Counsel is the monthly Journal of the Bar of England and Wales, largely written by and for barristers.
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*SPONSORED POST* @AlphaBioLabs' new myth-busting series kicks off with the top 10 drug & alcohol testing myths. Find out more below⬇️
📣The AlphaBiolabs September News Update is here!
In this edition:
• The top 10 drug & alcohol testing myths, busted
• Our latest Giving Back donation
• Resolution Awards nominees and winners
• Upcoming events
👉 alphabiolabs.co.uk/legal-tes…
#AlphaBiolabs #LegalTesting #FamilyLaw #SocialWorkSupport
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
“Andrew Thomas KC, Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said: 'This is excellent news. For too long, cases of rape, serious sexual violence and domestic abuse have been pushed to the back of the queue.
'It is practical measures like this which are needed to reduce the effect of court delays.'”
@DailyMail
dailymail.com/news/article-1…
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Itsalawyerslife.com and The Legal Style Awards are featured in this month’s @CounselMagazine
I talk about why I created the blog and the awards.
itsalawyerslife.com/itsalawy…
No awards this year, but we’ll be back in 2027🥳
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
We are delighted to be hosting the opening reception to the European LGBTQ+ Lawyers Association (ELLA) inaugural annual conference, bringing together legal professionals across Europe who are committed to equality and inclusion.
@CounselMagazine
ow.ly/zHua50ZARSf
ALT Photo of four diverse young professionals sitting at a desk.
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
If you receive @CounselMagazine, check out page 15 - my article about my new venture to help all civil lawyers, dgcalculators.co.uk!
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*SPONSORED POST*
Your evidence is only as strong as the laboratory behind it.
At AlphaBiolabs:
✔️Every Expert Report is clear, objective, peer-reviewed, and prepared to exceptionally high standards
✔️All testing is performed in the UK at our purpose-built laboratory, never sent abroad
✔️Every result goes through the same rigorous, accredited in-house process
Find out more about how we can support you with reliable, court-ready evidence.
alphabiolabs.co.uk/blog/cont…
#FamilyLaw #DrugTesting #AlcoholTesting #DNATesting
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*SPONSORED RE-POST*
Nearly 10,000 alcohol-specific deaths were registered in the UK in 2024; still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels, despite a fall from the record high in 2023.
For those working in family proceedings and safeguarding, Alcohol Awareness Week (6–12 July) is a useful moment to revisit what different alcohol tests can and can't establish, and when each is most appropriate.
Our latest blog covers the latest data on alcohol misuse in the UK, the signs of misuse, and a breakdown of the types of alcohol tests available.
Read more:
alphabiolabs.co.uk/blog/alco…
#FamilyLaw #AlcoholTesting #AlcoholAwarenessWeek
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*SPONSORED POST*
🎉 Giving Back Announcement 🎉
We’re delighted to share that our latest Giving Back winner is Alex Swindells, Solicitor in the Care Department at Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers @PearsonSFA.
Alex nominated Endometriosis Awareness North to receive a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs.
The charity works to increase awareness of endometriosis and to reduce the significant delays many women face when seeking a diagnosis.
Read our blog for more on our latest Giving Back donation 👉
alphabiolabs.co.uk/blog/alph…
#GivingBack #CommunitySupport #CharityDonation #Endometriosis
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
"Whether in freefall, 60 feet down in a shipwreck, or on your feet in court, preparation is what allows you to remain calm when things become unpredictable." Read the full piece by Ahmad Badar, barrister at #10KBW, in @CounselMagazine: counselmagazine.co.uk/articl…
ALT An underwater photograph of a scuba diver surrounded by vivid blue water, with the quote "Why I jump from planes, dive with sharks and rappel down buildings." overlaid in white serif typography, and the 10KBW logo in the lower right corner.
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*SPONSORED POST* @AlphaBioLabs has produced two new practical guides to drug & alcohol testing in family law cases - from understanding substance classification to choosing the right testing method:
With over 20 years’ experience supporting family law solicitors, social workers and local authorities, we know how confusing drug & alcohol testing can seem.
That’s why we’ve developed two FREE reference guides, helping you better understand the different types of drug and alcohol tests available, as well as the main drug groups:
• Drug & Alcohol Testing: a summary of testing options
• The Main Drug Groups in the UK: legislation, medical applications and symptoms of misuse
Together, they form a very useful and practical resource for practitioners at every stage of a case, from understanding substance classification to choosing the right testing method.
