A BARRISTER who reached one of the highest positions of his profession by being appointed to become a QC said he has the community to thank.
Jo Sidhu, 46, has made it to this years silks list, announced last month by Kenneth Clarke MP, secretary of state for Justice, named after the silk robes which Queen’s Counsel wear.
He was one of only 88 people approved for the position by the Queen, following recommendation by Mr Clarke, who is also the Lord Chancellor.
The appointment is made after a rigorous annual selection contest and is given only to those lawyers who are identified as being “advocates of the highest ability” according to the Lord Chancellor. Only the top eight per cent of barristers in the UK are awarded the distinction.
Mr Sidhu said: “I am immensely honoured to have received this appointment as it represents nearly two decades of commitment to the many thousands of clients I have represented over the course of my career as a barrister.
“Speaking on behalf of others has always been my passion and I feel privileged to have made a contribution to the criminal justice system. But I never forget that this achievement was impossible without the support and encouragement of my family, friends and the numerous well wishers from the community of Ealing who have kept me going through the years. They too should take a share in this special award.”
Mr Sidhu, born in Perivale. has been a lifelong resident of Ealing and attended schools at Beaconsfield Primary School and Villiers High School in Southall. In 1984 he won a place to read Philosophy, Politics & Economics at Wadham College, Oxford University, followed by a masters in International Political Economy at the London School of Economics.
He has also worked as a policy officer for Ealing Council, a senior researcher for the BBC and an economics tutor.
In 1993 he was called to the Bar and has specialised in criminal trials. He lives in West Ealing with his wife Luna and two daughters.
