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In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019 on 8 March 2019, over 200 delegates came together for the Western Circuit Women’s Forum’s (WCWF’s) first ever conference: ‘Women in Law: Support, Retention, Progression.’ The event was sponsored by 3PB Chambers, Albion Chambers, Anglia DNA, Brewin Dolphin, Class Legal, Devon Chambers, Magdalen Chambers, Place Campbell, Queen Square Chambers and Stowe Family Law LLP.
Barristers, solicitors, judges and students from across the South-West and beyond gathered at Armada House in Bristol, and listened to a range of inspirational speakers sharing their experiences and insights on how women in law can be supported in their careers. The WCWF is extremely grateful to His Honour Judge Wildblood, the Honourable Mrs Justice May DBE, the Right Honourable Thangam Debbonaire MP, Maggie Semple OBE FCGI, Sarah Langford, Alison Hawes (Burges Salmon), Mary Jackson (LawCare) and Kate Brunner QC for giving up their time to address the conference delegates. You can find a full conference write-up here.
In the lead-up to the conference, WCWF Steering Group members Carol Mashembo and Emma Cross co-ordinated an essay competition for university law students in Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol. They had an amazing response from the students of whom the overall winner was Nicole Hilton. Nicole is an LLB Law Student at the University of Bristol and was the lucky winner of an iPad kindly sponsored by Albion Chambers. You can find her amazing essay entry attached below.
In celebration of International Women’s Day 2019 on 8 March 2019, over 200 delegates came together for the Western Circuit Women’s Forum’s (WCWF’s) first ever conference: ‘Women in Law: Support, Retention, Progression.’ The event was sponsored by 3PB Chambers, Albion Chambers, Anglia DNA, Brewin Dolphin, Class Legal, Devon Chambers, Magdalen Chambers, Place Campbell, Queen Square Chambers and Stowe Family Law LLP.
Barristers, solicitors, judges and students from across the South-West and beyond gathered at Armada House in Bristol, and listened to a range of inspirational speakers sharing their experiences and insights on how women in law can be supported in their careers. The WCWF is extremely grateful to His Honour Judge Wildblood, the Honourable Mrs Justice May DBE, the Right Honourable Thangam Debbonaire MP, Maggie Semple OBE FCGI, Sarah Langford, Alison Hawes (Burges Salmon), Mary Jackson (LawCare) and Kate Brunner QC for giving up their time to address the conference delegates. You can find a full conference write-up here.
In the lead-up to the conference, WCWF Steering Group members Carol Mashembo and Emma Cross co-ordinated an essay competition for university law students in Exeter, Plymouth and Bristol. They had an amazing response from the students of whom the overall winner was Nicole Hilton. Nicole is an LLB Law Student at the University of Bristol and was the lucky winner of an iPad kindly sponsored by Albion Chambers. You can find her amazing essay entry attached below.
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
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
For one night only at Middle Temple Hall (Sunday 26 July 2026) – Abigail Bright introduces the famed annual fundraising theatrical event. This year, Martin Shaw and Jason Watkins perform John Mortimer’s The Dock Brief, a mixture of farce and pathos and all in support of the work of the Kalisher Trust in its 30th year
