Using remote electronic voting, the 2023 MTYBA Committee was elected by the membership on 23 January 2023.
President - Skye Blackshaw
Skye is the former President of the Middle Temple Students’ Association, and recently won the Lloyd Jacob Memorial Award for her work representing and supporting the junior members of the Inn.
She is delighted to be leading the committee this year and is excited to continue working alongside the Inn, and its members, to create and emphasise opportunities for the junior members of the bar.
Professionally, she is particularly interested clinical negligence field.
Vice President - Mischa Afedzie-Hayford
Mischa is currently a Licensing Associate for the Institute of Physics with an interest in employment and immigration Law practice.
This Mischa’s first time as a Vice President in a committee and she is excited to contribute to Middle Temple and the wider Bar through this role.
Treasurer - Stefan Bisson
Stefan is serving his third year on the MTYBA Committee as Treasurer. He is a member of Great James Street Chambers practising primarily in crime and extradition. Prior to becoming a practising barrister, Stefan worked in US city law firms as a paralegal and as a panel secretary for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
During the Bar Course, Stefan was elected as the Middle Temple Students Association Communications Officer and is excited to once again be representing fellow members of Middle Temple.
Social Secretary - Jyotsna Swami
Jyotsna is currently working as a Civil litigation paralegal at LPC Law. She completed her Bar and LLM in International Commercial Law from Cardiff Law School.
Jyotsna is thrilled to serve her second term on our committee, where she is eager to continue organising engaging events for junior members of the Bar. Her innovative vision includes collaborating with other organisations to create more networking opportunities, enhancing professional connections, and fostering a supportive community.
Advocacy Officer and Employed Bar Rep - Lucas Nacif
Lucas is currently an employed barrister at Farore Law, a boutique law firm that specialises in complex employment litigation. Lucas regularly appears in the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal as part of his day-to-day practice.
Lucas was previously the Employed Bar representative in MTYBA’s 2023/2024 committee and organised the 2023 Annual Advocacy Competition.
Communications Officer - Hannah Kenney-Hodgson
Hannah is currently working as a paralegal at Shoosmiths LLP and is interested in pursuing a broad civil practice at the Bar.
This is her first year serving on the MTYBA Committee and she is excited to contribute more to the Inn and connect with other young barristers.
Pre-Pupillage Officer - James Mathews
James was called to the Bar of Middle Temple in 2022. He is currently working as a self-employed county court advocate and consults at Jones Chase Employment Lawyers.
This is James’ first year on the MTYBA committee. As the Pre-Pupillage Officer, he is eager to support the next generation of aspiring barristers on their path to pupillage.
Pupillage Officer & Secretary - James Pallant
James is currently undertaking pupillage at 3TG, a criminal set in London. Prior to undertaking pupillage, James worked in a management role within the healthcare sector.
This is his first year serving on the MTYBA committee and he is looking forward to meeting other pupils at MTYBA events and working closely with the committee during the year. James is also keen to support those who are either looking for pupillage or awaiting the commencement of pupillage