Counsel Magazine

Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB 

Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career

Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis 

A career change, developing a sports law practice, 25 years at the Bar and still enjoying every day of it – David Sharpe KC shares his thoughts on his career and advice to others contemplating a later entry to the profession 

‘Hard work and commitment can open doors. I believe that I am proof of that,’ says Senior Treasury Counsel Louise Oakley. She tells Anthony Inglese CB about her journey from Wolverhampton to the Old Bailey

Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel 

Mediation is not a competing discipline, says Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, but a growing part of a barrister’s practice following the judgment in Churchill  

Identify what makes you stand out from the crowd – Lisa Happé shares some techniques from the marketing world 

Career crossroads? Is change really as good as a rest? Teaching has been a revelation for Alexia Zimbler who left practice to inspire the next generation of criminal barristers 

Grace Ferrier and Antonia Eklund look at the possibilities and benefits of using additional languages in your practice at the Bar

Heidi Stonecliffe KC, 2024 Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee, reflects on her year at the helm and progress made in implementing the Life at the Employed Bar Report 2023 recommendations

There is widespread acknowledgement that the criminal justice system, and in particular the trial and appellate processes, are failing women. Emma Torr reports on a system in crisis and hope on the horizon 

Matthew Banks introduces the Deaf Legal Network, a new forum bringing together lawyers and the deaf community to overcome the barriers experienced by deaf people in accessing the justice system

Which special measure? Dr Natalie Kyneswood discusses the accessible resources she has produced for adult-victim witnesses in sex offence cases to explain how special measures work 

Senior barristers reflect on the progress made since the publication of Race at the Bar: A Snapshot Report  in 2021, as well as the persistent challenges and cultural shifts still needed. Interviews by Mariam Diaby 

Best books, top tracks, fabulous films, artistic influences and an essential for mid-trial stayovers: Counsel invites barristers to share their cultural influences and home comforts

Review by Daniel Barnett 

William Byfield’s New Year resolutions

The devil finds work for idle hands. By William Byfield

Reviews by Daniel Barnett

Heidi Stonecliffe KC, Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee for 2024, reflects on her year at the helm and progress made in implementing the Life at the Employed Bar Report 2023 recommendations 

And the winner is… the Bar Council introduces the barristers honoured in the 2024 awards celebrating the achievements of the employed Bar 

David Fardy outlines what to expect, what you will learn, and what you can gain from a pupillage at the employed Bar 

Heidi Stonecliffe KC talks frankly about her route to silk and why, as Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee for 2024, she wants to see greater visibility, progression and recognition for employed barristers 

From a CPS pupillage to Director of Legal Services at one of the largest prosecutors in England and Wales – Michael Jennings describes the interesting and varied life an employed barrister in public service can lead 

Senior barristers reflect on the progress made since the publication of Race at the Bar: A Snapshot Report  in 2021, as well as the persistent challenges and cultural shifts still needed. Interviews by Mariam Diaby 

From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)

Following the Lincoln’s Inn EDI Forum in Leeds, Glenn Parsons considers the tools required to increase diversity at the Bar – now and in the future

Championing underrepresented talent, 10K Black Interns 2024 is open for applications. Mentee Tendai Chiguvare and mentor Anna Walsh share their experience of the summer internship scheme at the Bar 

Bibi Badejo reports from a packed Inns of Court Women’s Alliance event examining the experiences of Black women barristers and imparting crucial advice for Black women navigating the legal profession 

Julie Ahadi on the shift from theory to implementation, spoils to be had, and converting the trepidatious barrister 

Irresponsible use of AI can lead to serious and embarrassing consequences. Sam Thomas briefs barristers on the five key risks and how to avoid them

How to cross-examine your Gen AI tools and interrogate the outputs? Sally McLaren’s tips for using AI safely in legal research 

As use of AI becomes more widespread at the Bar, reshaping workflows, Andrew Hogan predicts a shift away from time-spent to value-based fees  

How to navigate open source evidence in an era of deepfakes. By Professor Yvonne McDermott Rees and Professor Alexa Koenig 

The mentoring scheme for underrepresented applicants to the Commercial Bar – apply by the extended deadline of Friday 18 October 2024 for the 2024-25 cycle 

The Bar Council crunches the data to tell the real story of who gets pupillage... and when 

Newly minted Bar graduates compete at a ratio of 300:1 for a golden ticket to Wonka’s Criminal Justice Factory. The Secret Barrister explains why…

The Bar Standards Board on what you need to know about training to become a barrister in England and Wales

Laurence Cooper explores the high-stakes world of choosing a Bar training course provider