Bencher Profiles

Reader-Elect, 2026

Tracy Ayling KC

Tracy Ayling KC is a practising barrister, whose chambers are at 2 BR Chancery Lane. Tracy was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in 1983 and was elected as a Bencher in 2011. She took silk in 2006. Tracy practises in crime, both prosecuting and defending in some of the highest profile cases. Her […]

Reader, 2026

The Rt Hon Lady Justice May DBE

Lady Justice Juliet May studied PPP (Psychology, Philosophy and Physiology) at Wadham College, Oxford before obtaining an M.Phil in clinical psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. She worked as a clinical psychologist in the NHS, including in forensic services, before retraining as a barrister. She was called to the Bar by Inner Temple in […]

Treasurer, 2026

Helen Davies KC

Helen Davies KC is a practising barrister who was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1990 and was the recipient of a major scholarship. She was called to the Bar in 1991 and completed her pupillage in Brick Court Chambers, where she developed a highly distinguished practice covering all aspects of commercial litigation, competition/EU law […]

Called: 1996
Circuit: South East
Employed Barrister: Crown Prosecution Service London
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2022

Heidi Stonecliffe

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2022

Called: 2005
Circuit: South East
Chambers: Littleton Chambers, London
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2022

John Mehrzad KC

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2022

Called: 1996
Circuit: Northern
Chambers: St John's Buildings, Liverpool
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2022

Samantha Hillas KC

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2022

Called: 2000
Circuit: Northern
Chambers: Deans Court Chambers, Manchester
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2019

Joseph Hart

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2019

Called: 1998
Circuit: Northern
Chambers: Deans Court Chambers, Manchester
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2022

Sophie Cartwright KC

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2022

Called: 2003
Circuit: South Eastern
Chambers: 2 Temple Gardens, London
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2019

Rehana Azib KC

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2019

Called: 1997
Employed Barrister: Deputy Director at the Government Legal Department
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2024

Simon Regis CBE

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2024

Called: 1990
Circuit: Midland
Chambers: 3PB
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2024

Vanessa Meachin KC

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2024

Called: 2007
Circuit: South Eastern
Chambers: Selborne Chambers
Elected as a Barrister Governing Bencher in 2024

Rahul Varma

Barrister Governing Bencher elected in 2024