Category: barristers

The changing relationship between solicitors and barristers – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 16th, 2010 in alternative business structures, barristers, legal profession, legal services, news, solicitors by sally

“In the debate about how the legal regulators should amend practising rules to allow solicitors and barristers to operate in the new structures modelled in the Legal Services Act 2007, some predicted that the reforms could alter forever the identity of lawyers and lead to fusion – ending the distinction between law firms and chambers. That has not happened, but does slow progress to date rule out greater upheaval in future?”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 16th September 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Privilege judgment is an unjustified blow to in-house lawyers – The Guardian

Posted September 15th, 2010 in barristers, EC law, legal profession, news, privilege, solicitors by sally

“The European court of justice’s ruling will prevent in-house lawyers giving frank advice in antitrust cases.”

Full story

The Guardian, 14th September 2010

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Law Reform Committee Web Survey – We are Seeking Your Views – The Bar Council

Posted September 8th, 2010 in barristers, consultations, press releases by sally

“The Bar Council’s Law Reform Committee is seeking the views of the Bar on areas of law reform which it could usefully proactively consider and is asking members of the Bar to complete a short web survey to let us know areas of law reforms which you would like the LRC to consider on behalf of the Bar.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 7th September 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Courtenay Griffiths: Defending Charles Taylor

Posted August 27th, 2010 in barristers, news, war crimes by sally

“Our system of justice cannot operate unless there is a semblance of equality between prosecution and defence. Otherwise it becomes an inquisition and that would soon lose the confidence of the public.”

Full story

BBC News, 26th August 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Proposed changes to the Practising Certificate Fee for 2011/12 – The Bar Council

Posted August 27th, 2010 in barristers, fees, news by sally

“We [The Bar Council] would strongly encourage all barristers to read the attached note, which provides a detailed explanation of proposed changes to the Practising Certificate Fee for 2011/12. We would welcome feedback from all practitioners to 2011budget@barcouncil.org.uk.”

Explanatory Note

The Bar Council, 26th August 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

The barrister who acts for notorious defendants – BBC News

Posted August 17th, 2010 in barristers, defences, news by sally

“Courtenay Griffiths QC is a defence barrister with a reputation. He has defended members of the IRA, a youth in the Damilola Taylor trial, and now he is acting for the former Liberian leader Charles Taylor on trial for allegedly receiving blood diamonds.”

Video

BBC News, 17th August 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Mansfield has to rewrite memoirs after libelling killer – The Independent

Posted August 16th, 2010 in barristers, defamation, news, publishing by sally

“In the courtroom, Michael Mansfield’s eye for detail has helped forge his reputation as one of Britain’s most eminent barristers. But a curious case involving the QC’s memoirs and gruesome multiple murders that never happened have called into question his powers of recollection.”

Full story

The Independent, 16th August 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

VHCC Scheme from July 2010 – The Bar Council

Posted August 13th, 2010 in barristers, costs, news by sally

“The criminal Very High Cost Cases (VHCC) Panel Scheme expired on the 13th July and has been replaced with an individual case contract arrangement.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 11th August 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Advocates to face tougher regulation under new proposals – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted August 12th, 2010 in barristers, consultations, legal profession, news, reports, rights of audience, solicitors by sally

“Solicitor-advocates and barristers could be forced to work for longer in the lower courts before being granted higher court rights, under proposals put forward by the Joint Advocacy Group (JAG).”

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 12th August 2010

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

New proposals for the regulation of lawyers – Bar Standards Board

Posted August 11th, 2010 in barristers, legal executives, legal profession, news, solicitors, Solicitors Regulation Authority by sally

“The Joint Advocacy Group today (10 August) launches its consultation on proposals for a scheme to quality assure advocates in the criminal courts.”

Full story

Bar Standards Board, 10th August 2010

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council Kicks Off Week of Events to Promote Entry to the Bar – Bar Council

Posted August 9th, 2010 in barristers, legal education, news by sally

“The Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, is launching a week-long programme of events aimed at promoting and enhancing better access to the profession. This will include a day-long conference in Birmingham, for sixth-formers interested in a career at the Bar and the fourth annual Bar Placement Scheme, in conjunction with the Social Mobility Foundation.”

