DOUGHTY STREET CHAMBERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Education / Doctor of Philosophy in Law, University of Oxford ( 2019 )
Alice Irving is a civil and public practitioner, specialising in education, community care, housing and social welfare, and discrimination law. She has a particular interest in the rights of disabled persons. Her specialisms mean she is ideally placed to advise disabled clients holistically, across multiple legal areas that impact upon their lives.
Alice was a finalist for Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year at the LALYs 2021 and has been ranked as a Rising Star in Education Law in Legal 500 since 2022 and in Chambers and Partners since 2023.
Alice has represented clients in a wide range of public law challenges. She has appeared led and unled in the High Court and led in the Court of Appeal. She is regularly involved in high profile strategic public law challenges, as well as in cases of the utmost importance to individual clients, such as those concerning special educational provision, social care packages, and access to housing.
Alice regularly represents families in the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in appeals relating to Education Health and Care Plans and in disability discrimination claims. She also appears regularly in the County Court, resisting possession claims and representing homeless individuals in statutory appeals. She has particular expertise in working with vulnerable clients, who lack capacity to litigate, and also in claims under the Equality Act 2010.
Before coming to the bar, Alice completed a Bachelor of Arts in Community and Family Studies, which is the academic portion of a social work training, as well as a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and the Bachelor of Civil Laws (Oxon). She also holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Law (Oxon) and was a law lecturer at the University of Oxford.
Alice has been praised for her manner towards clients and her accessible style when giving written advice. She has published articles in Counsel Magazine, Legal Action Group Magazine and Special Needs Jungle. She also regularly appears in seminars and writes short blogs on current legal issues, accessible here.
Amanda is a Receptionist. She joined Doughty Street in December 2022.
Ben Davis joined Chambers in February 2020 and is a Civil Practice Manager in the Actions Against the Police, Inquests & Inquiries and Media & Information Team. Ben is responsible for diary management, assisting with fixing enquiries, allocation of work and fee negotiation, as well as any other tasks delegated by the Civil Team.
Outside of work, Ben is a keen runner and has represented England in the past.
Job Titles:
- Finance Assistant
- Senior Finance Assistant
Beverly is the Finance Assistant and joined Chambers in February 2009. She responsible for the day to day element of purchase ledger activities, together with various other financial administration duties.
Callum joined Chambers in June 2023 from Matrix Chambers and is a Civil Practice Manager in the Housing & Social Welfare, Court of Protection, Immigration, Community Care, Education, and Mediation teams. He commenced his clerking career in 2018 and is responsible for diary management, fixings, allocation of work and fee negotiation, as well as maintaining and developing new and existing client relationships. Callum passed the ILM Level 3 Diploma in Leadership & Management in 2022.
Outside of Chambers, Callum enjoys socialising with family and friends and is an Avid Aston Villa fan.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager
- Senior Practice Manager
Callum joined chambers in May 2011 and is a Civil Senior Practice Manager. His current responsibilities encompass the management and development of all barristers' practice in the Employment & Discrimination, Professional Discipline & Regulation, Media, Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury & Mediation teams. This includes diary management, allocation of new work, fee negotiation and managing client relationships.
In August 2021, Callum achieved a CILEX Level 3 Professional Qualification in Employment Law.
Outside of work, Callum enjoys all things sport and is one of the few remaining Charlton Athletic season ticket holders.
Camila is the Events & CRM Assistant and joined Chambers in June 2023.
Chloe is a Crime Practice Manager and she joined chambers in January 2022 from 2 Hare Court. Chloe acts as a point of contact for instructing solicitors and direct access clients in Criminal, Extradition, Business Crime & Investigations and Criminal Appeal teams. Chloe also deals with the management of members diaries and dealing with all new enquiries.
Outside of work Chloe is an avid gym goer and enjoys socialising with friends.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Ciara joined Doughty Street Chambers in August 2022 after studying Criminology and Social Policy at the University of Kent. She currently works as an Assistant Practice Manager.
