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Legal leaders from the UK and overseas came together for the annual service at Westminster Abbey to mark the Opening of the Legal Year last month.
At the occasion, which has been a fixture in the legal calendar since the Middle Ages, judges have traditionally prayed for guidance at the start of the new legal term.
The service followed a series of events organised over two days by the Bar Council and the Law Society, attended by more than 60 international bar representatives from over 40 jurisdictions. The sessions focused on legal professional privilege, the role of witnesses and the rule of law.
Chairman of the Bar Alistair MacDonald QC said: “The Opening of the Legal Year is the most celebrated event in the legal profession’s calendar. The programme of events and the number and range of international participants demonstrates the global orientation of our profession.
“It also enables us to discuss the future of our profession and the challenges and opportunities we face, to reflect on the values we share with fellow legal practitioners overseas, and to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law.”
Legal leaders from the UK and overseas came together for the annual service at Westminster Abbey to mark the Opening of the Legal Year last month.
At the occasion, which has been a fixture in the legal calendar since the Middle Ages, judges have traditionally prayed for guidance at the start of the new legal term.
The service followed a series of events organised over two days by the Bar Council and the Law Society, attended by more than 60 international bar representatives from over 40 jurisdictions. The sessions focused on legal professional privilege, the role of witnesses and the rule of law.
Chairman of the Bar Alistair MacDonald QC said: “The Opening of the Legal Year is the most celebrated event in the legal profession’s calendar. The programme of events and the number and range of international participants demonstrates the global orientation of our profession.
“It also enables us to discuss the future of our profession and the challenges and opportunities we face, to reflect on the values we share with fellow legal practitioners overseas, and to reaffirm our commitment to the rule of law.”
Update from the Chair of the Bar
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
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
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
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
