Fountain Court Chambers Appoints First Woman Senior Clerk

Fountain Court Chambers announced on 2 July 2026 that Sian Huckett will assume the role of Senior Clerk with effect from 1 January 2027. The chambers stated that her appointment makes her the first woman to lead the clerking team at the London‑based commercial barristers’ set and the first female Senior Clerk among the four Magic Circle commercial chambers, namely Fountain Court Chambers, Brick Court Chambers, Essex Court Chambers and One Essex Court Chambers.

According to the chambers, Huckett will succeed Alex Taylor, who has served as Senior Clerk since 2008. Taylor will remain associated with the chambers in a part‑time consultancy capacity after stepping down from the full‑time role. The chambers noted that Taylor’s tenure spanned nearly two decades, during which the clerking operation received multiple industry accolades, including being named Set of the Year at the 2025 Chambers & Partners UK Bar Awards.

In his remarks, Alex Taylor described his period as Senior Clerk as an honour and a privilege. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from colleagues, specifically naming Julie Parker, Head of Administration, Caroline McConnon, Practice Manager in Singapore, and Sian Huckett. He also thanked the members of chambers and his wife Jennifer for their patience, and indicated his intention to continue contributing to the chambers in a consulting role.

Sian Huckett joined Fountain Court Chambers in October 2008, having begun her clerking career in 2005. She was appointed Deputy Senior Clerk in 2018, assisting Taylor in leading the clerking team and overseeing the strategic management of the chambers. Her responsibilities have included managing client relationships, overseeing the allocation of new instructions among members, and supporting the development of individual practice teams. She has served on the chambers’ Equality and Diversity Committee and Marketing Committee, and is an active member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks' Management Committee and its Equality and Diversity Committee, where she has participated in mentoring initiatives and efforts to improve access to the clerking profession.

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Huckett was recognised as Clerk of the Year at the Legal 500 Bar Awards in 2023. Upon her appointment, she said that it is a real honour to be appointed Senior Clerk at Fountain Court and to lead such an exceptional clerking team. She emphasised that the chambers’ reputation rests on the quality of its people, relationships and service, and that these elements will remain central to everything the team does.

Richard Handyside KC, Head of Chambers, commented that the quality of the clerking team has long been central to Fountain Court’s strength and to the service provided to clients. He described Huckett, Alfie Harper and Luke Diebelius as outstanding clerks who are widely trusted by members and clients alike, and expressed confidence that they will excel in their new roles. He also paid tribute to Alex Taylor, acknowledging that Taylor’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the team and its standards.

The chambers also announced the promotion of Luke Diebelius and Alfie Harper to Deputy Senior Clerks. Both will assist Huckett in the leadership of the clerking team and in the strategic management of the chambers.

The appointment marks a notable development in the clerking profession, reflecting a step toward greater gender diversity within senior clerking positions at leading commercial sets. The chambers indicated that the leadership transition will preserve the existing standards of service while building on the foundations established during Taylor’s tenure.