One of the finest lawyers to come from New Zealand in recent years, Christine Callaghan KC, died in London this month.
Catherine Callaghan KC was a standout figure in the legal profession, with roots in New Zealand and a significant impact in the UK where she enjoyed a stellar legal career.
The daughter of renowned New Zealand psysicist and founding director of the MacDiamid Institute, she started her legal journey at Victoria University of Wellington, where she not only picked up her BA and LLB (Hons) but also came out as the top law student in her year.
She moved to the UK for an LLM at Cambridge, where, true to form, she was ranked first in her year. Cambridge broadened her horizons, introducing her to advanced ideas in public and international law and giving her access to a network that would later be key in launching her London career where she worked from Blackstone Chambers, along with her husband Andreas Gledhill KC.
Her blend of Kiwi determination and Cambridge polish made her a force to be reckoned with at the Bar.
Catherine’s legal journey took her from commercial litigation in New Zealand to Clifford Chance in London, before she found her true home at Blackstone Chambers.
She regularly acted for the government, regulators, and individuals in high-profile cases. Notable moments included defending the UK’s tobacco packaging laws, representing the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in a case about posthumous use of frozen eggs, and advising on sensitive regulatory reforms.
Beyond her advocacy, she was known for her warmth, intelligence, and commitment to the wider legal community.
She chaired the Administrative Law Bar Association, contributed to law reform, and mentored countless young lawyers. Her journey from New Zealand’s top law graduate to one of the UK’s leading public law KCs is a testament to both her intellect and her passion for justice—qualities that left a mark on legal circles in both hemispheres.
