Founded in 1985, COUNSEL is the official monthly Magazine of the Bar of England and Wales, published by LexisNexis on behalf of the Bar Council. COUNSEL is largely written by and for barristers.
Highly influential and thought-provoking, it is read by legal professionals of all ages, from law students to senior judges, policy makers, key influencers, and members of the government. It also has a wider general readership.
Editorial coverage ranges from high profile interviews to its vital Practice Toolset section, helping barristers achieve their ambitions and work smarter using the latest techniques and market innovations.
It is also the platform for intelligent opinion on key issues affecting the Bar and justice, as well as covering wellbeing and lifestyle matters, giving it a broad cross-over appeal for anyone associated with the legal industry and interested in the law.
Our authors are thought leaders and experts in their fields. Our audience is highly engaged with the COUNSEL brand in print, online and social media.
The magazine has a distinguished Policy and Editorial Board, mainly drawn from the ranks of practising barristers and representing a wide cross-section of the Bar.
Print issues go direct to subscribers each month, with high numbers of non-subscribers reading it on the ‘free to view’ destination website: www.counselmagazine.co.uk.
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Editor: Sarah Grainger
Email: sarah.grainger@lexisnexis.co.uk
Commissioning Editor: Elsa Booth
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The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
