“Cherie Blair has insisted she will not resign as a judge after a senior barrister said publishing her memoirs had brought the law into disrepute.”
BBC News, 15th May 2008
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Archive for the 'barristers' Category
I will not quit as judge - Cherie - BBC News
Published May 15, 2008 barristers , judges , news 0 CommentsBar Standards Board announces new Director - Bar Standards Board
Published May 9, 2008 barristers , press releases 0 Comments“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today announced the appointment of Mandie Lavin as its new Director.”
Bar Standards Board, 8th May 2008
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Drugs offender keeps £4.5m after 30 barristers refuse to take case - The Times
Published May 6, 2008 barristers , confiscation , fees , legal aid , news 1 Comment“A convicted drugs offender has escaped a confiscation order for up to £4.5 million of his assets because legal aid barristers would not take on the case for the fixed fee of £175.25 a day.”
The Times, 6th May 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Bar Chairman Warns of Threats to the Independence of the Legal Profession - The Bar Council
Published April 30, 2008 barristers , forensic science , press releases 0 Comments“Criminal Bar Association Conference discusses the impact of forensic technology.”
Th Bar Council, 25th April 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Acceptance of Instructions: BSB launches consultation - Bar Standards Board
Published April 30, 2008 barristers , consultations , press releases 0 Comments“Proposals for amending rules around acceptance of instructions are the focus of a Bar Standards Board (BSB) consultation issued today.”
Bar Standards Board, 28th April 2008
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
‘Fear keeps you on your toes’ - The Times
Published April 29, 2008 banking , barristers , special report 0 Comments” The commercial court of Mr Justice Andrew Smith was stuffed with barristers last Thursday, but one QC was the main focus of attention. The case was the challenge to bank charges that could affect every bank current account holder in Britain. At the original hearing in February, Laurence Rabinowitz represented the Royal Bank of Scotland, one of eight lenders accused of levying unfair overdraft charges. It also fell to him to put the lead argument to the court for all the banks, saying that the alternative would be to charge on every transaction.”
The Times, 29th April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
BSB eyes ‘cab rank rule’ in latest review - Legal Week
Published April 29, 2008 barristers , news 0 Comments“The ‘cab rank rule’ governing barristers’ acceptance of instructions is under the spotlight again after the Bar Standards Board (BSB) launched a new consultation on proposals to amend the conditions under which counsel can withdraw from a case.”
Legal Week, 28th April 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
A mistake that took 30 months in Preston prison to correct - The Times
Published April 22, 2008 Crown Prosecution Service , barristers , prosecutions , special report 0 Comments“For many of us who work in the criminal courts, Sir Ken Macdonald’s words that we ‘intend to do more for ourselves’ gave greater cause for anxiety about the independence of the prosecution than for applause. Such anxiety was fuelled when on the same day the article was published the case against two men in Lancashire Constabulary’s biggest murder investigation collapsed.”
The Times, 22nd April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
How to . . . move from the Bar to the City - The Times
Published April 21, 2008 barristers , law firms , special report 0 Comments“Murray Rosen, QC, explains why he traded the serenity of Lincoln’s Inn for the more frenetic pace of Herbert Smith.”
The Times, 21st April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Lawyers fight plans for case-worker trials - The Times
Published April 21, 2008 barristers , magistrates , news , rights of audience 0 Comments“Barristers begin an offensive today over plans to allow non-lawyers to conduct magistrates’ courts trials.”
The Times, 21st April 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Further Consultation on Court Dress - The Bar Council
Published April 15, 2008 barristers , consultations , court dress 0 Comments“The Bar Council is carrying out a further consultation on court dress in civil, family and ceremonial proceedings. Click here for a link through to the consultation paper. All members of the Bar and interested third parties are welcome to comment and all completed consultation papers should be sent to janbye@barcouncil.org.uk or by post to Jan Bye at 289-293 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HZ no later than 4.00pm on 19 April 2008.”
The Report and Supplementary Report on the first consultation exercise (Word)
The Bar Council, 14th April 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
How Mansfield dominated the Diana inquest - The Guardian
Published April 8, 2008 barristers , inquests , royal family , special report 0 Comments“Michael Mansfield has been just where he likes to be throughout the six month inquest - in the centre of the spotlight. Stephen Bates reviews his latest courtroom performance.”
The Guardian, 8th April 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Public Access - how effective? BSB consults on rules - Bar Standards Board
Published April 4, 2008 barristers , legal services , press releases 0 Comments“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a consultation to assess the effectiveness of arrangements for public access to barristers’ services.”
Bar Standards Board, 3rd April 2008
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Bar Council calls on LSC to ditch “failed” high cost contract - The Bar Council
Published April 4, 2008 barristers , contracts , fees , legal services , press releases 0 Comments“The Bar Council, the professional body for over 15,000 barristers in England and Wales, has called on the Legal Services Commission (LSC) to abandon its proposed new contract for high cost criminal cases and to work together on the swift preparation of a better scheme.”
