 |
 |
|
Last chance to complete Barristers' Working Lives survey
|
Thank you to all those who have already completed the Barristers' Working Lives survey. If you haven’t completed it, you have until Monday 22 May at 17:00 to do so.
The survey takes just 15 minutes to complete. Please do give us your time to help us build an accurate, detailed picture of the challenges barristers face today. The results are anonymous and will help us shape future policies, resources and initiatives to support you at work.
Complete the survey
|
|
 This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and we have relaunched the Bar Council’s Wellbeing Certificates. We received 34 applications from chambers, circuits and Inns of Court.
Sam Mercer, Head of Equality at the Bar Council, said: “We are delighted to award the new Wellbeing Certificates in recognition of outstanding work to improve wellbeing at the Bar. The certificates are valid for three years and we are still encouraging other organisations to apply. It is great to see so many organisations are willing to put in so much effort to support barristers and staff.”
See the list of organisations that have been awarded a Bar Council certificate
The Bar Council also provides information and guidance about Wellbeing at the Bar. This work is supported by the Inns, the Specialist Bar Associations, and circuits. The support is there to assist everyone in the legal sector when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.
|
Hosts wanted for the Anglo-Dutch Exchange
|
From Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 June young barristers and junior solicitors from England and Wales will be hosting young Dutch lawyers in London. There will be an additional one-day programme held in Cardiff and Manchester on Monday 5 June.
We are seeking barristers of all years’ Call to offer their spare rooms in homes in London for the young lawyers to stay during their visit. Please offer to help so we can ensure this Young Barristers’ Committee exchange programme is a great success this year.
If you would like to help, please email: ?subject=Anglo-Dutch%20Exchange%20hosts
|
Bar Council supports judicial diversity
|
The Bar Council has welcomed the Ministry of Justice announcement that experienced Chartered Institute of Legal Executive (CILEX) lawyers, after gaining seven years’ experience, will be able to apply to become Recorders and Judges of the Upper Tribunal, hearing complex civil, family, crime and tribunal cases.
Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar, said: "We welcome this announcement which is likely to contribute to a more diverse judiciary. Judges should be, and are, appointed on merit. If candidates for judicial appointment can demonstrate the skills and experience required for the role, it should not matter in which branch of the legal profession those skills and experience were acquired."
Find out more information
|
Briefing peers on the Illegal Migration Bill
|
In advance of the debate in the House of Lords on the Illegal Migration Bill, Nick Vineall KC, Chair of the Bar, said: "We recognise that it is right and proper for Parliament to wish to achieve better control of illegal immigration. But it is wrong to try to remove judicial oversight, and wrong to ignore obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights. This is a deeply flawed piece of legislation. It undermines access to justice and contravenes fundamental principles that form the bedrock of the UK’s constitutional settlement. We hope the House of Lords will reject it."
Read the Bar Council's press release
Read the Bar Council's Lords briefing
|
|
 The Bar Council and Law Society will be walking together once again this year to celebrate Pride in London on Saturday 1 July. Please register online if you would like to take part and if you are booking more than one place, please get consent to share names and contact details in advance of submitting the information. Details of the meeting time and location will be confirmed once registration requests have been submitted.
Register to attend London Pride
Pride Cymru takes place on Saturday 17 June. If colleagues would like to join other lawyers attending the event then please email: ?subject=Pride%20Cymru
|
Update to LeO Scheme Rules
|
On Saturday 1 April the new Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules came into force. Barristers will need to familiarise themselves with the changes and ensure their complaints handling policies, procedures and client communications are up to date. Some of this will be particularly relevant to barristers who undertake direct access work, but it is important that all barristers are familiar with the changes and potential impact on them and/or complainants.
Read our guest blog by barrister Paul Adams and watch our short 30-minute webinar with LeO Investigator Jason Chapman.
Find out what's changed and what you need to do
|
|
 |
|
From Monday 22 May, HMCTS will digitise the Preparation for Effective Trial (PET) and Better Case Management (BCM) forms used in magistrates’ court cases, and Common Platform users will be able to enter this data online. The new forms will be in use from Wednesday 24 May. Common Platform will automatically generate a PDF document once each form is finalised in court and add it to the Case Material section.
Access the guidance for defence professionals about the PET and BCM forms
Watch the online video demonstrating how to use the new forms
Common Platform is now live in courts in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, and defence professionals based there will need to register to use the system. Some Crown and magistrates courts in Devon and Cornwall are also now using Common Platform.
