Back in January we told you of the amazing news that Director and Head of Family Law Rachel Horman-Brown was to be appointed as an Honorary King’s Counsel (KC).

On 24th March Rachel travelled to the Palace of Westminster where she was formally sworn in during a ceremony led by the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood.

Rachel was one of 9 people appointed KC Honoris Causa, an achievement very few people have ever received, and one the Lord Chancellor, in her speech, remarked was: –

‘a public recognition, from the Crown… Of your skill, expertise, and contribution to the law.

It is a momentous achievement.’

Rachel was mentioned by name in the Lord Chancellor’s speech, citing her as having ‘shaped both policy and the law around coercive control’

The Lord Chancellor further elaborated.

‘Each (Honorary KC) has been nominated for their outstanding contribution to the law outside of the courtroom. 

Their work may often be behind the scenes… but it has enriched our legal system immeasurably.’

Indeed Rachel has been instrumental in fighting for better justice for victims in the area of male violence against women and girls…

As mentioned in our January article, Rachel has worked at the forefront of campaigns for domestic violence and stalking legislation; In addition to leading our nationally recognised Family Law department, Rachel is Chair of Paladin – the National Stalking Advocacy Service who successfully campaigned to create a specific criminal offence of coercive control and doubled the sentence for stalking. Rachel continues to advise the government and police on issues around domestic abuse and stalking as well as the legislatures in the Isle of Man and Northern Ireland and highlights injustices through her media work.

Her appointment as an Honorary KC is a crowning accomplishment, and recognition of the positive impact made by the work she has done throughout her career to date, and Rachel hopes to use it to shine an even brighter light on issues still faced by victims of Coercive Control and Stalking

Rachel Horman-Brown KC (Hon)

Director & Solicitor

Head of Family Law

“I am absolutely over the moon at being appointed an Honorary King’s Counsel – it is something that I never thought in my wildest dreams would happen.

I intend to make good use of it by continuing to advocate on behalf of victims of coercive control and stalking who are still being let down by the police and both the criminal and family courts.

Being an Honorary KC will help to amplify my voice with government and hopefully bring about long overdue changes for victims.”

You can read the Lord Chancellor’s speech in full here:

Below you can find some pictures from the day and learn more about Rachel HERE