Blogs/Articles

From a jobbing criminal hack to a silk, Recorder and Bencher in four years – Kama Melly QC reflects on how it happened and the measurement of career success at the Bar 

The plumage and ceremony delights some and appals others, yet its professional significance is inescapable; Chris Henley QC (successful in round three) riffs on the award and how to get it 

Unpaid fees? Give some thought to your contractual status and when to use the ‘nuclear option’, writes Adrian Vincent 

Paul Secher explains how to enhance your chances of appointment 

The cost of employing the staff team is often the largest single element of expenditure for a set of chambers. Are your set’s employees ‘fully engaged’ or are they simply ‘coming to work’? asks Catherine Calder 

Learn the art of saying no without burning bridges or stemming the flow of instructions. By Nikki Alderson 

It’s an increasingly popular method of appointing counsel, so how will you answer the call to tender and establish yourself as the irresistible choice? Douglas McPherson explains 

Feeling sluggish in the practice department? Dust off your profile and learn how to stand out from the crowd with this refresher guide. By Deborah Bryan 

Enthusiastically embraced by the young Bar for some years, now those more established in their careers are responding to opportunities the employed Bar can offer. Where to start? Here’s a practical guide to help you navigate the process by Sara George 

What is it that brilliant influencers do to get people on their side? Try adopting techniques from the world of sales to read client personalities, influence decisions and get more – and better – briefs. By Gavin Presman