Fountain Court is pleased to announce that Richard Handyside KC has been elected Head of Chambers with effect from 1 October 2023, following the completion of the five-year term as Head of Chambers of Bankim Thanki KC. Chambers is also pleased to announce that Patrick Goodall KC has been appointed as Deputy Head of Chambers. Bankim will continue in full time practice at Fountain Court.

On his appointment, Richard Handyside KC said:

“It is a great honour to be appointed to serve as the Head of Fountain Court, a pre-eminent set of chambers with an illustrious history.  I am very grateful to my hugely talented colleagues for their support. I look forward to working with the Deputy Head of Chambers, Patrick Goodall KC, and with Chambers’ dedicated clerking and administrative staff led by Alex Taylor and Julie Parker, as we seek to build on Chambers’ success.  I wish to pay tribute to Bankim Thanki KC, a superstar of the Bar, who has led Chambers brilliantly over the last five years, deftly navigating numerous challenges, most notably those arising from the pandemic. Chambers has flourished under Bankim’s leadership and we are deeply indebted to him.”

Bankim Thanki KC comments:

“It has been a huge privilege and sometimes a heavy burden to lead an elite set like Fountain Court during some interesting times. I have been lucky to have had the invaluable support of Patrick Goodall KC, as Deputy Head of Chambers, as well as Alex Taylor, the Senior Clerk, and Julie Parker, the Head of Administration — for which I am extremely grateful.  I am looking forward to continuing my practice free from the responsibilities of the role of Head of Chambers, knowing that Chambers will be in the very safe hands of Richard Handyside KC — who will undoubtedly bring to the role of Head of Chambers the outstanding talents exhibited in his rise to the very top of the profession as one of the country’s leading Silks.”