Cormac was called to the Bar in 2021. He has experience across a range of employment litigation, including discrimination, whistleblowing, interim relief, worker status issues, and group claims related to holiday pay. Before coming to the Bar, Cormac was a legal officer at United Voices of the World, where he represented workers in disciplinary hearings, the employment tribunal, and the Central Arbitration Committee. As a result of Cormac's experience working for a trade union, he has a strong understanding of collective labour law.
Job Titles:
- Front of House Supervisor
Cynthia joined Chambers in October 2005 as part of the reception team. Not long after she was promoted to; Front of House Supervisor, and responsible for two other members of staff. Cynthia's role is based at the main reception, where she gets to meet and greet members and guests who have arrived for conferences and events. Cynthia is also our in-house events co-ordinator; her skill set allows Chambers to host the most wonderful events in our seminar hall or garden spaces.
When Cynthia is not at Chambers she can be found at the local gym where she enjoys daily fitness sessions. She is also known for making some of the best cocktails at Chambers events and beyond.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Chambers and Pupillage Executive
Edwina Koroma is the Chambers and Pupillage Executive and joined Chambers in August 2023.
Emily Norman joined chambers in March 2015 having previously been a clerk at 1 Pump Court Chambers and is a Practice Manager for the Community Care, Education, Housing, Immigration & Court of Protection teams, led by Rachel Finch. Emily is responsible for fixings, fee negotiation, allocation of work and assisting the Practice Manager with practice development.
Emily has completed the BTEC Advanced Award in Chambers Administration for Barristers clerks.
Evelyn Cole is the Head of People and joined Chambers in July 2023.
Finnian joins chambers as an Employment and Immigration specialist pupil. He is currently supervised by David Lemer and will be accepting instructions from April 2023 onwards.
Before coming to the bar, Finnian worked as a Legal Caseworker at United Voices of the World ("UVW"), a trade union predominantly representing low-paid and precarious migrant workers. He appeared unassisted in the Employment Tribunal regularly.
Prior to this, Finnian spent a summer with Advocates Abroad providing asylum interview preparation support to refugees at the Vial Refugee Camp in Chios, Greece. He gained further understanding of asylum and immigration law, as well as public law more generally, while working as a Judicial Assistant to Lord Justice Singh.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Freddie joined Chambers in August 2018 as a Clerking assistant, supporting both the civil and criminal teams, until joining the Employment, Discrimination, Clinical Negligence, Personal Injury and Professional Discipline and Regulation team as a Assistant Practice Manager in May 2021. Freddie is responsible for diary management, allocation of work and fee negotiations, as well as any other tasks delegated by the Civil Team.
Outside of work Freddie enjoys playing golf and attending Chelsea games at Stamford Bridge.
Grace joined Chambers in December 2022 and is a Billing Clerk. Her responsibilities include billing civil and criminal cases, preparing Legal Aid and inter partes fee notes, providing costs estimates, and responding to general billing queries.
Grace is currently studying her AAT level 2 bookkeeping and accounting qualifications.
Grace is a Practice Manager and joined Doughty Street Chambers in February 2019 having previously been a Personal Assistant to the Chief Executive at Matrix Chambers.
Grace acts as a point of contact for all instructing solicitors, manages Counsels' diaries effectively and undertakes any other tasks delegated by the Civil Team.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Hania is the Assistant Practice Manager in the Actions Against the Police, Inquests & Inquiries and Media & Information Team.
Hania joined Doughty Street Chambers in May 2023.
James joined Chambers in August 2021 having previously worked for a leading Criminal Chambers for the past 4 years. James started his Clerking career in 2012 at a Common Law set and is a Practice Manager. His responsibilities include overseeing the day to day diary, development of barrister's practices, fee negotiations and business development.
Outside of work James enjoys playing Rugby, traveling and socialising with friends.
James Whiting is the Chief Executive of Doughty Street Chambers, responsible for leadership of the Chambers, alongside Chambers' Co-Chairs. The CEO is responsible for the strategic, operational and financial leadership of DSC, working closely with the Chambers' Management Board. James is a member of the Management Board, the Finance and Risk Committee, the People and Services Committee and the Recruitment Committee.
