Good letter in The Times and The Sunday Times this morning from Peter Joyce QC Peter JoyceQC former leader of Midland Circuit The Bar & Bench must work together to get the Courts up and running but lawyers should not be ordered to attend Court when a virtual hearing will work. Technology should be used.

Now is not the time to introduce major reforms of the jury system, however temporary and however limited. And senior judges should not be flying kites for the government, not least because the wind can change. My latest column for Law Society Gazette now online lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and…

Applications are opening this week! We want to welcome all students aged 15-18 all over the UK to join this year’s Bar Mock Trial competition. For a unique chance to trial a case in front of real judges in a real crown court. Sign up your school now: okt.to/iZz4op

I’m not a betting man but I’d wager a large sum there’ll be a winter second wave and lockdown. If we pilot virtual jury trials now there’s a chance jury trial will survive Covid. If we don’t there’s a chance it won’t.

This is all the government needs to devote extra per person, per day to fix the justice system and restore law and order in England & Wales. #SmallChange barcouncil.org.uk/resource/small…

If my clients tell me that they have only broken the law “in a very specific and limited way” will that now provide them a defence or ensure that they are not prosecuted? I doubt it. There is one rule of law and it applies to all.

Wise words from the late Sir Robert Johnson (former Chairman of the Bar and High Court Judge) to his pupils about having a proper haircut, dressing smartly and having well polished shoes: “Even if you don’t know any law you can at least look like a barrister.”

I’m sorry my tweet last week quoting Sir Robert Johnson caused some upset. It wasn’t my intention. I’ve spent much of my life promoting a modern, forward thinking, diverse Bar, open to all and will continue to do so.

We're saddened to hear of the loss of Dame Margaret Booth, the third woman to serve as a High Court judge & #first woman Bencher at Middle Temple Below is a photo of the famous red robes she wore as a High Court judge, the very same set worn by Dame Elizabeth Lane & Lady Hale.

It is 7 January, a suitable date to tweet about the work of Young Barristers’ Committee in 2021. The YBC represents barristers in their first seven years of practice in England and Wales.

What are Ministry of Justice The CBA and The Bar Council doing about protecting those involved in criminal trials who have to go to court every day? Everyone concerned in a trial should be vaccinated Judges, Barristers, Court Staff, Jurors and Defendants.

Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, tells Justice Committee Covid Operating Hours are "a dead end, not necessary & should be abandoned. They'll have a discriminatory effect." The Law Society Richard Miller: COH will increase footfall & Covid risk in courts parliamentlive.tv/event/index/6e…

Glad to see the Criminal Justice Inspectors adding their weight to the concerns over the backlog in our criminal courts. ⁦The Bar Council⁩ and I were raising this back in pre-Covid mid 2019. Unsurprisingly it hasn’t got any better. lawgazette.co.uk/news/crown-cou…

How do you anticipate the proposed return to in person hearings after the pandemic will impact your career at the Bar?

Rather than send out Christmas cards or gifts this year members of Chambers and staff were delighted to be in a position to deliver much-needed supplies to Erdington food bank this afternoon. #barristers #merrychristmas #supportyourlocalfoodbank

Barristers walk out of Birmingham Crown Court in national strike over 'scandalous' pay bit.ly/3xXfr1Z

Here’s the photo.

CrimeLine @CrimeGirI The Secret Barrister 🦋 North Eastern Circuit a contribution to the cause in this morning's The Yorkshire Post

Knocked sideways by this afternoon’s news. Privileged to meet Her Majesty in 2014, a day I will never forget. A wonderful Queen who will be deeply missed. Can’t quite get my brain round the fact I am now KC having been QC for 11 years. God save the King.

Richard Atkins KC ...and here is that moment. Was so proud to capture you both.