Category: barristers

BSB announces decision on the future of Bar training – Bar Standards board

Posted March 27th, 2017 in barristers, consultations, diversity, inns of court, legal education, press releases by sally

‘At its Board meeting last night, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) decided that it will authorise a limited number of future training routes for prospective students to qualify as barristers. One of these is likely to be a new training course, which has been proposed by the Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) and the Bar Council. The Board also agreed a Policy Statement setting out its vision for the future of Bar training.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 24th March 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Public access work grows six-fold in only five years – Legal Futures

Posted March 21st, 2017 in barristers, legal representation, legal services, news, statistics by sally

‘The value of public access work carried out by barristers as a proportion of the profession’s income grew six-fold over just five years, according to new figures seen by Legal Futures.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 21st March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Quality must trump convenience in online justice reforms – The Bar Council

Posted March 21st, 2017 in barristers, bills, civil justice, courts, criminal justice, internet, press releases by sally

‘As the Government presses ahead with plans for online and virtual hearings, the Bar Council has warned that the quality and the reputation of our system of justice must not suffer.’

Full press release

The Bar Council, 20th March 2017

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Local authority alert sees family barrister fined over data security failings – Local Government Lawyer

Posted March 20th, 2017 in barristers, confidentiality, disciplinary procedures, documents, fines, internet, news by sally

‘A senior family law and Court of Protection barrister has been fined £1,000 by the Information Commissioner’s Office for failing to keep clients’ sensitive personal information secure.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 17th March 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Schemes allowing barristers to receive instructions without solicitors are working well, BSB’s latest review finds – Bar Standards Board

Posted March 17th, 2017 in barristers, legal services, licensing, reports by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published the results of a review into the Public and Licensed Access schemes. These schemes allow members of the public and other lay clients to instruct barristers directly without first instructing a solicitor or other intermediary.’

Full report

Bar Standards Board, 15th March 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Solicitor-free access ‘working well’, claims bar – Law society’s Gazette

Posted March 16th, 2017 in barristers, legal representation, legal services, news by sally

‘Methods that allow members of the public and lay clients to instruct barristers directly without turning to a solicitor first are working well, the barristers’ regulator has claimed.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 15th March 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Bar chief warns of ‘loss of confidence’ in fee reform – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 9th, 2017 in advocacy, barristers, fees, news by sally

‘The chairman of the Bar Council has weighed into the debate on plans to restructure the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS), claiming the body is in danger of losing confidence in the government’s proposals.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 8th March 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The only way is ethics – Counsel

Posted March 8th, 2017 in barristers, codes of practice, continuing professional development, inns of court, legal profession, news, professional conduct, standards by sally

‘Minding our standards: in the first of a new column for Counsel, Andrew Walker QC outlines fresh imperatives and initiatives for barristers to enhance their knowledge of ethics in practice and stay ahead of the curve.’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

BSB: “self-certification” the way forward for youth court barristers – Legal Futures

Posted March 7th, 2017 in barristers, news, youth courts by sally

‘Barristers in the youth courts will have to make a declaration that they have reached the standards set out by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to continue providing the service, it has emerged.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 7th March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Just 10% of people with legal problems turn to a solicitor, major research finds – Legal Futures

Posted March 6th, 2017 in barristers, citizens advice bureaux, legal services, Ministry of Justice, news, solicitors, statistics by sally

‘Only 10% of people with legal problems use a solicitor, and often only after approaching other sources of advice first, major government research has revealed.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 6th March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar backs MoJ fee scheme restructure – with reservations – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 3rd, 2017 in advocacy, barristers, consultations, criminal justice, fees, legal aid, news by sally

‘The Bar Council has said it is broadly in favour of the Ministry of Justice’s plans to restructure the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS) in criminal cases but warned that it should be “closely monitored” to ensure advocates do not lose out on fees.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 2nd March 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BSB announces new regulatory approach to improve advocacy standards within Youth Courts – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 27th, 2017 in advocacy, barristers, legal representation, press releases, standards, youth courts by sally

‘At its Board meeting last night, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) agreed new measures to improve standards of advocacy within Youth Courts. The regulator today published new guidance for barristers working in youth proceedings based on a set of essential competences that are expected of all advocates working with young people.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 24th February 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

A united approach – Counsel

Posted February 23rd, 2017 in barristers, children, cross-examination, news, witnesses, young persons by sally

‘HHJ Simon Drew QC and Lynda Gibbs explain why the pan-profession s 28 and ‘advocacy and the vulnerable’ training – being delivered to over 14,000 criminal advocates over the next two years – heralds a sea change.’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Maximising mini-pupillage – Counsel

Posted February 22nd, 2017 in barristers, diversity, legal profession, news, pupillage by sally

‘No contacts, no mini-pupillage? Dr Elaine Freer examines the state of work experience at the Bar in light of recent guidance for chambers and her own research on socio-economically disadvantaged aspirant entrants.’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Legal records at risk – Counsel

Posted February 22nd, 2017 in archives, barristers, confidentiality, documents, legal history, legal profession, news by sally

‘The Bar is in danger of losing its distinct legal heritage, warns Clare Cowling – who outlines the considerable research value to be found in chambers records’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Cure for all ills? – Counsel

Posted February 22nd, 2017 in advocacy, barristers, consultations, criminal justice, fees, legal aid, news by sally

‘Fees are still too low, but the Bar has developed a better settlement for criminal practitioners to reward advocacy in a fairer and more transparent way. Now it’s up to the profession to make their voices heard and respond to the consultation, as Daniel Oscroft explains.’

Full story

Counsel, March 2017

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Vital Times for Human Rights Lawyers as we Face Attacks on Fundamental Rights at Home and Abroad – Garden Court Chambers

Posted February 21st, 2017 in barristers, civil justice, criminal justice, human rights, legal aid, news by sally

‘Leslie Thomas QC on the vital role of human rights lawyers in these turbulent times.’

Full story

Garden Court Chambers, 6th February 2017

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Bar Council: shared leave plan will help women reach top – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted February 21st, 2017 in barristers, consultations, equality, news, parental rights, self-employment, women by sally

‘The Bar Council has backed proposals by the regulator to amend rules on shared parental leave, claiming this could encourage more women to stay at the bar.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 20th February 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lawyers unite in opposition to massive extension of fixed costs – Litigation Futures

Posted February 16th, 2017 in barristers, civil justice, costs, news, personal injuries by sally

‘Lawyers have united against the potential threat of a huge extension of fixed recoverable costs to all civil claims worth up to £250,000.’

Full story

Litigation Futures, 15th February 2017

Source: www.litigationfutures.com

Cooperation With Counsel – Zenith PI Blog

Posted February 14th, 2017 in barristers, case management, news, personal injuries, solicitors by sally

‘This blog is addressed to solicitors and indeed to those who instruct counsel, particularly in relation to the fast-track trials and other proceedings such as small claims and indeed interlocutory matters. I feel that this is a timely Note, because thanks to the minimal remuneration which is nowadays given to solicitors (let alone counsel), solicitors are placed in great difficulty in dealing with claims of this kind efficiently. But, just as it is true that some cases are won by good preparation, so it is also unhappily true that many good cases are lost by poor preparation.’

Full story

Zenith PI Blog, 13th February 2017

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com