Louise McCullough interviewed by The Advocacy Tutor

Louise McCullough was interviewed by Sonia Simms for The Advocacy Tutor Brief.

Spotlight on Louise McCullough

Louise McCullough, is a senior junior Barrister renowned for her expertise across Crime, Professional Discipline, and Inquest work. She has a medico-legal background, as a result her unique proficiency shines in cases with medical components or that require nuanced witness handling. A Grade 4 Prosecutor on both General Crime and RASSO Lists, she has led significant cases, ranging from high-profile murders to sensitive Modern Slavery matters.

Beyond the courtroom, Louise dedicates her time to international advocacy training, recently empowering young female lawyers in Bangladesh. Her commitment to the legal community extends through her role as a Master of the Bench at the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and her contributions to various disciplinary panels.

An arts enthusiast and choir member, Louise brings a creative flair to her legal practice.

1. Handling Sensitive Cases: You have been recognised for your skill in managing sensitive cases, particularly involving vulnerable defendants. What strategies do you employ to ensure their rights and dignity are preserved during legal proceedings?

I used to bridle against that reputation, as if having good people skills made me less of a lawyer, but as time has gone on I realise that giving vulnerable people their dignity and a voice is the high water mark of the Criminal Justice system. On a strategic level we are all now required to undergo vulnerable witness training and the Courts now have a whole range of special measures which can be deployed to allow people to tell their stories in the most accessible way. A recent case I did was before HHJ Rafferty KC at the Old Bailey who gave a masterclass in empathy and treating people with dignity.

2. Case That Stands Out: Throughout your distinguished career, is there a particular case that has left a lasting impression on you or perhaps one that haunts you?

Several cases haunt me for different reasons. It is impossible not to reflect on cases you could or should have won but didn’t. I had a case where a client received a merciful sentence which lead to a much earlier release than might have been expected and she was able to go home and take care of her young children. Tragically not long after that she was killed in a road accident whilst trying to protect her children from an oncoming vehicle.

My first murder trial at the Old Bailey attracted a lot of publicity and was made into a BBC3 film that was a cautionary tale about knife crime.

3. Health Issues: You experienced a temporary loss of your voice. Could you explain the circumstances and how has this affected your perspective on the power of voice in advocacy and communication?

You really have done your research! In fact I’ve had a number of health issues over the years – rather too many to go into here but after being successfully treated for a melanoma I resolved to take as good a care of my health as I could, as every day really is a gift . Anyhow a year or two after that episode I spoke to my GP about feeling a bit lethargic. Tests revealed I had a benign growth on a gland in my neck that I had never heard of which needed to be surgically removed. I was warned that nerve damage was a risk and when I woke up it transpired there was damage to the nerve controlling my voice box leading to a rasping sound where words should be. Not a great state of affairs. It took six weeks for the damage to heal and for me to regain my voice . That meant six weeks out of court. It took me months to rebuild my self-confidence but happily all is restored. You need a lot of resilience in this job!

4. Global Training Experiences: You’ve delivered Advocacy training across the globe, from The Hague to Nairobi. What have been some of the most rewarding aspects of these international engagements?

The highlight for me has been the trips to South Africa training with some of the best in the world and encouraging younger people on the threshold of their careers. The learning is not a one way street!

5. Advocacy Training Techniques: What specific techniques or exercises do you find most effective in advocacy training, and how do these methods differ when teaching in various international contexts?

Best practice is usually universal. Public speaking is quite nerve wracking at the best of times but add another person’s fate into the mix and it can be paralysing. So, from my point of view building confidence and capacity is the ultimate goal. There are all sorts of tips and tricks you can learn to build confidence and ability. Advocacy isn’t rocket science. There are patterns and rhythms to it but once you break it down into its component parts you can reassemble them in any number of ways – a bit like Lego. The key to all effective advocacy is preparation.

6. Preparation Tips: What preparation tips can you offer to law students and new barristers to help them handle the pressures of complex and sensitive cases effectively?

You are all highly intelligent and skilled people so put the imposter syndrome down and leave it there. Then – approach the task with a clear, curious and rested mind. Don’t be hard on yourself if at first it seems too complex and impenetrable – sometimes it takes a few tries before something makes sense. Also don’t forget you may not have all the relevant information – pieces of the jigsaw might not be in the box. Treat everyone with respect . Ask for help and guidance from trusted colleagues. Surround yourself with good and supportive people and take time to decompress so that you remain the best version of yourself.

7. Arts and Advocacy: Do you agree that most barristers are frustrated actors?

In my case 100 percent. As a criminal Barrister you really do need performance skills to maintain the interest of the jury. My thespian dreams are currently being met through participating in the annual Temple Shakespeare Cup and Revels at Christmas time.

8. Changes in Legal Practice: From your extensive career, how have you seen the legal profession change since you were called to the Bar?

A huge amount. When I started women were fewer in number, certainly at the senior end. There was a lot of overt sexism to female pupils and clerks and I certainly tolerated behaviour I would call out now. Computerisation was in its infancy and I recall Chambers tracing cases with card indexes. Since Covid we have remote hearings where you can beam in from the comfort of your own home. There’s been a lot of progress over the last 30 years but a lot of under investment too.

9. Wellbeing at the Bar: As a member of the Bar Council’s Wellbeing working group, what key initiatives do you believe are crucial for improving wellbeing among legal professionals?

Rachel Spearing and Sam Mercer at the Bar Council were the architects of this with very early buy-in from the Institute of Barristers Clerks. It was only about 10 years ago that the initiative began and I recall very clearly the amount of push back around the issue, as if working yourself into the ground or alcohol misuse was a mark of heroism. I’m happy to say that well-being at the Bar is more normalised as a topic but it’s still a work in progress. The people who value it least probably need it the most.

10. Hobbies: Do you have time for hobbies, if so, what are they?

It’s essential to take time off the treadmill, so yes I make sure I go to choir practice on a Monday (great fun and lots of health benefits). I love acting so I sign up for workshops and plays whenever time permits.

11. Future Aspirations: With such a diverse and impactful career, what goals or aspirations do you still hope to achieve in the legal field?

So much to do, so little time. I aspire to make a positive impact on the cases I do and the people I meet. In a moment of madness I have signed up for a Masters in Criminology so we will see what I can glean or add to the body of knowledge on that.

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