The Bar Council, 3rd April 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Barristers snub MoJ’s revised high-cost cases contract - Legal Week
Published April 3, 2008 barristers , contracts , costs , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Barristers have snubbed a second opportunity to join the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) very high-cost criminal cases (VHCC) panel, with only 110 barristers out of the 2,300 to be offered contracts signing up to the panel.”
Legal Week, 2nd April 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
Early warnings - Law Society’s Gazette
Published March 28, 2008 barristers , news , witnesses 0 Comments“Pre-trial interviews for barristers are not far off, but the reforms bring potential hazards alongside welcome benefits.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 27th March 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
BSB moves to strengthen chamber’s complaints handling - Bar Standards Board
Published March 25, 2008 barristers , complaints , press releases 0 Comments“The way in which chambers handle complaints is set to change after the Bar Standards Board (BSB) approved a set of important new measures designed to improve chambers’ complaints handling.”
Bar Standards Board, 18th March 2008
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
BSB unveils far-reaching complaints overhaul - Legal Week
Published March 18, 2008 barristers , complaints , news 0 Comments“The Bar Standard Board (BSB) has unveiled a raft of new measures designed to improve chambers’ complaints-handling, including the introduction of a mandatory protocol for all barristers sets.”
Legal Week, 18th March 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
Barristers told: last chance to sign up for legal aid contract - The Times
Published March 11, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news 0 Comments“This Friday is the deadline, no ifs or buts, says Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, the minister in charge of the change.”
The Times, 11th March 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Podcast 50: Timothy Dutton QC, Chairman of the Bar - Charon QC
Published March 4, 2008 barristers , podcasts 0 Comments“Today I am talking to Timothy Dutton QC, Chairman of The Bar. Timothy Dutton QC was born in 1957 and was called to the Bar in 1979. He took silk in 1998. He practices in General Commercial, Public, Regulatory and Administrative Law, Professional Negligence and Disciplinary including sports.”
Charon QC, 4th March 2008
Source: www.charonqc.wordpress.com
“Charon QC” is the blogging pseudonym of Mike Semple Piggot, editor of Consilio.tv
Bar Council warns that Best Value Tendering scheme is flawed - The Bar Council
Published March 4, 2008 barristers , legal aid , press releases , tenders 0 Comments“The Bar Council’s working group on Best Value Tendering (BVT) has warned that the Legal Services Commission’s (LSC) ideas will damage quality, reduce choice, and harm diversity. The Working Group, which is chaired by Vice-Chairman of the Bar Desmond Browne QC, has responded to the LSC Consultation Paper on BVT.”
The Bar Council, 3rd March 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Highest paid barristers from legal aid for the year ending 31 March 2007 - Ministry of Justice
Published March 4, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news , remuneration 0 Comments“A breakdown of the ten highest paid criminal and civil barristers from the criminal defence service and the community legal service. The information covers the year ending 31 March 2007. A section on frequently asked questions about legal aid fees is also included in the document.”
Highest paid barristers for the year ending 31 March 2007 (PDF)
Ministry of Justice, 3rd March 2008
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
Bar Handbook 2008 - The Bar Council
Published February 29, 2008 barristers , news , professional conduct 0 Comments“The Bar Council is publishing a portable, concise, single point of reference of all its current guidance and advice.”
The Bar Council, 28th February 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
“It’s Your Call” - Bar Council Launches Guide for Aspiring Barristers - The Bar Council
Published February 26, 2008 barristers , legal education , press releases 0 Comments“The Bar Council has published a new booklet explaining how to become a part of the profession. ‘It’s your call’, produced in the wake of Lord Neuberger’s Entry to the Bar Working Party Report into access to the profession, will be an invaluable tool for school, university and Bar students looking to find out more about the Bar.”
The Bar Council, 25th February 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Bar Council and Justice Renew Warning to Peers over Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - The Bar Council
Published February 20, 2008 barristers , criminal justice , criminal procedure , press releases 0 Comments“The Bill reaches a crucial stage of its consideration by the Upper House later today. The barristers’ representative body and Justice each object to Clause 42, which would amend the test applied by the Court of Appeal when considering an appeal against conviction, and to Clause 105, which would see more non-legal prosecution staff (‘Designated Case Workers’ - DCWs) conducting serious trials in magistrates’ courts.”
The Bar Council, 20th February 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Legal aid: war of words erupts - The Times
Published February 19, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Scores of top-level terror trials as well as the most complex murder and rape cases are at risk of being run by second-rank lawyers after more than 2,000 Queen’s Counsel and junior barristers boycotted new pay rates.”
The Times, 19th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
New Guidance from Professional Practice Committee on VHCCs - The Bar Council
Published February 18, 2008 barristers , contracts , fees , professional conduct 0 Comments“The Professional Practice Committee has produced advice on barristers’ obligations under the Code of Conduct in the light of the proposed changes to the VHCC Panel Scheme.”
Very High Cost Cases - Obligations under the Code of Conduct
The Bar Council, 15th February 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
VHCC Letter from the Chairman of the Bar - The Bar Council
Published February 13, 2008 barristers , costs , fees , press releases 0 Comments“The Chairman of the Bar, Tim Dutton QC, has today written to all Heads of Chambers concerning High Cost Criminal Cases. Annexed to the letter are a letter to Richard Collins and a letter to the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, both of which were also sent today.”
