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“It is about a hand up, not a hand out,” HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Opportunity International UK, summed up the work of the charity at a drinks reception in Inner Temple Hall on 20 October in support of Opportunity UK’s work in Africa. The strategy is to use microfinance—loans, saving schemes, insurance—as a means of fighting poverty in the developing world. “If you can target the right areas you can make a real difference”, Princess Anne pointed out. The targets here are the most excluded; 85 per cent of the loans are to women whose priority is to invest in their children’s education. An impressive 98 per cent of the loans are repaid. Vivian Robinson QC, Treasurer of Inner Temple, further praised the work of lawyers doing pro bono work in Africa and fostering the rule of law. “Law provides a climate through which peace and prosperity grows”, he said. Visit: www.opportunity.org.uk for further information.
“It is about a hand up, not a hand out,” HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Opportunity International UK, summed up the work of the charity at a drinks reception in Inner Temple Hall on 20 October in support of Opportunity UK’s work in Africa. The strategy is to use microfinance—loans, saving schemes, insurance—as a means of fighting poverty in the developing world. “If you can target the right areas you can make a real difference”, Princess Anne pointed out. The targets here are the most excluded; 85 per cent of the loans are to women whose priority is to invest in their children’s education. An impressive 98 per cent of the loans are repaid. Vivian Robinson QC, Treasurer of Inner Temple, further praised the work of lawyers doing pro bono work in Africa and fostering the rule of law. “Law provides a climate through which peace and prosperity grows”, he said. Visit: www.opportunity.org.uk for further information.
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
