Young Bar at the Four Jurisdictions Conference
For the first time ever, the Young Bar Committee has organised a session at the Four Jurisdictions Conference.
The value of peer support, offered by LawCare
Michael Lazarus highlights the support on offer from LawCare
Defining barristers by what we do, not by what we are
Jack Meek writes a guest blog as he is part of the #IAmTheBar cohort
First appearances are vital for media reporting, says journalist Tristan Kirk
In a guest blog for the Bar Council, journalist Tristan Kirk makes the case for open justice and the public's right to know.
IWD22: Leading from the front
Hannah M Markham QC says we need to nurture, support and retain women from all backgrounds.
IWD22: The joy of conversation
Celina Colquhoun reflects on an afternoon spent with impressive women.
IWD22: Through seeing women succeed, more will follow
Nneka Akudolu shows a determination to push upwards and forward.
IWD22: Courtesy and civility are the bedrock of kindness
Valerie Charbit suggests there is already kindness at the Bar but we need to create more of it.
IWD22: We need hope and cooperation to solve the challenges ahead
Edite Ligere suggests that humane principles should be valued, encouraged and appreciated.
IWD22: Raising voices from marginalised communities
Christina Warner highlights her experiences as a visually impaired, LGBTQ+, disability inclusion activist and practitioner.
IWD22: Thinking critically about women’s rights and flexible working
Eleena Misra explains some of the complexities linked to employment and equalities laws
IWD22: The menopause should not be cast in a negative light
Lyndsey de Mestre QC sets out some of the progress and barriers for women.
IWD22: The Bar Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee
As the Co-Chair, Elaine Banton, explains the different aspects of the committee's work.
IWD22: The International Day of Women Judges
Justice Maura McGowan DBE sheds light on the links between Afghan and UK judges.
IWD22: Wellbeing at the Bar
Rachel Spearing encourages colleagues to find time to breathe
IWD22: Women and the Rule of Law
Rachel Langdale QC stresses the importance of the Rule of Law and the role of women.
IWD22: We need less talk and more action
Zoe Chapman and Kitan Ososami believe there is still more work to be done.
IWD22: More greenhouse than a glass ceiling
Susan Grocott QC outlines her positive work experiences practising as a family law barrister in Manchester.
IWD22: Equality begins at home - working mothers and the gender pay gap
Emma Hughes and Leah Nandugga argue that inequality is linked to stereotypes, family life and the division of labour at home.
IWD22: Lessons in solidarity from the trade union movement
Lucy Chapman says the support experienced between women in the trade union movement is also alive and well at the Bar.
IWD22: The importance of Role Models
Lola-Rose Avery highlights the important role of women who provide guidance and inspiration.
IWD22: Breaking the Bias
Barbara Mills QC and Charlotte Baker suggest that we all have a responsibility to make things better now and for those who come after us.
IWD22: Women who are wrongly prosecuted and convicted
Legal Director of APPEAL, Emma Torr, explains the key patterns and trends.
IWD22: Challenging unequal treatment on pay, pensions and childcare
Specialist in employment and discrimination law, Claire Darwin, explains the legal battles she has fought to achieve better rights for women at work on pay, pensions and childcare.
IWD22: A step up the ladder
Michelle Heeley QC suggests that very successful women have a duty to mentor those more junior to them.
IWD22: Women Making Change
Heidi Stonecliffe QC explains her journey to become the first woman appointed as Queen's Counsel from within the CPS.
Guest Blog: World Book Day 2022
Ahead of this year’s World Book Day on the 3 March, Barnaby Jameson QC talks about his debut novel Codename: Madeleine and how it is sometimes hard to keep fact and fiction apart.
Legal aid underpins a fair justice system, says Lord Wolfson
The minister expresses his support for a sustainable legal aid sector and criminal justice system.
Guest blog: What you need to know – Money Laundering
Danny Robinson QC shares an article for BarTalk, intended to assist barristers in their understanding of whether their work falls within the provisions included in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and in the Terrorism Act 2000.
Guest blog: Nationality and Borders Bill - a breach of international law?
