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Doughty Street Chambers’ four 2021 Silks sworn in at the Queen’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall

Doughty Street Chambers is immensely proud to congratulate our four 2021 Silks who were formally sworn in at the Queen’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall on Monday 1 November. Emma Goodall (right), Maya Sikand (centre left),  Jamie Burton  (left) and Adam Straw (centre right) were appointed as Queen’s Counsel on Monday 15 March 2021 following the rigorous process for selection in demonstrating excellence in advocacy in the higher courts in England and Wales.

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Emma has extensive experience acting in trials involving homicide, serious organised crime, misconduct in public office, sexual offences, terrorism and fraud. She also advises pre-charge in respect of criminal appeals where she did not act at first instance, applications to the CCRC and in Judicial Review proceedings. Emma is extremely skilled in dealing with vulnerable and mentally disordered clients and is highly sought-after in private cases due to her authority and sensitivity when representing exacting clients with no experience of the criminal justice system. She has a loyal following amongst solicitors according to whom she is "extremely intelligent and the most meticulous, well-prepared advocate you could wish to meet." Emma sits as a criminal Recorder in the Crown Court in London and the South East.

Maya is a leader in the field of police law as well as Human Rights Act and tortious claims against public bodies. Having established her career across both public and private law claims with a commitment to providing a voice to the marginalised, she has forged a niche practice on behalf of victims of trafficking and modern slavery charged with criminal offences, overturning their convictions as well as securing both HRA and statutory compensation on their behalf.  Maya is hailed by clients in the legal directories as being "very bright, exceptionally hard working, with forensic attention to detail – she provides detailed and nuanced advices, and you can totally trust her analysis."

Head of Doughty Street’s Community Care and Health Team, Jamie is a leading authority on health and social care, homelessness, social security and the rights of disabled people, children and migrants. An expert in judicial review, Jamie’s civil practice encompasses high value claims in tort and contract, and he is particularly well known for bringing civil claims against the police on behalf of victims of crime. Jamie is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Panel of counsel and is regularly instructed by charities and NGOs. He also advises public authorities at the level of policy in relation to their statutory and human rights obligations. Clients praise Jamie in Chambers & Partners as “the go-to barrister for complex human rights claims arising from historic abuse” - particularly good at complex matters that require knowledge of capacity and community care issues. His strategic ability and his knowledge really stand out."

Adam practices in judicial review, human rights and civil claims against public authorities. He has experience of a wide range of fields, including discrimination, police, prisons, environmental challenges, social welfare, terrorism, children’s rights, immigration and trafficking. He has acted in important recent public law challenges involving the right to life, abortion, deprivation of citizenship, open justice, inquests, assisted suicide, data protection, pensions and welfare benefits. The legal directories describe Adam as "tactically astute - extremely bright, persuasive and unflappable, with a fantastic work ethic and a solution for every situation.”

For more information Emma’s work, please contact Matthew Butchard, and in relation to Maya, Jamie and Adam, please contact Sian Wilkins.