The Bar Council has released new guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment in a bid to help barristers handle mistreatment after a 2015 report highlighted instances of inappropriate behaviour experienced by some barristers.
1COR tops QC appointments table as female applicants remain ‘stubbornly low’
One Crown Office Row (1COR) saw six of its barristers take silk in this year’s round of Queen’s Counsel (QC) appointments, as those selecting new QCs remain concerned at the low level of female applicants.
With this year’s 107 appointments marking a rise on last year’s round of 93, notable appointees included 1COR junior Marina Wheeler, the wife of Boris Johnson; Wilberforce Chambers barrister Tim Penny, a former member of the dissolved set 11 Stone Buildings; and 39 Essex Chambers’ Justine Thornton, the wife of former Labour leader Ed Miliband.
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‘A common sense decision’: Bar Council moves Pupilage Gateway timetable
Following calls from students and chambers, the Bar Council is moving its Pupillage Gateway timetable so applicants know the outcome of their applications before committing to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). The course can cost up to £18,000 in London.
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Best in class: One Crown Office Row tops QC appointments list with six members taking silk
Public and civil law set One Crown Office Row (1COR) has seen six of its junior barristers take silk in this year’s round of Queen’s Counsel appointments, constituting over 10% of its juniors.
Taking silk: Quinn, Gibson and Freshfields heavyweights among new QCs in 107-strong round
A trio of City heavyweights has been appointed among 107 new Queen’s Counsel (QC) announced today (11 January), an increase on last year’s round of 93.
Calling time at the Bar – Quality fears for English judges are growing as top QCs turn away from the bench
Disillusionment within the England and Wales judiciary was laid bare by the findings of the UK Judicial Attitude Survey in February this year. Pay freezes, pension cuts and increased workload have evidently soured the mood at the bench.
The survey, carried out by the UCL Judicial Institute, indicated that 86% of judges who had been in the post for at least five years believed that working conditions had worsened since 2010. And nearly a third of judges are considering leaving their positions early in the next five years. Perhaps even more worryingly, a high proportion of judges said that reduced pension benefits (76%) and a reduction in income in real terms (69%) would discourage people from joining the bench.
Perspectives: Mark Howard QC
When I came to the Bar I didn’t know anybody, but fortunately got introduced to Tom Bingham and I was his marshal during my pupillage for about six weeks. He was a very inspiring figure. He was quite a junior judge then but he had tremendous insight. I was only with him for six weeks but he’s the person I’ve learnt the most from.
At that stage I liked the sound of my own voice too much. The problem at the Bar is that you’re always arguing a corner, it’s very difficult in your personal life. My wife always says ‘stop cross-examining me’.
Guest Post: Michael Gove – the barrister’s best friend?
Legal Futures has gained exclusive access to what is believed to be the transcript of a secret meeting held recently between Lord Chancellor Michael Gove (pictured) and a delegation from the Bar Council.
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‘Every man for himself’: 11SB carved up as Wilberforce and Radcliffe pick up barristers
The demise of 11 Stone Buildings (11SB) has led to a feeding frenzy as rival chambers begin to swoop on barristers from the commercial and chancery set.
Since 11SB announced it would close at the end of this month, it has emerged that Wilberforce Chambers and Radcliffe Chambers are to take on teams comprising 11SB’s most senior silks.
Hardwicke Chambers and White & Case take barristers from soon-to-be-dissolved 11 Stone Buildings
Hardwicke Chambers is the latest to take members from soon-to-be-dissolved London commercial and chancery set 11 Stone Buildings (11SB), confirming today it will take a junior barrister quartet and 11SB’s business development manager.