London:
Kalyani Kaul, a prominent barrister of Indian-origin who has handled high-profile cases, has been sworn in as a Circuit Judge in the UK.
54-year-old Kalyani, who has spent much of the past 32 years defending serious and high-profile cases, is known for her extensive and wide-ranging experience in heavy-weight criminal defence work.
She was called to the Bar in 1983 and became a Recorder in 2009. As a Recorder she prepared cases for trial and presided over hearings in county courts.
She took Silk in 2011 -- in order to "take silk" a lawyer usually has to serve as a barrister or a Scottish advocate for at least 10 years.
Kalyani was sworn in as a Circuit Judge yesterday and will be sitting at Snaresbrook Crown Court with immediate effect.
In the last 10 years, she has prosecuted offences of murder, manslaughter, serious sexual offences and fraud.
Kalyani was the third highest-paid barrister in terms of legal aid payments in 2005. She studied law from the London School of Economics (LSE).
She was the Senior Circuit representative on the Bar Council (2013-14), a vice president (former chair) of the Association of Women Barristers, and one of the two Diversity Officers for the South Eastern Circuit.
Kalyani is the daughter of well-known British journalists Mahendra Kaul and Rajni Kaul, both of whom worked for long years with the Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Mahendra was the first Asian to be honoured with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1975.