Rhetoric aside, the Nationality and Borders Bill will do nothing to make our system fairer or more supportive, say Matt Ingham, Richard Milford (Citizenship and Immigration Team at Payne Hicks Beach) and Isaac Ricca-Richardson (Garden Court Chambers)
Guest blog: A novel idea - book recommendations for aspiring barristers
What books should aspiring barristers read? That is the question addressed in a new blog post by Jack Meek, one of the Bar Council’s Social Mobility Advocates
Guest blog: Race discrimination – “The law is an incredibly powerful tool for holding bodies to account”
Jabeer Butt OBE, Chief Executive of the Race Equality Foundation, guest blogs for BarTalk on the importance of providing funding for legal challenges in race discrimination, how it can drive every employer and public service to understand their responsibilities and the consequences for not following the law in relation to race, and how a new initiative has been established for legal practitioners to secure financial assistance for their clients in race discrimination cases.
Guest blog: From Iceland to the Bering Straits
As a rank-and-file practitioner working at the Court for 30 years, Bill Bowring, argues that the Court of the Council of Europe is the most effective mechanism in the world for protecting human rights.
Guest blog: Law reform - Drug Consumption Rooms a key weapon in war on drugs?
Effective drug abuse initiatives such as Drug Consumption Rooms must be explored if the UK drugs crisis is to be effectively tackled, says this year’s Bar Council Law Reform Essay Competition winner, Joseph Lord, in a blog based on his winning entry.
Guest blog: “Encouraged and focused” despite the Bar’s challenges
Francesca Kirby, criminal barrister at Red Lion Chambers, shares her experiences of this year’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference, which took place on 17-20 November, and the fact that, despite the challenges faced by today’s Bar she came away from the conference reinvigorated and hopeful
Guest blog: The good, the bad and the diversity of social media
Keith Hardie, Partner at MD Communications, the boutique, global reputation and communications consultancy working for the legal and professional service sectors, gives his insights into the recent Bar and Young Bar Conference session he chaired on social media
Guest blog: A Proposal for Drug Consumption Rooms in the UK
Joseph Lord, winner of the 2021 Law Reform Essay Competition: 'The War is Lost: A Proposal for Drug Consumption Rooms in the UK'
Guest blog: “Perhaps now it is time for more direct action” at the criminal Bar
Zoë Chapman, barrister at Red Lion Chambers and Bar Council Social Mobility Advocate (2019), blogs on why many are leaving the criminal Bar and how the extra funding for the justice system in last week’s Budget might not be enough
Guest blog: Max Hill QC, DPP – the path to becoming Treasury Counsel is not a closed shop
Max Hill QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, blogs for BarTalk about the new Treasury Counsel Pathway, a positive action initiative designed to support increased diversity at the very highest levels of advocacy
Guest blog: Placing UK centre stage in cryptoasset dispute resolution
Fraudsters continue to embrace cryptoassets as a mechanism to facilitate fraud, says professional services and accountancy organisation, Grant Thornton, which is why it is vital that legal practitioners continue to pioneer approaches to global crypto fraud investigations and civil recovery.
Guest blog: HMCTS sets out new measures in court and tribunals
Paul Harris, Operations Director at HMCTS blogs on the latest developments on court capacity and safety that the Bar needs to know about
Guest blog: Attorney General on the Bar’s role in tackling contempt of court on social media
Attorney General Michael Ellis QC MP writes exclusively for BarTalk on his recent #ThinkBeforeYouPost social media campaign and how barristers can play a key role in public legal education around contempt of court.
Guest blog: “No hesitation” in returning to the virtual Pupillage Fair
Lena Amartey, employment practitioner at 9 St John Street Chambers, Manchester explains why she had no hesitation in signing up to participate again in the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair 2021
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: A Virtual Journey into 5 Essex Court by Shreya Tanna
Read Shreya Tanna's highly commended blog entry about their virtual placement at 5 Essex Court
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: At the Bar by Umar Majeed
Find out more about Umar Majeed's experience on the Bar Placement Scheme
Winner of the Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021: Digital Courtroom by Kinjell Singh
Read Kinjell Singh's winning blog entry about their experience of the Bar Placement Scheme
Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: Exploring Chancery by Imaan Kamran Malik
Explore the world of commercial chancery law in Imaan Kamran Malik's account of the Bar Placement Scheme
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on civil (non-family) legal aid billing
The Bar Council’s Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy: Legal Practice and Remuneration, pulls together the highlights from the recent Bar Council Civil (non-family) Legal Aid Billing seminar on how civil practitioners can make sure they get paid for their work.
