New Year brings mixed blessings
‘Men should pledge themselves to nothing; for reflection makes a liar of their resolution.’ – Sophocles
Leaving is so very hard to do
“What you are to do without me I cannot imagine…” – George Bernard Shaw, “Pygmalion”
Always expect the unexpected
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”– Milton Berle
It can be a tragically small world
“Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary – that’s what gets you…”– Jeremy Clarkson
Life is often tough at the top
“When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”– Ronald Reagan
Not everything creepy happens at night...
“Never make predictions, especially about the future” – Casey Stengel
The power of speech is proved again
“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” – L. P. Hartley: The Go-Between
A night to remember?
“Change and decay in all around I see” – Henry F. Lyte
Health dominates the General Election
“Half of the American people have never read a newspaper. Half never voted for President. One hopes it is the same half.” – Gore Vidal
Cuts to the budget are having strange effects.
When I started as a young pupil I had a kind pupil master who, on days when he was out, used to send me to court with other members of Chambers.
London (Hybrid)
Barrister Board Members
Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar, sets our course for 2026
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
AlphaBiolabs has donated £500 to The Christie Charity through its Giving Back initiative, helping to support cancer care, treatment and research across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and further afield
Q and A with criminal barrister Nick Murphy, who moved to New Park Court Chambers on the North Eastern Circuit in search of a better work-life balance
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
With pupillage application season under way, Laura Wright reflects on her route to ‘tech barrister’ and offers advice for those aiming at a career at the Bar
Jury-less trial proposals threaten fairness, legitimacy and democracy without ending the backlog, writes Professor Cheryl Thomas KC (Hon), the UK’s leading expert on juries, judges and courts
Are you ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC explains the biggest change since HMRC launched self-assessment more than 30 years ago... and its impact on the Bar
Marking one year since a Bar disciplinary tribunal dismissed all charges against her, Dr Charlotte Proudman discusses the experience, her formative years and next steps. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB