Guest blog: Max Hill QC, DPP – the path to becoming Treasury Counsel is not a closed shop

Backing the Bar in 2020/21 - Annual Report

Consistency now vital at MoJ, says Bar Council

Responding the appointment of Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP as the eighth Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary since 2010, Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC, thanked outgoing Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon Robert Buckland MP QC, before calling for “the need for a consistent and strong voice in government for our justice system.”

Influential committee calls for evidence on courts backlog

The Bar Council will be providing key evidence to the influential House of Commons Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) new inquiry into the backlog in the criminal courts, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The PAC will look at what the Ministry of Justice and HMCTS are doing to reduce the backlog.

Barristers are encouraged to submit evidence as part of the inquiry.

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.

What is the Bar reading about?

The top five most popular articles with the Bar in the previous edition of BarTalk were:

1. The Bar Council’s Return to Chambers Guide
2. The new BTAS draft sanctions guidance
3. Nominations for the Bar Council elections
4. The Chair of the Bar’s Counsel column – a picture of the modern Bar
5. Women and Equalities Committee’s Parliamentary inquiry into menopause and the workplace

The impact of traumatic casework on barristers’ mental wellbeing

How badly are traumatic cases affecting the barristers who take them on, and what help is available?

At this year’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference, Professor Jo Delahunty QC and Rachel Francis (barrister and co-author of ‘Vicarious Trauma in the Legal Profession’) examine the impacts, look at the support on offer from chambers and beyond, and consider how the profession can work to bring about change. Join the session as part of this year’s in-person programme on Saturday 20 November at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London, or watch live online.

Top legal podcast hits one million downloads

Get Legally Speaking, the legal consumer podcast, which is supported by the Bar Council and hosted by Hatti Suvari, has hit one million downloads as more and more members of the public hear from leading names form the legal sector on the law and justice system.

Listen to Get Legally Speaking’s interview with Chair of the Bar, Derek Sweeting QC.

Listen to the Chair of the Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee, Joanne Kane being interviewed on Get Legally Speaking.

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

The Bar Council’s Direct Access Panel

The Bar Council is seeking two practising barristers to join its Direct Access Panel.

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.

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.

Salaried/fee paid employment judge of the Employment Tribunals (England & Wales) application seminar

Wednesday 6 October at 16:45 registration for a 17.00 start

The Judicial Diversity Committee is holding an online seminar via Microsoft Teams for those interested in applying for appointment as either a salaried or fee-paid employment judge of the Employment Tribunals (England & Wales).

Temple Women's Forum: Autumn Networking Event

27 September - 5.30pm – 8.30pm

Middle Temple

An opportunity to meet other lawyers and to share career development experiences, managing work and family commitments.

Speaker: Harry Matovu QC, Brick Court Chambers and creator of the Charter for Black Talent in Finance and the Professions.

Inner Temple Reader’s Lecture: ‘Becoming British’ by Professor Thom Brooks

4 October - 6pm – 7.10pm 

Online

The idea of ‘Britishness’ has been said to be elusive. This lecture examines the evolution of UK citizenship, the law and policy of how migrants become naturalized British citizens and the role of citizenship tests. Followed by a Q&A