Outer Temple silk to head Euro Circuit

Outer Temple Chambers' Gerard McDermott QC is succeeding Lord Brennan QC of Matrix Chambers as leader of the European Circuit.

McDermott will be the third leader of the circuit, which was established in 2001 to bring together barristers working in European law, barristers working in Europe and other lawyers with an interest in the practice area.

"The principal aim of my term of office is to reinforce for barristers that the impact of European law is universal," said McDermott.

He added that he also intends to improve cross-border links and will try to attract more international direct access work for barristers.

Brennan succeeded David Vaughan QC of Brick Court Chambers to the leader's role in 2003.

The European Circuit is also linked to the American Corporate Counsel Association.

McDermott's broad practice covers catastrophic personal injury, white-collar crime and employment law.