Charon: Your man at the winebar…with a copy of The Gazette in his coat pocket…

The Attorney-General goes to Israel – at the expense of the Israel, British and Commonwealth Association. Unfortunately – Lord Levy is a committee member of that association and, before you know it, the A-G is under fire from a Lib-Dem MP who takes the view that Law Officers should not accept hospitality of any sort [...]

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Podcast 19: Nearly Legal on Housing Law and other matters…

Today I talk to Nearly Legal about his career change to law (after an academic career), his experience of the LPC, gaining a training contract as a mature student and his Housing Law passion . I also discover that he enjoys SCUBA diving Podcast 19: Nearly Legal on Housing Law and other matters. Nearly Legal [...]

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If you go down to the moots today

The blogs are alive… with the sound of mutiny… The music to Teddy Bears Picnic and, curiously, The Sound of Music came into my mind as I settled down to write… and, I was pleased to note, that…. Josephine Bloggs added…. “…’cause that’s the way the Pre-sid-ent has his piiiiiiiiicnic!” Comment by Josephine Bloggs on [...]

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Podcast 18: Coping with setbacks…

Law / Management: Coping with setbacks Today I interview Nick Jarrett-Kerr of Kerma Partners about the techniques which may be used to cope with setbacks. Nick was managing partner at Bevan Ashford and is now a consultant and management guru. We cover a lot of ground in the talk – and there are some notes [...]

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Podcast 17: John Bolch of Family Lore on Family Law…

Today I talk to John Bolch of Family Lore about Family Law. John talks about Reform of Divorce – Cohabitee rights – Child support – Children disputes and Legal Aid. John also reveals that he is a microlight pilot and tips the Aussies to win the Cricket World Cup Podcast 17: John Bolch, Family Lore [...]

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I started to read The Times today….

On Tuesdays I usually read the online Times Law section. I was about to read what a High Court judge felt about diversity… to improve my mind… but I was distracted by an article entitled “Save world one square at a time and annoy Bush’s brain”. Mind you.. it was a close run thing with [...]

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Podcast 16: Nigel Savage, CEO, The College of Law on legal education and diversity…

Today I talk to Nigel Savage, CEO, The College of Law about legal education at the academic and professional stage and diversity. Nigel Savage has had a long career in legal education and has overseen some remarkable developments and changes at the College of Law in the past ten years. In this podcast he gives [...]

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Podcast 15: Michael Mallinson and the television / film industry…

Today I talk to Michael Mallinson who has worked on some well known television productions as First Assistant Director. Sharpe, Inspector Morse, Lewis, Bravo Two Zero, Robin Hood, Kavanagh QC and Rosemary & Thyme are just a few of the films he has worked on. Michael gives us a glimpse into the world of television [...]

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Carbon footprint… and the April heatwave….

I took this photograph tonight, on my mobile phone, in Chiswick. The pyramidal construction in the background is not a new office complex or buy to let apartment block by Lord Rogers or any other British architect of note. It is part of my finger – but… I can tell you… tonight… it was hot; [...]

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Podcast 14: “No Smoking” laws and employment law implications on blogging…

Today I talk to Liam Pike, solicitor with PJHLaw and one of the authors of their excellent Employment Law blog. The topics: The “No Smoking” laws due to come into force at 6.00 am on 1st July 2007 and the Employment Law implications for bloggers who are employed. Liam took time out of a busy [...]

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cricket, contronyms and rioja…

England’s cricketers laughing at their inept, lamentable, pathetic and truly appalling performance in the Cricket World Cup against South Africa ? (SA played good cricket). I have lost the will to live… but I can’t keep killing myself off. I don’t care how overpaid footballers perform… I am no longer interested in the procession which [...]

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Money, money money….

Solicitors who reaped millions from dealing with the miner compensation claims may have to return some of it. Mrs Justice Swift has ruled that lawyers were paid too much. The Times Unless there is a successful appeal, it looks as if Jim Beresford, senior partner of Beresfords, who paid himself £16.7 million last year, may [...]

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Podcast 13: Footprints on the net…

Today I talk to Tim Kevan, Barrister, 1 Temple Gardens about the new Bar Council blog, blog etiquette and the dangers of leaving footprints on the net. I did the interview over the telephone and, for some bizarre reason, the sound quality in parts is not as good as it usually is. Maybe it is [...]

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Bank on it?….

Sign at a Bank: “We can loan you enough money to get you completely out of debt” Tom Brennan, a barrister, is taking on the banks. If he wins the case against NatWest the banks will have to reduce their penalty fees for unauthorised overdrafts and returned items. Thousands of bank customers will benefit. If [...]

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Review… Monday 16th April…

The blog world has been fairly quiet over the Easter Break so the review will be fairly brief: The Bar Council launches a new website and the Chairman of the Bar, Geoffrey Vos QC, has become a blogger BabyBarista migrates to Times and reaches a global audience. Pupilblogger considers a change of tack in blogging. [...]

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A signal from the Navy….

I received a ‘signal’ (email to the rest of us) this morning at 0800 Hrs from my uncle, Admiral Charonblower RN (Retd). It is worth repeating the text in full. “I see that you are still wasting your life posting nonsense on your blog but, it is… at least, one of your less anti-social vices, [...]

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paraskavedekatriaphobia ….

I don’t suppose that many of you know that paraskavedekatriaphobia is fear of Friday 13th. I certainly didn’t… until I was told this by a most unusual man in a cloak, carrying a scythe, who decided to sit at the next table this morning when I was reading my Tabloid of choice, sipping espressos and [...]

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Back to work…back to Law…

The Bar Council has a new website and blog. The new Bar Council website is an improvement. I am not entirely sure what the chosen image (left) is trying to portray in terms of message or metaphor. To my eye it seems that the barrister is running late and is, therefore, disorganised. It also reminded [...]

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It was time for lunch…

A Bar & Dining Room Somewhere in London Meal for two with wine: £90 Nil points “Have you booked?” asked the black silk shirted Maitre D’ guarding the entrance. The abruptness of the greeting took me by surprise. “I have not booked. Do you have a table?” Blackshirt’s eyes narrowed as he flicked open the [...]

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Scala caeli…ladder of heaven

And it came to pass, that BabyBarista went to a greater place… scala caeli… a ladder of heaven to The Times. Good stuff…. Congratulations. See BabyBarista at The Times Online [Only one criticism with the move to The Times - if one makes a comment...there is no link back to the blogger who comments - [...]

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