James joined Chambers in November 2022. He started as a solicitor with Penningtons in the early 1990s, leaving to become Deputy Director of Hope and Homes for Children, a start-up that has become a leading force in the global deinstitutionalisation of childcare and ending of orphanage care. James became a director of the New Economics Foundation, and subsequently Managing Director of Friends of the Earth. He spent the last decade as Chief Executive of Malaria No More UK, an organisation responsible for generating billions of pounds from governments, business and philanthropy for the global campaign to end malaria, working closely with partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Health Organisation, HRH King Charles III, David Beckham and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. He is a board director of Travalyst, an organisation founded by Prince Harry, bringing together the largest global travel companies to accelerate sustainable travel and tourism.
James spends most of his time outside DSC with his family, and runs, cycles, enjoys cricket, low-brow books and diligent cooking.
If you would like to speak to James about any aspect of Doughty Street Chambers he would love to hear from you. Please get in touch directly at j.whiting@doughtystreet.co.uk
Awards
Job Titles:
- Information Technology and Facilities Assistant
- the Information Technology and Facilities Assistant
Jonathan Palma is the Information Technology and Facilities Assistant and joined Chambers in August 2022.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Director of Operations and Strategic Planning
Julie Ahadi is the Director of Operations and Strategic Planning. The DOSP is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the strategic operations of Chambers, supporting the Management Board (MB) and CEO in strategic and operational planning and execution. A key member of the Senior Management Team, the DOSP is also a non-voting member of Chambers' Management Board and has overall management/oversight of the People, IT and Marketing functions of Chambers and leads on key digital transformation projects for chambers.
Julie joined Chambers in September 2019.
Awards
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Practice Manager
Keya is the Assistant Practice Manager in the Community Care, Education, Housing, Immigration & Court of Protection teams.
Keya joined Doughty Street Chambers in May 2023.
Job Titles:
- Senior Library Information and Research Officer
Louise Joined Doughty Street in August 2015 and is the Senior Library Information and Research Officer.
Louise works in controlling and developing the operation of Chambers' library and assisting with legal research.
Louise holds an MA in Library and Information Studies. She has a varied background in legal library management and information administration having worked at a range of large city law firms and within the financial services sector.
Lul is a Billing Clerk and joined Doughty Street Chambers in July 2023.
Matt Dudley joined chambers in November 2016 as is the Costs and Fees Manager. Matt is responsible for fee collection, monitoring civil age debts, processing payments, legal aid billing, settlement negotiations as well as other general fee/finance queries.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys watching a range of sports such as football, tennis & boxing.
Matt joined Doughty Street as our Senior Clerk (Crime) in April 2019 having spent the previous 25 years working at some of the country's leading sets.
He has responsibility for the development and management of all criminal practices in Chambers and is committed to providing an excellent level of service for our instructing solicitors, using his years of experience and in-depth knowledge of our members practice's to recommend the most suitable counsel for each case.
Job Titles:
- Costs and Billing Manager
Melissa Neild joined Chambers in July 2019 having worked as a Civil Clerk at 1 Chancery Lane Chambers for 12 years. Melissa is responsible for providing billing and costs support to members and clerking teams in all areas of civil work including high costs cases and inter partes bills. Melissa assists with all aspects of costs negotiations including dealing with assessments on both legal aid and inter partes cases and advising counsel on appropriate next steps. Melissa assists with managing costs negotiations on behalf of counsel, including drafting replies to points of dispute and assisting with reduction negotiations.
Melissa has a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) degree and is currently studying for a Costs Lawyer qualification with the Association of Costs Lawyers.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys socialising with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager
- Media Law and Defamation ( for Legal Enquiries Only. for Press Enquiries, See below )
- Senior Practice Manager for Our Actions Against the Police
Melvin is Senior Practice Manager for our Actions Against The Police, Inquest and Media team. His current responsibilities include all aspects of practice management, allocation of work, fee negotiation and practice development. With over 23 years' experience of practice management, Melvin was shortlisted by the Legal 500 in the category of 2019 ‘Clerk/Practice Manager of the Year'. Melvin joined Chambers in July 2019 following 19 years at Media specialists, 1 Brick Court.
