Name: Edward Barham

Role:  Barrister

Specialist in (areas of law): Police law

Based mainly: South of England and Wales

Called to the Bar in: 2016

Joined 5 Essex Chambers in…

I joined 5 Essex Chambers in October 2025 after 4 years in-house with Thames Valley Police, and, prior to that, 4 years as a barrister in the Royal Navy.  

Why did you decide to become a barrister? 

I had always had an interest in the law since I watched “A Few Good Men” in 1992, but it seems that the message I took from the film was that I should join the navy, rather than being a lawyer.

I didn’t think about the law again until I started to have subordinates who got caught up in the Service Justice System where I had to represent them in summary hearings. Far from finding this procedural and boring, I found this responsibility exhilarating and far more interesting than my day-job. Without sounding twee, I enjoyed the responsibility that came with advocating for people’s futures.

Career highlights?

My main career highlight is being here in the first place. I was the first and only aircrew barrister in the Royal Navy, having been told that the career route was not an option.

Academically, I have lectured the US Maritime Law Association in the Chrysler building and been a visiting lecturer on International Humanitarian Law at the NATO school in Oberammergau.

Being the legal advisor to Royal Navy command during covid was a uniquely challenging period where I provided immediate advice on the implications of the ever-changing covid legislation on the operations of the Royal Navy around the world.  

Tell us about a sliding doors moment when your career could have gone in an entirely different direction?

Wearing glasses at the fresher’s fair in 2000. It meant that the RAF university officer training corps rejected me, so I joined the navy instead. Turns out the Royal Navy are the only branch of the armed forces to train their officers to be barristers, so I would not have been able to change course to become a barrister.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do the job you do?

For people who have already had a career but still wonder about the law, don’t be put off by the time that the studying and training will take. I guarantee that studying for a 4-year degree alongside your job will pass surprisingly quickly. Just sit in the back of court and watch proceedings; this will give you the best exposure to a career in law. If it still captures your enthusiasm then take that first step.

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

Being sent to the Old Bailey for an eight-handed conspiracy to kidnap case where I was assured by a nameless KC that ‘we’ as the first defendant ‘would have nothing to say’ and I was told to sit quietly whilst the other seven defendants addressed the judge on whether or not the trial could proceed. The reality was somewhat different… it made my military ‘resistance to interrogation’ course seem like a walk in the park compared to the forensic interrogation I got from the Judge. I learned that I should never trust anyone who says that any hearing is ‘straightforward’. ALWAYS prepare!