Return to chambers guide

Since the last edition of BarTalk, Covid-19 restrictions have eased in England. As a reminder for barristers and chambers looking to return in-person to chambers either full-time or on a more flexible basis, the Bar Council Covid-19 Working Group guidance note and updated template risk assessment are still available. The guide includes information relating to Covid testing and other considerations such as travel to and from chambers and long-term IT requirements.

Carolyn Entwistle, Director of Services at the Bar Council and Tom Pennington-Hare, Legal Director at Fox Williams LLP share their insights into hybrid working at the Bar.

Get elected to Bar Council

Nominations for candidates to be elected to the 2022 Bar Council of England and Wales are now open. Successful candidates will join from 1 January 2022 for a three-year term (except where otherwise indicated).

Why join the Bar Council? Find out from existing members why it is worth joining and getting your voice heard.

Bar sounds alarm over community resolution rise

The Bar Council has warned against the increase in the number of community resolution orders as prosecutions drop. Responding to the latest quarterly criminal justice statistics, which show a worrying 16% increase in the use of community resolution orders, Derek Sweeting QC, Chair of the Bar, said: “Greater reliance on community resolutions for more serious offences can send the wrong message to the public and victims of crime.”

Bar views sought on menopause inquiry

The Bar Council is seeking anonymous contributions from barristers and chambers professionals who are or have been affected by the menopause at work. The Bar Council will use these submissions in its response to the Women and Equalities Committee inquiry into how menopausal women are negatively affected at work.

To ensure the Bar's experiences are taken into account, submit your views to the Bar Council.

BTAS second sanctions consultation launched

Barristers are being urged to respond to the second consultation on sanctions from the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service (BTAS), which has produced draft guidance incorporating many suggestions received from the first consultation. The proposed new guidance includes changes to the lower end of the sanction ranges including in relation to misconduct of a sexual nature and discrimination, non-sexual harassment and bullying.

Read the new draft guidance

Read the Bar Council’s response to the first BTAS consultation

COMING SOON

Coming soon in BarTalk over the next few weeks:

• Findings from the Bar Council’s Working Lives survey of the Bar
• The Bar Council’s main asks of the Treasury for the next Spending Review
• Pupillage Gateway Report – latest findings from the Gateway.

Chair’s Counsel column: More to do on modernising the Bar

BBA publishes annual review

The Barristers’ Benevolent Association (BBA) has published its latest annual review, detailing its work in supporting the members of the Bar in England and Wales who are in need, distress or in difficulties.

BarTalk Best Reads

Human Rights Law (Third Edition), Merris Amos

Guest blog: Placing UK centre stage in crypto dispute resolution

Fraudsters continue to embrace crypto assets as a mechanism to facilitate fraud, says professional services and accountancy organisation, Grant Thornton, which is why it is vital that practitioners in this space continue to pioneer approaches to global crypto fraud investigations and civil recovery.

Read how the new Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network, set up by Grant Thornton, Essex Court Chambers, Osborne Clarke, RPC, Stewarts, Twenty Essex and other organisations, brings together leading names in crypto dispute resolution and advisory with the purpose of developing and sharing best practice and placing the UK and common law jurisdictions at centre-stage for global crypto dispute resolution.

Trustees needed

The Race Equality Foundation is currently recruiting for new trustees, including a Chair of Trustees. The Foundation is a dynamic and forward-thinking national charity tackling racial inequality across public services to improve lives. It develops interventions, such as violence prevention tools, to overcome barriers and promote equality in health and social care, housing, and wider community issues including criminal justice.

Qualities such as an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship; experience in recruitment and management (including knowledge of employment law) and strong, independent judgment, will be extremely beneficial.

Deadline for applications: 30 September 2021

Volunteer barristers needed at the Bar Council's Pupillage Fair 2021

The Bar Council is looking for barristers to advise Bar hopefuls at this year's Pupillage Fair, to be held on Saturday 16 October. As a volunteer at the fair's application clinic, you will speak to aspiring barristers in a series of 15 minute advice sessions, giving them the invaluable opportunity to ask questions about their CV or pupillage application. The clinic will be held entirely online.

Please indicate your preferred hourly volunteer slot(s) between 10:00-15:00 on 16 October.

Guide to criminal legal aid advocacy billing changes

21 September 2021, 16:00–17:30

Do you regularly submit criminal legal aid bills for advocacy? If so, this webinar is for you.  The Legal Aid Agency introduced changes to criminal legal aid billing in September 2020. Hear from the Legal Aid Agency on how the changes affect billing. Neil Hawes QC, Joint Chair of the Bar Council’s Renumeration Committee, will chair this event.  

The Bar Council's Pupillage Fair 2021

16 October 2021, 13:00–14:00

Designed in partnership with the Inns of Court and Specialist Bar Associations, the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair is the largest recruitment event for students and graduates aspiring to join the Bar of England and Wales. Free of charge and held entirely online, this year’s event will give Bar hopefuls the chance to engage with practising barristers, find out about their work and gain insight into what a career at the Bar involves.

Registration is now open for aspiring barristers to book their place at this year's virtual Pupillage Fair.

HMCTS update on Common Platform for defence professionals

24 September 2021, 13:00–14:00

A panel of programme leaders will update defence professionals on the rollout of the Common Platform and offer the opportunity to ask questions.

Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference 2021: Recovery, growth and transformation

17 - 20 November 2021

Book your place to hear from expert speakers on topics including the impact of traumatic casework on barristers, the future of technology in the justice system, improving diversity through fairer distribution of work, how barristers can use social media effectively, the role of journalism in the legal system and more.

Discounts are available for students, pupils, barristers in income bands 1-2 and Bar Representation Fee (BRF) subscribers.

MoJ & DIT trade mission to Dubai Expo

22 - 26 November 2021

Barristers are invited to join the GREAT campaign, Ministry of Justice and Department for International Trade delegation to the UAE for the Dubai Expo between 22-26 November 2021.