Outside work, Melvin likes long weekend walks with his Wife and is a member of the Amateur Swimming Association and keen open water swimmer. Melvin loves to read and, like most, is prone to the odd stint on Netflix. A follower of most sports he occasionally likes to spoil a good walk with a round of Golf.
Media Law and Defamation (For legal enquiries only.
Michael is the Senior Fees Manager.
Michael joined Doughty Street Chambers in September 2012. Previously he worked as the Fees Clerk in a leading family law set for 7 years. Michael has been clerking in various areas of law since 1976.
Over the last 12 years Michael's career has concentrated purely on fee collection. His experience in clerking has given him a great understanding of how matters progress and assists him in relation to when matters should be chased.
Job Titles:
- International Team Practice Manager
Naomi is the International Team Practice Manager. Naomi joined in September 2021 and is responsible for the oversight and general practice development for Doughty Street International, our group of leading international lawyers and legal academics. In addition to the day-to-day international clerking responsibilities, Naomi works closely with the Practice Managers and DSI Team Leaders to support the team, develop new services, and build our internal and external development, including through website development, strategy, cohesion and events.
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Executive
- the Digital Marketing Executive
Nerissa is the Digital Marketing Executive, and joined Doughty Street Chambers in July 2022.
Nerissa is responsible for the overall management of the digital marketing suite. She leads on creative content creation, bringing forward ideas and prototypes on how to present content across Chambers, and managing the coordination of all photography and imagery matters to upkeep Chambers branding. She collaborates with the Marketing and Events Manager to generate insights that inform strategic decision-making to drive audience development, lead generation, and client acquisition efforts. Nerissa also manages all updates to the website and reviews designs, as well as running Chambers social media presence across platforms. Her role sees her execute the copywriting of both the monthly civil and crime newsletter and weekly internal newsletters.
Outside of work Nerissa enjoys film photography and weightlifting.
Job Titles:
- Practice Director
- Practice Manager
- Senior Practice Manager
Rachel joined chambers in February 2011 and is a Civil Senior Practice Manager. Her current responsibilities include the management and development of all barristers' practices in our Housing & Social Welfare, Court of Protection, Public Law, Immigration, Community Care, Education and Mediation teams. This includes practice development, allocation of work, fee negotiation and business development.
Rachel is the Management Accountant and joined Doughty Street Chambers in June 2022. She is responsible for producing the monthly management accounts for review by the Management Board in a timely and accurate manner, as well as any other ad hoc tasks required by the Finance Department.
She is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and completed her ACA in audit before moving into industry.
Rachel grew up in Cornwall and is a keen open water swimmer.
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Events Manager
Raimonda joined Doughty Street Chambers in 2018 and is the Marketing and Events Manager based out of the London office.
In her role, Raimonda works closely with the Director of Operations and Strategic Planning to oversee the metrics and measurements for the Marketing function, including social media management and coordination of internal and external events. She is responsible for monitoring and reporting on all marketing activities, including events and campaigns, and collaborates with the Digital Marketing Executive to generate insights that inform strategic decision-making to drive audience development, lead generation, and client acquisition efforts. Additionally, Raimonda takes charge of the operational functionality of the Chambers website and serves as the primary point of contact for press enquiries.
In addition to her marketing responsibilities, Raimonda also oversees the planning and execution of chambers events, seminars, and conferences, in collaboration with the Events Assistant.
Raimonda holds a Bachelor's degree (with Honours) in Media and Communications, as well as a Master of Science degree in International Marketing.
Outside of work, Raimonda enjoys painting and drawing with traditional and digital media.
Job Titles:
- IT Support Lead ( Onsite )
Ricky is an IT Onsite Manager, he joined Doughty Street Chambers in March 2020. Ricky provides IT support and management for Chambers.
Ricky enjoys Football, Cricket and F1, and eating out.
Job Titles:
- Senior Billing, Costs and Revenue Manager
Ruth is a Senior Billing, Costs and Revenue Manager who joined Doughty Street Chambers in January 2020 having previously worked with TMC Legal Services Limited and previously worked as a Consultant within chambers.
