1EC Barristers Newsletter March 2025

Welcome to the 1EC Barristers Newsletter March 2025 Edition.

New Clerk

As our first piece of news for the month, we are delighted to announce that Matthew Wildish has joined us as our new Deputy Senior Clerk.

Matt has over 33 years of experience in the legal sector and has held senior leadership roles in barristers’ chambers since 1998, including most recently as Director of Clerking with The Barrister Group.

Working closely with our Senior Clerk, Ian Hogg, Matt will focus on client business development, marketing and practice development. So if you hear a new eager voice on the phones when you call, that’s probably him.

Welcome to the team, Matt!

Seminar

Jonathan Miller, Emma Kiver, and Meg Cochrane delivered a seminar to some of the legal team at Dragon Argent on the principles of contractual disputes. One of the key questions explored was whether a contract can be varied by conduct or oral agreement when one of its clauses provides that all variations must be put in writing and signed by both parties.

The answer?

That would be telling, but reach out to the team if you would like to know more, or if you just need some expert advice on contractual interpretation.

Our thanks to Dragon Argent for being wonderful and warm hosts.

We are walking… again

The 1EC Team are once again participating in this year’s legal walk.

We will be walking alongside the Lady Chief Justice, Sue Carr, and thousands of lawyers to raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST), Advocate and FRU.

Last year, LLST’s special 20th anniversary Walk raised a record breaking £1million, which supported thousands of people accessing justice. Many people across the UK cannot afford legal help and are at risk of going without justice when they need it most.

If you are doing the walk yourself, do let us know so we can say hi.

You can also support our efforts by making a donation through our fundraising link here.

Appearance

Meg Cochrane made a guest appearance on the Healys Podcast, speaking with Charlotte Woolven-Brown (partner in the Dispute Resolution Department at Healys LLP) on the topic of gender equality within the legal profession and the challenges that remain.

It’s a great conversation to mark International Women’s Day and you can listen to it here.

The book is out

Last month we mentioned that the second edition of Carl Islam’s book  ‘Contentious Probate Handbook: Practice and Precedents’ was out for pre-order.

Well, if you happen to be passing by the back of Lincoln’s Inn, you may also spot the book in the window of the legal booksellers, Wildy and Sons (on Carey Street). Pop in and pick up your copy.

Stick to law

Fresh from successfully defending his clients (a care home business) in a 7-day disability discrimination and unfair dismissal trial in Bristol Employment Tribunal (there were tears, jeers, and a fire alarm), Kolarele Sonaike also represented 1EC Barristers at a Sip and Paint Fundraiser event held at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright by the Black Solicitors Network.

Unfortunately, his artistic skills do not quite match his ability as a cross-examiner, so we are happy to say that Kolarele will be sticking to law for the foreseeable future!

And finally…

Our chambers sits in the heart of Temple on King’s Bench Walk.

But did you know that we are actually located in a building formerly known as The Alienation Office? It was established in 1577 by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester (favourite of Queen Elizabeth) to regulate the transfer (alienation) of feudal land.

Next time you are around, pop in and we’ll show you around.

Until the next time…

1EC Barristers