Bar chair calls for private prosecutions rethink after Post Office scandal – Legal Futures

‘It is time to look “very carefully” at whether those who “regarded themselves as victims” should be able to bring private prosecutions in the wake of the Post Office scandal, the chair of the Bar Council has said.’

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Legal Futures, 15th June 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Judge jails barrister who tried to buy drugs from two men he represented – The Guardian

‘A barrister whose clients have included Nadine Dorries has been jailed for 14 months after trying to buy drugs from two men he represented over drug supply allegations.’

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The Guardian, 14th June 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Pandemic experience has given lawyers more confidence in tech – Legal Futures

‘The experience of the pandemic has given lawyers greater confidence in innovation and technology, leading to a “step change” in their use over the past three years, major new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 7th June 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

High Court dismisses negligence claim over failed group action – Legal Futures

‘The High Court has struck out a negligence claim against the law firm and eight barristers who acted on a failed group action on behalf of more than 40,000 Kenyans against the Foreign Office.’

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Legal Futures, 30th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB to lobby councils over disabled access to listed chambers buildings – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has written to chief planning officers in central London to express concern at the difficulties chambers face in adapting historic buildings for disabled access.’

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Legal Futures, 30th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Barbara Mills KC becomes first black person and first family law practitioner for 35 years to be elected Vice Chair of Bar Council – Local Government Lawyer

Posted May 23rd, 2023 in barristers, family courts, king's counsel, minorities, news by sally

‘Barbara Mills KC has been elected as the Bar Council’s Vice Chair, becoming the first family law practitioner to be selected for the position in 35 years and the first black person and first person of colour.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 22nd May 2023

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Bar Council launches new Wellbeing Certificates – The Bar Council

Posted May 19th, 2023 in barristers, mental health, news by tracey

‘As part of #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek this week, we have relaunched the Bar Council’s Wellbeing Certificates. As part of the process, we received 34 applications from chambers, circuits and Inns of Court.’

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The Bar Council, 17th May 2023

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

No cab-rank rule breach – yet – for barrister signatories of eco-resolution – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) will not take action against barristers who have committed not to prosecute climate protestors or work for fossil fuel companies – at least until they actually refuse instructions.’

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Legal Futures, 18th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

The Times pays damages to lawyer over misleading article – The Guardian

Posted May 17th, 2023 in barristers, damages, defamation, homosexuality, marriage, media, news by sally

‘A leading lawyer has received “substantial” damages and an apology from the Times over a misleading report that claimed she had been censured by her professional regulator.’

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The Guardian, 16th May 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Post Office scandal highlights risk of lawyers “absorbing client’s view” – Legal Futures

Posted May 5th, 2023 in barristers, legal representation, legal services, news, postal service by tracey

‘The Post Office scandal highlights the dangers of lawyers absorbing and reflecting back their client’s view “without sufficient independence and critical detachment”, academics have argued.’

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Legal Futures, 5th May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

CA upholds dismissal of £40m claim against tax QC – Legal Futures

Posted May 2nd, 2023 in barristers, film industry, legal advice, negligence, news, taxation by tracey

‘The High Court was right to dismiss a £40m negligence claim against a leading tax barrister over advice he provided on three film financing schemes, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd May 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ethics and access: striking the right balance – Bar Standards Board

‘What is an ethical lawyer? Should an ethical lawyer steer clear of certain clients on public interest grounds? And should the regulator police the profession’s choice of client?’

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Bar Standards Board, 28th April 2023

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Barrister fails in appeal over discrimination claim against chambers – Legal Futures

‘An employment tribunal (ET) did not show bias in dismissing a claim brought by a black barrister against his chambers, an appeal tribunal has ruled.’

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Legal Futures, 24th April 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Wasted Costs in the Commercial Court – Hailsham Chambers

‘In King v Stiefel (Wasted Costs) [2023] EWHC 453 (Comm), the Commercial Court emphatically rejected applications for wasted costs against a barrister and his instructing solicitors, in relation to a claim which had been struck out. The case is a good example of how difficult it is to obtain a wasted costs order against lawyers. William Flenley KC acted for the successful solicitors.’

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Hailsham Chambers, 8th March 2023

Source: www.hailshamchambers.com

BSB “assessing” self-reports from barristers over cab-rank rule defiance – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) said last night that it was assessing self-reports from barristers who say they will defy the cab-rank rule.’

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Legal Futures, 31st March 2023

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Delays to rape trials in England and Wales ‘devastating’ for victims – The Guardian

‘Long delays and a massive increase in the rescheduling of rape trials are having a devastating impact on victims’ mental health and leading some victims to take their own lives, according to a major new report.’

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The Guardian, 27th March 2023

Source: www.theguardian.com

Don’t crow over court victories, bar leader warns – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Barristers should not crow online about court victories, the profession’s leader has warned amid renewed controversy over lawyers being identified with their clients.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 23rd March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

CPS to pay £136,000 for failing to ease barrister’s workload – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Crown Prosecution Service has been ordered to pay a barrister almost £136,000 after failing to make adjustments to his working life following a heart attack.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 22nd March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Review pilot ‘will disproportionately affect black barristers’ – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 23rd, 2023 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, pilot schemes by tracey

‘Black barristers will be disproportionately affected by negative reviews posted on digital comparison platforms, the Bar Standards Board has been told. An event organised by the Black Barristers Network also highlighted the potential limits to what barristers can say publicly in response to negative feedback – a problem that equally applies to law firms and individual solicitors.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 22nd March 2023

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Taking the neurological lead: Professor Jo Delahunty KC – Counsel

Posted March 20th, 2023 in barristers, bullying, diversity, equality, mental health, news by tracey

‘Being neurodivergent is something of which to be unashamedly proud and offers the Bar an extraordinary skill set. Professor Jo Delahunty KC, the silk well known for challenging the status quo, tackles the preconceptions of what it takes to be a barrister in an interview with Charlotte Plowman.’

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Counsel, 13th March 2023

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk