Masters of the Bench

Isabel Hitching KC is a commercial silk specialising in construction and insurance disputes.  She was the first woman to read for both the MA and BCL at Christ Church, Oxford, where she was a Scholar and Exhibitioner, and was the first to be appointed by the college to teach law.  She continued to teach for many years alongside full-time practice at the Bar, having been called in 1992.  She was awarded Sachs LJ and Queen Mother Scholarships and an Inns of Court Studentship.  She took silk in 2019 and practises from Crown Office Chambers. Drawing on her academic background she is frequently instructed in test cases from first instance to Supreme Court.  She regularly lectures for specialist bar and industry associations and is Editor of Emden on Construction.  She also acts as an adjudicator and arbitrator and serves on the Civil Procedure Rule Committee.  Throughout her career she has been keen to mentor and support others by serving on the BSB, Bar Council, specialist Bar Association and Inn committees to introduce policies to improve access, retention and progression.