Human rights cases don’t come bigger than this. Tim Otty KC, lead counsel for the Government of Ukraine in its case before the European Court against Russia, talks about the significance of this landmark ruling and other pro bono highlights from his career at the Bar. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Gary Bell KC’s lessons learnt – he wouldn’t practise anywhere else
Marking one year since a Bar disciplinary tribunal dismissed all charges against her, Dr Charlotte Proudman discusses the experience, her formative years and next steps. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Baroness Harriet Harman KC has unveiled a bold new blueprint for the Bar to tackle systemic misconduct. In the wake of her report, Lachlan Stewart sits down with Baroness Harman and Barbara Mills KC to explore the review’s impact, the challenges ahead and the crucial next steps
Oscar Davies shares their lessons learnt
Barristers’ premises are far more than bricks and mortar. Decisions about whether to move or modernise can spark debates as heated as Brexit. Martyn McLeish shares how he managed the debate
How to refurbish and future-proof chambers without compromising historic buildings, professional standards or collegiality? Cherno Jagne provides practical insights for organisations considering similar renovations
Exploring the potential of a new chambers to develop your practice? Imogen Mellor reflects on the rationale for her move and the strategies that supported her transition
Proactive, solid wellbeing support should be a core part of practice – not an afterthought, writes Barbara Mills KC
Talking about suicide isn’t included in a barrister’s job description and yet we owe it to clients, colleagues, friends – and indeed ourselves – to learn the potential signs, and what to say and do. Rachel Francis and suicide prevention trainer Rose Rowkins offer practical guidance
One of the Bar Council’s priorities this year has been to raise awareness and generate support for the safety and protection of lawyers. Sarah Kavanagh reports
How much longer can AI companies collect and monetise other people’s IP? Phoebe Whitlock investigates
Little has changed since Burns v Burns . Cohabiting couples deserve better than to be left on the blasted heath with the existing witch’s brew for another four decades, argues Christopher Stirling
Why employers in Great Britain should not blindly follow Trump’s diversity, equity and inclusion rollback. By Olivia-Faith Dobbie
Six months of court observation at the Old Bailey: APPEAL’s Dr Nisha Waller and Tehreem Sultan report their findings on prosecution practices under joint enterprise
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC present their best buys for this holiday season
Alexander Bailey on the holistic benefits of carpentry, cycling and other out-of-court pursuits directing concentration away from the inner critic
The two classics resonate with today’s legal profession, writes David Langwallner
Pointillism, radical politics and social conscience. Review by Stephen Cragg KC
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
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
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
Despite increased awareness, why are AI hallucinations continuing to infiltrate court cases at an alarming rate? Matthew Lee investigates
Neither magic wand nor existential threat, AI is a tool. And like any tool, its impact depends entirely on how we learn to wield it, says Paul Schwartfeger
Don’t start your time in Chambers as a cyber risk! Sam Thomas flags the online vulnerabilities of working at the Bar and offers security tips
How will the EU AI Act, in full force from August 2026, affect barristers in the UK? If advising EU-linked clients or handling cross-border disputes you must grasp its risk-based approach, says Bamdad Shams
Camilo Artiga-Purcell highlights the dangerous use of unapproved AI tools
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
Chair of the Bar reflects on 2025
The COUNSEL interview
Barbara Mills KC, barrister and Chair of the Bar 2025, talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon), legal journalist and broadcaster. Podcast recorded in December 2024.
Q&A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
Revolt Cycling in Holborn, London’s first sustainable fitness studio, invites barristers to join the revolution – turning pedal power into clean energy
Rachel Davenport, Co-founder and Director at AlphaBiolabs, reflects on how the company’s Giving Back ethos continues to make a difference to communities across the UK
By Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Sean’s Place, a men’s mental health charity based in Sefton, as part of its ongoing Giving Back initiative
Little has changed since Burns v Burns . Cohabiting couples deserve better than to be left on the blasted heath with the existing witch’s brew for another four decades, argues Christopher Stirling
Six months of court observation at the Old Bailey: APPEAL’s Dr Nisha Waller and Tehreem Sultan report their findings on prosecution practices under joint enterprise
Despite its prevalence, autism spectrum disorder remains poorly understood in the criminal justice system. Does Alex Henry’s joint enterprise conviction expose the need to audit prisons? asks Dr Felicity Gerry KC
With automation now deeply embedded in the Department for Work Pensions, Alexander McColl and Alexa Thompson review what we know, what we don’t and avenues for legal challenge
Why were some Caribbean nations given such dramatically different constitutional frameworks when they gained independence from the UK? Dr Leonardo Raznovich examines the controversial savings clause
