On a recent visit to New Zealand, barrister and ‘Chase’ TV celeb Shaun Wallace was invited to one of the country’s leading barristers’ chambers where the amiable, rugby-loving quizzer enjoyed rubbing shoulders with fellow barristers.
A member of Great James Street Chambers, Dr Shaun Wallace has a considerable reputation as a criminal defense barrister despite having a ho-hum academic background (he graduated from the University of North London with his law degree in 1983) and has gone on to establish himself as a highly regarded criminal barrister handling a wide range of cases running from murder and money laundering to drug trafficking and fraud.
His Chambers biography reads: He is known for his hard work, pleasant manner with clients and a very persuasive court style and his personality and presence have continued to place him in high demand both as an advocate, a spokesperson for disadvantaged groups and for students, as well las a television celebrity.
He has appeared in courts at various levels, including the Old Bailey and the Court of Appeal.
Shaun Wallace is a British barrister and television personality, best known for his role as “The Dark Destroyer” on the popular ITV quiz show “The Chase,” which he has appeared on since 2009.
Born in 1960 in London to Jamaican parents, Wallace developed a passion for knowledge and the law from a young age and was determined to establish himself as a lawyer and – later – as a champion quizzer.
He was called to the Bar in 1984 and has been practicing law for nearly four decades, specializing in criminal defense.
A sports enthusiast and keen traveller, he recently made a repeat visit to New Zealand where he engaged in a series of ‘pub quizzes’ as a celebrity guest helping groups to raise money for local charities and also taking the chance to meet others in the legal profession.
Enjoying drinks with barristers at Auckland’s Britomart Chambers (pictured), Shaun Wallace also pictured with Britomart Chambers founder and former Solicitor General Michael Heron KC.
Wallace has gained a reputation as a formidable advocate. His work has often involved major crime, including high profile gang shootings, drug conspiracies, serious sexual offending cases and fraud.
In addition to his work as a barrister, Wallace has served as a part-time lecturer, sharing his legal expertise with aspiring lawyers and including lecturing in environmental, transport and health and safety law. He has also been a member of the Jamaican Bar since 1999, reflecting his connection to his heritage.
He has also been heavily involved in social enterprise work speaking in schools and colleges and conducting moots around the United Kingdom.
He has also spoken out about racism, including following the the Black Lives Matter protests following racially-motivate deaths of black people in the United States. He has spoken on these and other matters including recounting his own experience of being stopped and searched by police on two, separate occasions.
Wallace’s legal acumen and broad knowledge base have served him well in his parallel career or ‘side hustle’ as a quizzer.
For his role on “The Chase,” Wallace dedicates at least 2 hours every day to revising and keeping up-to-date on contemporary and everyday topics. This disciplined approach allows him to maintain his performance on the show while still practicing law.
He became a household name in the UK after joining “The Chase” in 2009, where his stern demeanor and impressive recall have earned him the nickname “The Dark Destroyer.”
Despite his tough on-screen persona, Wallace is known to be passionate about education and has used his platform to encourage learning and academic pursuits, particularly among young people from diverse backgrounds.
he has vehemently supported greater legal aid in criminal law and in 2022, he supported the criminal barristers’ industrial action over pay for their work, joining his criminal law colleagues in a picket line outside the Supreme Court in London.
By maintaining his legal practice while embracing his role on “The Chase,” Shaun Wallace has created a unique career path that combines his intellectual abilities, public persona, and legal expertise.
