With many able students unable to get pupillages, the Bar is getting wise to the advantages of legal assistants (with important caveats). Gerard McDermott QC explains why he employs law graduates
Lizzy Emerson profiles inspirational legal pioneer Cornelia Sorabji, India’s first woman lawyer with a Google Doodle raising her status worldwide
In the aftermath of recent disclosure failures, John Warboys release and the case of Poppi Worthington, being able to talk openly is absolutely critical if we are to repair confidence in the justice system, argues Lucy Reed
All Westminster eyes on the bridge to Brexit and the Upper House was seen at its copper-bottomed best (not least Hope, Judge and Pannick), writes Mark Hatcher
There is an entire industry that has sprung up to advise those applying for Silk, but what they might not have told you is that doing pro bono work is a very good place to start. Laurent Sykes QC joins Jess Campbell in Pro Bono Watch this month to tell you how it works
Kim Hollis QC thought her first year as DPP for the British Virgin Islands would be an adventure, but Hurricanes Irma and Maria swept away not only her house, but the Islands’ prisons and entire criminal justice system
David Josse QC discusses Slobodan Praljak’s dramatic death
If a barrister experiences bullying from a judge are there remedies available? Who judges the judges and is there somewhere advocates can complain? Judith Trustman puts forward a case for reform
How we made flexible working work for us, by Esther Gamble
Best books, favourite films, top tracks and an essential: Counsel invites barristers to share their cultural influences. In this issue, we talk to Nigel Poole QC, Head of Chambers at Kings Chambers, who also blogs as Learned Friend
Isle of Man
Applications are invited for the appointment of His Majesty’s Attorney General in the Isle of Man.
Chair of the Bar reports back
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines
With gender earnings inequality at the Bar getting worse, not better, Judith Ayling KC discusses concrete solutions and collective action including steps taken by the Personal Injuries Bar Association
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse