If you haven’t got a ha’penny, then God bless you
As difficult times continue, Sean Jones QC and Dominic Regan scan the supermarkets for their Christmas tips for readers
Chris McWatters speaks to Mark Hatcher on his new role at the Temple Church
Mark Hatcher is an exceptionally busy man. Not only does he have a full time job as special advisor to the Chairman of the Bar, but he was also recently appointed as Reader of the Temple Church.
Applications are welcomed for, and recent scholars reflect upon, this chance to experience the Canadian legal system
Each year, the Harold G. Fox Education Fund sponsors two scholars to undertake a ten-month placement in a law firm in Toronto.
Partner at Hassans
Hassans is a full service firm with specialisms in corporate, M&A, commercial, financial services, insurance, litigation, funds, gaming, property, private client, tax and shipping law with offices both in Gibraltar and in Spain.
The Leaders report on the form and function of the Circuits today: what makes the Circuit structure work, how it represents individual voices and how it meets the profession’s needs
Dianne Martin and Dr Kate Harrington recount their respective experiences of setting up, and undertaking, one of the Bar’s first part-time pupillages and consider its wider applicability
Mark Hatcher reports on the launch by the Opposition of its Review of Legal Aid and on the debate surrounding the progress of a UK Bill of Rights
‘If we want a rights-based society with equal access to justice, we have to pay for it,’ said Jeremy Corbyn at the Labour Party’s Legal Aid Summit last month.
Peter Grieves-Smith and Sarah Wood report on the use of iPads as jury bundles in a recent fraud trial and examine whether this is the next stage in the evolution of our courts
Always expect the unexpected
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”– Milton Berle
Belfast, London, Warrington / Hybrid Working
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is currently recruiting an exceptional Solicitor and/or Barrister specialising in employment law with significant post qualification experience.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
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
Developing a tech start-up demands a different definition of excellence to the Bar, says Saara Idelbi. The co-creator of Advocatr on entrepreneurship, AI advocacy training, and matching the thrill of a killer cross-examination
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC