Counsel Magazine

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)

In the first of a series celebrating the Bar Pro Bono Award winners, Advocate introduces Tinessa Kaur, Samantha Hillas KC, Haydee Dijkstal and Joseph Sinclair who share the stories behind their awards

Expectations, experiences and survival tips – some of the things I wished I had known (or applied) when I was starting pupillage. By Chelsea Brooke-Ward 

Paula Rhone-Adrien shares her lessons learnt 

The former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice reflects on his time in politics and the invaluable grounding provided by his career as a barrister. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB

David Malone, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, tells Anthony Inglese CB about Go Prosecute, the pilot scheme offering 10 recently qualified self-employed barristers the opportunity to develop prosecution experience at the CPS for up to two years before resuming practice in chambers 

The Access to Justice Foundation urges barristers to maximise the impact of their pro bono work by applying for pro bono costs orders

There is a pressing need to assess the effect of barristers’ work on our physical  as well as mental health, says Deshpal Panesar KC, so we can construct long and healthy careers

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

Nikki Alderson explores how we can create, develop and maintain equal opportunity for all – for the good of everyone

Following the initial riots, more public information should have been put out concerning the charges and sentences offenders could have faced, says Sir Nicholas Mostyn

Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime

James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series 

Jonathan Barnes KC and Samuel Rowe assess the outlook for freedom of speech and OFCOM’s role as designated online harms regulator

Time well spent with innumerable benefits: Tim Prudhoe on the challenges and advantages of small jurisdictions for pro bono strategic litigation

When less is less. By William Byfield*

Audacious and unique, says Daniel Barnett

And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. By William Byfield 

The compelling courtroom drama is reviewed by David Langwallner 

John Uff CBE KC reviews the Gray’s Inn-City Junior School joint venture

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 

Ensuring recruitment processes are fair, and free from bias, is essential to drive diversity at the Bar. Bindi Dholakia and Rachel Krys examine the theory and practice 

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

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 

Alex Goodman KC on why our electoral laws need an urgent upgrade – they were not designed to address the corruption of popular opinion by AI and deepfakes 

The reluctance of governments to set agreed universal standards will inevitably mean that regulators have to fill the gap, says Sara Ibrahim. How are UK regulators preparing and what are the issues facing practitioners? 

The mentoring scheme for underrepresented applicants to the Commercial Bar is still open for applications – 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