Christian Weaver is a busy junior barrister with a full court schedule, but one particular case has thrust him into new directions. He acted for the family of Awaab Ishak, the toddler who died after long-term exposure to mould in his home. The public’s attention was momentarily focused on social housing and Weaver grasped the opportunity to campaign for what became Awaab’s Law, which will force social landlords to fix damp and mould within strict time limits.
Weaver says the case has changed him as a person, being in a room with Housing Secretary Michael Gove’s top advisors and seeing how the wheels of power work up close. He adds that barristers on coroner’s inquests are in a unique position to call witnesses and request evidence, and that he feels an obligation to make sure all the information that gets unveiled is spread beyond the courtroom. He is increasingly becoming a campaigner, and is working with the charity Inquest to create a mechanism in which coroner’s recommendations are actually implemented. He is also active in the case of Exdous Eyob, a toddler who died after falling from a tower block window after his parents had repeatedly raised concerns about its safety.
Weaver has previously been praised for his book The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights, and has strong feelings about public legal education and empowering people to stand up to authority. Campaigning barristers aren’t always popular, but with Weaver’s passion and charisma it would be no surprise to see him become a revered public figure as the years progress.