Barrister from Dublin recognised at UK Bar Awards

A London-based barrister who hails from Dublin has been recognised as a rising star in human rights law at the 2016 Chambers UK Bar Awards.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher of Doughty Street Chambers won an award in the Human Rights Junior Counsel of the Year category at a ceremony in The London Hilton last night.

Northsider Ms Gallagher, who comes from Portmarnock, studied law at University College Dublin and trained at the King’s Inns.

She has been with Doughty Street Chambers since 2005.

Ms Gallagher told Irish Legal News: “The real credit should go to my brave and inspirational clients, many of whom are bereaved or vulnerable, and who stand up the State and the powerful. I am proud to be an activist human rights lawyer who can be their voice in the courts.

“It is important to remember, however, that these victories – for bereaved families, for detained children, for domestic violence victims, the severely disabled and their carers – were only possible due to two things: first, the Human Rights Act 1998, and second, legal aid. But both are under threat.

“Lawyers in all fields should work together to protect the Human Rights Act and legal aid, both of which are vital to the rule of law and essential to secure accountability.”