2 New Street Chambers

We are delighted to announce that Mehreen Kazmi has accepted our offer of tenancy, which will commence upon the completion of her pupillage at the beginning of September.

Miss Kazmi has impressed both clients and instructing solicitors alike, and has gone from strength to strength throughout her pupillage, gaining valuable experience across a broad range of family and civil work, including private children matters, financial remedy cases and care proceedings, as well as small claims hearings.

If you would like to instruct Miss Kazmi, please contact Ben or Jack in Chambers.

Congratulations, Mehreen! We are delighted to have you as a member of Chambers and are very pleased to welcome you to the 2 New Street family.

2 New Street Chambers - Here to help

“I was first introduced to 2 New Street quite a few years back whilst working in Leicester. I can honestly say that throughout those years whenever I have contacted Chambers, Ben and the team have been a pleasure to deal with. There is always a sense that Chambers are there to help and will do what they can to assist us and our clients, particularly in those tricky situations where we are not too sure of the way forward! I have referred colleagues to New Street, and they have all said the same. The service you all provide so often goes above and beyond, and this occasion has certainly demonstrated that!”

Andrew Horner recently represented a father on a pro-bono basis in a highly unusual and deeply sensitive case.

Following the tragic death of the child's mother shortly after birth, the father found himself in a sudden and unexpected legal position. As the parents were unmarried and the birth had not been registered before the mother's death, he was unable to register his son's birth or acquire parental responsibility, despite the couple having another child together.

The court conferred parental responsibility on the father, ensuring that he could lawfully exercise parental responsibility for his newborn son and register the birth.

We are pleased that Mr Horner was able to assist in such an emotive and important matter and achieve the right outcome for his client.

The published judgment can be read in full here: https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2026/204.html

Should Legal professionals be using AI ?

A topical question answered in part by the highly informative Bar Standards Board's seminar attended by Sarah Cornish on the safe and responsible use of AI by all of those involved in the legal profession

The BSB's new guidance focuses on how legal professionals can recognise the use of AI by others and ensure ethical duties are fulfilled, embrace opportunities for appropriate use, whilst maintaining the professional responsibilities that come with its use.

The guidance addresses key areas including confidentiality, data governance, transparency, risk assessment and the application of the BSB Handbook to AI assisted practice.

We are proud to share this feedback received for Elizabeth Allingham:

"I just wanted to express my gratitude to you for all your support and advice. Your professionalism, expertise and efficient nature has ensured the Final Hearing went well. Thank you for your dedication in getting this organised and sorted well in advance and getting the result that works best for (Child).”

The testimonial reflects not only Miss Allingham's professionalism, expertise, and dedication, but also the client focused approach we strive to deliver across Chambers.

We are delighted to share that Andrew Horner has been appointed to a Research Ethics Committee (REC), part of the NHS Health Research Authority.

Research Ethics Committees play a vital role in reviewing research proposals and providing independent opinions on whether research is ethical. Their work helps ensure that the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of participants remain at the heart of every study. Importantly, RECs operate independently of research sponsors, funders and investigators, enabling them to provide objective scrutiny of proposed research.

There are around 80 RECs across the UK, with some specialising in particular areas of research. Andrew has been appointed to a local REC that focuses on research involving children and will meet regularly to review and discuss research applications, helping to ensure that important research is conducted to the highest ethical standards.

Congratulations to Andrew on this significant appointment and the opportunity to contribute to the ethical oversight of medical research.

We are delighted to welcome James Corbett KC as a door tenant. James renews his connection with chambers having completed his pupillage here along with his fellow pupil Mark Wyatt.

James was the first ever practising English King’s Counsel to be called to the Jersey Bar. He practises in Jersey and in England and Wales and internationally. James practises as counsel and as a commercial arbitrator and mediator.

James has been a practising lawyer since 1975. He has appeared as counsel in courts and arbitrations throughout the world. He was formerly a Recorder (part-time judge) and deputy High Court Judge in England and Wales.

James is a Chartered Arbitrator and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Hong Kong and Singapore Institutes of Arbitrators and is a member of several arbitration panels. He has been a CEDR accredited and registered mediator since 2001 and has mediated many commercial disputes in England, Jersey and internationally.

Welcome back to the 2 New Street family James!

We’re delighted to have received this wonderful feedback from a local firm of solicitors who regularly instruct members of Chambers, and it’s testimonials like these that make us incredibly proud.

"2 New Street Chambers are best described as an integral part of our team, helping us provide a first-class service to our clients. This practice would not be the same without their assistance, and I have no doubt numerous solicitors’ practices in the region would support that."

We are delighted to welcome Mary Abbott to the 2 New Street Chambers family. Mary was called to the Bar by Gray's Inn in 1994 and is a highly experienced public law specialist, regularly acting on behalf of Children’s Guardians, parents, extended family members and intervenors in a wide range of complex and sensitive cases.

Known for her calm and measured advocacy, Mary is particularly valued for her approachability and ability to guide clients through highly distressing proceedings in a compassionate yet effective manner.

Please join us in welcoming Mary to Chambers and the Leicestershire legal community.

If you have any questions or would like to book Mary, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Another fantastic evening at this year’s Leicestershire Law Society Awards.

We are both proud and delighted that 2 New Street Chambers received the Chambers of the Year award, with Jenna Allen also winning Barrister of the Year – a historic double and an outstanding achievement for everyone involved.

Congratulations to all of the evening’s winners and nominees on their well-deserved success, and sincere thanks to the President of the Leicestershire Law Society, Chimdinma Nwaigwe, and her team for delivering such a memorable event. It was a wonderful occasion spent in great company, celebrating the legal profession at its very best.