Elisabeth Laing QC, barrister and recorder, 11KBW

I come from a traditional background: middle-class, white, educated at a direct-grant school and Cambridge. I went straight from university to Bar school and was called to the Bar in 1980. I was not offered a tenancy in the set of chambers in which I did my pupillage but I was eventually offered a tenancy in what was then a new set. That set, after a move and a name-change, became 11KBW.

Taking a career break from the Bar

After six years in practice, I did an unusual thing (for the Bar, at any rate). I stopped work completely when I had my first baby and did not return for nearly eight years. I was lucky again: my chambers was very supportive while I was away and took me back when I decided to return. They continued to be supportive even though I then made it clear that I was not prepared to work crazy hours in order to build a practice again. Luckily chambers was very busy and I was able, slowly, to develop a practice in public law by doing other barristers’ returns (that is, cases that they were originally requested to do but were unable to take on). In due course I applied for one of the government panels: I was then able to do very interesting and increasingly demanding work in public law, with a good proportion of appearances in court. This exposure to good work enabled me to apply for silk and I was appointed this year.

Changes at the Bar

The Bar has changed since I was called. Many changes are good: for example there are more women and members of ethnic minorities starting out in practice and pupillages are now funded. However, some are not: for example changes to funding for students.