Issue 145 | 29 October 2020

“Apples and oranges”: UK’s legal aid spending versus rest of Europe

Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC, has said that “comparing England and Wales’ spending on legal aid with that of other countries is like comparing apples with oranges,” following the publication of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice’s recent report which looked at justice systems across Europe.

Bar Council takes to the airwaves to defend lawyers

Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC spoke to listeners of Times Radio this week to discuss claims last month by government ministers that 'activist lawyers' were hindering asylum claims. Amanda Pinto QC told Times Radio: "The job that a lawyer does is about enabling ordinary citizens to have access to justice."

Listen to the full interview on the Matt Chorley show here at 21 mins 30 secs

Chair’s Update

In her latest update, Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC, gives details of her recent meetings with the Lord Chancellor, Attorney General and Solicitor General, the latest on the courts, Bar Council/HMCTS digital ID card expansion, Pro Bono Week and more.

Counsel Magazine: The rule of law, respect and reasons to be cheerful

Digital ID cards: 77 more courts join scheme for barristers

This week, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in partnership with the Bar Council rolled out the professional users' access scheme to a further 77 courts and tribunals across England and Wales. Through membership of the scheme, barristers are permitted enhanced access to participating HMCTS buildings, without needing a routine security search on each visit, by verifying credentials which satisfy safety and security policies.

Members of the Bar can register for the scheme using the Bar Council’s MyBar portal.

The scheme is being rolled out nationally, across all courts and tribunals, with completion expected by the end of 2020.

Judicial Review: Improve government decision making, says Bar Council

The Bar Council's response to the Independent Review of Administrative Law has been published. The Bar Council says that the judicial review process is working properly, the number of judicial reviews has fallen in recent years, and that decision making in government is what needs to improve.

Bar Council election results are in

The result of the election for the 2021 Bar Council have been announced.

See who has been elected.

LPMA launches membership drive to support the Bar

Today, the Legal Practice Management Association (LPMA) announced an important initiative to increase its support of those working in chambers, across the full range of chambers roles and at every level of seniority. The Association, now in its twenty-fourth year, currently represents professionals involved in legal practice management from more than 100 sets, but has previously focused on those in senior roles. To this end, the LPMA is offering sets two memberships for the price of one to prospective members who join before the end of November 2020.

Network for lawyers with caring responsibilities

Kirsty Stuart, a public law and human rights lawyer, is building a network of lawyers who have caring responsibilities to share best practice and techniques on how to manage it all. For more information and if you’d like to get involved, please email

Parliamentary update

The Bar Council briefed members of the House of Lords ahead of the Internal Market Bill’s Second Reading and we were referenced by a few Peers. Together with the Law Society, we continue to brief Peers on the Internal Market Bill following its latest developments in the Committee Stage in support of the amendments tabled by Lord Judge, Lord Falconer and others.

The Bar Council has submitted written evidence to the Independent Review of Administrative Law. We also briefed MPs ahead of the Westminster Hall debate, tabled by Sir Bob Neill MP, on the spending of the Ministry of Justice on legal aid and we were referenced by a few MPs.

Vacancies

Attorney General’s Regional Panel Selection Boards

Two Bar Council representatives are sought to assist in the Attorney General’s Regional Panel Selection Boards. These are paid positions.

Legal Aid Review Panel

The Legal Aid Agency is inviting barristers to join the Legal Aid Review Panel, which considers appeals against certain LAA decisions, including those relating to claims for costs.

Attorney General’s Civil Panel Counsel - Regional A, B and C Panels

The Attorney General is seeking to appoint new members to three of her panels of junior counsel, the Regional A, B and C Panels, to undertake civil work for government departments.

Senior Circuit Judge, Central Criminal Court x 3

District Judge (Magistrates’ Court)

What's on

PAJE applications open

Applications are now open for the Spring 2021 Pre-Application Judicial Education (PAJE) online course. The deadline for applications is 23:59 on Monday 16 November.

Pro Bono Awards 2020

Sponsored by LexisNexis and supported by the Bar Council, the 2020 Bar Pro Bono Awards will take place on 4 November at 19.15 to celebrate the amazing pro bono work that has been undertaken this year at all levels of seniority and across the country. Cheer on your friends and colleagues by watching the ceremony on YouTube here.

Lex Mex legal update

3-5 November 2020

Statute Law Society: 2020 Annual Lord Renton Lecture

Wednesday, 11 November 2020, 18.00-19.00

Devolution and the Statute Book, The Rt Hon. James Wolffe QC, Lord Advocate

Fundraising

Much of the Bar Council’s work would not be possible without funding from the Bar Representation Fee (BRF): a £12.50 per month voluntary subscription. Find out more and sign up to help support the Bar.

The Bar Council (England and Wales) · 289-293 High Holborn  

London, London WC1V7HZ · United Kingdom