Features

Forty-six years since the Equal Pay Act 1970, the gender pay gap persists despite years of litigation. The impending regulations have come at an important time, says Daphne Romney QC  

In August, figures published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggested the overall gender pay gap (GPG) is now 18%, widening in the 12 years after having children (Gender Wage Gap, BN186).  

Supreme Court judge in Bermuda and a founding member of 33 Chancery Lane, Chambers of Andrew Mitchell QC  

With Bar wellbeing firmly centre stage, Mark Hatcher meets the preachers of the Inns to examine what they can offer to barristers – of all faiths and none  

‘The Bar can sometimes feel a lonely place,’ says Rachel Spearing, a criminal practitioner who has played a leading role in the Wellbeing at the Bar initiative.  

From its earliest beginnings in 18th century England to today’s street protests, Paul Harris explains why the right to demonstrate still matters  

The legal and practical issues surrounding street demonstrations have remained remarkably similar over the 200 years since the idea of peaceful demonstrations was first thought of.  

‘Innovation and global opportunity’ – this year’s Bar Conference theme – should prompt barristers in every field to reassess the way they work, explains Gerard McDermott QC  

When asked by the Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, to chair this year’s Bar and Young Bar Conference I enquired whether I could make at least part of it international in flavour.  

International arbitration provides a wealth of challenges and opportunities for the junior barrister, writes Josephine Higgs  

International arbitration forms a substantial part of the workload of most junior barristers practising at the commercial Bar; for some, perhaps many, it represents the bulk of their practice.  

Evanna Fruithof outlines Brexit’s implications for barristers across practice area  

Three months on from the UK’s seismic EU Referendum result, and with the brief respite of summer behind us, defining and dealing with the implications of the pending Brexit for the Bar is a major priority.  

Mark Smith explains how the ‘mortgage tracker loans case’, a direct access group action, made novel use of crowdfunding and BARCO  

Widely trailed in the broadsheets as the largest-ever direct access case, Alexander v West Bromwich Mortgage Company Ltd  [2016] EWCA Civ 496 was covered by the legal and financial press and analysed by commentators, academics and major firms of solicitors. 

From fledging clearing house to today’s long-reach service embedded in Bar culture, Jess Campbell reflects on 20 years of pro bono within the profession  

In 1995, when Peter Goldsmith QC was Chairman of the Bar, it became increasingly apparent how many people needed the legal services of barristers but were unable to afford them.