Couple were stars of their chambers

Mark Saunders was one half of a "golden couple" of high-flying lawyers, friends said today.

He married Elizabeth Clarke, 40, just over a year ago and they paid £2.2 million for their flat in Markham Square in October.

The couple were divorce law barristers at Queen Elizabeth Building, the leading chambers for family lawyers. They probably earned in the region of £300,000 to £500,000 each a year.

Described as "brilliant" by former colleagues, Mr Saunders, 32, who studied law at Christ Church, Oxford, was destined to become a QC within the next few years. Ms Clarke also studied law at Oxford. Mr Saunders had been active in the Territorial Army during and after his days at Oxford, friends said. One colleague told of his disbelief that Mr Saunders could have been the gunman at the centre of the siege.

The friend, who did not wish to be named, told the Standard: "I can't really believe it. We thought at first he must have been caught in the crossfire. We never imagined he could have been the gunman. He was incredibly popular. He was a very, very nice chap and the life and soul of the party. He would have made it to QC - no question about it. He could have been a senior judge if he wanted to go down that path, I am sure. He was very active in the TA and used to go off on manoeuvres.

"He married Liz just over a year ago and they were family law's golden couple. She is a highly regarded barrister in her own right."

It is thought the couple met through their chambers where Ms Clarke was already well established. The couple previously lived in a maisonette in Oakley Street, close to Albert Bridge, before moving to Markham Square.

QEB was making no official comment today until Mr Saunders had been formally identified but a source spoke of their sorrow and shock. "We have had no official confirmation," said the source, "We have absolutely no understanding of the circumstances concerning this. It is a private tragedy. Our only thoughts are for his family."

Mr Saunders was called to the Bar in 1999 and became a member of chambers shortly after. One legal publication described him as "absolutely terrific" and "a particularly good advocate who has an engaging style with clients". Another described him as "popular, gutsy and polished", with an "ability to adapt to a case". He had also written academic articles in the Family Law Journal and has lectured on domestic violence, among other subjects. Ms Clarke is rated by the legal guide Chambers and Partners as an "absolute superstar (who) frightens the opposition through her considered paperwork and first-rate judgment". She has been variously described as "straight-talking, quick and articulate".

One of Mr Saunders's closest friends at Oxford died aged 23 in a drowning accident in South Africa. The pair had studied at Christ Church together and both served in the TA. Mr Saunders wrote a letter to Tim Bailey's parents, saying: "To me Tim seemed invincible. He was so focused... Every minute in his day was filled with a different task. The result was that there are so many different Tims to remember."