The barrister who made history by cross-examining Prince Harry
has been recognised as one of the most influential figures in the
legal profession.
Andrew Green KC, of Blackstone Chambers, has been included in
The Lawyer magazine’s Hot 100 2026, which highlights
lawyers judged to have had a significant impact on the sector over
the past year.
Mr Green became the first barrister to cross-examine a member of
the Royal Family in more than 130 years when he questioned the Duke
of Sussex during the Mirror Group Newspapers phone-hacking trial in
2023. The previous instance occurred in 1891, when Sir Edward
Clarke examined the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward
VII.
The High Court proceedings drew international attention and
marked a rare moment of direct legal confrontation involving a
senior royal. In its profile, The Lawyer noted that Prince
Harry later described the experience as “a bad experience with Mr
Green”.
Mr Green, who acted for Mirror Group Newspapers, later said that
the eight hours spent cross-examining the Duke were “the most
extraordinary experience” of his career.
Although the case brought unusual public scrutiny, The
Lawyer said Mr Green’s wider reputation rests on his work in
complex commercial disputes, where he has become one of the Bar’s
most frequently instructed advocates.
Called to the Bar after initially considering a career in
business, he took silk in 2010 and is regularly instructed by major
international law firms in high-value litigation.
His recent cases include acting for HSBC in the Eclipse
litigation, for AXA in a £675 million payment protection insurance
claim against Santander, and for BM Brazil in a substantial mining
contract dispute.
The Hot 100 list is published annually and recognises lawyers
whose work is considered to have shaped the profession during the
previous year.