Guest blog: Pin your support to stand against bullying and harassment
Barrister Lydia Pemberton of 3PB explains how barristers can join together to tackle bullying and harassment with a simple, single gesture.
Guest blog: New ways of working can reduce the Bar’s environmental footprint
The re-evaluation of the way that we work both from home and in chambers can very easily include some simple steps to reduce our environmental footprint, writes Zoe Saunders, barrister at St John’s Chambers
Guest blog: Working together to improve diversity, inclusion and progression for those who prosecute for the CPS
Rebecca Lawrence, CEO of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), writes for Bar Talk about working with the Bar on two pivotal developments which will drive progress for diversity and inclusion in the criminal justice system
Guest blog: Tackling the ‘wall of silence’ - how can chambers spot signs of domestic abuse?
Shahid Shoeb, Director of Legal Service for the Domestic Abuse Alliance blogs about the role of chambers in tackling domestic abuse, and the tools and guidance that are available to support staff, clerks and members of chambers.
Guest blog: Greater representation is needed of those with visible and non-visible disabilities at the Bar
Barrister Christina Warner of Goldsmith Chambers writes about her experience with Stargardts Disease and how the Bar can better support those with disabilities.
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on family legal aid billing
Shiva Ancliffe QC of Coram Chambers and the Bar Council’s Remuneration Committee summarises the top tips from the recent Bar Council Family Legal Aid Billing seminar
Blog: Hybrid working - where do we go from here?
With many chambers now looking at making both home and office working a feature of chambers life, Carolyn Entwistle, the Bar Council’s Director of Services and Tom Pennington-Hare, Legal Director, Fox Williams LLP, look at some of practicalities they face in implementing a hybrid way of working
Blog: A glimpse behind the scenes at the Bar Council
The inner workings of the Bar Council, including its relationship with the regulator, the Bar Standards Board, is revealed by Natalie Zara, Head of Governance at the Bar Council
Blog: Getting paid - top tips on criminal legal aid billing
The Bar Council’s Adrian Vincent, Head of Policy: Legal Practice and Remuneration pulls together the top tips from the recent Bar Council Criminal Legal Aid Billing seminar on how criminal practitioners can make sure they get paid for their work.
Blog: The good, the bad and the ugly – the ups and downs of social media
Ahead of chairing the Bar Council’s first Navigating Social Media for the Bar webinar next week (27 May), Shiryn Sayani, the Bar Council's Communications Manager (Policy and Campaigns) looks at how the past year has made social media even more important for barristers and chambers to get to grips with.
Blog: Which “pent up” practice areas can expect the dam to burst?
Predictive reporting from the latest quarterly LexisNexis GLP Index shows which practice areas at the Bar are likely to see demand increase, but also where the future looks less promising. The Bar Council’s Carolyn Entwistle and George Philpott, take a closer look at the data
Guest blog: A day in the life of a barrister during the month of Ramadan
An anonymous barrister from Red Lion Chambers guest blogs for BarTalk on a day in the life of a barrister during the month of Ramadan, and some of the unique experiences barristers face during the festival
Guest blog: Leading the Bar towards carbon neutral
Great ideas can come out of informal meetings, even when they are online. Here is an idea which will help speed the Bar towards carbon neutral.
