Re: Rape trials. I am wary of entering this particular discussion but I think, as an advocate and advocacy teacher, I do have a perspective I’d like to share. As @AudreySuffolk says on a regular basis, rights are often in conflict and a balance needs to be struck. “Balance” .. is often difficult to achieve. Too much in one direction and the rights of the other party are reduced to near oblivion. Too little and the imbalance remains wholly unfair. Those involved in the process of achieving the balance have to do so honestly and with integrity...

Ok. I say this immediately- I stood twice for CBA Chair and was roundly not elected, so my views may again be out of step. I am going to state openly though that having considered the offer, I will be voting against it. I say that whilst recognising the hard work of our CBA team and thanking them for it. I believe that this deal has a number of uncertainties which are worrying & that - when analysed- does not adequately remunerate us for the work we are doing, particularly juniors. I find the link between the offer and clearing backlog

Criminal Practice isn’t about Left or Right. It’s about wrong & right. On a simplistic level it’s about prosecuting those who have done wrong; but it is more complex than that. The system must do right by all those involved in it and those of us who work in it play our part... Defending involves protecting your client, within the rules both legal & ethical. This means standing up for your client & their rights in any situation, testing evidence which contradicts your case, seeking to undermine it and highlighting inadequacies in the evidence....

Being a criminal defence barrister - a guide for the uninitiated.
1. If you are determined to demonise those who defend, none of this will change your view. You are not interested in logic or reason.
2. If you aren’t, may I offer up some thoughts about what I do and why 3. I believe with all my being in a system of fair and open justice, where each and every participant is treated fairly, with dignity, and respect.
4. I cannot force the Government to fund the system adequately to ensure this happens. I do my best with what’s there.

I asked yesterday about priorities for achieving proper diversity and equality in our legal profession. I have thought about it a lot. To achieve it, it seems to me that we need the following:
Encourage and support ASPIRATION. Schools need to encourage kids to dream/aspire And not stifle those aspirations. For bright kids, university and the professions should be talked up. Online materials need to be available for schools, children’s and parents - this goes hand in hand with teaching rights and obligations in school from an early stage.

April is MYTHBUSTING month
It seems that a large number of myths have developed about what is involved in being defence counsel. The judges and others have been confused into believing them, so (helpful as ever) let me bust a few: 1. In the morning, before a hearing, the pre-trial con with the client is actually very important. When the cells say “not before 9.30 or after 4.30
2. Moreover, if the defendant has been stuck in a bus for ages and arrived a few minutes to pee or gather thoughts