Access the guidance on how to use Common Platform and watch the online video
If you need technical assistance please ?subject=Common%20Platform%20technical%20support or call 020 3989 6060
If you have any questions about Common Platform please
|
|
OFSI's general licence for payment of legal services
|
|
Blog: Progress on Retained EU Law
Last week the Government announced major revisions to the Retained EU Law Bill reversing plans for a ‘sunset clause’ that would have set an arbitrary date for thousands of EU-derived laws (REUL) to be deleted from the statute. Read the blog by George Peretz KC, chair of the Bar Council's REUL working group, explaining the latest developments and next steps.
"The Bar Council supports the deletion of the sunset clause but remains concerned about the provisions for unchecked ministerial powers to repeal REUL and, importantly, the creation of legal uncertainty through the loss of interpretation through case law. We will continue to press for these areas of the Bill to be amended as it continues through the parliamentary process."
Read George’s blog
|
|
 Blog: Join the Bar’s cricket club
The Lawyers World Cricket Cup has been going since 2007 and this year the Bar of England and Wales Cricket Club team will head to Colombo in December for the eighth World Cup. In this guest blog, co-founder James Cartwright provides a short history of the Cup and encourages new members to join.
“The Cup is played under the motto: ‘Cricket for friendship’. This turns out to be largely accurate. We have all made friends and helped keep those lawyers from countries that observe the Rule of Law together.”
Read James’s blog
|
|
MoJ consultations
Open justice: The Ministry of Justice is seeking views on a range of topics covering open justice, access to data, and the transparency of courts and tribunals. Issues covered include the publication of cause lists, remote observation of hearings, broadcasting, publication of judgments, access to court documents and information, data access and reuse, and public legal education. The consultation closes on Thursday 7 September. Find out more information
Supporting earlier resolution of private family law arrangements: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is consulting on resolving families’ disputes earlier through family mediation. The consultation is open to all. The MoJ is particularly interested to hear from family justice professionals, mediation service providers, other dispute resolution service providers and individuals who have lived experience of the family courts or mediation. The consultation closes on Thursday 15 June. Find out more information
Other public consultations include the Law Commission's second consultation on the Arbitration Act 1996, the ‘Help with Fees’ remission scheme, and reform of the office of Senior President of Tribunals.
Access the list of all consultations organised by the Ministry of Justice
|
|
New video to promote careers at the Bar
Lincoln’s Inn has launched a new video to promote careers at the Bar amongst people from under-represented backgrounds. The full length film is 17 minutes and members are asked to share the video through any connections with schools and other educational establishments.
Watch and share the film
|
Recent developments in the Privy Council: cases, tips and tactics
Commonwealth Lawyers Association
14:00
Thursday 25 May
Online
This CLA webinar will be chaired by Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill CVO, and led by Richard Clayton KC, Rowan Pennington-Benton, and Desiree Artesi.
Find out more information
|
|
Fair recruitment and selection
Bar Council training
13:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 6 June
In person, London
This training will help organisations to fairly and successfully recruit in accordance with BSB guidelines.
Book your place
|
|
|
Anti-money laundering and terrorist financing
Bar Council training
Tuesday 13 June
9:00 - 12:30
Online
This workshop is designed to de-mystify all aspects of the anti-money laundering regulations and the compliance requirements.
Book your place
|
|
The Inns of Court Alliance for Women: Garden Party
Tuesday 27 June
17:30 - 20:30
In person, Lincoln's Inn
The Inns of Court Alliance for Women Garden Party is an opportunity for women working in law to meet up and allies are most welcome.
Find out more information
|
|
|
South Asian Heritage Month: Diversity Dinner
Tuesday 18 July
18:30
In person, Lincoln’s Inn
Lincoln's Inn will be hosting a special reception and dinner to celebrate the long and established links the Inn has with many of the countries in South Asia.
Find out more information
|
|
Midland Circuit Summer Family Day
Saturday 5 August
11:00 - 16:00
In person, Staffordshire
This Midlands Circuit event brings colleagues together for a walk with families (dogs welcome) and includes entertainment for the children and a pub quiz for all the family. Food and drinks provided.
Find out more information
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to unsubscribe from all marketing emails and newsletters or update your preferences for all Bar Council communications, as a practising barrister you can do so by logging into your MyBar profile.
|
|
|
|
|