Guest blog: New court hijab goes beyond professional attire for Muslim women at the Bar
Barrister Maryam Mir of Doughty Street Chambers guest blogs for BarTalk on how her reacquaintance with a university friend and founder of Ivy & Normanton, Karlia Lykourgou, led to the creation of the new court hijab
Guest blog: Stammering and the criminal justice system
Esther Pritchard, a University of Sheffield law graduate and person who stammers, and her past speech and language therapist (SLT), Jennifer Short, explore the issues that people who stammer can encounter within in the criminal justice system, and what can be done to overcome obstacles
Guest blog: “Forget the guilt and take action” - becoming an anti-racist advocate for the Bar
Barrister Professor Leslie Thomas QC says the profession as a whole has to ask meaningful questions about racism and what it means to lead an anti-racist life
Guest blog: ‘This is not about us’ - complacency about the Bar’s gender pay gap
Allison Clare QC of Red Lion Chambers writes that although the optics look much improved on gender pay parity at the Bar, the data tells a less positive story. Writing for the Bar Council on International Women's Day, Allison provides some top tips on cutting the gap
International Women's Day Q&A: Kate Bex QC
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Carin Hunt
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Teniola Onabanjo
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Adeola Fadipe
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
International Women's Day Q&A: Susanna McGibbon
We asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
Justice Week blog: Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, Solicitor General
Writing exclusively for the Bar Council for Justice Week 2021, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, Solicitor General says the criminal justice system reacted admirably to the pandemic, but further challenges lie ahead
Guest blog: How to get the best from a remote mediation
Most cases suitable for mediation can be mediated remotely if done correctly. Antony Sendall of Littleton Chambers, and Jonathan Lux of Lux Mediation provide tips to help you and your clients to get the most from remote mediation
Guest blog: Thousands of pounds in potential funding for justice going unclaimed
Efforts are being made, with the help of the Solicitor General, to increase the use of pro bono costs orders at a time when those seeking access to justice need it more than ever, writes Greg Hodder, Head of Development at the Access to Justice Foundation
Guest blog: An advocate is never too experienced to work on their technique
A new podcast series, The Advocacy Podcast, has been launched for advocates of all levels of experience to hone key skills. It’s founder and host, Bibi Badejo, a barrister at 4 Brick Court, writes that the podcast also reassures aspiring barristers and junior members of the Bar that advocates are not born; they develop with graft and guidance
Guest blog: Pupillage in a pandemic
Helena Spector, barrister at Red Lion Chambers, guest blogs on her journey to tenancy in a pandemic
Guest blog: Charting a non-traditional route to the Bar
From raising funds for 9/11 victims in New York, to commuting at 4am from London to Nottingham to attend lectures, Victoria Alicea, a UK and US national currently undertaking a tax pupillage, writes about her journey to the Bar
Guest blog: New Access Award ‘taster’ initiative aims to improve Bar diversity
All too often we hear that people see the Bar as a closed shop, says Amy Smith, a barrister at 9 St John Street, but “diversity at the bar really does matter,” she says in her guest blog for BarTalk, which is why the new 9SJS Access Award initiative aims to give those thinking about a career at the Bar a deep insight into what life can be like as a barrister and play its part in improving diversity in the profession
Levelling the playing field in fraud – Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar
Although there are greater numbers of women getting fraud work at the junior end, we are a long way from parity, writes Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC
Guest blog: 2020 – a view from a junior barrister
Barrister Tim Kiely, who manages a general criminal practice at Red Lion Chambers, looks back on 2020 - “not a year that some of us expected to survive” – giving a perspective from the junior end of the Bar
Interview: Philip Dykes SC, Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association
Mina Heung of Whitestone Chambers and member of the Bar Council’s International Committee, recently interviewed the Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Philip Dykes SC, for his views on the key regulations in place in Hong Kong to assist with preventing the spread of Covid-19
Guest blog: Why we cannot take our human rights for granted
Stephen Cragg QC, barrister and Vice-Chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, guest blogs for BarTalk on International Human Rights Day (10 December) on why protecting human rights and role of human rights defenders is as important as ever today
Guest blog: The Lord Chancellor on investing in justice
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Rt Hon Robert Buckland MP, guest blogs on the coronavirus pandemic and how this shaped his priorities for the recent 2020 Spending Review
Guest blog: Law Reform Essay Competition 2020 winner
Oliver Brewis, winner of the 2020 Law Reform Essay Competition, guest blogs for the Bar Council on his winning essay.
Guest blog: Top tips on accessibility during the pupillage application process
Isabel Baylis gives tips for how chambers and other organisations can ensure applicants with disabilities aren't blocked off from showing their potential in recruitment processes.
