Kate Blackwell KC > Chambers of Jonathan Laidlaw KC > London, England > Barrister Profile

Kate Blackwell KC

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Position

Kate is one of the UK’s leading silks specialising in criminal law and public inquiries. She is sought after for high-profile cases and is instructed by leading firms of solicitors nationwide. Kate has a formidable reputation as a first-class silk due to her skill, judgement and outstanding performance in serious and complex cases. The professional guides rank Kate as a “Tier 1” advocate. Kate is recognised as a public inquiry expert.

She has been instructed to represent NHS England in the Manchester Arena Inquiry into the 2017 Manchester Arena Terror Attack. manchesterarenainquiry.org.uk

She has been appointed by the Home Secretary as Leading Counsel to the Jermaine Baker Inquiry – an independent public inquiry into the shooting of Jermaine Baker during a Metropolitan Police Service operation. www.gov.uk/government/publications/jermaine-baker-inquiry-terms-of-reference

She is currently Counsel to the Daniel Morgan Independent Panel, set up to address questions relating to police involvement in the murder of Daniel Morgan, the role played by police corruption and the incidence of corrupt connections between private investigators, police officers and journalists at the News of the World. danielmorganpanel.independant.gov.uk

Kate also accepts a high proportion of privately-funded instructions on behalf of individuals facing criminal offences. She has an outstanding success rate in having cases dismissed and winning jury trials. Following success in a recent case the client said, “Kate was absolutely fantastic. I was extremely impressed by how quickly she grasped the case and focused on the most relevant points to have the case dismissed.”

Career

• Year of Call 1992
• Northern Circuit; Appointed Crown Court Recorder 2009
• Appointed King’s Counsel 2012
• Deputy Head of Lincoln House Chambers 2016
• Lincoln’s Inn Master of the Bench 2017

Memberships

• Member of the Criminal Bar Association
• Member of the Northern Circuit