Becket Chambers End Of Year Review

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

Legal life post-covid has been challenging. Becket Chambers was fortunate at the start of the pandemic (when I was chairman of the management committee). We were already an agile chambers with good virtual facilities.

Years followed of virtual meetings, telephone and video hearings, electronic papers. 2022 however was the year of returns. Returning to face to face meetings. Returning to court. Meeting clients and colleagues once again.

It has been a pleasure to return to normality. So what has Becket Chambers been doing this year?

Barrister Dean Thistle joined the Bench as a District Judge sitting in Dartford.

Cara Radford and Allen Worwood attended the Student Law Society Dinner.

Nathanael Harding and Magdalena Cass attended the Sussex Law Society Dinner.

I was the keynote speaker at the Kent Law School Combined Student Law Societies Dinner.

Many member of chambers and clerks attended Canterbury Pride (and were photographed with our pride banner).

Barristers and clerks attended several law firm’s annual receptions.

Nathanael Harding joined as a tenant following a successful pupillage under the supervision of Gayle Ashley.

Holly Coates, Allen Worwood, and Nicole Jennings delivered a successful matrimonial finance seminar.

Paul Tapsell and Magdalena Cass attended and spoke at a Landlord Forum with Gravesham Borough Council.

Sita Cox, former head of other local chambers Stour Chambers, joined as a tenant.

I set up the inaugural Becket Chambers/ Kent Law School Family Law Advocacy Competition: three rounds (domestic abuse, finances, children law).

Louisa Adamson qualified as a child inclusive mediator.

Magdalena Cass joined as a tenant following a successful pupillage under the supervision of Paul Tapsell.

Chris Wall, Louisa Adamson, Holly Coates, and I were recognised as leading juniors in the 2023 edition of the Legal 500.

Chris Wall and Louisa Adamson were listed in Chambers and Partners 2023.

Adrian Pidduck, former member of Stour Chambers, joined as a tenant.

This, alongside chambers attending many events, including (but not limited to) law society dinners, pupillage fairs, public speaking events, and legal advice sessions.

Clerks and barristers at Becket Chambers are always happy to consider any invitations to events – whether as attendees or as speakers.

Please contact clerks@becket-chambers.co.uk for information on where to find/ meet Becket Chambers, or to invite us to attend your event in 2023.

I wish all readers a Merry Christmas, or in my mother tongue, nollaig shona

dhuit!