Sam Jones Presented With A Red Bag by Craig Hassall KC

The Red Bag, also known as a “Brief Bag” are an essential part of the Barrister regalia. Brief Bags are made in both blue and red cloth. They are often carried by barristers and used to store books, wigs and robes. Brief Bags usually bear the owners initials monogrammed on them, to assist with identification of the bag.

The colour of the Brief Bags for Junior Counsel in England is dark blue. For KC’s red coloured bags are used. For members of the Judiciary, dark green bags are used.

Although red bags may only be purchased by KC’s, they are permitted to award a red bag to a Junior Barrister whom they have worked with, usually in relation to a case that concludes with a favourable outcome.

The red bags are considered to be a badge of merit and it is a prestigious honour to receive one from a KC you have worked with. They are given in recognition of contribution to the case and work undertaken over and above the call of duty.

Sam was instructed by Jenny Watts of Watts Legal as Junior Counsel to Craig Hassall KC, representing a claimant family who had unknowingly purchased agricultural land containing an illegal waste dump, including tyres and asbestos. After a four-day Trial, before His Honour Judge Carter sitting at Preston County Court, it was found that the defendants had fraudulently misrepresented that they had been unaware of the waste dump during the sale of the land. At a subsequent quantum hearing, the learned Judge assessed damages in excess of £350,000.

Sam was rewarded his red back by Craig Hassall KC as a result of his hard work and expertise displayed during the trial which resulted in a great outcome for their client.

For more information, or to instruct Sam Jones, or Craig Hassall KC, please contact Director of Clerking, David Wright or Chambers Senior Civil & Regulatory Clerk, Ty Price.