Blogs/Articles

Rachel Spearing KC examines profession-wide efforts to retain talent and support the progression of all groups at the Bar – including the free Movers and Returners Conference at Inner Temple on Thursday 22 May

How does an established practitioner go about changing their area of specialism? Jacqueline Thomas KC draws together collective advice and experience to show that it is entirely achievable

In the first of a new King’s Counsel Selection Panel series, Monisha Shah looks at Competency D: Diversity Action & Understanding – and the many inspiring ways to demonstrate it 

If reputation is the traditional currency of counsel, personal branding is crypto, says Anna Yarde 

Emma Cross and Sunyana Sharma share advice from a recent judicial careers event and other aspiration-raising initiatives on the Western Circuit 

Hena Vissian and HHJ Dewinder Birk explain why the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum was set up, discuss strategy and successes, and underline the ongoing issues for women at the Bar and importance of male allyship 

Lynne McCafferty KC of WEConnect and Erica Bedford of Women in Costs discuss the important role of women-only specialist networks and cross-profession industry groups

Identify what makes you stand out from the crowd – Lisa Happé shares some techniques from the marketing world 

Grace Ferrier and Antonia Eklund look at the possibilities and benefits of using additional languages in your practice at the Bar 

By adopting principles from elite athletes, barristers can elevate their courtroom performance through deeper case analysis and performance reviews, says Bibi Badejo 

The complexities of balancing practice at the Bar with breastfeeding are investigated by Sally Rickard IBCLC* with assistance from barrister Charlotte Baker 

Ben Heaviside explores the pivotal role of clerking, tailored practice management and an inclusive chambers policy in a successful return to practice – keeping talent at the Bar 

Philip Hinks and Laura Newton report from a seminar discussing life at the commercial Bar as a working parent of young children. A number of common themes emerged relevant to all barrister parents 

Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon are researching where the solutions lie for parents returning to the Bar and how the profession can achieve positive change 

Having a mentor outside of one’s chambers provides wider perspective without fear of judgment or consequences, says David E. Grant KC. The benefits of Chancery Bar Association’s designated scheme for pupils and appeal for more mentors to join 

David Malone, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, tells Anthony Inglese CB about Go Prosecute, the pilot scheme offering 10 recently qualified self-employed barristers the opportunity to develop prosecution experience at the CPS for up to two years before resuming practice in chambers 

Nikki Alderson explores how we can create, develop and maintain equal opportunity for all – for the good of everyone

Brie Stevens-Hoare KC on preparing for judicial appointment applications and the JAC support for underrepresented groups

David Fardy outlines what to expect, what you will learn, and what you can gain from a pupillage at the employed Bar 

The mentoring scheme for underrepresented applicants to the Commercial Bar – apply by the extended deadline of Friday 18 October 2024 for the 2024-25 cycle 

Eight top tips to build the foundations for a diverse career, as well as practice management more generally. By Charlotte Pope-Williams 

Breadth of roles makes us better lawyers, says Edward Bennett, who acts as Registrar of the BIOT Court of Appeal alongside his busy family practice 

Brie Stevens-Hoare KC and Lyndsey de Mestre KC take a look at the difficulties women encounter during the menopause, and offer some practical tips for individuals and chambers to make things easier 

See probationary tenancy as a fresh opportunity to impress a new group of decision-makers, advises Abiodun Olatokun 

Marketing initiatives such as seminars remain popular among barristers and chambers but is the investment truly worthwhile? Heidi Smith explores how to maximise ROI 

James Pereira KC on the collaborative essence of a barrister’s role and five practical tools to make us all better leaders and team-players 

Used wisely, ChatGPT can become part of a chambers’ daily toolkit to maximise efficiency, practice development and EDI, says Rowan Caffull  

Juliette Levy, Shazia Akhtar and Graham Denholm share some tips for barrister returners after a leave of absence or a career move 

Creating advocacy opportunities for juniors is now the expectation but not always easy to put into effect. Tom Mitcheson KC distils developing best practice from the Patents Court initiative already bearing fruit 

Let’s hear it for the assessors, says Dame Anne Rafferty of the KC Selection Panel. And to make silk assessors’ lives a little easier when applicants come calling in May, Dame Anne fields some commonly asked questions 

Ensuring recruitment processes are fair, and free from bias, is essential to drive diversity at the Bar. Bindi Dholakia and Rachel Krys examine the theory and practice 

Heidi Stonecliffe KC talks frankly about her route to silk and why, as Chair of the Employed Barristers’ Committee for 2024, she wants to see greater visibility, progression and recognition for employed barristers 

Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, gives an insight into the silk selection process and outlines a new condensed timetable for 2024 

The King's Counsel Selection Panel wants you to be confident that you are well prepared and can demonstrate your skills and experience to the best of your ability at the interview. This guide, written by King's Counsel Appointments, is to help you understand how a competency-based interview is conducted and how to prepare yourself for the interview

The Bar Council crunches the data to tell the real story of who gets pupillage... and when 

Amrit Kaur Dhanoa, Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee for 2024, sets out her priorities for the year ahead 

The more open you are about your neurodivergence, the easier it will be for clerks to tailor their support, advises Leanne Buckley-Thomson 

When should you start the conversation – and what to cover? Michael Harwood explains the ‘what, when, and how’ of practice reviews for those looking to take more control over the direction of their practice 

Growing your junior practice via international conference and how to fund the trip: Daria Gleyze, Emile Simpson and Sajid Suleman share what they gained from the ChBA BVI Conference 

Christopher McNall (of farms and farmland fame) and Stephanie Wickenden (curator of an art law specialism) describe how they discovered their niche practices with tips for developing yours 

Judges drawn from the employed Bar bring valuable and different skills, says Venetia Jackson, who offers advice for employed barristers contemplating an application 

Congratulations, you’ve been offered tenancy! But how will things change? Fountain Court Chambers provides an insight into life as a new tenant 

Obtaining pupillage is a huge feat and you did it! Here are six tips to surviving the first couple of years as a barrister and growing your confidence at the Bar. By Karlia Lykourgou

Unpredicted developments can be the most foreboding aspect of appearing at court. Paige Jones and Jack Palmer describe five such experiences as pupils – and what they learnt 

Sophie Cashell’s nine top tips to help new pupils make the most of the crucial nine months before it’s tenancy decision time 

How – and to what extent – can you prepare for that half-hour slot on which so much may depend? Here’s some silk interview prep with Paul Secher 

Charles Sorensen and Amy Richardson outline the workings and benefits of a dual qualified practice - not least securing tenancy 

Interested in bidding for public sector legal work? Josh Bates explains how to get into your best tendering position before the new procurement system starts in 2024

Avoid expensive mistakes with Jackie Streat’s smart guide to a self-employed junior barrister’s tax obligations