Counsel Magazine

The white-collar criminal and civil silk Jonathan Fisher KC, Independent Reviewer of Disclosure and Fraud Offences, advocates modernising the disclosure regime and harnessing AI to reduce the court backlog. He tells Anthony Inglese CB about his career path and conclusions of his review 

Aim higher, earlier, deploy social media productively and pay it forward – Sarah Magill’s lessons learnt building a career at the Bar 

There is far more to Martyn Levett than the title of Resident Judge suggests, discovers Steven Ball. As a long-serving Honorary Recorder of Ipswich – a role that embodies the connection between civic life and the legal world – Judge Levett reflects on his community, charity work and criminal justice today 

The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today 

In conversation with Frances Gibb, Kirsty Brimelow KC outlines an ambitious reform agenda for her term, spanning issues from child justice to Bar culture. Yet she leaves no doubt about her immediate priorities: protecting jury trials and securing urgent funding for the justice system 

In the wake of the Harman Review, many chambers are asking what practical steps they should take now. Joanna Chatterton and David Murphy suggest how the recommendations can be weaved into the daily life of a modern set – in a credible, proportionate and effective way 

The Harman Report found judicial bullying to be a real and significant problem. As the judiciary starts the journey of recognising and addressing misconduct on the bench, Saara Idelbi suggests some ways to respond in the moment – with the aim of preserving mutual respect in the courtroom  

With at least 31 reports of AI hallucinations in UK legal cases – over 800 worldwide – and judges using AI to assist in judicial decision-making, the risks and benefits are impossible to ignore. Matthew Lee examines how different jurisdictions are responding 

What has changed, and why? Paul Secher unpacks the new standards aligning the recruiting, training and appraising of judges – the first major change to the system for ten years 

Amelia Clegg shares the lessons standing her in good stead as 2026 Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee and the priorities for her term 

The deprivation of liberty is the most significant power the state can exercise. Drawing on frontline experience, Chris Henley KC explains why replacing trial by jury with judge-only trials risks undermining justice 

Debate has centred on the government veto of Sentencing Council guidelines. But a quieter power – the ability to shape its business plan – is equally troubling. Julian Roberts KC (Hon), a former Sentencing Council member, explains why this matters 

Baffled by the government’s proposed s 41 reforms and by the Law Commission’s preferred model, Laura Hoyano looks at what won’t work, and what will 

Should call be deferred until a pupil is entitled to practise? Stephen Hockman KC and Toby Riley-Smith KC reprise the debate 

When politicians take aim at judges, it’s more than political theatre – it’s a threat to the rule of law. Judges can’t fight back from the bench, so what options do they have? Peter Oldham KC explores lessons from the past 

New year brings more than resolutions. By William Byfield 

The gentle way. By David Hughes 

Reviewed by Robin Jackson  

Reviewed by David Wurtzel 

Abolishing juries is nothing new. By William Byfield 

Fiona Butler offers some tips and advice on how to make the move in-house and what to expect – for both aspiring barristers and established practitioners contemplating a new chapter

One year on, Nardeen Némat reflects on the violent disorder in Merseyside following the Southport knife attacks and the collaboration between police, courts and Crown Prosecution Service in bringing a swift end to the riots

Nicholas Khan KC, the only lawyer to have taken silk while working in a European Union institution, discusses his fascinating professional life beyond the Inns of Court – in the Legal Service of the European Commission 

Mike Jones KC, the first Senior Crown advocate from Wales to take silk, talks about his career pathway, the ‘one Bar’ philosophy and what the future holds

Trying new approaches to tackle unfairness in opportunities, James Peters and Sinead Murray discuss recent Ofgem initiatives

It’s been five years since the groundbreaking QC competition in which six Black women barristers, including the 2025 Chair of the Bar, took silk. Yet today, the number of Black KCs remains ‘critically low’. Desirée Artesi talks to Baroness Scotland KC, Allison Munroe KC and Melanie Simpson KC about the critical success factors, barriers and ideas for embedding change

Brie Stevens-Hoare KC looks at the range of initiatives aiming to increase diversity in judicial appointments. What’s making the difference? What more needs to be done?

Senior barristers reflect on the progress made since the publication of Race at the Bar: A Snapshot Report  in 2021, as well as the persistent challenges and cultural shifts still needed. Interviews by Mariam Diaby 

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

With at least 31 reports of AI hallucinations in UK legal cases – over 800 worldwide – and judges using AI to assist in judicial decision-making, the risks and benefits are impossible to ignore. Matthew Lee examines how different jurisdictions are responding 

The judiciary is familiar with addressing bias but GenAI presents new challenges. Sophie Mitchell examines how, why and when gender bias might present itself in judicial use of AI tools and calls for urgent debate 

Legal thinking needs to keep pace with the very disturbing realities that chatbots can create. Matthew Lee looks at emerging litigation in the US around conversational chatbots and their sinister influence on children 

How much longer can AI companies collect and monetise other people’s IP? Phoebe Whitlock investigates

Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates

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

How to fund training is often a student’s biggest concern. Here, Rose Malleson takes a look at the types of scholarship and financing options available