Overview
Varsha is a specialist public law barrister, with a particular emphasis in mental capacity, mental health law, and community care.
She is a member of the Attorney General’s London C Panel of Junior Counsel.
Background
Varsha graduated from Cambridge University with an MA/MSci (Hons) in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) and an MPhil in Molecular Biology.
She subsequently worked for a number of years in bioethics research and policy at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. There she researched and prepared major reports on the ethical issues regarding dementia, neurotechnologies that intervene in the brain, and biofuels. She also prepared papers on a range of other ethical issues, including the ethics of paediatric clinical trials and global health inequalities.
Given her background, Varsha has a strong interest in bioethics and healthcare law.
Inquests, Public Inquiries and Coronial Law
Varsha accepts instructions from families and public authorities.
She is particularly committed to acting in inquests involving the deaths of vulnerable adults in state settings, and/or which have a mental capacity/mental health element.
Appointments
Attorney General’s London C Panel of Junior Counsel
Court of Protection Bar Association (CPBA): Elected committee member
RESPECT counsellor at No5 (providing advice and support to No5 members/staff affected by inappropriate behaviour)
Awards
BPTC Major Scholarship, Inner Temple (2013)
GDL Exhibition and Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship, Inner Temple (2012)
Selected by Harvard Kennedy School of Government, European Molecular Biology Laboratory and European School of Molecular Medicine to attend E4S (postgraduate summer school on science and society) (2008)
MPhil Studentship, BBSRC (2007)
Memberships
Advocate
ALBA
CoPPA
CPBA
HRLA
YLAL
Qualifications
BPTC, City Law School: Very Competent
GDL, City Law School: Commendation
MPhil Molecular Biology, Pembroke College, Cambridge University
MA/MSci (Hons) Natural Sciences, Pembroke College, Cambridge University: 2.1
