George Floyd would have been astonished to learn that his death had opened the eyes of UK financial and professional leaders to the inequities faced by Black professionals here. But what if he had asked, ‘Will it actually change anything?’ Harry Matovu KC, Laura Durrant and Olivia Roberts on the Black Talent Charter
A story of rejection, self-improvement and finding one’s forte in the process, by Olufemi Awodele
In 2022, the Racial Bias and the Bench report found evidence of institutional racism in the justice system and fundamental flaws in the Judicial Diversity Strategy. Change is coming and all judges and lawyers can help revitalise the rule of law by implementing RBB’s 10 anti-racist recommendations, say Keir Monteith KC and Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Uncomfortable as it is, every barrister is invited to read this report and to reflect on how things need to change. The experiences and views shared confidentially by Black barristers are powerful and very challenging, write Krista Lee KC, Gary Pryce and Brie Stevens-Hoare KC
This month ASPIRE – as part of its mission to improve the visibility and advancement of Black lawyers – hosted a performance of Just an Ordinary Lawyer, a moving retrospective of the life of Tunji Sowande, with a Q&A and networking. Report by Earl Pinnock and Thomas Schofield
This Summer 2020, 24 Black graduates will be offered internships by over 70 sets of chambers. Here, Dawid Konotey-Ahulu – the barrister turned investment banker, entrepreneur and co-founder of 10KBI – explains why the mission was so compelling for him
Putting forward a diverse legal team is no longer ‘preferred’ and the ‘right thing to do’ – it is fast becoming ‘essential’. How law firms and their clients are using spend to help drive change, by David Stone
This is our stand up moment: Barbara Mills QC and Simon Regis on the landmark report’s key findings and what the Bar must do to remove the systemic obstacles faced by many barristers from ethnic minority communities
Raggi Kotak and Laurie-Anne Power on the positive actions chambers can take to support a more racially inclusive environment
Racial disparity and racism can impact experiences in the courtroom; Abimbola Johnson has some constructive solutions on how we can effectively challenge it
Looking back on a year as Chair of the Bar
AlphaBiolabs supports vulnerable children and families with its annual ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign
By David Cosway (with the help of ChatGPT)
Due to advances in research, technology and techniques, AlphaBiolabs can now offer alcohol testing for head hair samples that are just 1cm in length
With the explosion of interest in governance and the growing need to be multi-skilled to keep career options open, adding an extra string to your bow is not without its merits. The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland (CGIUKI) Fast Track for the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme could be ideal for experienced professionals to reach chartered governance status
The 2023-24 COMBAR mentoring scheme for underrepresented groups is now open for applications - deadline extended to 12 October 2023
The North Eastern Circuit Leader on his trailblazing career, turbulent early years of practice and his mission to equip all barristers, regardless of their characteristics, with the opportunity to thrive. Interview by Glenn Parsons
From a CPS pupillage to Director of Legal Services at one of the largest prosecutors in England and Wales Michael Jennings describes the interesting and varied life an employed barrister in public service can lead
In 2022 Behind the Gown asked the Bar Standards Board to acknowledge online misogyny and sexism. One year on, the regulator’s revised Social Media Guidance doesn’t go far enough in confronting this issue, say Stephanie Hayward and Charlotte Proudman
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
Countering the gatekeeper agenda, troubling news on earnings disparities, spreading best practice in chambers, Pro Bono Week 2023, and the Rules of War
