Charmaine joined Chambers in 2021 following successful completion of pupillage. She currently practises in family and employment law, although she has a broad common law background. Charmaine is currently instructed as junior counsel on behalf of the Scottish infected and affected core participants in the Infected Blood Inquiry, the UK’s largest ever public inquiry.

Alongside her busy practice, Charmaine is active in the wider legal community. She is particularly passionate about access to justice and equality and diversity at the Bar. Through Bridging the Bar, Charmaine mentors aspiring barristers from underrepresented groups. She also sits on Advocate’s Young Bar Executive Committee and Chambers’ Equality and Diversity Committee. In 2021, Charmaine was nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year at the Bar Pro Bono Awards.

Family Law

Charmaine accepts instructions in respect of public and private law children matters, matrimonial finance disputes and applications under Part IV of the Family Law Act 1996. During pupillage, Charmaine spent three months observing the full spectrum of care work, including infant death, serious neglect and sexual abuse under the supervision of Philip McCormack.

Charmaine was recently led on behalf of a local authority in a 20-day composite final hearing involving a constellation of concerns around domestic abuse, substance misuse and mental health. In her own right, she has acted for a mother in a two-day fact-finding hearing involving cross-allegations of domestic abuse, successfully proving findings of physical and verbal abuse.

Employment Law

Charmaine accepts instructions in all employment-related matters, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and contractual disputes. During pupillage, Charmaine spent three months observing a variety of employment issues under the supervision of Safia Tharoo.

Charmaine was recently led on behalf of the Respondent in a complex 20-day trial concerning whistleblowing and redundancy claims against the Financial Conduct Authority. Whilst acting for Claimants, Charmaine has successfully resisted strike out of a disability discrimination claim and successfully applied for permission to amend a discrimination claim.