Joel Donovan, a barrister at Cloisters, acted for Erica Connor, the head teacher awarded more than £400,000 in damages from Surrey County Council after suffering a career-ending nervous breakdown caused by persistent allegations of Islamophobia and racism by one of the school’s governors. The court ruled that her employer, the county’s local education authority (LEA), had failed in its duty of care towards her by not intervening.

What were the main challenges in this case?

School governance issues featured prominently. Surrey argued that as a head teacher, Ms Connor had on occasion to expect criticism both from within the school and from the wider community. It also relied on the school’s governing body having its own functions independent of the LEA. However, LEAs have statutory powers of intervention in failing governing bodies. The judge held that Surrey could and should have exercised those powers earlier to protect her.

What was your worst day as a lawyer?

Certainly among them was my first case in the Court of Appeal in the mid-1990s. The judge below had found in my favour by applying an authority that was no longer good law . . . as I’d have found out had I only cited the approved law report rather than the All England one.

What was your most memorable experience as a lawyer?

At the risk of sounding pious, my greatest satisfactions have mostly come from securing a good result for a badly injured client. But one of the joys and miseries of this job is that today’s case soon has to make way for tomorrow’s.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?

Apart from my immediate family, my pupil supervisors — Cherie Booth, Paul Stewart, Duncan Pratt and Charles Welchman — have the strongest claim here. Without their support I would have had no tenancy and no career at the Bar.

Why did you become a lawyer?

I qualified as a solicitor in a City firm. My student overdraft was a powerful motivator, I am ashamed to say, and it seemed the safe and financially secure option. When I started to envy people working in sandwich bars, I knew it was time for a change and became a barrister instead.

What would your advice be to anyone wanting a career in law?

Find an area of specialism that genuinely interests you. Cultivate an eye for detail, both legal and factual. And make time for pro bono work.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Embarrassing my (by then) teenage daughter, Esmee — it seems to have begun already . . .

l_tsang@hotmail.co.uk

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