Scaling up further as an international barrister was another big step. What gave you the confidence to go global and what have been the major issues to trying cases across continents? My confidence comes from what I call my “informed bloody-mindedness” from incessant reading as well as the support from my interesting and marvellous family, who have supported my every career move. Major issues have occurred when I have moved chambers away from those who are not supportive, now finding colleagues and clerks in England and Australia who understand my international practice and support me to work globally. Sometimes the Bar is like school and the bullies are awful, but you must rise above it and move on, creating your own pathway. What do you want to achieve in the next few years? I have enjoyed teaching, writing human rights reports and submissions to governments on law reform and would like those opportunities to continue. After my experience assisting the lawyers for Mary Jane Veloso, a Filipino woman on death row in Indonesia, I would like to secure the release of trafficked women in prison, especially those facing the death penalty and to continue law reform for women in prison. I would like to secure reparations for historic slavery of the Cook Islanders I have represented and changes in the law on I watched some mediocre men work in international criminal law long before I was given the opportunity, but I am there now, currently on a wonderfully diverse team for Mr Al Hassan in the International Criminal Court. Making a then Queen’s Counsel now King’s Counsel must have been a proud moment. At this point did you feel you had achieved what you set out to do and reached the pinnacle of your career? Oddly not. At that point, I had lost a case called R v Jogee in the Court of Appeal. The judges had said, “there’s nothing in this”. Knowing that hundreds, if not thousands, of people had been sent to prison on the wrong law, I thought, if there’s nothing in this, I am not sure I want to do this anymore. My family had an opportunity to go to Australia for a year and I decided to teach in a university which I continue to this day. Through a series of fortunate events, I met an Australian judge who encouraged me, and I decided to take that case to the UK Supreme Court. There was something in it and their Lordships admitted the law had gone wrong for 30 years. I still campaign for the release of those prisoners. Having thought the pinnacle was defending a murder trial at the Old Bailey, which I have now done several times, I have now lived in Australia for ten years, and I now work internationally, which is rewarding. complicity across the Commonwealth affected by the errors identified in Jogee. I am not sure how long this will take but I will continue to try. I am keen to contribute to the development of International criminal law and practice and am now on the ICCBA Training Committee and the IBA Criminal Law Committee. Finally, what three leadership tips would you give young CEO’s as they wish to rise through the ranks in their industry, as you have done so successfully? • Take responsibility, become an expert, read, and learn. All of which includes answering your correspondence: It will bring progress for you and for others. • Mentor those at the start of their careers, especially those who did not have an elite education. Seeing my students and juniors achieve are my most fulfilling moments. One of my juniors became a KC last month. • Give women opportunities. A diverse group makes for better outcomes and women can often bring a broader perspective to your decision making. www.ceotodaymagazine.com 31 “Take responsibility, become an expert, read, and learn... It will bring progress for you and for others.”
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