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Higher contrast

Bar Council Officers 2009

6 October 2008

The Bar Council has announced the election of its new officers for 2009. The trio, who have been elected by the members of the Bar Council, are:

They take up their posts on 1 January 2009. 

 - Ends -

Notes to Editors

1.  Desmond Browne QC was called to the Bar in 1969 and took silk in 1990.  He is Joint Head of Chambers at 5 Raymond Buildings, the specialist media and entertainment law set. He is a leading silk in all areas of media law and is currently Vice-Chairman of the Bar. He has been involved in a huge number of the most important cases affecting the media over the past three decades.  Heavily involved in the Bar Council’s lobbying efforts, Browne was Chairman of the Bar’s Clementi Group and chairs the Bar’s working groups on ‘One Case One Fee’ and Very High Cost Cases.  Browne is described by Chambers & Partners as “at the top of his game,” and is seen as “masterful and supremely confident in court.” According to observers, Browne has the “rare quality, for someone with his unquestioned ability and reputation, of being always approachable and never condescending.” He is “a true great in his field”, “tough and gutsy, yet charming and elegant”. 

2. Nicholas Green QC was awarded a Ph.d in law in 1985 before being called to the Bar in 1986. He is a tenant at the highly regarded Brick Court Chambers and took silk in 1998 before being appointed a Crown Court Recorder in 2004. His is a leading QC in areas of European law, public and administrative law, and competition law. He is described by Chambers and Partners as “an undisputed leader in competition law” and is known to be a “quick thinker” who “presents his case forcefully and has the courage to run innovative arguments”. Green is currently Chairman of the Bar’s Legal Services Committee and has been heavily involved with a number of Bar Council issues, including Court dress. He has lectured widely both in England and abroad, holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Leicester, a Visiting Professor at the University of Durham, and has been extensively published in over 60 journals worldwide. He has given expert evidence at a number of high profile hearings and is described as providing “utterly convincing advice and advocacy” with “trademark boldness and purpose.”  

3. Andrew Mitchell QC will begin his second term as treasurer following a successful first year. Mitchell is Head of criminal set Furnival Chambers and was called to the Bar in 1976.  His specialist practice areas are Serious Crime, Asset Forfeiture, Criminal/Civil Fraud, Extradition and Regulatory.

According to the most recent edition of Chambers Directory, “fraud heavyweight” Andrew Mitchell QC combines a “forensic approach” with “tough, robust advocacy” and a “detailed knowledge of confiscation regimes in this and other jurisdictions”.

4. For further information or photos please contact the Bar Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525.