GCN welcomes Dr Philip Drake and Professor Claire McGourlay as associate members

11 July 2023

Dr Philip Drake & Professor Claire McGourlay

We are delighted to welcome Dr Philip Drake and Professor Claire McGourlay to Garden Court North chambers as associate members.

Philip is a Senior Lecturer of Law, Director of Social Responsibility for the School of Social Sciences and Director of the Justice Hub at The University of Manchester. He is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and a qualified non-practising Solicitor.

On Joining Garden Court North, Philip said: “GCN’s principle of ‘people’s rights through justice’ sit perfectly with the ethos of The University of Manchester’s Justice Hub, as well as the University’s core goal of social responsibility.

“It is an incredible honour and privilege for me to join such an esteemed barrister’s chambers whose work strives to change individual lives, communities and societal perspectives for the better. Through becoming an associate member, I hope to help build on the fantastic work already undertaken and further positive collaborations in the future.”

Claire is a Professor of Legal Education at The University of Manchester and a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the HEA. She is the Director of External Relations at the School of Social Sciences and the Director of the Manchester Innocence Project.

Claire’s research interests lie in miscarriages of justice, criminal evidence and inequality.

Claire said: “I am really looking forward to using my areas of research, teaching and expertise to add to the to the work and ethos of chambers. It really is a great honour.”

Read about our members, associate members and pupils.

Find out more about becoming an associate member.

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