Leaders in Law: Judge Brian Barker QC

The Changing Face of the Serious Criminal Trial: Is the Jury Fit for Purpose?

We are delighted to welcome back to the Law School an esteemed alumnus. His Honour Judge Brian Barker CBE, QC, LLD, who graduated from the University of Birmingham in 1966, will present this lecture as part of the prestigious CEPLER Leaders in Law series.

After graduating with an LLB, he took up an exchange scholarship at the University of Kansas and gained an MA in political science. He returned to the UK and having been called to the Bar began practice in London. Brian excelled as a criminal barrister, both prosecuting and defending. He was appointed Queens Counsel in 1990 and was Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales 1999-2000. Appointed as a senior circuit judge at the Old Bailey in 2000, Brian has served as the Common Serjeant of London, as an additional judge in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and, more recently, as Recorder of London (the most senior judge at the Old Bailey) from 2013-15. Having recently 'retired', Brian has been appointed as Assistant Surveillance Commissioner, reviewing the use of covert surveillance in society. He will also be conducting a new inquest into the death of Cheryl James, a trainee soldier who died at Deepcut Barracks in 1995.