We publish below our (now annual) profiles of a selection of recently appointed KCs.
I am delighted to be able to publish below our annual profiles of a selection of recently appointed KCs. These profiles have been published for nearly ten years now in order to celebrate the increasingly diverse backgrounds and experiences of those appointed to silk. We define diversity broadly in these profiles, not just reflecting those characteristics protected by law but also diversity of family background and of geographical location, as well as applicants who have pursued niche specialisms within the law and those who have pursued varied and interesting careers before turning to law.
We are heartened by feedback – including from those profiled – that these profiles have inspired advocates to see that the accolade of KC is for ‘people like me’, sometimes tipping the balance in their decision to apply for silk. I hope that you enjoy reading the stories of these inspiring new KCs.
Monisha Shah, Chair of the KC Selection Panel
Crown Prosecution Service
William (‘Bill’) Baker KC
Appointed to silk in early 2024, Bill Baker is employed by the CPS as a Principal Crown Advocate in the Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) co-located with the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the North of England. In effect he has been standing counsel to the NCA for the last 14 years. At the end of his existing trial commitments, he will return to the self-employed Bar in Manchester.
Pump Court Tax Chambers, London
Sadiya Choudhury KC
Sadiya Choudhury KC, who was appointed to silk in 2024, is the daughter of immigrant parents: Sadiya’s father – who came to this country with just £3 in his pocket at the age of 21 – went on to become the first person of Pakistani heritage to qualify as a chartered accountant in Bradford. When Sadiya was 10 years old, the family moved back to Pakistan, where Sadiya continued her education, first taking the equivalent of GCSEs at a secondary school which no longer exists before attending the highly prestigious Kinnaird College in Lahore, Punjab, the oldest women’s college in the subcontinent. There, she took the equivalent of A-levels followed by a BSc in Pure Sciences (First Class) – an intense two-year course covering Maths, Physics and Chemistry. There was, like for many of her peers at both school and college, a strong expectation that she would go on to qualify as a doctor or, perhaps, study for an MBA. Sadiya, however, liked the idea of working in the legal profession. She considers that her science education formed a great basis for studying the law, especially tax law, as the two disciplines have much in common in terms of the problem-solving and analytical skills involved.
Crown Office Chambers, London
Anna Laney KC
Anna Laney KC is a construction specialist whose practice focuses on international arbitrations. She is a tenant at Crown Office Chambers in the Temple. She comes from “a proper working-class background” and, with her brothers, was the first generation in her family to go to university. There were no connections with the legal profession, and it remained a mystery to Anna – and her family – that, at 8, she declared she wanted to be a barrister when she grew up, and she never wavered from that ambition. It wasn’t the only job outside the law that Anna had: her father – a plasterer – insisted on equal opportunities such that she spent her time working with him on building sites as her brothers had done beforehand. This experience stood Anna in good stead as a construction specialist – with her knowledge of practicality taking precedence over the law on numerous occasions!
Three Raymond Buildings, London
Saba Naqshbandi KC
Applying for silk is often seen as a daunting and, for some, an almost insurmountable challenge which requires not only legal expertise but also a significant amount of self-belief, resilience, inward reflection and support. For many, the fear of failure can be the biggest barrier to considering the possibility, believes Saba Naqshbandi KC. “I’ve been there, faced those doubts, and I am here to say, if you are contemplating applying for silk, do it” is the resounding message from Saba. Her success at securing silk on her first application is a significant personal milestone, and had she not been successful, she would certainly have applied again.
Saba was called to the Bar in 1996 and over the years developed a distinguished practice, becoming an expert in public inquiries, inquests, health and safety and commercial crime. She has been involved in some of the most high-profile and sensitive public inquiries in recent times, including Grenfell, the Manchester Arena, the Westminster Bridge and London Bridge terrorist attacks, and Alexander Litvinenko.
Saba was called to the Bar in 1996 and over the years developed a distinguished practice, becoming an expert in public inquiries, inquests, health and safety and commercial crime. She has been involved in some of the most high-profile and sensitive public inquiries in recent times, including Grenfell, the Manchester Arena, the Westminster Bridge and London Bridge terrorist attacks, and Alexander Litvinenko.
Blackstone Chambers, London
Craig Rajgopaul KC
Craig Rajgopaul KC, who took silk in March 2024 having been called to the Bar in November 2010, specialises in employment and partnership law, with a complementary practice in commercial law. He previously practised as a solicitor-advocate with two leading City firms, Ashurst and then McDermott, Will and Emery. Craig has a wide-ranging employment and partnership practice spanning High Court, Employment Tribunal and appellate work, with additional expertise in the business protection sphere, notably in cases involving allegations of a breach of fiduciary duty and shareholder disputes. He has been involved in many of the most high-profile team move and restrictive covenant cases. He is regularly instructed in difficult discrimination and whistleblowing claims.