Brian Barker CBE, King’s Counsel

Brian Barker CBE, King’s Counsel

Brian Barker is a former senior judge at the Old Bailey and the Recorder of London. Following his retirement from the full-time bench in 2015, he was appointed to a number of public positions and conducted a variety of Inquiries.

These have included serving as the Independent Reviewer of National Security in Northern Ireland under the Peace Process, and Chairman of the Committee overseeing close protection for senior figures. He was also a Commissioner in a team reviewing the use of covert surveillance by British police and security agencies.

He has also been the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of the British Horseracing Authority which hears all discipline and regulatory matters arising from the horseracing industry in the United Kingdom.

Judge Barker was appointed to the Bench in 2000 assigned to the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) London trying predominantly serious criminal trials with a jury. He was a course director for the Judicial Studies Board for England and Wales for four years.

He was the deputy senior judge (The Common Serjeant of London) for seven years before becoming the senior judge (The Recorder of London, a post going back to 1294) with the additional responsibility of delivering justice in 18 courts. This post also involved ceremonial and advisory duties in the City of London with the City Council and the Lord Mayor of London. Judge Barker sat annually as an additional judge as part of a three-person bench in the Criminal Divisions of the Court of Appeal in London.

Judge Barker was called to the bar by Gray’s Inn, subsequently Bencher, and practiced as a barrister in London and the south of England beginning in 1970, both defending and prosecuting in criminal jury trials. His practice also included some public and administrative law and he had an additional interest in cases with a mental health element.

He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1990, and subsequently from 1998 to 2000, he was the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association of England and Wales.

In the 2015 New Year Honours for services to the administration of justice and to charity, he was conferred Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).  He has recently been elected honorary Bencher of Middle Temple.

Judge Barker is a trustee and involved in the work of three charities assisting young people. He is married to Dame Anne Rafferty DBE (recently retired from the Court of Appeal) and they have three adult daughters. His recreations during the weekend includes managing a small farm and raising sheep. His interest includes global affairs, occasional golf, and regular running.