Counsel Magazine

And the winner is… the Bar Council introduces the barristers honoured in the 2024 awards celebrating the achievements of the employed Bar 

Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar 

The holder of three national awards on overcoming self-doubt, being selective about what advice you take, and giving back. Mani Singh Basi’s lessons learnt 

In the second of a series celebrating the Bar Pro Bono Award winners,  Jake Rudman, Jennifer MacLeod, 4PB, Mark Ronson and Dads House share the stories behind their awards 

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)

The complexities of balancing practice at the Bar with breastfeeding are investigated by Sally Rickard IBCLC* with assistance from barrister Charlotte Baker 

Ben Heaviside explores the pivotal role of clerking, tailored practice management and an inclusive chambers policy in a successful return to practice – keeping talent at the Bar 

Philip Hinks and Laura Newton report from a seminar discussing life at the commercial Bar as a working parent of young children. A number of common themes emerged relevant to all barrister parents 

Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon are researching where the solutions lie for parents returning to the Bar and how the profession can achieve positive change 

Julie Ahadi on the shift from theory to implementation, spoils to be had, and converting the trepidatious barrister 

Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation

Imposing a professional obligation to act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion is the wrong way to achieve this ambition, says Nick Vineall KC 

The desire to enlarge the scope of the rule of law is understandable but where is the line to be drawn? asks Raymond Wacks 

An alarming gap in social workers’ knowledge of coercive and controlling behaviour compromises the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable individuals, say Joy Brereton KC and Lucy Logan Green 

Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners 

Detachment or coldness? asks William Byfield 

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 

Heidi Stonecliffe KC, Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee for 2024, reflects on her year at the helm and progress made in implementing the Life at the Employed Bar Report 2023 recommendations 

And the winner is… the Bar Council introduces the barristers honoured in the 2024 awards celebrating the achievements of the employed Bar 

David Fardy outlines what to expect, what you will learn, and what you can gain from a pupillage at the employed Bar 

Heidi Stonecliffe KC talks frankly about her route to silk and why, as Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee for 2024, she wants to see greater visibility, progression and recognition for employed barristers 

From a CPS pupillage to Director of Legal Services at one of the largest prosecutors in England and Wales – Michael Jennings describes the interesting and varied life an employed barrister in public service can lead 

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 

Julie Ahadi on the shift from theory to implementation, spoils to be had, and converting the trepidatious barrister 

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 mentoring scheme for underrepresented applicants to the Commercial Bar – 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