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Dear Editor
Can I thank Sunil Tailor for the very interesting article on fictional barrister sleuths which appeared in the August issue of Counsel (“The Crime Writers” pp 24-26). I’m sure it will have encouraged readers to search Amazon to supplement their holiday reading.
It was disappointing however to find no mention of two excellent novels by Elizabeth Woodcraft [called to the Bar in 1980 and Deputy Head of Tooks Chambers]: Good bad woman (2009) and Babyface (2003) (published by HarperCollins).
Both feature Frankie Richmond, a family barrister at 17 KBW who when not appearing at Edmonton County Court listens to Motown, drinks in Islington bars (surrounded by “solid barrister bags, each holding a story of misery, hope and destroyed rainforests”) and reluctantly becomes involved in murder.
All this, except perhaps the murders, will be recognisable for any young member of the family Bar.
His Honour Judge John Mitchell, Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
The Editor welcomes letters, ideas for articles and legal news. Letters and articles may be shortened or edited for space and clarity. Any views expressed in the letters published are not necessarily those of Counsel, the Bar Council or the Bar Standards Board. Contact: Tracey Crate, COUNSEL, LexisNexis Butterworths, 2 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR9 5AF, tel: 020 8696 9141, fax: 020 8760 0588, email: tracey.crate@lexisnexis.co.uk.
It was disappointing however to find no mention of two excellent novels by Elizabeth Woodcraft [called to the Bar in 1980 and Deputy Head of Tooks Chambers]: Good bad woman (2009) and Babyface (2003) (published by HarperCollins).
Both feature Frankie Richmond, a family barrister at 17 KBW who when not appearing at Edmonton County Court listens to Motown, drinks in Islington bars (surrounded by “solid barrister bags, each holding a story of misery, hope and destroyed rainforests”) and reluctantly becomes involved in murder.
All this, except perhaps the murders, will be recognisable for any young member of the family Bar.
His Honour Judge John Mitchell, Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court
The Editor welcomes letters, ideas for articles and legal news. Letters and articles may be shortened or edited for space and clarity. Any views expressed in the letters published are not necessarily those of Counsel, the Bar Council or the Bar Standards Board. Contact: Tracey Crate, COUNSEL, LexisNexis Butterworths, 2 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, CR9 5AF, tel: 020 8696 9141, fax: 020 8760 0588, email: tracey.crate@lexisnexis.co.uk.
Dear Editor
Can I thank Sunil Tailor for the very interesting article on fictional barrister sleuths which appeared in the August issue of Counsel (“The Crime Writers” pp 24-26). I’m sure it will have encouraged readers to search Amazon to supplement their holiday reading.
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
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
