The last UK witch trial

Trial period

100 years of 2 New Street Chambers

SALLY BARNETT, HEAD OF CHAMBERS

In their centenary year, 2 New Street Chambers considers what led them to becoming a key part of Leicester’s legal scene, and what the future holds. We spoke to Head of Chambers, Sally Barnett

to learn more WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

For any institution to reach its 100th anniversary is an extraordinary achievement. For 2 New Street Chambers, which is not one business but a group of self-employed barristers, it’s been a remarkable journey. For example, one of its founders and former barristers, Charles Loseby, worked on a most notable case.

“Loseby worked on the last UK witch trial,” said Sally, who is the first female Head of Chambers in New Street’s history. “He was defending Helen Duncan, who conducted a séance in 1941 in which she predicted the sinking of the battleship HMS Barham. She became one of the last people to be prosecuted under the 1735 Witchcraft Act, and ultimately the last ‘convicted witch’. She served nine months in Holloway Prison. In reality, it turns out several thousand people knew the ‘secret’ about the Barham’s sinking and Duncan used it in her performance.”

The New Street premises were bought by Middle Temple in London in 1908. The Chambers itself was started in 1922 with Guy Dickson as Head of Chambers. Initially specialising in crime and originally featuring very few women, it’s now predominantly female. For many years, Chambers has only undertaken a wide variety of family and civil work.

“We’re a traditional chambers, aligned with modern practices. We have a blue plaque outside to commemorate Yetta Frazer – one of the first female members of the Bar in this country. We’re very proud of that.”

With the occupational importance of being discreet, you might not know much about 2 New Street Chambers, as their successes must be kept under the radar, meaning their contribution goes unseen by the wider community. But they do have ways of celebrating their work.

“There are opportunities for people to be recognised, such as Emma Burden winning Barrister of the Year at the Leicestershire Law Society Awards 2022, and other members in previous years. We’ve also previously been awarded Chambers of the Year, and our support staff were recognised as well, but we generally celebrate our achievements on a more personal level. It’s not about the awards for us – it’s about the service.”

Continuing that service is at the centre of their vision for the future.

“Everyone at New Street is self-employed, so we maintain our level by each only taking on what we can handle. We also want to continue our contribution of legal and charitable service, increasing it if we can, to do even more.”

With 100 years of court success to their name, it’s been a more than successful trial period for New Street.

To learn more about the history of 2 New Street Chambers and view their current services, visit 2newstreet.com.

WE’RE A TRADITIONAL CHAMBERS, ALIGNED WITH MODERN PRACTICES

THE MEN’S ISSUE

November is a big month for men; it includes International Men’s Day, Movember, and Men’s Health Awareness Month. It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of men needing such occasions would be scoffed at. Niche spoke to several members of Leicester’s business community to find out why it’s needed now more than ever

WORDS BY TOM YOUNG

If you’ve never followed the comedian Richard Herring on twitter during International Women’s Day, you may not have had the pleasure of watching him reply to every ignorant tweet asking: “And when’s International Men’s Day?” with: “It’s on November 19.” It’s an undertaking so large, he had to retire from duty two years ago.

The fact that even men aren’t aware of International Men’s Day shows why it’s so important. There’s a variety of issues and pressures the modern world throws at men that they’re often expected to shoulder without sign of strain.

According to the Men’s Health Forum, even today, one in five UK men die before the age of 65. Suicide remains the most common cause of death for men under 45, though there are just as many suicides by men over 50 as under 45.

According to a 2012 study by the Samaritans, the following factors can increase the risk of suicide:

♦ Being male – men are more likely to respond to stress by taking risks like misusing alcohol

♦ Relationship breakdowns – marriage breakdown is more likely to lead men to suicide

♦ Mid-life – people in mid-life experience greater unhappiness than younger and older people ♦ Emotional illiteracy – men are less likely to have a positive view of talking therapies

♦ Socio-economic factors – unemployed people are 2-3 times more likely to die by suicide than those in work and suicide increases during economic recession

Health issues often go undiagnosed, as men are less likely to go to the GP, wanting to avoid taking time off work. There’s an embarrassment factor, a desire not to inconvenience another – to “man up” and get on with it. This mind set needs to change.

Pressure to live up to expectation can also be an emotional burden, with financial and family obligations capable of weighing heavy on the mind. Pressure to succeed can also make failure devastating. Fortunately, awareness of these issues is ever growing. Men are becoming more willing to talk about their struggles, share their experience, and

the notion of ‘manning up’ can lead to a ‘man down’