*/
Clifford Chance is to track its use of female barristers in a bid to increase the diversity of those it instructs.
Matthew Newick, global head of litigation and dispute resolution at the Magic Circle firm, told Counsel that he also wants to achieve a default position where there must be a ‘very good reason’ for there to be no women on the list of counsel suggested to clients, adding: ‘I can’t imagine any time when there would be a list without a woman.’
He said that the firm already kept data on who it instructed, but is in the process of ‘formalising’ the tracking of that information in order to ensure it instructs a more diverse range of barristers.
He said he was against setting a target for the percentage of female instructions, but that he wanted to see an ‘upward trajectory’. Having looked at the number of women already instructed, Newick said he was ‘surprised and pleased’ to see it was already high and at varying levels of seniority.
Newick said: ‘It reinforced the fact that if we look outside the concentrated bastions of senior male talent at the top end of the Bar, it’s amazing what talent is out there.’
‘We want to find the hidden gems,’ he said, laying down a challenge for chambers to ‘show us your wider talent – make sure we can see it and make it easy for us to find’.
Clifford Chance is to track its use of female barristers in a bid to increase the diversity of those it instructs.
Matthew Newick, global head of litigation and dispute resolution at the Magic Circle firm, told Counsel that he also wants to achieve a default position where there must be a ‘very good reason’ for there to be no women on the list of counsel suggested to clients, adding: ‘I can’t imagine any time when there would be a list without a woman.’
He said that the firm already kept data on who it instructed, but is in the process of ‘formalising’ the tracking of that information in order to ensure it instructs a more diverse range of barristers.
He said he was against setting a target for the percentage of female instructions, but that he wanted to see an ‘upward trajectory’. Having looked at the number of women already instructed, Newick said he was ‘surprised and pleased’ to see it was already high and at varying levels of seniority.
Newick said: ‘It reinforced the fact that if we look outside the concentrated bastions of senior male talent at the top end of the Bar, it’s amazing what talent is out there.’
‘We want to find the hidden gems,’ he said, laying down a challenge for chambers to ‘show us your wider talent – make sure we can see it and make it easy for us to find’.
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar, sets our course for 2026
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
AlphaBiolabs has donated £500 to The Christie Charity through its Giving Back initiative, helping to support cancer care, treatment and research across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and further afield
Q and A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
With pupillage application season under way, Laura Wright reflects on her route to ‘tech barrister’ and offers advice for those aiming at a career at the Bar
Jury-less trial proposals threaten fairness, legitimacy and democracy without ending the backlog, writes Professor Cheryl Thomas KC (Hon), the UK’s leading expert on juries, judges and courts
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Marking one year since a Bar disciplinary tribunal dismissed all charges against her, Dr Charlotte Proudman discusses the experience, her formative years and next steps. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