Full story

Bar Council, 8th August 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Prepare for Change – The Bar Council

Posted August 4th, 2010 in barristers, news by sally

“In March of this year, under the last Government, the Ministry of Justice issued a paper entitled ‘Restructuring the delivery of criminal defence services’.  This contemplates a major rationalisation of criminal defence contracts. There will be a major change in the way the Legal Services Commission (‘LSC’) awards contracts for criminal legal aid.”

Full news release

The Bar Council, 3rd August 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Five Minutes With: Jonathan Sumption QC – BBC News

Posted August 2nd, 2010 in barristers, news, queen's counsel by sally

“Jonathan Sumption QC is considered by many to be the UK’s top barrister, having represented the government in the Hutton Inquiry as well as arguing against them in court.”

Full story

BBC News, 31st July 2010

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Bar chairman backs calls to reconsider drug laws – The Independent

Posted July 20th, 2010 in barristers, drug offences, news by sally

“One of Britain’s most senior lawyers has delivered a dramatic boost to the campaign to change the law on drugs.”

Full story

The Independent, 20th July 2010

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Barristers interested in new business structures, BSB survey shows – Bar Standards Board

Posted July 12th, 2010 in alternative business structures, barristers, press releases by sally

“The results of a recent survey of the profession show that the vast majority (over 80%) of barristers want the Bar to remain as a separate and independent legal profession, regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), with 35% likely to join new business structures within 5 years if these are permitted.”

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 12th July 2010

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

The new Legal Ombudsman – Bar Standards Board

Posted July 2nd, 2010 in barristers, legal ombudsman, ombudsmen, press releases by sally

“On Wednesday 6 October 2010 the Legal Ombudsman (http://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/) will become operational. From this date all complaints from lay clients about barristers, solicitors, and some other types of legal professional should be directed to the Ombudsman’s office. The Ombudsman will deal with service complaints itself and will be able to award compensation of up to £30,000.00 against barristers. It will not investigate complaints of professional misconduct or be involved in the consideration of disciplinary issues. Neither will it consider complaints previously considered by the Bar Standards Board.”

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 1st July 2010

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council backs Clarke over Prison Reform – The Bar Council

Posted June 30th, 2010 in barristers, lord chancellor, Ministry of Justice, news, prisons by sally

“Nicholas Green QC, the Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has said the Bar Council is willing to lend its support to the Secretary of State for Justice, Ken Clarke QC MP, as he makes tough and potentially unpopular decisions regarding the prison system, though they must lead to a better and more efficient administration of justice.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 30th June 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

BSB seeks to extend IELTS requirements for students – Bar Standards Board

Posted June 24th, 2010 in barristers, legal education, press releases by sally

“The BSB is in the process of requesting permission from the Legal Services Board to amend the Bar Training Regulations to require all students on the BPTC to take IELTS (or equivalent) and score a minimum of 7.5 in each section.”

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 23rd June 2010

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Bar Council Chairman – “We’re on the precipice of change” – The Bar Council

Posted June 23rd, 2010 in alternative business structures, barristers, legal aid, legal profession, news, speeches by sally

“Nicholas Green QC, the Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents over 15,000 barristers in England and Wales, has told barristers that the profession is ‘on the precipice of change’ in his address to the Bar Council’s Annual Remuneration Conference.”

Full story

The Bar Council, 22nd June 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Bar Council shares experience on easing financial barriers to the professions – The Bar Council

Posted June 18th, 2010 in barristers, legal education, legal profession, press releases by sally

“David Pittaway QC, Chair of the Bar Council’s Training for the Bar Committee and the Neuberger Monitoring and Implementation Group, addressed the Gateways to the Professions Collaborative Forum, chaired by RIBA President Ruth Reed, on the subject of the Bar Loans Scheme, yesterday.”

Full press release

The Bar Council, 17th June 2010

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk