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The highest bidder is…
The recent wave of pupillage salary increases at the top commercial barristers' chambers has certainly caused a stir. It started earlier this year with Essex Court Chambers' decision to increase its pupillage salary from £40,000 to £55,000 from Octo...
04 Jan 2010 | 17:26 | 
Worth taking a chance on
To be completely honest, chancery chose me rather than me choosing it. At law school I was keen on a whole load of subjects, but knew I would have to specialise eventually. I didn't begin my university studies with law - I was a musician. But that nev...
04 Jan 2010 | 17:21 |
Chambers of the year
For the judges, Outer Temple Chambers came across as a dynamic, forward-thinking set with a clear strategy, a growing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and a commitment to client care. High-profile cases include an important decision ...
08 Dec 2009 | 07:18
City of London Lifetime Achievement Award
The City of London Law Society (CLLS) Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the contribution a senior lawyer has made to the legal profession and the wider community over an entire career. The Right Hon the Lord Collins of Mapesbury receives the CL...
08 Dec 2009 | 07:13
Law, novels and surf trips
Being self-employed has given 1 Temple Gardens barrister Tim Kevan the flexibility to pursue his non-legal passions...One of the joys of the Bar is that you are self-employed and therefore get a lot more freedom over your own destiny than most. For my...
03 Dec 2009 | 00:17
Beresfords duo lose appeal against misconduct charge in miners case
Two lawyers who were found guilty of misconduct a year ago have lost their appeal in the High Court today (2 December). James Beresford and Douglas Smith of Doncaster firm Beresford Solicitors were found guilty of misconduct by the Solicitors Disci...
02 Dec 2009 | 14:43
Crime doesn't pay
Don't go to the Criminal Bar. I can't put it strongly enough. Don't do it. It is a mug's game. Let me try to explain. First, pupillage awards are scandalously low - usually now £10,000 per year, and often your own earnings in your second six months c...
26 Nov 2009 | 02:54
The case for the defence
Simon Myerson QC responds to Alex Deane's criticisms, arguing that the Criminal Bar is still a career worth pursuing... In order to see whether there is anything in the preceding litany of gloom and doom, I have tried to analyse the actual complaints.
26 Nov 2009 | 01:54
Raft of UK firms advise as OFT loses out in Supreme Court overdraft charges dispute
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has lost its court battle to launch an investigation into the fairness of unauthorised overdraft charges. Five Justices of the Supreme Court, led by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, ruled this morning (25 November)...
25 Nov 2009 | 15:59
Bar regulator gives approval for barristers to join LDPs
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has given the go-ahead for barristers to work in new business structures set out in the Legal Services Act (LSA). After a long period of deliberation, the BSB announced today (20 November) that members of the Bar will ...
20 Nov 2009 | 13:29
Duo charged with insider trading set for April trial date
The two lawyers charged with insider trading by the Financial Services Authority will go to trial in April next year. Details of the trial have been set, with the court hearing kicking off on 19 April at Southwark Crown Court under Judge Peter Test...
11 Nov 2009 | 10:52
Plan to charge £350 for Supreme Court documents met with criticism
Litigators have reacted with disappointment to news that the new Supreme Court will charge a minimum fee of £350 to access court documents. Critics have lashed out after news emerged that members of the public wishing to see court records will now...
10 Nov 2009 | 13:10
Judging the judges
Recently I was asked to step outside my comfort zone of banging on about corporate law to speak at a panel debate about the rising political and constitutional role of the judiciary (I suggested they get someone better, but they asked twice). It was a...
06 Nov 2009 | 17:37
Drawn away from the Bar
Most lawyers, at some point in their careers, fantasise about leaving law and doing something else with their lives. Which is odd, given how much hard work goes into becoming a lawyer in the first place. You spend years studying and training to get in...
04 Nov 2009 | 11:02
Career Clinic: Should I quit the magic circle to pursue my Bar ambitions?
"I'm currently doing a training contract at a magic circle firm - I really like the atmosphere, am keen to work for them and best of all, they seem to like me. However, I have always wanted to be a barrister. I did all the necessary CV garnishing whil...
03 Nov 2009 | 11:50
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- Market abuse and insider dealing – latest prosecutions and other developments
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