Features

There is no greater time to unite behind international bodies to bring justice to those wronged, writes Lewis Power QC, reporting from the annual International Bar Association (IBA) conference in Toyko.  

Lawyers covened from all corners of the world in Tokyo for the Annual IBA Conference from 19-24 October 2014. 

The conditions were all there for a turbulent trial. Athina Caraba offers a layman’s view of the trial of Michael Piggin and highlights the need for research to ensure trials fully allow for the mental condition of the defendant.  

My interest in the case of Michael Piggin, who stood trial in 2013-14 at the Old Bailey on charges of terrorism based on the allegation that he was going to be a “mass shooter”, is a predominantly criminological one. 

S Chelvan, LALY Barrister 2014, recalls the dark days of sexual identity asylum law and explains why he chose to practise in one of the most politically charged areas of the law GUIDE.  

“With all the legal aid cuts, you will most probably be the last Legal Aid Barrister of the Year.” 

As legal aid cuts bite, Anika Jones explains the pop-up clinic at 1MCB.  

1MCB was founded over 35 years ago with the aim of representing all sectors of the community. 

The diversity of the employed Bar.  

A popular misconception when considering the employed Bar is assuming that roles are either in a solicitor’s firm or in the Government Legal Service or CPS. Dispelling this myth, Melissa Coutinho continues her series of 60 second interviews which demonstrate the diversity of work that employed lawyers undertake. 

With the General Election date fixed four years ago, the attention of all at Westminster is now on May 2015.  

Mark Hatcher reports on the parties’ plans. 

Colin Yeo examines the legal issues thrown up by the arrival on these shores of the fictitious immigrant from darkest Peru.  

Law is pretty abstract. Unlike the role of a doctor or a builder, that of a lawyer is difficult to explain to a young mind. 

Sir Dennis Byron, with 32 years on the bench and still sitting, is one of the longest-serving judges in the common law jurisdiction.   

The most notable aspect of his career has been his service on courts which have combined both domestic and international jurisdictions, as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and now as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). 

Russell Wallman highlights misconceptions about the QC application process.   

In this first part of a two-part feature on applying for Silk, Russell reveals the most common concerns and puts the record straight. 

Preparation is not always simplification.  

Barristers do go on about prep...