Pictured above: David Lock

David Lock, a barrister who heads up the Public and Administrative Law team at No5 Chambers, has been named Barrister of the Year at the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2011. His success comes in the same month in which he learned he was to be appointed to Her Majesty's Queens Counsel.  

"I am grateful to the clients who continue to instruct me in an area of work I find stimulating" says David. "I am fortunate that the cases on which I work have enormous human interest and are legally fascinating. I have been lucky enough to be instructed in some highly complex and high profile cases in recent years, all of which were exciting.  

"March has been a fairly astounding month, with learning of my appointment to Silk, winning a number of tough cases and being topped off by the award of Barrister of the Year."

No5 Chambers has also cemented its position as the leading barristers' set in the Midlands, winning the coveted award for the third year. Chris Bright QC, a specialist in clinical negligence cases won the award three years ago and Nageena Khalique, a member of the No5 Public Law team led by David Lock, won it last year.  

Tony McDaid, Practice Director at No5 Chambers, comments: "David is to be congratulated on achieving the double of Silk and Barrister of the Year. It is great to have 2 of our public law barristers recognised by the Birmingham Law Society in successive years. 

"This is especially pleasing as, prior to three years ago, there were no barristers specialising in public and administrative law in the Midlands. No5 Chambers created the first group of specialists in this area of law in January 2008 and, since then, our public law team has gone from strength to strength, attracting new members, winning landmark cases and awards.  

"It is not just good news for No5 but Birmingham generally as sets of chambers, firms of solicitors and local authorities seek to make a success of the local administrative court."

David Lock is grateful to No5 Chambers for having the foresight to agree to create Birmingham's first Administrative and Public Law group. "I am very proud to lead this group of talented, experienced and committed barristers. No5 is now firmly positioned as the leading set for public and administrative law at the Bar in the Midlands, securing instructions from solicitors throughout the UK. That shows the strength in depth we have in this particular specialism".

Dr Mike Harris, Executive Director Forensic Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, is a client who has been represented by David Lock. "David Lock has wielded a rare and weighty combination of legal and political knowledge and insight on our behalf. He is also highly approachable and able to explain in common parlance the intricacies and significance of legal arguments.  

"His expertise and style have been exceptionally effective at all levels, from helping us to correspond with civil servants and government to successfully representing the Trust in some hard-fought cases. Typical of these is a case where the Trust decided to implement a smoke-free policy at Rampton Hospital - in the building and the grounds - in 2007, in line with other NHS Trusts, but twelve months ahead of other psychiatric hospitals. 

"Some patients objected to our bringing in this policy and took legal action against us. David was instructed to represent the Trust by Mills and Reeve Solicitors and his advice, knowledge and energy were vital to the success of the case, which went to Judicial Review and to the Court of Appeal. The case was closely monitored by the then Secretary of State for Health and involved a high degree of liaison with the Treasury Solicitors. David's approach was logical and sensible and won the day for us and his legal road map paved the way for two other high security hospitals to implement the policy. I am pleased to have him on my side and should have no hesitation in recommending him to any NHS or other public body."  

David Lock concludes: "As a barrister I rarely work alone. I am just one of a team of public law specialists at No5. The Barrister of the Year award is recognition of the expertise, commitment and enthusiasm of all members of the Public Law group at No5."