Mangrove and Ian MacDonald QC, Radical Barrister

12 November 2020

Premiere: BBC1 and iPlayer Sunday 15th November 2020, 9pm.

Flyer calling for justice for the Mangrove Nine,1970. In the tenth week of the trial these were distributed to black people around the court and Notting Hill to raise awareness of the case. Courtesy: National Archive. Catalogue Reference: HO 325/143.

Directed by Steve McQueen (other films include 12 Years a Slave), Mangrove centres upon the trial of the Mangrove Nine following the events of August 9th 1970 when a peaceful protest by the black community ended in police brutality and the organisers being charged with incitement to riot.  The trial was at The Old Bailey. Ian represented Barbara Beese whilst also advising some of the other activists in the running of their own defences.

The 55-day trial was notable in many ways, particularly for the defence application for an all-black jury and thereafter for a selection procedure which ultimately resulted in two black jurors on the panel. In his closing speech, Ian reminded the jury that the true authority within the court lay with them, rather than the judge.

Ian’s work then is just as relevant today. The Mangrove trial was an important but not isolated example of Ian’s persistence in the face of systemic prejudice and discrimination. He founded Garden Court North Chambers, where we continue to strive through our shared ethos “People’s Rights Through Justice.” Ian was formerly Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers & Garden Court North Chambers for a number of years.

Some of the original footage of the Mangrove 9 trial and Ian talking about it can be found below (at 11.25) here.

Chambers news

Chambers news

Camille Warren’s inquest into the death of James Stow adjourned

The inquest into the death of James Stow at South London Coroner’s Court has been adjourned and relisted to take place on 23 February 2026.

Chambers news

Jury acquits protestor of conspiracy to cause criminal damage to drone factory alleged to export weaponry to Israel

The protestor was charged with conspiracy to cause criminal damage to a factory in 2024, protesting against the export of weaponry to Israel.

Chambers news

27 Garden Court North members sign UK judges’ and lawyers’ open letter concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The open letter to the UK Government calls for action against Israel’s violations of law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

Chambers news

Multiple state agencies missed safeguarding opportunities before Rhianan Rudd’s death, Chief Coroner finds

An inquest into the death of 16-year-old Rhianan Rudd found several missed opportunities by Counter Terrorism Police and other state bodies.

Sign up to our mailing list

Our mailing list is dedicated to professionals with an interest in our work.

Sign up