The incoming joint head of 20 Essex Street on juggling Jackson & his route into the profession
Christopher Hancock QC is recognised as one of the best insurance lawyers at the bar and has most recently been lead counsel in “The Prestige”, a high-profile multi-jurisdictional dispute between a London insurer, Spain, and France arising from one of the largest oil spills in recent years. Chris is currently acting, among other matters, “The Nissos Amorgos” action against the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund and for Petrobras in the complex and long-running litigation surrounding the upgrade of an off-shore production platform for the oil industry.
What was your route into the profession?
My route into the profession was all too normal. I studied law at Trinity College Cambridge, and then went on to do Bar Finals. Following a year at Harvard Law School, which was a fantastic opportunity to both learn a foreign legal system and to spend time in Boston, which is a wonderful city, I then did pupilage at what was then 3 Essex Court, and started practice in 1985.
What has been your biggest career challenge so far?
This must have been when I was asked to take part in coordinating the response of the Bar Council to the consultation on the Jackson reforms in 2011 and 2012. The variety and range of views that had to be collated and then put to the government was very significant, and the importance of the exercise was just as great. How much difference to the final result this made is however open to debate.
Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?
Lord Bingham is the person that I find most inspiring. I had the privilege to appear in front of him when I first started, and he was a model judge. His judgments are both measured and clear, and his book on judging is, in my view, a masterpiece.
If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternative career?
I have always had a yen to be a rock star, which is probably about as far away from a career as a commercial barrister that you can get! Unfortunately for me, and probably fortunately for everyone else, I never had the opportunities (or probably the talent) to take this desire any further.
Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?
My favourite fictional series is Rumpole of the Bailey, both on screen and in the books. That is not just because of Rumpole’s character, but because of the plots and subplots and other characters, who are just on the right side of caricature.
What change would you make to the profession?
Although not really a change to the profession, I would try to make sure that lawyers are more readily available in relation to small claims, both by way of pro bono schemes and schemes to connect younger lawyers, in need of experience, with those who would otherwise face court hearings without representation. This would help the litigants, the lawyers and the judges.
How do you relax?
If relaxation is the right word, I am a cub scout leader in my spare time. In addition, I am a school governor at my local primary school, and I like to spend time seeing the school in action. Finally, I am a fervent Tottenham supporter, and try to get to most home matches.
