The Lawyer Inquiry: Philip Leach

Philip Leach was born in Cheshire on 10 May 1966. He now lives in St Albans and is the legal officer at Liberty



What was your first job?

Pruning vines in a Kentish vineyard.



What was your first ever salary as a lawyer?

£15,000.



What would you have done if you hadn't become a lawyer?

Become a National Park ranger.



Which law could you live without?

The increasing number of Bills and Statutes which breach fundamental human rights and in relation to which little or no account is taken of the UK's obligations under international human rights law. The Police Bill was a prime example.



What was your most embarrassing professional moment?

Being imprisoned in Honduras for fishing without a permit and worrying what the Law Society would think.



What car do you drive?

VW Polo.



Which famous person would you like to go out with?

Anyone as long as they become a member of Liberty.



Where would you go to eat?

The Peak Cafe, Hong Kong, or Twists Sandwich Bar, London SE1.



What's the best thing on TV?

Live Arsenal games.



Which movie do you wish you'd appeared in?

Fever Pitch or Brassed Off.



What's your most often-worn piece of clothing?

Fleece jacket.



What book(s) are you reading at the moment?

Spot Goes to the Park (most nights to my daughter) and Pilgrims by Stephen Platten (as it's Lent).



What is your all-time favourite record?

Officium by Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble.



What piece of advice would you give to anyone entering the profession now?

Work in human rights.



What do you like about yourself?

Being a dad.



What do you hate about yourself?

Failing to get into the Arsenal side.



Where would you most like to be right now?

Walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain with my family.