Issue 148 | 10 December 2020

Guest blog: The Lord Chancellor on investing in justice

New: Inside Guide to Life at the Bar

Bar Council reacts to Government’s U-turn on breaking the law

Responding to news that the Government is to drop clauses in the Internal Market Bill that would have put the UK in breach of international law the Bar Council said that “this U-turn should not have been necessary. We are disappointed that the initiative was ever adopted, but this course of action should demonstrate to all – including our potential trade partners – that Britain holds itself to the rule of law.”

Language matters: new guide on race terminology

The Bar Council has published a short guide for chambers on the use of language when talking about race. This guide is intended to help chambers to use appropriate terminology when carrying out race equality work; specifically, in relation to referring to individuals and groups in terms of ethnicity.

Counsel magazine: Right person, right time, right job

EU: Preparing for the end of transition: FAQs Part III

The Bar Council has published its latest FAQs to prepare barristers for the future relationship between the EU and the UK, as the end of the transition period approaches. Part III of the Bar Council’s FAQ series focuses on choice of law, jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement: the rules governing cross-border civil claims.

Short survey: Covid-19 – impact on the Bar

To fully understand how the impact of Covid-19 is affecting barristers and chambers and to help us continue to present strong evidence to the Ministry of Justice and wider Government, we need ongoing input from as many members of the profession as possible. If you can spare 15 minutes to complete our latest survey and add to the collective voice of the Bar, we need to hear from you.

The deadline for completing the survey is 23:00 on Friday 11 December 2020.

Covid Operating Hours consultation extended

HMCTS has extended its consultation on Covid Operating Hours (COH). The deadline for getting your views in on HMCTS’s plans is now 23.45 on 14 December 2020.

Have your say on PCF and budget plans

Please respond to the General Council of the Bar’s Practising Certificate Fee (PCF) and budget consultation 2021/22. The Bar Council only gets 24% of the fees from the PCF to fund work representing and supporting the Bar (the remainder from the voluntary BRF), so the GCB’s plans include the costs of the Bar Council and the BSB. We reduced our costs in response to Covid-19. Knowing the drastic effect of the pandemic on many practitioners, there are no plans to increase the PCF next year but your input counts.

Please respond to by 14 December 2020.

Ethics and practice update: New dyspraxia guide

The Bar Council has published an overview of dyspraxia and how it affects individuals. The guide provides information for any member of the Bar with dyspraxia and guidance on what pupil supervisors and chambers can do to support individuals with dyspraxia.

Chambers Professionals’ Update

In the latest edition of the Bar Council’s Chambers Professionals’ Update, the only newsletter specifically tailored to chambers’ support staff, topics covered include: Taking action on race and the Bar; barristers, chambers and GDPR; the new Bar Council Appointments Service, plus more.

Parliamentary update

The Bar Council briefed MPs ahead of the Internal Market Bill’s consideration of Lords amendments, reiterating our position and concerns about the aspects of the Bill that break international law. The Government reinstated the controversial clauses and the House of Lords was due to consider them again this week. However, an agreement was reached on Northern Ireland border checks and the Government agreed to withdraw the specific clauses.

The Lords' Constitution Committee heard from Baroness Hale of Richmond and Lord Sumption on the constitutional implications of Covid-19. The Lord Chancellor and HMCTS Acting Chief Executive, Kevin Sadler, gave evidence to the Justice Select Committee on the impact of Covid-19 on the courts system, probation and prisons.

Chair of the Bar, Amanda Pinto QC, and Chair of the Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee, Katherine Duncan, spoke alongside Shadow Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP at the Society for Labour Lawyers event to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the Bar, justice system and diversity. Watch it here.

Barristers' Benevolent Association - Help is available this Christmas

The Barristers' Benevolent Association has issued an appeal this Christmas to remind barristers in need of urgent financial assistance that they can apply to the BBA/Inns' Special Fund which was set up to assist barristers facing financial difficulties caused by Covid-19.

Barristers can apply to receive help from the fund here.

Blogs

Guest blog: "Words are important but actions speak louder"

Guest blog: Law Reform Essay Competition 2020 winner

Guest blog: Why we cannot take our human rights for granted

Guest blog: 2020 – a junior barrister’s view

Barrister Tim Kiely, who manages a general criminal practice at Red Lion Chambers, looks back on 2020 - “not a year that some of us expected to survive” – giving a perspective from the junior end of the Bar.

Interview: Philip Dykes SC, Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association

Mina Heung of Whitestone Chambers and member of the Bar Council’s International Committee recently interviewed the Chair of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Philip Dykes SC, for his views on the key regulations in place in Hong Kong to assist with preventing the spread of Covid-19.

Vacancies

The Bar Council’s Services Appointments Panel – 11 vacancies

Eleven vacancies  are open for practising barristers and chambers professionals in senior roles (e.g. Senior Clerk or Practice Manager, Chief Executive, Chambers Director etc) from across a range of practice areas, all of whom specialise in alternative dispute resolution.

Bar Council member vacancy - Self-employed junior counsel over seven years in practice

What's on

FREE SEMINAR: Preparing for the End of Transition (EU membership): Immigration issues for barristers

Tuesday 15 December, 17.00 - 18.00

Free Speech and the Law: Threats and Opportunities

Professor Andrew Tettenborn

London Common Law & Commercial Bar Association

Tuesday 15 December 2020, 17.30-19.00

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

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). 

UK-China Arbitration Summit

Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 January 2021

Join leading practitioners from the UK and China online to discuss the latest developments and trends in international arbitration in an Anglo-Chinese context.

Fundraising

BarTalk will be back in 2021

This is the last edition of BarTalk for 2020. We’ll be back on 14 January 2021 with more news, guides, updates and support for the Bar.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at the Bar Council.

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