Since her qualification in November 2014, Ruth has specialised in dealing with high value and complex Group Litigation in addition personal injury, clinical negligence and human rights claims.
Outside of work, Ruth is keen animal lover and enjoys taking her dog for walks with friends and family. She also enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Sahib is a Billing Clerk and joined Doughty Street Chambers in August 2023.
Sarah joined chambers in September 2018 to manage the billing for the crime team. As the role developed, Sarah's 20+ years of experience in barristers' chambers was used to implement and update chambers' processes in areas such as billing, GDPR and Fair Allocation of Work.
Having now returned to a Practice Management role in Criminal law, Sarah's principal responsibilities include business and practice development, diary management and fee negotiation. Sarah's role involves developing and maintaining strong relationships on behalf of members to their professional clients and supporting Senior Clerk, Matt Butchard with the management and development of the crime team barristers and clerks.
Sarah is a member of the IBC Management Committee and sits on the Education and Conference Committees.
Shahin is a Finance Assistant.
She joined Chambers in 2018.
Shahin is responsible for processing Supplier invoices, payments and various other tasks in the finance department.
Prior to joining Doughty Street Shahin has worked with Natwest Bank where she finished her full CeMap and moved on to become an Independent Mortgage Advisor. She then moved into the Finance field and became a Bookkeeper for manufacturing, service and property sector.
Job Titles:
- Client Services & Engagement Senior Manager
Sheena Byrne joined Chambers in June 2019 as a Client Services & Engagement Senior Manager.
Sheena specialises in business planning and development, marketing analysis and positioning, and client relationship management. As an integral member of the original team at Chambers & Partners legal directories, she was instrumental in formulating the research methodology and developing the publication brand as an editor and assistant publisher. Since then she has worked with a wide variety of leading law firms, barristers' chambers, representative bodies including the Law Society and the Inns of Court, advising senior decision makers of these organisations on critical aspects that impact on their business expansion.
Sheena is a qualified solicitor and holds a BSc (Honours) Degree in Chemistry.
Having joined in 2011, Sian is the Civil Senior Clerk at Doughty Street Chambers. She leads the civil clerking team and has overall responsibility and oversight of the strategic management and development of all civil practices across Chambers. Recognising the need for the Bar to evolve and seeking to be better equipped to lead change, Sian was delighted to be awarded a distinction in her MBA in 2021.
Sian takes huge pride in delivering a high quality, efficient clerking service to clients and members of Chambers and works hard to proactively identify and take all opportunities using her detailed knowledge and understanding of the practice areas in which all members operate to ensure client expectations and needs are met.
We are thrilled to announce Sian Wilkins, Senior Civil Practice Manager, was awarded ‘Mentor of the Year' at this year's First 100 Years' Inspirational Women in Law Awards. This award recognises those within the legal profession whose dedication to their role as mentor has contributed to increasing equality within the legal profession.
Job Titles:
- Associate Barrister
- Associate Barrister, Doughty Street Chambers / London, United Kingdom
Tal is the Head of Finance and joined Chambers in June 2023.
Telephone Number: Email: t.crealey@doughtystreet.co.uk Tara is a Junior Clerk and joined Doughty Street Chambers in July 2023. Tara's responsibilities include supporting both criminal and civil clerking teams and barristers.
Terrance joined chambers in 2019 and is the Head of Facilities. The position is a non-voting member of the Management Board and a member of the Senior Management Team responsible for the building portfolio for chambers including five buildings in London and one regional office in Manchester. The position has a prominent part in formulating the property strategy for the board, as well as overseeing security, and the health and safety operations for chambers.
Terrance brings 16 years of management experience and has a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Catering Management, a Diploma in Institutional Management, and is a member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM).
Awards
Tim joined chambers in March 2021 and is a Civil Practice Manager in the Housing & Social Welfare, Court of Protection, Public Law, Immigration, Community Care, Education and Mediation teams. Tim is responsible for diary management, assisting with fixing enquiries, allocation of work and fee negotiation, as well as maintaining and developing new and existing client relationships.
Outside of Doughty Street, Tim enjoys watching and playing football and is a keen Arsenal fan.