St. Joseph Chambers Mail
Spotlight on our Talent: Cameron Haden
Called to the Bar in 2019, Cameron Haden joined St Joseph’s Chambers in September 2024. He has particular expertise in credit hire, personal injury, residential and non residential landlord disputes, finance, asset recovery and insolvency.
We spoke to Cameron about his experience of working with our commercial set over the past year.
The culture in chambers
“Joining St Joseph’s Chambers has enabled me to greatly progress my career. From my first interaction with the team, I was struck by how friendly, open and supportive everyone was. St Joseph’s offered exactly what I hoped for in terms of culture, income generation and case load.
It was refreshing to join a Chambers that invests so much in training and mentoring. Head of Chambers, Thomas Waldron, has coached me from the outset and his guidance has made a real difference to my confidence and skills. He is always willing to take a call and talk through a legal point or an argument I am developing..
Virginie, our Practice Manager, has also been incredibly generous with her time in helping me strengthen the administrative side of my practice. Being a barrister involves far more than advocacy alone.
She has also arranged excellent in person training events focused on specific sectors such as credit hire.
Thomas regularly circulates updates with helpful tips from senior counsel and recent developments in the law. There is so much depth of experience in Chambers and I learn every day from colleagues. We all come from different backgrounds and everyone is willing to share what they know. It is very much a culture of continuous development”.
St Joseph’s (SJC) has changed my practice:
“My success rate has improved with the support I have received here. Within two weeks of joining, I handled my first fast track case for SJC. I was trusted to get started quickly and felt supported at every stage.
I was not especially familiar with preparing skeleton arguments at the beginning. Thomas shared examples and talked me through his approach. Together we identify areas for improvement and how best to refine my submissions.
I am now working on High Court cases which has been an invaluable learning experience. I have learned that what matters most is the quality of preparation and legal analysis. It is always encouraging when clients express how pleased they are with the outcome of their cases”.
What do you think has improved your practice?
“In addition to thorough preparation, attention to detail and clear communication, I think confidence in engaging with judges is important.
I often see judges asking incisive questions that advocates hesitate to answer directly. Judges understandably become frustrated. It is important to respond clearly and honestly. Knowing when to push and when to step back is a skill that grows with experience.
I place real emphasis on detailed preparation. I take the time to understand the facts, identify the relevant law and apply the two carefully. Sometimes I meet barristers who know the general area but may not have had the opportunity to read all the key authorities.
I try to make sure that I am ready for any question I can reasonably anticipate. Even when something unexpected arises, I do my best to deal with it calmly. That level of preparation can make all the difference.
No matter how a case turns out, I always reflect with clients on what can be improved. Continuous improvement and working together with your solicitors is essential.
The courts are often a last resort for people who are already under significant stress. Barristers have a role in helping to bring clarity and peace of mind. Settlement is sometimes viewed as a compromise, but I see it as an opportunity for both parties to reach an amicable outcome. If settlement is not possible, then my responsibility is to represent the client’s case with determination, commitment and care.
Why did you become a barrister?
“In primary school I was A child who always wanted to stand up against injustice. My teacher once called me a little barrister although I did not understand the significance at the time.
As I grew older I studied psychology, accountancy and then law. When choosing between becoming a solicitor or a barrister, I understood that the Bar involved more personal risk because you are self-employed, but I also saw that it offered more independence. That made it very appealing.
Over time I developed a real interest in commercial work, particularly credit hire. These cases allow me to maintain a work life balance allowing me also to spend time with my young son.
I came to Chambers initially because of a recommendation and I have found that the work aligns perfectly with what I enjoy. Before coming to the Bar, I worked in several industries, but nothing has felt as well suited to me as this. It is interesting, demanding and still allows room for a family life.”
Have you worked on any memorable cases over the last 12 months?
“I recently attended a High Court case involving a very large debt. I was instructed very late but was able to secure an outcome that exceeded the client’s expectations.
There was a real risk that our request for additional time to compile evidence and comply with earlier orders would be refused. With careful preparation we secured considerably more time than expected which gave the client the opportunity to prepare for the hearing and challenge the injunction.
On the intermediate track, one particular case stands out because virtually everything was in dispute including liability, all heads of loss, repairs and a wide array of legal issues.
There were many points on which the case could have faltered but with careful argument we succeeded. I was able to persuade the judge to dismiss some of the evidence on a technical basis. The client achieved an outcome that was significantly better than any previous offer from the other party”.
Client care
“On applications, I was instructed at short notice for a case management hearing to determine whether a matter should be listed for the intermediate or fast track. I noticed an inconsistency on a pleaded issue and immediately contacted the client. I prepared an application to amend in time for the judge and we were granted relief from sanctions and secured the intermediate track. The client was very pleased with the result.
For me it is about going the extra mile so that clients have the best possible prospect of success.”
“Experienced, Efficient, Effective” are words used to describe Cameron’s advocacy.
If you are facing commercial litigation or would like advice on a legal issue, please get in touch. You can complete our instruction form or call our commercial team on 02045 203505.