NLJ PROFILE: Nigel Poole QC

Nigel Poole QC is a leading light in personal injury and clinical negligence law, having recently been announced as the head of Kings Chambers.

Nigel is head of the PI and clinical negligence department and sits as a Recorder and a chair of the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service. He has appeared in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He writes a popular blog, Learned Friend.

What was your route into the profession?

I studied politics, philosophy and economics at university and had no notion of becoming a barrister until I attended the careers service offices towards the end of my second year. It had what then passed for a computer. You put in information about yourself and what you desired from a career and out popped the suggested occupation: barrister. I did a mini-pupillage in Leeds and was hooked. After completing the conversion course and then Bar School in London I started pupillage with Alastair Forrest, a clinical negligence specialist, at 18 St John Street.

What has been your biggest career challenge so far?

The biggest career decision was to leave my old chambers and to join Kings in 2004. It was a very difficult but ultimately career-defining move. My most challenging case was Rabone v Pennine, instructed by Emma Holt from Pannone, now Slater + Gordon. I drafted a novel claim under the Human Rights Act on behalf of the parents of an adult daughter who had committed suicide whilst on home leave from a period of in-patient psychiatric care. We lost in the High Court and in the Court of Appeal but ultimately succeeded in the Supreme Court. It felt like a real struggle to achieve justice.

Which person within the legal profession inspires you most?

My first inspiration was Alastair Forrest, my pupil supervisor, and we had some inspiring silks in chambers such as Helen Grinrod, Rodney Klevan and Dan, now Lord, Brennan. There are two barristers whose wider contribution to society I have found inspiring: Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of the North Staffs Inquiry, and David Anderson QC who was, until very recently, the so-called Terror Watchdog. In all their writings and media appearances they are dignified, reasonable and quietly powerful: they are each a credit to our profession.

If you weren’t a lawyer, what would you choose as an alternate career?

Spy.

Who is your favourite fictional lawyer?

Horace Rumpole, of course, and all the advocates in the wonderful Granada TV series, Crown Court.

What change would you make to the profession?

In the 1980’s I received a local education authority grant for the fees for my conversion course and a Middle Temple award that more than covered my fees for Bar School. I commenced pupillage with virtually no debt. I cannot help thinking that we have gone backwards since then so far as access to the profession is concerned. Students now often start pupillage with eye-watering debts. The prospect of entering an uncertain profession with large debts is bound to put off those from less advantaged backgrounds. We need to change the route to entry to the Bar to allow equality of opportunity and a truly diverse profession.

How do you relax?

With my family especially at Sunday lunch and on our holidays together. I swim and I sing in a gospel choir, Manchester Inspirational Voices (currently BBC’s Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year).