Varuna Askoolum

  • Outstanding – the best criminal defence chambers in the UK.

    Legal 500 2023

  • 25 Bedford Row is a set that understands the importance of developing and maintaining relationships with those who instruct it.

    Legal 500 2023

  • The barristers are strong from top to bottom. It deserves its reputation as one of the very top sets in criminal law.

    Legal 500 2023

  • The clerks' room is the backbone of chambers. They are without doubt second-to-none. They never let you down ... I would be lost without them.

    Legal 500

  • The clerks offer an excellent service and when issues do arise the contact is timely and realistic with a solution to the problem already on hand. Very impressive clerking team.

    Legal 500

  • All of the clerks go out of their way to ensure that instructing chambers is smooth and goes without issue. 

  • Legal 500

  • The ‘out of hours service’ provided is also exceptional and a member of the clerking teams can be contacted 24/7 in the event of an emergency.

    Legal 500

  • The clerks are completely on the ball. They simply understand what a solicitor wants from a set of chambers. They guarantee exceptional service in terms of the Counsel that they are able to offer, and the service that they, as a Chambers, should offer over and above that. 

    Legal 500

  • The clerks are professional and reliable.

  • Chambers UK

  • The quality of clerking is held by some to be “second to none” amongst criminal sets.

    Chambers UK

  • They offer a combination of good clerking and good counsel.

    Chambers UK

  • Immediately approachable, and always very accommodating.

    Chambers UK

  • They attract further plaudits for their reliability and efficiency, and for "bringing order to what otherwise could be a chaotic existence".

    Chambers UK

  • When they deal with instructing solicitors, it's with respect.

    Chambers UK

Varuna Askoolum

Administration Manager

January 2020 - Present: 25 Bedford Row, Administration Manager
August 2013 - January 2020: 6KBW College Hill, Chambers' Manager

Prior to starting her career in chambers administration, Varuna studied Law at King's College London and worked at the Government Legal Department.

Varuna has overall responsibility for the efficient and effective running of the administration of Chambers. Her role includes overseeing financial operations, regulatory compliance, Chambers' infrastructure and premises, human resources and personnel.

Varuna is a member of the Legal Practice Management Association, the Institute of Barristers' Clerks and Women in Criminal Law (WICL). In October 2020, Varuna joined the WICL Communications Sub-Committee. From July 2021 to June 2023, Varuna was the administrator of the Extradition Lawyers' Association.

Outside of work, Varuna enjoys baking, spending time with her family and friends and likes to keep fit by attending Zumba classes.

The clerking team is second to none. All of the clerks go out of their way to ensure that instructing chambers is smooth and goes without issue. 

Legal 500