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Alasdair Mackenzie KC, Doughty Street Chambers
‘It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed KC, especially at a time when migrants and refugees need high-quality legal representation more than ever. I look forward to continuing with my work in this area and remain forever grateful to the clerks and other staff and my colleagues at Doughty Street Chambers for their constant support over the years.’
‘From the Lord Chancellor to the Lady Chief Justice, everyone recognised that none of us could have achieved this incredible honour without the support and sacrifice of those around us. My four sons, their wonderful girlfriends, my parents, siblings, clerks and the best friends I could ever have hoped for at FTB have been a constant source of strength, comfort and humour. Without them, I could never have got here, which is why it was so special to celebrate with them all on Silks’ Day.’
‘It is such an honour and a privilege to have been appointed silk. It is something that would not have been remotely possible without the incredible support and kindness of my clerks, colleagues, clients, assessors, friends and, most of all, my wonderful family. I am also very grateful to all the women who have gone before me who have smoothed the path immeasurably for those of us who have followed in their footsteps.’
‘It is an enormous privilege to be in a position to be made a KC. Silks’ Day really brought that home. I could not have achieved it without the goodwill and support of my colleagues, both at Old Square and across the Bar, my clerks, judicial assessors and instructing solicitors. I am truly grateful to them for their unwavering support.’
‘Being appointed KC validates not only years of hard work and sacrifice, but also the belief and generosity of family, solicitors and colleagues along the way. I am delighted to be able to thank everyone who supported me, and I hope it encourages others to persevere, whatever the challenges.’
‘I was delighted to be appointed King’s Counsel. Silks’ Day was particularly special as I was able to share it with my family. We will all long remember the grandeur of the ceremonies steeped in tradition at the Palace of Westminster and the Royal Courts of Justice, and the warm welcome at the Old Bailey.’
‘We are immensely proud of both Bens on their appointment to King’s Counsel. Their appointments are richly deserved and reflect the high regard in which they are held, both within Chambers and across the profession. This is a proud moment for them and for everyone at St Philips Chambers.’
‘It is a great honour and privilege to be appointed KC, especially at a time when migrants and refugees need high-quality legal representation more than ever. I look forward to continuing with my work in this area and remain forever grateful to the clerks and other staff and my colleagues at Doughty Street Chambers for their constant support over the years.’
‘From the Lord Chancellor to the Lady Chief Justice, everyone recognised that none of us could have achieved this incredible honour without the support and sacrifice of those around us. My four sons, their wonderful girlfriends, my parents, siblings, clerks and the best friends I could ever have hoped for at FTB have been a constant source of strength, comfort and humour. Without them, I could never have got here, which is why it was so special to celebrate with them all on Silks’ Day.’
‘It is such an honour and a privilege to have been appointed silk. It is something that would not have been remotely possible without the incredible support and kindness of my clerks, colleagues, clients, assessors, friends and, most of all, my wonderful family. I am also very grateful to all the women who have gone before me who have smoothed the path immeasurably for those of us who have followed in their footsteps.’
‘It is an enormous privilege to be in a position to be made a KC. Silks’ Day really brought that home. I could not have achieved it without the goodwill and support of my colleagues, both at Old Square and across the Bar, my clerks, judicial assessors and instructing solicitors. I am truly grateful to them for their unwavering support.’
‘Being appointed KC validates not only years of hard work and sacrifice, but also the belief and generosity of family, solicitors and colleagues along the way. I am delighted to be able to thank everyone who supported me, and I hope it encourages others to persevere, whatever the challenges.’
‘I was delighted to be appointed King’s Counsel. Silks’ Day was particularly special as I was able to share it with my family. We will all long remember the grandeur of the ceremonies steeped in tradition at the Palace of Westminster and the Royal Courts of Justice, and the warm welcome at the Old Bailey.’
‘We are immensely proud of both Bens on their appointment to King’s Counsel. Their appointments are richly deserved and reflect the high regard in which they are held, both within Chambers and across the profession. This is a proud moment for them and for everyone at St Philips Chambers.’
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
