3 New Silks for Deka Chambers

It is with great pleasure that Deka Chambers announces that Paul Stagg, James Thacker and Edward Lamb have been appointed as King’s Counsel in the Ministry of Justice’s new Silk appointments published today, 19th January 2024.

Paul was called to the Bar in 1994 and has a broad civil practice based mostly in the areas of personal injury, with an emphasis on claims against public bodies, clinical negligence, police law and public law. He is regularly instructed in high-value claims, often involving matters of public controversy and multiple parties. He has extensive experience of advocacy in a range of tribunals, in the coroner’s court and before civil juries as well as appearing in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

James was called to the Bar in 2001. He prosecutes and defends in high-profile, complex criminal cases. He is regularly instructed to lead a team of counsel in serious and organised crime and major business financial crime cases involving investments, banking, taxation, and trusts. He defends and prosecutes cases involving serious sexual offences and child abuse. He is currently a grade 4 prosecutor on the CPS General Panel, CPS Serious Crime Panel, Fraud Panel, RASSO Panel and a grade A prosecutor on the SFO Panel.

Edward was called to the Bar in 2006. His practice includes the most significant cases with complex cross-jurisdictional issues, inflicted non-accidental catastrophic injury, clinical negligence and personal injury cases involving life-long disability and a lack of capacity; often including children. His expertise in negligence (injury, medical and wider professional), family law and the Court of Protection, frequently places him in important and complex cases that involve issues spanning these specialisms.

Speaking of the new appointments, Joint Heads of Deka Chambers Jacob Levy KC and Simon Readhead KC said: “We are absolutely thrilled for Paul Stagg, James Thacker and Edward Lamb. This is a significant achievement following many years of hard work and commitment. Each of our new Silks thoroughly deserves their appointment. It is also wonderful news for Deka and continues to demonstrate the breadth of our expertise; the appointments are across our civil, crime and family teams; so it is an ongoing superlative achievement. We wish many congratulations to Paul, James and Edward and their families – of which Deka remains a proud part.”

The appointment of King’s Counsel follows an intensive application and interview process and reflects excellence in advocacy. Paul, James and Edward will formally take Silk before the Lord Chancellor in a ceremony at Westminster Hall.

Everyone at Deka Chambers offers huge congratulations to all three on their well-deserved appointments.

Deka Chambers now boasts 17 KCs. The full list of King’s Counsel appointments can be viewed here.