Barrister of the month: Conor Monighan

Name: Conor Monighan

Role: Barrister and Executive Committee Officer of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association

Specialist in (areas of law): public law, data/ information and inquests/ inquiries – including for the police, Government and private clients.

Based mainly: London, but I support clients across the country (luckily, I don’t mind long train journeys)!  

Called to the Bar in: 2019

Why did you decide to join 5 Essex Chambers

Whilst at law school I decided to pursue a career in public, data/ information and inquests/ inquiries law. 5 Essex is a recognised leader in each of those fields, so it was a natural fit.

I have a vivid memory of attending a seminar at law school delivered by 5 Essex Chambers. Georgina Wolfe, who was delivering the talk, described a practice which involved nationally significant cases (including some of the authorities we were being taught about in law school), briefing CEOs and the occasional jury trial. Naturally, I was hooked.

Chambers has certainly lived up to expectations. I’ve been able to work on important public law cases such as Kingston (about Closed Material Proceedings) and Malik (which concerns what cost principles apply to public authorities), major public inquiries (I’m part of a team representing a former CEO of the Post Office) and counter-terrorism cases. It is a real privilege to work on matters of such importance.

5 Essex has a unique legal heritage, talented members and dedicated clerks. It is also committed to equal opportunities and gender equality, which is very important to me. I feel very lucky to work here.

What’s your most vivid memory from being a pupil?

As a pupil I had the experience of cross-examining a retired High Court judge. It taught me about the power of forensic cross-examination, even when facing someone who was an expert in their field. The willingness of the Crown Court judge to rule in my client’s favour was reassuring as a pupil and underlined the judiciary’s truly independent nature.

How do you see your career developing over the next few years?

The wonderful thing about being at the Bar is that you never know for sure what you’re going to be instructed in next!

I’m increasingly working on High Court and Court of Appeal cases and have recently been asked to lead another barrister on a nationally significant case. I look forward to this continuing – being able to debate legal points with judges at that level is a thrilling experience.

Data/ information law is likely to undergo major developments over the coming years. It will be interesting to see how the law in different countries responds to the pace of technological change and I hope that cases I work on will touch upon these issues.

Who has had an influence on your career?

I was fortunate that a Court of Appeal judge (now retired) took an interest in my early career. She put me in contact with leading individuals from across the professions, who I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. I have tried to assist others in a similar position by setting up a fully-funded internship scheme via the Human Rights Lawyers’ Association (“HRLA”), which aims to identify disadvantaged individuals and give them an insight into a human rights career. The law can be a daunting place when you’re starting out.

My former pupil supervisors have had a huge impact on my career. I am immeasurably grateful for all the time they continue to give me, years after my pupillage has ended. They have honed the way I think and write, challenged my logic and encouraged me to push myself further.

Finally, Chambers has enabled me to work with top-tier clients who have chosen to instruct me in challenging cases. The kind of work we do has given me once in a lifetime opportunities, such as receiving a Commendation from the Metropolitan Police at the US Embassy, which I suspect simply wouldn’t be available elsewhere.

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Related barristers

Conor Monighan

Call 2019

Related areas

Civil Liberties and Human Rights

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Information Law

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Data Protection

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Inquests

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Police Law

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Public & Administrative

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Public Inquiries

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