Eighty-four new Queen’s Counsel have been announced in the 2012-13 Silk round. Of the 183 applicants for the award, 130 were interviewed. Forty-six per cent were successful and range in age from 36 to 61 years.
ProfessionThe two representative bodies of the professions have come together to issue a joint statement following their clash over the Bar’s new standard contract terms, which came into effect at the end of January (see Counsel news, March).
Legal aidAmendments to the Crime and Courts Bill will allow the unfreezing of wealthy defendants’ assets to meet the costs of legal aid.
CivilThe key recommendations made by Sir Rupert Jackson in his Review of Civil Litigation Costs come into force this month.
These events off er excellent opportunities for barristers to meet international practitioners from other jurisdictions. Over 1,300 international practitioners from 80 countries attended last year’s spring meeting in New York and approximately 1,100 are expected to attend the Spring Meeting in 2013.
ProfessionThe cab rank rule has no place in the modern legal services market, according to research commissioned by the Legal Services Board (LSB).
Saturday 2 March, 10:00 at the Bar Council offices.
This new bilateral association aims to bring together English and Brazilian lawyers for joint CPD and networking events.
Back in 2010, a BSB survey found that around 40% of barristers expressed an initial interest in BSB regulated entities.
The Bar Council’s International Committee is organising a comparative law seminar in New York in late Spring / early summer, with the aim of raising the profi le of the Bar in the American legal market.
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
A career shaped by advocacy beyond her practice, and the realities of living with an invisible disability Dr Natasha Shotunde, Black Barristers’ Network Co-Founder and its Chair for seven years, reflects on a decade at the Bar
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
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