*/
Job title
Head of Chambers, Mansfield Chambers
Mansfield Chambers is a new chambers whose publicly funded practitioners defend the civil and human rights of individuals and groups of people
What have been some of the highlights of your career?
The cases that have had national interest and importance, primarily those that have taken on the system and brought about seismic change. One example is the Stephen Lawrence case. The Macpherson Report made 77 recommendations for change in the Met. These changes were far reaching. And what Mrs Lawrence, now Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, has done is to show that ordinary individuals could ask all the right questions, and get a lot of them answered. She also periodically summoned the political leaders and police to meetings to ask them what they had done – in effect to hold them to account.
Another example is the Marchioness campaigner Eileen Dallaglio, as she did the same thing in taking on the State. As a result of her persistency with the Thames Safety enquiry, you can see the result. There are now designated life saving craft, highlighting of bridges and life jackets all along the river. The nature of traffic on the river was reconsidered. These are cases that brought about change; something I find heartening and heart warming about citizens prepared to stand up for what they believe in.
What do you credit your success to?
Two things I suppose. Firstly, I have a strong sense of justice driven by anger. I get upset when vulnerable people don’t get justice, whether inside or outside the system. Then, secondly, channelling that anger into collaborative working. Hence establishing Tooks Chambers in 1984. One of the first cases was the miners’ strike, where hopefully we made a difference. I think we achieved acquittals for nearly everyone we represented.
Who have been some of your most memorable clients, and why?
It is difficult to pick them out really. Arthur Scargill and Mohamed Al-Fayed were certainly two high profile clients. But one that does actually stick out now I’m thinking about it is Alfie Meadows. He was hit on the head during a demonstration against university fees. He had no prior convictions, was involved in a peaceful protest, and really he was making a point for all of us – higher education should be for all, not just those who can afford it. He was acquitted of violent disorder two years after he suffered life-threatening injuries.
Why did you want to become a barrister?
I was a child of television. When my parents got one, I became addicted. There was a US show called The Defenders, I haven’t seen it since but it was about a father and son. They took on amazing cases that all had a point about socio-political issues that lay behind every case. It was well filmed and well performed and I got drawn in and thought this is what I want to do. They mostly didn’t win their cases but clients felt liberated and represented, both literally and metaphorically. I felt there were few things you could do in life that provided a concrete end to it.
What is the best professional advice you’ve been given?
The advice I was given at the beginning of my career was as a barrister you will be compared to a surgeon. Treat each case at arm’s length so you do not get too involved. That was the advice and it was the best advice because I’ve done the opposite. This was an indication of how the profession had become a little remote. It was the best advice because it caused me to think that was not how I wanted to do it. I made time to get to know the people I was representing. Things have changed now, but that is how it was when I started out. Facts and feelings of the case I felt were key.
What advice would you give to anyone at the Junior Bar reading this?
My current concern has been the same since I started to practise – the need to have an overarching perspective. There is no use coming to the Bar unless you have an independent courageous spirit and you are committed to the principles of practice – i.e. this is what you really want to do. Don’t come to the Bar because you believe it will provide you with a living. Come to the Bar because you have an inner commitment to pursuing the ideals of the area in which you wish to practice. If you are concerned by the destruction of the environment and its resources – fight it on a legal front. You need to have a sense of purpose, otherwise forget it.
How do you relax?
I have always believed it is extremely important to have a whole space in your life that is different to your working life; because if not, you will frazzle. You need the space to recharge different stimuli. For me that is through music, theatre, film, and playing the drums (badly). Above all that, I have six children, who are all grown up now, so I have always had a house full of children and they weren’t interested in what Dad did every day. I have benefitted hugely from the fact that all of my children had a sense of entertainment. I believe we have to engage in another generation, something I have done as a barrister in getting the younger generation to engage in the communities they live.
Michael Mansfield QC was interviewed by Guy Hewetson of Hewetson Shah
Another example is the Marchioness campaigner Eileen Dallaglio, as she did the same thing in taking on the State. As a result of her persistency with the Thames Safety enquiry, you can see the result. There are now designated life saving craft, highlighting of bridges and life jackets all along the river. The nature of traffic on the river was reconsidered. These are cases that brought about change; something I find heartening and heart warming about citizens prepared to stand up for what they believe in.
What do you credit your success to?
Two things I suppose. Firstly, I have a strong sense of justice driven by anger. I get upset when vulnerable people don’t get justice, whether inside or outside the system. Then, secondly, channelling that anger into collaborative working. Hence establishing Tooks Chambers in 1984. One of the first cases was the miners’ strike, where hopefully we made a difference. I think we achieved acquittals for nearly everyone we represented.
Who have been some of your most memorable clients, and why?
It is difficult to pick them out really. Arthur Scargill and Mohamed Al-Fayed were certainly two high profile clients. But one that does actually stick out now I’m thinking about it is Alfie Meadows. He was hit on the head during a demonstration against university fees. He had no prior convictions, was involved in a peaceful protest, and really he was making a point for all of us – higher education should be for all, not just those who can afford it. He was acquitted of violent disorder two years after he suffered life-threatening injuries.
Why did you want to become a barrister?
I was a child of television. When my parents got one, I became addicted. There was a US show called The Defenders, I haven’t seen it since but it was about a father and son. They took on amazing cases that all had a point about socio-political issues that lay behind every case. It was well filmed and well performed and I got drawn in and thought this is what I want to do. They mostly didn’t win their cases but clients felt liberated and represented, both literally and metaphorically. I felt there were few things you could do in life that provided a concrete end to it.
What is the best professional advice you’ve been given?
The advice I was given at the beginning of my career was as a barrister you will be compared to a surgeon. Treat each case at arm’s length so you do not get too involved. That was the advice and it was the best advice because I’ve done the opposite. This was an indication of how the profession had become a little remote. It was the best advice because it caused me to think that was not how I wanted to do it. I made time to get to know the people I was representing. Things have changed now, but that is how it was when I started out. Facts and feelings of the case I felt were key.
What advice would you give to anyone at the Junior Bar reading this?
My current concern has been the same since I started to practise – the need to have an overarching perspective. There is no use coming to the Bar unless you have an independent courageous spirit and you are committed to the principles of practice – i.e. this is what you really want to do. Don’t come to the Bar because you believe it will provide you with a living. Come to the Bar because you have an inner commitment to pursuing the ideals of the area in which you wish to practice. If you are concerned by the destruction of the environment and its resources – fight it on a legal front. You need to have a sense of purpose, otherwise forget it.
How do you relax?
I have always believed it is extremely important to have a whole space in your life that is different to your working life; because if not, you will frazzle. You need the space to recharge different stimuli. For me that is through music, theatre, film, and playing the drums (badly). Above all that, I have six children, who are all grown up now, so I have always had a house full of children and they weren’t interested in what Dad did every day. I have benefitted hugely from the fact that all of my children had a sense of entertainment. I believe we have to engage in another generation, something I have done as a barrister in getting the younger generation to engage in the communities they live.
Michael Mansfield QC was interviewed by Guy Hewetson of Hewetson Shah
Job title
Head of Chambers, Mansfield Chambers
Mansfield Chambers is a new chambers whose publicly funded practitioners defend the civil and human rights of individuals and groups of people
What have been some of the highlights of your career?
The cases that have had national interest and importance, primarily those that have taken on the system and brought about seismic change. One example is the Stephen Lawrence case. The Macpherson Report made 77 recommendations for change in the Met. These changes were far reaching. And what Mrs Lawrence, now Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, has done is to show that ordinary individuals could ask all the right questions, and get a lot of them answered. She also periodically summoned the political leaders and police to meetings to ask them what they had done – in effect to hold them to account.
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar, sets our course for 2026
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
AlphaBiolabs has donated £500 to The Christie Charity through its Giving Back initiative, helping to support cancer care, treatment and research across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and further afield
Q&A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
Jury-less trial proposals threaten fairness, legitimacy and democracy without ending the backlog, writes Professor Cheryl Thomas KC (Hon), the UK’s leading expert on juries, judges and courts
Human rights cases don’t come bigger than this. Tim Otty KC, lead counsel for the Government of Ukraine in its case before the European Court against Russia, talks about the significance of this landmark ruling and other pro bono highlights from his career at the Bar. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC present their best buys for this holiday season
Marking one year since a Bar disciplinary tribunal dismissed all charges against her, Dr Charlotte Proudman discusses the experience, her formative years and next steps. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
