Come to Conference

The Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference 2022: Future-proofing the Bar is happening next week. There will be 12 sessions with over 40 expert speakers from within and outside of the profession, promising some great discussions on the most pressing issues facing the Bar today. We've just confirmed that the new Attorney General Victoria Prentis MP will join us on Saturday afternoon to outline her priorities in refining the justice system

On Saturday morning we have a session focused on threats to the rule of law. Chaired by Baroness Kennedy, our panel of thinkers and experts will reflect on the fragility of the rule of law and discuss their predictions for its future, both at home and abroad. Themes will include the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and legal reforms in Poland and the UK.

In advance of the session, the Bar Council put a series of questions to one of our guest speakers, Professor Conor Gearty KC (Hon), who said: “Dominic Raab seems well-nigh obsessed with the Human Rights Act, and not in a good way.”

Read all of Conor’s response on the Bar Council website

Find out more information and book your place to attend conference next Saturday

Yesterday we launched our new report 'Access denied: The state of the justice system in England and Wales in 2022' ahead of our opening conference panel debate taking place online on Wednesday evening. The report combines data and powerful testimony from barristers and other practitioners working in crime, civil, and family law who took part in our Justice Week workshop earlier this year. It paints a worrying picture as you can read in the Evening Standard: Barrister needed umbrella in court to shield from leaking roof.

Join our online session ‘Access denied: Fixing our broken justice system’

With thanks to our sponsors:

Watch the Bar Council evidence session on retained EU law

Last week Bar Council representatives Mark Fenhalls KC and George Peretz KC gave evidence to parliament on Retained EU Law. At the hearing Mark Fenhalls KC said that the Government’s approach to retained EU law was 'nothing but risk'.

Watch the evidence session online

Read the transcript of the session

Access the Bar Council’s submission to the committee

Sign up to the Women in Law pledge

The Women in Law pledge was launched in 2020 to promote equality and good practice in the legal profession. More than twenty chambers have now signed up to the pledge, shared their action plans and set themselves some ambitious targets.

Signing up to the pledge is one way to demonstrate chambers’ commitment to ensuring women are supported and can build thriving practices and progress at the Bar.

Download an application form and sign up to the pledge

Become a Bar Council mentor

The Bar Council runs two mentoring schemes and we’re on the hunt for more mentors and mentees.

The Bar Council Maternity and New Parents Mentoring Scheme links prospective and new parents with those a little further down the road. This scheme is for barristers in any practice area, circuit or Inn.

The Silk and Judicial Appointments scheme is aimed at those who are interested in silk or judicial appointments.

Access the Bar Council’s Mentoring Guide

Volunteer as a mentor and find out more information via our website

Tackling bullying and harassment

This week is anti-bullying week, and we continue to campaign against bullying and harassment at the Bar. Unfortunately, our research shows that 38% of barristers have experienced or observed bullying, harassment, or discrimination either in person or online at work.

The Bar Council offers practical advice and support to the profession, and records and reports incidents via the Talk to Spot initiative and confidential helpline.

As part of anti-bullying week, please share this information with colleagues.

The Bar Council offers an equality and diversity helpline to all pupils and members of the Bar. The line is open on weekdays from 09:15 to 17:15. You call the helpline in confidence on 020 7611 1426.

Talk to Spot - the anonymous online tool for reporting inappropriate behaviour

OFSI General Licence for legal fees

The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) has issued a General Licence to permit the payment of legal fees owed by individuals and entities designated under either the Russia or Belarus sanctions regime.

The new licence means that counsel will not have to wait for an OFSI specific licence before they can receive payment provided that the terms of the General Licence are met.

The terms of the General Licence should be carefully considered and key details are highlighted in the latest OFSI blog.

Download the new OFSI General Licence

Access the reporting forms

Courts information

Common platform: Defence solicitors and barristers can join one of the HMCTS online support sessions to get help with using Common Platform. They will answer questions, offer advice and help with troubleshooting. Sessions take place on Tuesdays at 16:30 and Thursdays at 09:00. 

Vulnerability Action Plan: HMCTS has updated their plan outlining how courts and tribunals are improving support for vulnerable people to access the justice system.

Access the plan in English and Welsh

Court opening times: Find out opening times for courts and tribunals over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays

Blogs

The Young Bar and benefits of pro bono

Journalists in Somalia, campaigners in Vietnam and the Uyghurs in China: Chair of the Young Barristers' Committee Michael Polak explains his international pro bono work and encourages colleagues to get involved.

Read Michael’s blog

Resources

Public access and court reporting

The Bar Council's Ethics Committee has published new guidance to assist barristers in deciding how to respond to requests for case documents. The guide explains the legal framework governing access to documents referred to in open court and gives practical guidance to help make informed decisions.

Access the new guidance: Journalists, law reporters and other non-parties provision of documents

Courts and tribunals have new powers to allow reporters and other members of the public to observe hearings remotely. This practice guidance published by the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary will help judicial office holders understand and apply the new law.

Access the new guidance: Practice guidance on remote observation of hearings – new powers

HMCTS have also issued a series of new protocols and guidance to facilitate media access to courts and tribunals. 
Access the HMCTS information

Information security

The BSB handbook states: “… you must protect the confidentiality of each client’s affairs, except for such disclosures as are required or permitted by law or to which your client gives informed consent”.

The Bar Council's IT Panel has produced guidance for all barristers on good practice relating to information security. 
Download the Bar Council information security guide

Mental health guidance

The World Health Organization has produced a report on workplace mental health with practical guidance for employers and employees. 
Access the WHO guidance

Menopause at work toolkit

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has developed a toolkit on managing the effects of menopause at work, including a podcast discussing menopause at work with experts from the British Menopause Society and King’s College London.

Access the Acas toolkit

Listen to the Acas podcast

Events

Bridging the Bar: access and culture change

On Saturday 19 November from 10:00 to 14:00, Bridging the Bar is hosting an event on access and culture change at the Bar. The lecture will be delivered by Elaine Banton, Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee. This event is a CPD opportunity for all practitioners. Book your place

International Rule of Law lecture

The Bar Council has organised a Rule of Law lecture on Thursday 1 December starting at 18:00 at Lincoln’s Inn Old Hall. The guest speaker is President of The Gambia Bar Association Salieu Taal. He has been actively involved in the transitional justice process following the end of Jammeh's dictatorship. Find out more and book your place

Vacancies

Bar Representation Committee Vacancies

There are two vacancies for volunteer roles on the Bar Council’s Bar Representation Committee:  

• One vacancy is for a senior junior or Silk practising in commercial law, to act as the Joint Vice Chair of the committee starting in January 2024.
• One vacancy is for a practising barrister who ideally is a senior junior or Silk practising in criminal law.

The committee is also open to applications from barristers at other levels of seniority and different practice areas.

To find out more visit the Bar Council website