header-logo header-logo

29 March 2018 / Richard Hoyle
Issue: 7787 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Profession , Criminal
printer mail-detail

The Criminal Bar: diminishing returns?

nlj_7787_backpage

Without an injection of faith & finance from the government, Richard Hoyle predicts a bleak future for the young Criminal Bar

The Bar at its best offers the chance to work in an endlessly stimulating environment, made up of increasingly diverse and socially mobile individuals. It still has much to do in these fields, and in others, but progress is being made, and the Young Barristers’ Committee (YBC), which I chair, is an active part of that.

To greater or lesser degrees, barristers operate flexibly, and properly considered, are extremely cost efficient from a client perspective, whether that client is the state or a private party. In percentage terms, the overheads in the form of chambers contributions and rent are generally low, and the vast majority of the barrister’s time is spent on income generation, or career development work, rather than on tasks to which barristers are less well suited. Young barristers are increasingly entrepreneurial, seeking new ways in which to market themselves and to tailor their expertise for different audiences. This

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

NLJ Career Profile: Ken Fowlie, Stowe Family Law

Ken Fowlie, chairman of Stowe Family Law, reflects on more than 30 years in legal services after ‘falling into law’

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Jackson Lees Group—Jannina Barker, Laura Beattie & Catherine McCrindle

Firm promotes senior associate and team leader as wills, trusts and probate team expands

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Asserson—Michael Francos-Downs

Manchester real estate finance practice welcomes legal director

NEWS
Children can claim for ‘lost years’ damages in personal injury cases, the Supreme Court has held in a landmark judgment
The Supreme Court has drawn a firm line under branding creativity in regulated markets. In Dairy UK Ltd v Oatly AB, it ruled that Oatly’s ‘post-milk generation’ trade mark unlawfully deployed a protected dairy designation. In NLJ this week, Asima Rana of DWF explains that the court prioritised ‘regulatory clarity over creative branding choices’, holding that ‘designation’ extends beyond product names to marketing slogans
From cat fouling to Part 36 brinkmanship, the latest 'Civil way' round-up is a reminder that procedural skirmishes can have sharp teeth. NLJ columnist Stephen Gold ranges across recent decisions with his customary wit
Digital loot may feel like property, but civil law is not always convinced. In NLJ this week, Paul Schwartfeger of 36 Stone and Nadia Latti of CMS examine fraud involving platform-controlled digital assets, from ‘account takeover and asset stripping’ to ‘value laundering’
Lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) are not ‘set and forget’ documents. In this week's NLJ, Ann Stanyer of Wedlake Bell urges practitioners to review LPAs every five years and after major life changes
back-to-top-scroll