Anna Chestnutt Presented With A Red Bag by Sophie Cartwright KC following Ben Leonard (Scout Death) Inquest

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.

Anna was instructed as junior Counsel to Sophie Cartwright KC (CTI). The inquest involved the tragic death of Ben Leonard, a 16 year old boy who died whilst on a scout trip to North Wales.

Anna was rewarded her red back as a result of her hard work and tireless effort in the inquest where she assisted both leading counsel Sophie Cartwright KC, and the Assistant Coroner, David Pojur.

The jury received evidence over two months and returned conclusions of unlawful killing by gross negligence manslaughter by two Scout leaders, with a rider of neglect by The Scouting Association.

For more information, or to instruct Anna Chestnutt, please contact Director of Clerking, David Wright or Chambers Senior Regulatory Clerk, Ty Price.