Alistair is Chairman of the Bar Council of England and Wales for 2015. Alistair was called to the Bar in 1983 and took Silk in 2000. Practising from Leeds, he is co-Head of Chambers at New Park Chambers.
As 2015 draws to a close, reflections on the past year as Chairman of the Bar
This is my last Chairman’s column for Counsel and I thought that I would set out a few thoughts and reflections which have occurred to me over the course of the past year.
In April, the Government introduced charges into the criminal courts. These charges have proved controversial and there are calls for an urgent review. The Chairman of the Bar, Alistair MacDonald QC, explains the profession’s concerns
One of the last acts of the Coalition Government was, without any sort of debate, to slip into legislation criminal court charges payable by defendants.
In February 2015 the Global Law Summit to celebrate 800 years since Magna Carta takes place in London.
Chairman-Elect of the Bar Council Alistair MacDonald QC explains.
The beginning of the legal year offers the opportunity for a renewed commitment to justice and the rule of law both at home and abroad
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
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)
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
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
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
