Who we are
Hackett & Dabbs LLP was founded by Lorna Hackett and David Dabbs in 2017. It is owned and operated by Lorna Hackett and Alexander Horne.
Lorna Hackett (formerly Elliott) is a barrister called in 2003, who has conducted numerous high profile cases in recent years.
She has extensive litigation experience, particularly in the areas of judicial review and human rights. Lorna has considerable expertise advising in cases of a sensitive nature and in which there is potential for media interest.
She is authorised by the Bar Council to accept instructions directly from the public under the Direct Access scheme, and is licensed to conduct litigation. She is an advocacy trainer with Lincolns Inn, and a Legal Aid funding and costs adjudicator.
Alexander Horne is a barrister, called in 1999. He is an expert in public and EU law, parliamentary affairs, international agreements (including trade) and human rights.
He has 18 years’ experience as a adviser in Parliament, most recently as Legal Adviser to the House of Lords European Union Committee and International Agreements Committees. He was previously Deputy Legal Adviser to the Joint Committee on Human Rights and also a senior researcher at the Parliament and Constitution Centre in the House of Commons.
Alexander has extensive knowledge of parliamentary practice and procedure, the rules relating to select committees, legislative drafting and legislative scrutiny. He has worked directly with senior Members of Parliament and Peers, and between 2017 and 2021 was part of the House of Lords senior leadership team.Alexander has particular expertise in issues relating to Brexit, constitutional law, complex human rights issues, and counter-terrorism. He is a specialist on law relating to Parliament and is the co-editor of ‘Parliament and the Law’, the leading text in this area. Alexander is Visiting Professor at Durham University and sits as a barrister member of the Barristers’ Disciplinary Tribunal.
In memory of David Dabbs
David Dabbs was a founder member of Hackett and Dabbs LLP who died suddenly on 16th June 2025.
Called to the bar in 1984, David was an expert in company transactions and litigation. He was one of the first advocacy trainers at Lincolns Inn, having started teaching in 1994, and became a Bencher at Lincolns Inn in 2003. He trained lawyers from all over the world in the skills of written and oral advocacy. David’s death has left a huge hole in the lives of those who knew and loved him. Details of a memorial service will be announced in due course.
Hackett & Dabbs are regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). The BSB’s Barristers’ Register shows (1) who has a current practising certificate, and (2) whether a barrister has any disciplinary findings, which are published on the Barristers’ Register.
The Barristers’ Register page also links to the BSB’s Entities’ Register, which shows entities that are currently authorised.
You can find further information on the BSB website