Guest blog: “Forget the guilt and take action” - becoming an anti-racist advocate for the Bar

Barrister Professor Leslie Thomas QC says the profession as a whole has to ask meaningful questions about racism and what it means to lead an anti-racist life. In his guest blog for BarTalk, he points out that our legal profession, particularly among senior ranks, lacks meaningful racial diversity, that recent statistics expose the lack of diversity at the Bar, and that there is an under-representation of people of colour in the Commercial bar and other specialist sectors.

In his blog, the former joint head of Garden Court Chambers says that, in moving forward, white members of the profession need to become allies and recognise that advantage may well be tied to race. He writes: “Forget the guilt and take action. It takes courage to change this system.”

Back the Bar

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Bar Council has stood up and spoken out for the profession and the justice system in unprecedented times. Watch our new explainer animation to find out how we have focused efforts to ensure the most effective impact possible in supporting the Bar through Covid-19, Brexit and other recent challenges and how you can help us #BacktheBar in 2021.

Visit our website for full details.

Bar Council secures assurances from Lord Chancellor

In his latest update to the profession, Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, reports on his recent meeting with the Lord Chancellor and reassurances on the court recovery plan and sitting days, as well as updates on remote hearings, the latest on Covid Operating Hours, the future of Nightingale Courts and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

Bar Council reaction to judicial review reform plans

Responding to plans announced by the Ministry of Justice to reform judicial review, Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, said that judicial review reflects the power that ordinary people have to challenge decisions affecting them and that the Bar Council will be looking closely at the impending consultation in the interests of the public’s access to justice.

New PAC report warns of growing justice crisis

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee, published this week “is further confirmation of the growing crisis in the justice system and raises significant questions about the adequacy of the response”, the Bar Council has said.

Derek Sweeting QC, Chair of the Bar, responded to the publication of the report. He said: “Weaknesses across the whole system, not just in the police and prisons, but also in the courts – including the strain on frontline staff – must be addressed so that the public can have confidence in the delivery of justice again.”

Driverless cars: Bar Council sets out its ideas

The Bar Council has published its response, drafted by its Law Reform Committee, to the Law Commission’s third consultation paper on the law of automated vehicles (AVs).

The Bar Council looked at reforming the law to accommodate automated driving systems, including proposed new criminal offences, a new scheme of safety regulation, equality, data issues and how notions of legal responsibility might be adapted for a new era of transport.

New survey shows effect of pandemic on pupils

A Bar Council survey has shown that pupils are clearly struggling with the lack of networking opportunities, interruption to court work and their general wellbeing, but that a high percentage of pupils are very satisfied with their pupillage experience and feel supported by their sets.

13 chambers rush to join new Bar Council climate network

Thirteen sets have already signed up to the new Bar Council Sustainability Network less than one week after its launch. Doughty Street, Matrix, King's Chambers, 3 Verulam Buildings, Radcliffe, Essex Court, Brick Court, Maitland, 2 Bedford Row, Landmark, Devon Chambers, Quadrant Chambers and 25 Bedford Row are the first to sign up to the network, which was set up to support the barristers’ profession’s efforts to tackle climate change.

Discounted membership rates available for publicly-funded sets.

Ethics and practice updates - GDPR

The Bar Council has published guides for barristers on their position in relation to client data following reports of barristers being asked to sign contracts confirming them as data processors when instructed by solicitors’ firms. The guidance states that barristers are data controllers of their clients’ data and should not sign contracts which attempt to suggest otherwise.

Jobs hub launched in Counsel website revamp

Counsel Magazine, the official magazine of the Bar, has launched a new jobs and careers hub as part of a website revamp. The new hub lists current vacancies and helpful career tips for barristers. The new jobs section was launched as Counsel Magazine’s publisher, LexisNexis, revamped the magazine’s website following a redesign of the print edition in 2019.

Pre-sentence report pilot

The National Probation Service, the judiciary, HMCTS and Ministry of Justice are launching a pilot this month at 15 Magistrates’ courts across England & Wales to evaluate an alternative delivery model (ADM) which is designed to increase the delivery of quality and timely pre-sentence reports (PSRs). Defence practitioners are encouraged to adopt the PSR before plea protocol where relevant in the following Magistrates’ court sites: Basingstoke, Luton & South Bedfordshire, Coventry, Bexley, Bromley, Brighton, Croydon, Doncaster, Swansea, Swindon, Willesden, Cardiff, West Cumbria, Teeside (Middlesbrough), Thames. For more details or a copy of the PSR pilot briefing note please contact .

BACFI: The Only Way is Ethics

Thursday 25 March 2021

A presentation on ethical issues facing the employed Bar.

Gresham College - Diversity in the Legal Profession

Thursday, 1 April 2021, 18.00- 19:00

Speakers: Professor Jo Delahunty QC, Mass Ndow-Njie, Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, Brie Stevens-Hoare QC, Toby Coupe.

English Law Day Ukraine

20, 26, 29 April, 6 May 2021

The Bar Councils is seeking barristers to speak at the virtual English Law Day. Speaking at the event will afford barristers the opportunity to build professional networks with and promote their expertise and offering to Ukrainian lawyers and business clients.

To apply, please send a copy of your CV and the completed application form to the ?subject=English%20Law%20Day%20Ukraine by 30 March 2021.

Why your £35 means so much to Advocate

 “I donate to Advocate because barristers who do pro bono work through Advocate provide a vital public service to those who would not otherwise be able to enforce their legal rights.”

Derek Sweeting QC, Chair of the Bar

The #ProBono35 campaign encourages barristers to donate £35 or more to Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit) when you renew your practising certificate through the Bar Council's MyBar portal. Advocate understands that the pandemic has hit some sections of the Bar very hard, but we encourage those who can to donate because it makes up almost 50% of our funding. Without it, we simply would not exist.

The new MINI Hatch range – 3-door, 5-door, electric and convertible

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