Committee Biographies
Christopher Bates
Chair
Called to the Bar in 2015, Chris commences pupillage in 2018 at Lamb Building. Having benefited from a Middle Temple Scholarship, Chris is keen to help empower people from underrepresented backgrounds to succeed at the Bar. In his spare time, Chris volunteers with the Temple Music Foundation as well as indulging in his favourite hobby, cooking.
Andrew Dakoutros
Vice Chair
I’m BAME, gay, dyslexic, have ADHD and hail from a working class background. I am an employed immigration barrister at GLD and joined Middle Temple well after I was Called. Yet I have never felt as accepted anywhere as much as at Middle Temple. The staff and members treat me like family, welcoming me into an inclusive environment that cherishes diversity and uniquity.
Mark Fraser
Vice Chair
Mark was called to the Bar in 2000 and practice in crime. He received the Harmsworth Scholarship, and it made a huge difference to him both in terms of finances and confidence. He comes from a non-professional, working class background.
The Inn has made a difference to the lives of many and can help many more - but too many do not see the Inn as relevant to their lives professionally, or at all. This is not just a shame, but a waste. Much also remains to be done to increase diversity and inclusivity at the Bar.
Kate Balmer
Kate specialises in Employment, Discrimination and Tax at Devereux Chambers (2009 call). As the grateful recipient of a Middle Temple scholarship, she has remained actively involved in the Inn, including performing in Revels; doing mock interviews; delivering Qualifying Sessions/training on Equality, Diversity and Ethics and assisting in a response to a BSB Consultation paper. Kate is passionate about the Inn’s values and as a member of the Hall Committee aims to develop even better student training, improve the engagement of senior members at more Inn events and encourage initiatives to
Elizabeth Bowden
Elizabeth was called to the bar in 2001. She started her practice in London and at the criminal bar, but after parental leave, she moved her practice to civil and family at College Chambers in Southampton on the Western Circuit. Elizabeth produced Revels from 2000-2004 and ran the mooting competition when she was a Bar School. Elizabeth is committed to finding ways of connecting circuiteers with Middle Temple.
Michael Harwood
Michael is an elected member of Hall, and former President of the Middle Temple Young Barristers' Association (MTYBA) (2018, 2019). Michael is currently a lawyer at HM Treasury, and has served in several roles as a legal adviser in government. He is the Co-Chair of the Inn’s Employed Bar Working Group, an elected member of the Bar Council and the Young Barristers’ Committee. Michael is committed to representing the interests of all the Inn's junior members, with a particular focus on promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
Caroline Horton
Caroline was called to the Bar in 1993 and practises as a tenant in family law at Fenners Chambers, Cambridge specialising in financial relief and private law children cases. As an experienced member of the Bar Caroline takes a keen interest in supporting junior members and those seeking to enter the profession. Caroline joined the Hall Committee to help in keeping the Inn relevant, engaged and working at its best for all its members.
Thomas Mallon
Thomas Mallon is a barrister at Henderson Chambers. He was called in 2019 and specialises in commercial and property law. Having received significant assistance from the Inn, he joined Hall Committee in order to contribute in his turn. He is particularly keen on improving the experience of student members and on expanding the Inn’s talent retention efforts. He won the Middle Temple Rosamund Smith Moot in 2018 and is also a member of the Revels troupe.
Shanzé Shah
Shanzé is currently a pupil barrister at the GLD. She is a recipient of the Queen Mother Scholarship from Middle Temple as well as the Harold G Fox Scholarship and Anglo-Israel Scholarship. She is also a coach for the Bridging the Bar academy and extremely passionate about making the Bar a profession welcoming to all. Outside of law, she loves travelling and has lived and worked in several countries. She has a food blog and likes writing about food in her spare time.
Darren Snow
Darren is a member of Libertas Chambers, specialising in criminal, regulatory and professional disciplinary work. He was called in 2000. He completed pupillage at 4 Kings Bench Walk and was a member of Charter Chambers until it dissolved in 2020. He attended his local state school and was the first in his family to gain a degree. Like many he’s often felt like an outsider in this profession but he’s benefitted from positive changes and growing diversity during his time at the Bar. He sits as a chair on various tribunals including two terms sitting on the Bar’s disciplinary tribunal.
Samuel Rowe
Sam is a barrister at 5RB chambers, where he practices media and information law. He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 2021, having been a grateful recipient of the Queen Mother Scholarship for the law conversion course and the Bar course.
He has a particular interest in ensuring the Inn continues to be a welcoming place for people who are from groups that are underrepresented at the Bar, as well as focussing on the Inn’s continuing relevance in the period after student members become barrister members.
Sam can be found on Twitter (aka X) at @samuelrowe.
Richard Jory KC
Richard served previously as Social Secretary of the Middle Temple student committee. He practises from Foundry Chambers, where he has been since pupillage
In his professional practice he was Standing Counsel to the former Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office, and is on the current approved list of Silks for the Serious Fraud Office. He specialises in prosecuting and defending criminal cases, from the most complex murder and historic sexual offences to cases of fraud, drug importation, money laundering, corruption and human trafficking. He has particular experience in cases involving inter-jurisdictional issues and Organised Crime
Richard served two terms as a member of the Conduct Committee of the Bar Standards Board, from 2006-2012, investigating and reporting on complaints against barristers. He is a Middle Temple advocacy trainer.
Outside of work Richard plays a number of sports including cricket for the Refreshers CC, the Bar's premier cricket club.
Josephine Nonyelu
Josephine was called to the Bar in 2009. She received double scholarships from Middle Temple, for which she is truly grateful. She is the director of two companies, Jan Towers Solicitors Limited and Africa Awake Initiative Limited, a law firm and an organisation working to improve the lives of Africans living on the continent and in the diaspora through farming and education, respectively. Josephine recently received a chieftain title awarded in recognition of her philanthropic and humanitarian endeavours within a community in Nigeria. She had always been interested in making a difference in the lives of others. For instance, she founded SCAN (a charitable organisation advocating for families affected by sickle cell disease) and sat on an NHS committee, namely the South East London Individual Fundings Request for Specialised Services (SELIFRS); this funding stream is responsible for providing treatments outside the agreed NHS funding pathway.
Alex Potts KC
Alex Potts KC is a barrister at 4 Pump Court, in the Middle Temple. His practice covers commercial litigation, international arbitration, and private and public international law. In addition to his English law practice, Alex maintains a diverse international and ‘offshore’ practice. Alex was the recipient of various Middle Temple scholarships and awards; he represented Middle Temple on a mooting trip to Pepperdine University; and he participated in the Middle Temple Revels for a number of years.
Caroline Sumeray
Called in 1993, Caroline practised exclusively at the Criminal Bar for more than 20 years, most recently at No5 Chambers. In 2009, she became an Assistant Coroner, adding another eight Assistant Coronerships around the country to her portfolio. In 2012, she was appointed as the Senior Coroner for the Isle of Wight, and that role became full-time a few years ago. Caroline has maintained her strong links with Middle Temple since she was called and has become a passionate advocacy trainer, not just for Middle Temple at Cumberland Lodge, but lecturing widely about Coronial Law.
Colin Witcher
Colin Witcher is a barrister at Church Court Chambers, London where he practises in crime, regulatory and professional discipline. He has been an active Member of the Inn for many years, from Revels through to Advocacy Training and is a former Jules Thorn Scholar, having been called in 2010. Colin was awarded the Pegasus Scholarship in 2014. Colin sought election to the Hall Committee as he wanted to give back to the Inn and to ensure that it remains relevant and accessible to all.