We are very sad to announce that, after more than 41 years with us, our Deputy Senior Clerk Michael Kilbey has decided to leave Chambers. Michael has a burgeoning second career as a professional badminton coach working with Anglia Ruskin University’s Elite Badminton Squad amongst many other teams and players. Michael wants to devote his time to developing his badminton coaching career.
A scion of the Kilbey clerking dynasty, Michael began clerking at the Chambers of Andrew Bateson QC in 1978, joining 4 Paper Buildings (as we then were) in 1982. During his 41 years with us, Michael has worked for 8 Heads of Chambers including Mr Justice Rougier, Mr Justice Martin Spencer, the United Kingdom’s last Advocate General, Eleanor Sharpton KC, and the inimitable Dr Harvey McGregor QC CBE. In that time, in addition to managing the careers of many of us, Michael has played a key role in developing the infrastructure of the organisation, overseeing the introduction of email, the computerisation of our management systems, the arrival of electronic bundles and the emergence of remote hearings. He has helped us grow from a general Common Law set of 20 Barristers to a specialist professional indemnity set 3 times that size.
Says Michael Pooles KC, Head of Chambers from 2004 to 2009: -
“Michael has made an incalculable contribution to chambers and its members for over 40 years but on a lighter note literally shed his blood for chambers (in a cricket match) and undertook the most onerous task of breaking to a wife of a member of chambers marooned on a camp site in France with 2 small sons the news that that her husband’s “one day” case was now going to prevent his return for 10 days.”
David Pittaway KC, Head of Chambers from 2016 to 2021, agrees: -
“Throughout my time in chambers Michael has been an exemplary clerk who combines the very best qualities of loyalty, perception and discretion. Whilst I was Head of Chambers, part of which was during the Pandemic, Michael with Stephen ensured the smooth running of chambers at what could have been a very difficult period, for which I will always be grateful.”
Dominic Nolan KC shares this view: -
“As a crucial part of the formidable clerking team, Michael Kilbey was one of the reasons I joined Chambers in 2015. I have benefitted ever since from his vast experience, professionalism and dedication to his work.”
Current Head of Hailsham Chambers, Julian Picton KC adds:-
“Our former Head of Chambers Jean Ritchie KC has said that Michael is the backbone of Chambers to whom many of us owe our careers. I wholeheartedly agree. Michael’s devotion to Chambers and to us as individuals is beyond evaluation.”
It is a lesser known fact that Michael is an accomplished bass guitarist and member of the rock band Alex and the A Sides which has been blasting the eardrums of East Anglia for some of the last 20 years. Warming to a musical theme, we think Michael’s favourite musicians John Miles and Bob Marshall were on the right track when they sang “Can’t keep a good man down”. With Michael’s departure, we are undoubtedly down a good man.
Please click below to watch a video of Michael Kilbey over the years.
