Profession

Elsa Booth explores the vibrant Manchester commercial and Chancery Bars and considers whether, in this age of connectivity, the term ‘regional’ is becoming less applicable  

At a Manchester Civil Justice Centre event last year, Mr Justice Norris suggested that in the legal world, the term ‘provinces’ is redundant and even ‘regional’ is under pressure.  

Fiona Jackson introduces the new Bar Council guidance which aims to help chambers better handle claims of sexual harassment  

According to recent research, it seems that incidents of sexual harassment are rarer than when I was first Called (Snapshot: The Experience of Self-Employed Women at the Bar , 2015). 

Whether contemplating Silk or dealing with the profession’s challenges, another barrister in your corner can make all the difference, as Sam Mercer explains 

Mentoring comes in many forms.  

Dr Anton van Dellen and Thomas Crockett turn the spotlight on third six pupillages and open the debate on developing best practice  

Seven years ago, a non-trading individual without a listed business address notoriously set up a website to charge fees to prospective barristers applying for third six pupillages.  

Judicial morale, advice for the junior commercial Bar, and life beyond the law: Joe England talks to Sir Richard on his retirement from the Court of Appeal  

David Wurtzel analyses the recently published BPTC Key Statistics – essential reading for both prospective students and those designing a replacement system of training for the Bar  

‘I am also struck, as others have been, by the disparity between the mandatory training expected of solicitors and barristers,’ Sir Bill Jeffrey wrote in his 2014 report Independent criminal advocacy in England and Wales . 

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.  

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).  

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.  

In the second part of Counsel’s report on the role of the Circuits today, we hear from Leaders Paul Lewis QC and Richard Atkins QC on what makes the Circuit structure work and how it meets the profession’s needs