Features

Natalie Hearn and Brie Stevens-Hoare QC herald the launch of FreeBar, the LGBT+ chambers network that aims to promote an inclusive culture throughout the Bar  

A number of barristers’ chambers – including Matrix, Hardwicke, No5 Chambers, 5 Paper Buildings and 3 Hare Court – are working in association with Stonewall to establish a forum for chambers, employers and individuals working at and for the Bar focused on supporting LGBT+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender and sexuality minorities).  

Pairing Shakespeare with the law at a recent PBI/Alliance for Lawyers at Risk fundraising event was a perfect marriage, writes Melissa Coutinho  

Middle Temple Hall was a fitting venue for the Peace Brigade International (PBI) UK and the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk event “Shakespeare and the Law” on 16 November 2015.  

Oliver Hanmer reports the findings of the regulator’s review of advocacy standards within youth proceedings, and Parliamentarian and practitioner perspectives on the problems currently endemic in the youth justice system  

In November last year, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) published The Youth Proceedings Advocacy Review which we and CILEx Regulation commissioned from The Institute for Criminal Policy Research.  

Mark Hatcher reflects on Jeremy Corbyn’s ‘rule-breaking’ reshuffle, its impact on democracy and significance for the Bar  

One of the most respected constitutional lawyers of the 20th century, Sir Ivor Jennings observed in his magisterial Cabinet Government: ‘If there be no Opposition, there is no democracy. “Her Majesty’s Opposition” is no idle phrase. Her Majesty needs an Opposition as well as a Government.’ 

Author: Lord Judge
Publisher: Hart Publishing, 2015
368pp Hardback: £22.50
ISBN: 9781509901890 

Does Latin still have a place in the modern judgment? Mr Justice McCloskey considers the patterns, and challenges, of judgment-writing in the common law system  

The Latin legal term curia advisari vult  (abbreviation cur adv vult ), meaning ‘the court wishes to consider the matter’ (literally ‘to be advised’), is familiar to most in the UK legal system and appears in countless thousands of law reports.  

New Year brings mixed blessings  

‘Men should pledge themselves to nothing; for reflection makes a liar of their resolution.’ – Sophocles 

Forum Chambers is a newly formed commercial set specialising in banking and finance, commercial litigation, insolvency, financial services, property and professional negligence.  

Nigel Pascoe QC reviews the star-studded world premiere of a Paul Temple thriller, staged as a retro radio play for the recent Kalisher fundraising event  

Michael Kalisher QC was an outstanding advocate and a generous, fair and delightful opponent.  

As litigation spend shrinks, Andrew Goodman presents the business case for advocacy in mediation and outlines a new market for barristers  

Members of the Bar are increasingly finding themselves needing, or wishing, to represent clients in mediation, acting not as mediators but as advocates and legal advisers.