Suzanne McKie KC named Times Lawyer of the Week

Lawyer of the week: Suzanne McKie QC, who acted in a sexual assault case against Mike Hill, a former Labour MP

Suzanne McKie QC, a solicitor-barrister and managing partner of Farore Law, acted for Ms A, a parliamentary worker, in a remedies hearing for bullying, sexual assault and harassment by Mike Hill, a former LabourMP for Hartlepool, between 2017 and 2019. In the first public compensation payment against an MP for sexual assault, theCentral London Employment Tribunal ordered Hill to pay Ms A £434,000.

What were the biggest hurdles you had to overcome in this case?

Having to fight for nearly three years against stubborn resistance by Hill, knowing each day that by doing so he was depleting the insurance pot of damages available to my client. That, and seeing my client receive very little support from those with the power to assist her.

What is the best decision you have taken as a lawyer?

Acting on the realisation that having control of a case from start to finish achieves the most desirable outcome for clients.

Who do you most admire in the law?

Baroness Hale of Richmond [the first woman president of the Supreme Court], a great role model.

What is the best advice you have received?

If in doubt, make the submission anyway, because if you do not shoot, you do not score.

What is the funniest thing that has happened in your job?

A witness I was cross-examining in a High Court case involving nefarious social evening events kept referring to Spearmint Rhino as Peppermint Rhino. We struggled to keep a straight face each time.

What are the best and worst aspects of being a lawyer?

The best: I do still love the killer question in cross-examination— but, overall, achieving a transforming result for a client. The worst: it can be stressful knowing some key decisions are yours and yours alone; and having to say to my 13-year-old: “I’ll be with you in a minute . . .”

What law would you enact?

One that ensures those with the ability to pay contribute significantly more than they currently do to the public costs of atrial.

What is your favourite film?

The Godfather Part II. Al Pacino’s portrayal of Michael Corleone’s descent from good into evil is magnificent.

Source: The Times