Issue 147 | 26 November 2020

Leading the charge – Bar and Young Bar Conference

Chair of the Bar Council's International Committee, Steven Thompson QC (pictured), chaired a panel discussion entitled “Leading the Charge” at last week’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference, featuring speakers with experience in crime, commercial, chancery and family in the international sphere who set out their visions for the future.

Spending Review: Justice funding boost “must not be a flash in the pan”

The Bar Council has said that additional funding for the justice system announced in yesterday’s Spending Review “must not be a flash in the pan”. Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC, said it was a welcome step but that the government “must now ensure the system is sustainable in the long-term to ensure access to justice for everyone.”

A number of the Chancellor’s announcements reflected what the Bar Council recommended to the Treasury in September.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an additional £337 million for the criminal justice system, including £275 million to manage the impact of 20,000 additional police officers and reduce backlogs in the Crown Court. He also announced an additional £119 million to support the ongoing response of the wider justice system to Covid-19, including £76 million to further increase family court and employment tribunal capacity, plus £43 million to ensure that courts and prisons remain Covid-safe. The Treasury also announced £105 million for improvements to the court estate, amongst other measures.

Parliamentary update

As well as responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Spending Review announcement, the Bar Council briefed MPs ahead of a Parliamentary debate, tabled by Alex Cunningham MP, on the Government’s levelling up agenda. We continue to work on the various Bills which are going through both Houses as well as on Brexit related issues and have been referenced in debates. We have met with Ellie Reeves MP (Shadow Solicitor General) and Lord Hunt of Wirral.

Chair of the Bar hits back at Minister’s attack on lawyers

Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar, immediately retaliated to the latest criticism of lawyers, this time from Home Office Minister, Chris Philp MP, who said lawyers were "playing politics". In The Observer, the Chair of the Bar said the criticism showed a “lack of understanding of the role lawyers play in our immigration and wider justice system, as well as a gap in the minister’s knowledge of the Home Office’s own operations when it comes to immigration.”

Counsel magazine: “We had not done enough for many of our talented Black members”

Q&A: How the pandemic has made legal tech a priority

Global legal tech company, ABC Legal Services’ Sascha Mehlhase, Radley Angelo and Brandon Fuller discuss how the pandemic has rapidly pushed forward technological advances that were not a priority for the legal sector in the past. They look at what it means for access to justice and practitioners.

Barristers’ practice rights in EU Members States post-transition

The Bar Council is able to give guidance to barristers who are unsure as to what legal services they may be able to provide in EU Member States from 1 January 2021 on a country by country basis. Please contact the Bar Council’s International Team or if you require this information.

New guidance for EU lawyers practising in the UK

The Bar Council has worked with other UK legal professional bodies to update existing guidance for EU/EFTA lawyers practising in the UK in preparation for the end of the Transition Period.

Important Pupillage Gateway announcement

The Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway goes live at 09:00 tomorrow (Friday 27 November). Advertisements of circa 100 pupillage providers will be added to the site for aspiring barristers to browse ahead of the applications opening on 4 January 2021. New advertisements will be added over the coming weeks.

Applicants can make an early start by viewing the questions Gateway advertisers will be asking which are contained within their respective advertisements, and completing a Practice Application Form. The recruitment processes of non-Gateway users will also be available to view through the links within their own posts.

If you’re a pupillage provider and are intending to recruit in line with the mandatory timetable then read our to find out more.

Have your say on Practising Certificate Fees

Budget and practising certificate fee (PCF) plans of the General Council of the Bar in 2021/22 have been published, with barristers invited to feedback on the proposals.

Impact of backlogs: Media call-out

If you can put the Bar Council in touch with a member of the public who has experienced delays in their case (ideally criminal cases but any examples are welcome) and is willing to speak to the media about how the delays have impacted them, please contact the Bar Council’s Communications Team on .

Deadline: Tuesday 1 December.

Blogs

Wellbeing blog: Lessons from Houdini

Efe Avan-Nomayo, wellbeing representative from the employed Bar, guest blogs on what Harry Houdini’s death taught her about burnout and the five commitments she made when Lockdown 2.0 was announced.

Guest blog: Chambers must play their part in law-dominated Social Mobility Employer Index

Guest blog: Why the CPS is working with the Bar to make the justice system a more inclusive space

What's on

Webinar series: Law Week Mexico

30 November – 2 December

Webinar one: Trade

Webinar two: Compliance

Webinar three: Dispute resolution

Race and the Legal Profession: Where are we today and when did the journey begin?

Inner Temple Round Table Series

Wednesday 2 December, 10.00-15.00

The Inner Temple invites you to the first of an annual round table series examining race equality within the legal profession.

Bar Council Annual Law Reform Lecture

Thursday 3 December, 17.30

Online

Lord Carnwath will speak on the topic of ‘Judicial review - where next? Some lessons from eight years in the Supreme Court’.

Questions from the audience can be submitted in advance.

The Bar Council’s Annual International Rule of Law Lecture

Monday 7 December 18:30

This year’s lecture will be delivered by International Criminal Court Judge, Kimberly Prost - “Advancing the Rule of Law on the international stage.”

End of EU transition seminar: Immigration issues for barristers

Tuesday 15 December, 17.00

Advocate and LawWorks Christmas Carol Concert

Tuesday 15 December 2020, 18.30-19.30

Advocate and LawWorks will host a remote celebration Christmas carol concert, including readings from Cherie Blair CBE, QC, The Rt Hon David Lammy MP and actor Stephen Mangan.

Tickets are available to purchase here at a cost of £10 per stream (£5 concession for unwaged, students and pupils). 

Fundraising

Advocate Christmas Challenge 2020

From midday on Tuesday 1 December until midday on Tuesday 8 December, all donations made to the Advocate Christmas Challenge will be DOUBLED! If you can, please donate whatever you can afford and it will be match funded through this link. Thank you.

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.