Request your free print or digital copies via the link below ⬇️
alphabiolabs.co.uk/legal-tes…
#FamilyLaw #DrugTesting #AlcoholTesting #DNATesting #Safeguarding
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
The Justice Committee has today published its report on the Courts and Tribunals Bill, setting out several issues with the bill.
We agree with the Justice Committee’s conclusion that it’s difficult to understand why the government has not sought to achieve a broader consensus both in and outside Parliament on these proposals before pushing ahead with them.
Read our full response and the report⤵️
#JusticeNeedsJuries
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
I’ve had such an incredible response to this article already, from some eminent criminal law practitioners. Thank you.
@CounselMagazine
@TheCriminalBar
url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com…
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
counselmagazine.co.uk/articl…
@Jebadoo2
@crimcounsel
@MAMBarLife
@NECircuitleader is mentioned in the article
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
You can read Kalisher's President's article in @CounselMagazine on our 30th Anniversary here:
counselmagazine.co.uk/articl…
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**SPONSORED CONTENT** @AlphaBioLabs is offering a new guide for family law professionals on drug testing in family law cases - find out more below:
Drug cases in family proceedings are rarely single-substance anymore. Poly-drug use, prescription drug misuse and New Psychoactive Substances are all appearing in legally-instructed testing, and many won't show on a standard panel unless specifically requested.
Our new guide for family law professionals explains what to look for and why it matters.
Learn more here alphabiolabs.co.uk/blog/drug…
#FamilyLaw #DrugTesting
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
We're proud to see Professor Jo Delahunty KC (@JoDQC) featured on the cover of @CounselMagazine for the second time, in the April 2026 edition, following the release of her book "We Set the Bar".
In this powerful and deeply personal interview, Jo reflects on her journey from a working-class background to becoming a leading silk and award-winning barrister, and speaks candidly about the realities of practice, the responsibility that comes with leadership, and the urgent need for reform.
Speaking with Anthony Inglese CB, Jo discusses the increasing pressures faced by those practising at the legal aid Bar, as well as the emotional realities of the work, particularly within family law. She also highlights the responsibility of senior members of the profession to lead, challenge injustice, and drive meaningful reform, as well as the importance of building a more inclusive and representative Bar.
Read the interview here: counselmagazine.co.uk/articl…
#FamilyLaw #LegalAid
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
This from @Geoffrey_Cox was titanic - a truly beautiful speech.
He outshone those sat opposite. They could only watch. And nervously laugh.
This should be seen by every new MP to understand what they do, & every new barrister to understand what we do.
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96 new King’s Counsel announced today. See the list tinyurl.com/yc8njt86. Overall success rate 29.5% (out of 325): 67 men (28% success rate), 29 women (34% success rate), 11 declared ethnic origin other than white (21% success rate), 4 declared a disability (22% success rate).
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*SPONSORED POST* @AlphaBioLabs is delighted to share its first Giving Back charity winner of 2026 - @TheChristie will receive a £500 donation to support @TheChristieNHS vital work for cancer patients & their families. Learn more at bit.ly/4qU0WpD
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Counsel Magazine retweeted
On Friday:
📈Today, 5 December 2025, 70 out of the 516 Crown courtrooms in England & Wales will not be sitting.
That's 14% of them.
#courtstats #CS05122025 courtstats.co.uk
ALT This image shows Crown Court Usage for England & Wales for 5 December 2025. In England and Wales, out of 516 total, 387 have Judges, 59 have recorders, and 70 courtrooms are not sitting. In London, out of 145 total, 100 have Judges, 16 have recorders, and 29 courtrooms are not sitting. In the Midlands, out of 76 total, 59 have Judges, 8 have recorders, and 9 courtrooms are not sitting. In the North East, out of 62 total, 50 have Judges, 9 have recorders, and 3 courtrooms are not sitting. In the North West, out of 69 total, 54 have Judges, 9 have recorders, and 6 courtrooms are not sitting. In the South East, out of 90 total, 71 have Judges, 10 have recorders, and 9 courtrooms are not sitting. In Wales, out of 23 total, 18 have Judges, 1 have recorders, and 4 courtrooms are not sitting. In Western England, out of 51 total, 35 have Judges, 6 have recorders, and 10 courtrooms are not sitting.
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