The newly-knighted cross-bench Peer discusses the challenges of A Question of Trust
What was your route into the profession?
Failed an assessment for a graduate marketing job with United Biscuits. Studied law as a second degree and from there into pupillage and tenancy at Brick Court Chambers.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
At the invitation of the three party leaders at the time, writing with the help of a small team A Question of Trust (2015): an analysis of the UK’s investigatory powers regime and a blueprint for its replacement. The challenge was to come up with proposals that would be sufficiently acceptable to all strands of opinion to allow them to be adopted into law.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
My former neighbour in chambers, Sir Sydney Kentridge QC, for the work recorded in Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and for being on his feet in the Supreme Court on his 90th birthday.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?
Inventor, composer
