One hundred and NINE days in silk

Today marks one hundred (and NINE) days since Vanessa Thomson KC and Phil Barnes KC were appointed King’s Counsel, a fitting number for two members of Nine Chambers to pause and reflect on. Both have shared their personal reflections on the first chapter of life as a KC: the cases, the gratitude, and the responsibility that comes with the position.

In their own words:

Vanessa Thomson KCs reflection

Would I have imagined, 18 months ago, that I would achieve my ambition of taking silk? Not at all. Were it not for the support of my clerks, my colleagues at the Bar, members of the judiciary, and the tour de force that is WICL Manchester, I may never have made the application. Having now reached this goal, I have been reminded—particularly by the formidable women around me—that I should embrace this opportunity and make it count. As the first female criminal silk in Manchester in the last seven years, I hope this appointment signals to my younger female colleagues that there is both fulfilment of ambition and longevity in a career at the Bar.

I recently had the pleasure of chairing a Women in Law event at Nine Chambers, where we discussed the challenges facing women who wish to progress in their legal careers while navigating caring responsibilities and, all too often, fewer opportunities.

Taking silk has prompted me to reflect on the gratitude I owe to others. I am deeply thankful to all of my instructing solicitors who gave me opportunities to stretch myself and the privilege of working with clients and witnesses during some of their darkest moments. Without those instructions and the challenges they brought, this application would have been beyond my reach.

In my first 109 days as silk, I have been fortunate to receive my first leading briefs. I have been instructed to defend an allegation of causing or allowing serious harm to a child at Chester Crown Court, where a mother is accused of inflicting or allowing lifechanging injuries to her sixweekold baby. The case involves a complex combination of medical and legal issues. I have also been instructed to prosecute a murder at Preston Crown Court later this year. Much of the past three months has involved travelling—largely dealing with complex sexual offences in the Midlands and beyond. “Delay repay” has become my new best friend!

Celebrating my appointment at Westminster Hall with my family, and receiving these first leading cases, have undoubtedly been personal and professional highlights. But I have also reflected on the responsibility that accompanies this role. It is crucial that we throw down our ladders to those who aspire to become the lawyers and judges of the future, whatever their background or circumstances. I am currently setting up a mock trial competition with my former school in Oldham, giving every school in the borough the chance to compete. We hope it will shine a light on future stars and inspire confidence in the students who take part. I do not want to hear young people being told, “The law is not a place for someone like you.” How can future lawyers serve the society they represent if they are not representative of that society?

So there we have it: 109 days in, and there is much to celebrate, many people to thank, and a helping hand to extend to those who will follow. But there is also the serious work I am committed to carrying out in the courtroom. I look forward to the next chapter and the opportunities it will bring.

Phil Barnes KCs reflection

How is it one hundred and Nine days already?!

The shiny gown barely seems to have settled on my shoulders, and in the blink of an eye a third of a year is gone. Already, those who aspire to silk for 2027 have made their applications and are anxiously waiting to see if they have interviews.  Good luck to you all, whoever you are.  Dream it, because if I can get there, then you had better believe that you can too.

I have been so pleasantly surprised, and humbled, by my reception onto the front row.  My fear that no work would flow to me has proven unfounded, with a defence murder already under my belt, a prosecution murder to take me into the autumn, and several pre-charge advice instructions bubbling along under the surface.  And I write this missive from my hotel room in Carlisle, where I am currently in the middle of a gross negligence manslaughter case before a High Court judge.

I could have dreamed of no more than to be working hard, with interesting and stimulating cases involving superb counsel, dedicated solicitors and diligent caseworkers, and all before really senior judges.  To have the backing of the unbelievable barristers and clerking team at Nine – and to have been so wonderfully welcomed by my friends and colleagues in the robing rooms, on the bench and in my old stamping ground of the solicitors’ broom cupboard – is the icing on the very special cake of the last three months.  I will never forget this time of my career.

I never dreamed I would take silk, and and yet here I am, bewildered and ecstatic in equal measure.

One hundred and Nine days?! Come back and talk to me after one thousand and Nine days … it may just about have sunk in by then!

I can only say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you, to everybody who has supported me to this point and who continues to do so.  Each and every one of you knows who you are.

Keep dreaming big!

PBKC (…I still can’t get used to that)

Senior Clerk Chris Swanns

We are immensely proud of both Vanessa and Phil on their appointment to King’s Counsel. Since their appointments, both have received leading work in prosecution and defence cases. As part of their commitment to excellence, they are available to provide internal and external training. Both are giving seminars later in the year (Click here to RSVP) or if you wish to have a more tailored approach, please call or email at [email protected] to discuss your needs.