, London
Heidi Stonecliffe QC
Heidi Stonecliffe QC has worked for the CPS since 2006and is thought to be only the fourth lawyer – and the first woman –at the CPS to be made silk.The daughter of a legal secretary and railway worker, Heidi attended a girls’ grammar in Sittingbourne. Her schoolteachers expressed surprise when Heidi told them that she wanted to become a barrister, having been inspired by readingHarper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. One teacher asked at the time “Do women do that?”…
Littleton Chambers, London
John Mehrzad QC
John Mehrzad QC was appointed silk in 2020 after just thirteen years’ practice at the Bar.He practises in employment, commercial and sports law with a focus on domestic and international sporting arbitrations and High Court business protection litigation. In terms of sports law, John mainly acts in financial disputesbetween clubs, managers, players and agents, and on regulatory matters, including disciplinary and equality issues.Amongst other roles, Johnis a leader…
25 Bedford Row Chambers, London
Melanie Simpson QC
Melanie Simpson QC is one of thirty women appointed to silk in 2020. Her high-profile criminal defence cases, often involving multiple defendants,attract extensive media interest and Melanie frequentlyprovideslegal expertise tomedia organisations. Melanie’sparents were young adults when they came to the UK from Jamaica as part of the‘Windrush’ generation. Her father was a bus conductor and her mother worked in a factory. Melanie went to grammar school but felt isolated as one of very…
Winckley Square Chambers, Preston
Samantha Bowcock QC
Samantha Bowcock QC was one of thirty women (alongside 84 men) appointed silk at the declarationceremony held in Westminster Hall on 16th March 2020. A Manchester University graduate, Samantha joined her present chambers as a pupil. She was called to the Bar in 1990 and isWinckley Square Chambers’ first ‘home grown’ QC. She is a family and children specialist and regularly appears in the High Court in cases dealing with allegations that death, serious injury or sexual abuse of children…