David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Emma Cross and Sunyana Sharma share advice from a recent judicial careers event and other aspiration-raising initiatives on the Western Circuit
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier
As the government unleashes AI, Iain Quirk KC looks at the growth of online dispute resolution platforms and the role of lawyers in harnessing AI for the benefit of justice
Hena Vissian and HHJ Dewinder Birk explain why the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum was set up, discuss strategy and successes, and underline the ongoing issues for women at the Bar and importance of male allyship
Lynne McCafferty KC of WEConnect and Erica Bedford of Women in Costs discuss the important role of women-only specialist networks and cross-profession industry groups
Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel
Mediation is not a competing discipline, says Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, but a growing part of a barrister’s practice following the judgment in Churchill
Identify what makes you stand out from the crowd – Lisa Happé shares some techniques from the marketing world
Career crossroads? Is change really as good as a rest? Teaching has been a revelation for Alexia Zimbler who left practice to inspire the next generation of criminal barristers
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
Responding to criticism on the narrow profile of government-instructed counsel, Mel Nebhrajani CB describes the system-wide change at GLD to drive fairer distribution of work and broader development of talent
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