Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC to focus on Irish and international work

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC

Ms Gallagher is well-known for her international work, having recently led the international legal team defending Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who was last month sentenced to 20 years in prison.

She also collaborated with one of the world’s most famous lawyers, Amal Clooney, on the criminal case in the Philippines against journalist and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa, who was acquitted last year.

In a statement posted to LinkedIn, Ms Gallagher said it was “a very difficult decision” to leave Doughty Street Chambers, which she joined more than two decades ago.

“I am no longer accepting instructions on new England and Wales cases (I am keeping on a small number of existing cases) and am instead concentrating on my international and Irish work,” she said.

“The ‘cab rank rule’ is of vital importance to the independent bar, and to access to justice, and I’ve worked on that basis for 20+ years, but at this stage of my working life I am looking forward to a different approach.

“I will have more time to devote to my international cases. I will be spending time on strategic, campaigning initiatives to try to move the dial on issues I care deeply about (including accountability for the deaths of journalists; hostage taking/arbitrary detention by autocratic states; and some Irish child protection and human rights issues).

“And I am carving out time for writing, something I love but have sidelined for a long time.”