Guest blog: Sean Wilson, Chair of the Government Legal Department’s Race Network
Sean Wilson, senior lawyer at the Government Legal Department and Chair of its Race Network writes about his journey to the Bar and overcoming feelings of being an outsider
Q&A: How the pandemic has made law tech a priority
Global legal tech company, ABC Legal Services’ Sascha Mehlhase, Radley Angelo and Brandon Fuller discuss how the pandemic has rapidly pushed forward technological advances that were not a priority for the legal sector in the past. They look at what it means for access to justice and practitioners
Leading the charge: The international view – Bar and Young Bar Conference
Chair of the International Committee of the Bar Council, Steven Thompson QC, chaired a panel discussion entitled “Leading the Charge” at last week’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference, featuring speakers with huge experience in crime, commercial, chancery and family in the international sphere who set out their visions for the future
Guest blog: Chambers must play their part in law-dominated Social Mobility Employer Index
Sarah Atkinson, CEO of the Social Mobility Foundation, guest blogs for BarTalk on socioeconomic diversity in the legal profession, singling out the only chambers that ranked in the 2020 Social Mobility Index and giving three reasons why more chambers must join them in participating in the Index next year.
Guest blog: Why the CPS is working with the Bar to make the justice system a more inclusive space
Rebecca Lawrence, CEO of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), writes for Bar Talk about the work the CPS is doing to improve diversity and proportionality on the CPS external advocate panel
Guest blog: Why the Pupillage Gateway is an essential tool for improving divsersity
Laurie-Anne Power of 25 Bedford Row and the Bar Council’s Race Working Group looks at the equality and diversity benefits of using the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway, and its role in promoting an accessible and inclusive profession.
Guest blog: Only 2% of UK courts are accessible for the disabled
New research has found that most UK courts are not accessible for the disabled. However, a new, digital tool could help disabled court users overcome some of the hurdles they face in accessing justice, says Greenlight’s Hasna Haidar
Guest blog: Safe Spaces – raising concerns about safety at the Bar
Sophie Garner, barrister and mediator at St Philips Chambers, writes about how the Bar Council is using Talk to Spot to paint a picture of how barristers are being put at risk in court, and how you can help real action to be taken.
Guest blog: “We want to make sure women have a reason to remain at the Bar”
With the arrival of the newly-formed Themis: The Intersectional Women Barristers' Alliance, its three co-founders, Margherita Cornaglia, Ailsa McKeon and Luna Spada, guest blog for BarTalk on why intersectionality is so important in pushing for equal opportunities, equal access to the Bar and equal progression within the profession
Guest blog: The expected benefits of the new Sentencing Code
Dominic Lewis and Alexandra Robson, of the Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee, look at the benefits expected of the new Sentencing Code, which began as a vast area of work for the Law Commission, and is now awaiting Royal Assent.
Black History Month spotlight: Diversity on the Midland Circuit
Karen Kabweru-Namulemu, Midland Circuit rep on the Bar Council’s Race Working Group, writes about local initiatives to improve racial diversity and access to the Bar in the Midlands.
Guest blog: Lessons learned from implementing a successful diversity initiative
Adeola Fadipe, pupil barrister at Outer Temple Chambers, writes about things she learnt when setting up her own diversity initiative, BME Legal, which can help chambers to recruit and retain diverse talent
#IAmTheBar guest blog: Sounding different, not giving up and taking my shot
Jack Meek, pupil barrister at the Government Legal Department, writes about his experience with social mobility and his journey from Northern Ireland to the GLD, as well as why he feels an affinity with the Broadway musical “Hamilton”.
Guest blog: Strictly legal – do entities offer a more positive future for the Bar?
Nigel Wallis, Director, O’Connors Legal Services Limited, looks at how in the face of legal aid cuts, the impact of the pandemic, the rise of public access and other factors, BSB entities might now be the way forward for the Bar in future.
Guest blog: Zimbabwe and the escalating crackdown
Michael Ivers QC, Membership Secretary of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, guest blogs on the increasingly concerning crackdown on dissent in Zimbabwe and what it means for human rights and the rule of law in the country.