*/
The Lord Chief Justice has urged talented black and Asian lawyers to take up the challenge of judicial office.
Addressing delegates at the Seventh Biennial Minority Lawyers’ Conference in London in April, Lord Judge said there was a need for applicants of the “highest possible available calibre”, and asked lawyers, “please, do not ignore the possibility of a judicial career because you think that the colour of your skin, or your creed, or your origins may make you unsuitable, or ineligible, or indeed may mean that you will not be successful”.
Desmond Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, hailed “clear signs of progress” in the Bar’s ongoing drive to broaden access to the profession, but told delegates “there is still more which must be done”. Proposed cuts to public funding for legally aided family cases would hit women and ethnic minority practitioners, who make up a significant proportion of family advocates, particularly hard, he warned (see further p 6 of this issue).
Addressing delegates at the Seventh Biennial Minority Lawyers’ Conference in London in April, Lord Judge said there was a need for applicants of the “highest possible available calibre”, and asked lawyers, “please, do not ignore the possibility of a judicial career because you think that the colour of your skin, or your creed, or your origins may make you unsuitable, or ineligible, or indeed may mean that you will not be successful”.
Desmond Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, hailed “clear signs of progress” in the Bar’s ongoing drive to broaden access to the profession, but told delegates “there is still more which must be done”. Proposed cuts to public funding for legally aided family cases would hit women and ethnic minority practitioners, who make up a significant proportion of family advocates, particularly hard, he warned (see further p 6 of this issue).
The Lord Chief Justice has urged talented black and Asian lawyers to take up the challenge of judicial office.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
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
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
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
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
