“Following today’s announcement by the Lord Chief Justice regarding reforms to what judges wear in court, the Bar Council has announced that it plans to consult its members before the end of July to seek their views on the Lord Chief Justice’s announcement and Court dress generally.”
Bar Council, 12th July 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“The VHCC Best Value Panel has issued guidance on the new VHCC scheme. The guidance explains the key points of the scheme and details of the tendering process as it affects advocates.”
The Bar Council, 11th July 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“A barrister was given more than £1 million in legal aid last year, it was revealed. Ministry of Justice figures showed that Balbir Singh, head of Birmingham’s Equity Chambers, was paid £1,116,000 in 2005-06. Because he is not among the elite 10 per cent with Queen’s Counsel status, Mr Singh is technically known as a junior.”
The Times, 10th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Bar Standards Board unveils “blush test” as key plank of new guidance on chambers hospitality as senior Bar figures say the regulator has managed a deft balancing act.”
Legal Week, 5th July 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“Erskine Chambers’ Michael Todd QC has been elected as the new chairman of the Chancery Bar Association (ChBA), the body announced yesterday (4 June).”
LegalWeek, 5th July 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“The Complaints Commissioner, Rob Behrens, has published his independent review of the Bar’s Complaints system. The report, which has been welcomed by the Chairman of the Bar, makes 52 recommendations for improvements to the system. The report concludes that the Bar’s system for handling complaints is good, but also finds that it is far from being ‘state of the art’ and needs significant changes to modernise its practices.”
Bar Council press release, 3rd July 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“A wide-ranging review of the bar’s complaints-handling process has called for the implementation of 52 recommendations in a bid to address significant weaknesses in the current system.”
The Lawyer, 3rd July 2007
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“The Bar Council is joining forces with the Social Mobility Foundation to offer a placement scheme for 27 students from disadvantaged backgrounds later this month.”
Bar Council press release, 2nd July 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“It often surprises people to learn that the Bar’s Code of Conduct only came into existence in 1981. The first edition looks very restrictive, with passages specifying acceptable alternative occupations for barristers; detailed rules about where chambers could be established; and rules setting out what was permissable to put on a business card.”
Legal Week, 28th June 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
Counsel’s duty on judge’s omissions
In re S (Omission from judgment: Duty of counsel)
Court of Appeal
“Counsel had a duty to point out to a judge any omissions in his judgment so that the matter could be dealt with there and then. It was not appropriate to rely on the alleged omission to seek leave to appeal.”
The Times, 2nd July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Please note the Times Law Reports are only available free on Times Online for 21 days from the date of publication.
“A breakdown of the ten highest paid criminal and civil barristers and solicitor firms from the criminal defence service and the community legal service. The information covers 2005 and 2006. A section on frequently asked questions about legal aid fees is also included in the document.”
Highest paid barristers and solicitors firms in legal aid 2005/06 (PDF)
Ministry of Justice, 25th June 2007
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has decided against explicitly restricting the extent to which barristers can offer hospitality to solicitors and clients.”
The Lawyer, 25th June 2007
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“A lawyer from Birmingham has become the most highly paid legal aid barrister in the country after pulling in more than £1.1m last year.”
The Guardian, 26th June 2007
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) should not regulate legal disciplinary practices (LDPs) when the Legal Services Bill is enacted, the chairman of the Bar Council has told the Gazette.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 21st June 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Four barristers specialising in children’s cases each received more than £400,000 in civil legal aid fees last year, the Ministry of Justice said yesterday.”
Daily Telegraph, 22nd Juned 2007
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
“In a hard-hitting briefing sent to key MPs this week, the Bar Council has defended its record on complaints handling. As the Legal Services Bill moves through Committee Stage, the Government is proposing a ‘one size fits all’ approach to complaints handling, reversing amendments introduced in the House of Lords. But the vast majority of complaints are against solicitors – and the overwhelming majority of criticisms about complaints handling are directed against the Law Society rather than the Bar’s independent regulator, the Bar Standards Board (BSB), which has consistently provided an efficient and effective service, according to the independent Legal Services Ombudsman.”
Bar Council press release, 21st June 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“Plans to introduce price-based competitive tendering and a single fee to cover litigators’ and advocates’ work in legal aid cases are to come under scrutiny from an expert group set up by the Bar Council.”
Bar Council press release, 19th June 2007
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“Barristers in England and Wales are governed by antiquated rules. Now, writes Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, they have a chance to rewrite their code of conduct.”
The Independent, 20th June 2007
Source: www.independent.co.uk
“Lavish parties, trips to the races and seats at Wimbledon have become common ploys by barristers seeking to woo solicitors and companies into giving them briefs, a report has found.”
The Times, 18th June 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Four senior mediators have launched a dispute resolution chambers as the battle to capture work outside of the courtroom continues.”
Legal Week, 15th June 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