Letter (PDF)
The Bar Council, 13th February 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Barristers escape perjury claims - The Lawyer
Published February 12, 2008 barristers , news , perverting the course of justice 0 Comments“A senior barrister from Furnival chambers has shrugged off claims that he perverted the course of justice after the Divisional Court quashed summonses issued against him.”
The Lawyer, 11th February 2008
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Regulating barristers of the future: Bar Standards Board consults on the impact of the Legal Services Act - Bar Standards Board
Published February 8, 2008 barristers , legal services , press releases 0 Comments“The way in which barristers provide services to consumers may change considerably following proposals being published today.”
Bar Standards Board, 5th February 2008
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
Fraud and white-collar crime: Fees, fraud and angry lawyers - Legal Week
Published February 7, 2008 barristers , fees , fraud , news 0 Comments“Government proposals to cut the cost of complex fraud cases have resulted in a stand-off between barristers and the Legal Services Commission. Reduced fees could mean the quality of representation in complex fraud cases will plummet, as law firms and barristers desert the practice. Jon Robins reports.”
Legal Week, 7th February 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
MoJ defiant as barristers boycott VHCC deal - Legal Week
Published February 6, 2008 barristers , fees , news 0 Comments“The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has refused to increase fee levels for very high-cost criminal cases (VHCCs) despite thousands of barristers opting to boycott the new Government contract.”
Legal Week, 5th February 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
Bar Standards Board kicks off pre-reform review - Legal Week
Published February 6, 2008 barristers , news 0 Comments“The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a root-and-branch review of the future of the profession in the wake of the Legal Services Act.”
Legal Week, 6th February 2008
Source: www.legalweek.com
Convicted barrister wins gagging order - The Times
Published February 5, 2008 anonymity , barristers , news 0 Comments“A barrister convicted of a criminal offence has won a gagging order preventing him from being identified in the press in order to protect his children.”
The Times, 4th February 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Bar Council chair slams LSC as strike looms - The Lawyer
Published February 4, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Bar chairman Timothy Dutton QC has warned that there is a risk of a second class system of legal aid in England due to the Legal Services Commission’s (LSC) new contracts.”
The Lawyer, 1st February 2008
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Barristers hunt for a creche - The Lawyer
Published February 4, 2008 barristers , children , news 0 Comments“Female barristers at 39 Essex Street have launched pressure group Bar Nursery Association (BNA) to try to get a creche based in one of the Inns of Court.”
The Lawyer, 1st February 2008
Source: www.thelawyer.com
Best Value Tendering & One Case One Fee - The Bar Council
Published February 1, 2008 barristers , fees , speeches , tenders 0 Comments“Desmond Browne QC’s address to the Bar Council on 26 January 2008 regarding the creation of the One Case One Fee (OCOF) Working Party.”
The Bar Council, 31st January 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Revised Protocol for Payment of Fees in the Magistrates’ Courts - The Bar Council
Published February 1, 2008 barristers , fees 0 Comments“The Bar Council, in consultation with the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association, has updated the protocol setting out appropriate levels of remuneration for junior barristers acting as unassigned counsel in the Magistrates’ Courts.”
Revised Protocol for Payment of Fees in the Magistrates’ Courts (PDF)
Chairman’s Letter: Revised Protocol for Payment of Fees in the Magistrates’ Courts: 30 January 2008 (PDF)
The Bar Council, 31st January 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Protesting barristers threaten costs regime - Law Society’s Gazette
Published January 25, 2008 barristers , costs , fees , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Hundred of criminal barristers have refused to sign a new contract for high-value legal aid work in a move that will put the very high-cost case (VHCC) regime in jeopady.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 24th January 2008
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Advocacy Training Council - The Bar Council
Published January 25, 2008 advocacy , barristers , reports 0 Comments“The third annual report of the Advocacy Training Council (ATC) marks the closing contribution of Edwin Glasgow CBE QC as Chairman.”
The Bar Council, 25th January 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Threat to fraud cases as barristers reject new deal - Financial Times
Published January 24, 2008 barristers , fees , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Big fraud cases face the threat of delays in the courts as a row escalates between barristers and the government over the launch of competitive tendering for legal aid work.”
Financial Times, 23rd January 2008
Source: www.ft.com
Bar Council hits back in legal aid row - The Times
Published January 23, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news 0 Comments“The Bar Council has hit back over accusations that it is acting illegally by encouraging barristers to boycott new legal aid contracts for the most serious trials.”
The Times, 23rd January 2008
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
Letter from the Chairman of the Bar - The Bar Council
Published January 23, 2008 barristers , costs , legal services , news 0 Comments“The Chairman of the Bar has today (21 January) responded to the letter from the Legal Services Commission dealing with VHCC Contracts.”
Letter from the Chairman (PDF)
The Bar Council, 21st January 2008
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
Legal Opinion: Legal showdown in the court of public opinion - The Independent
Published January 23, 2008 barristers , fees , special report 0 Comments“The Bar has reached a critical point in its negotiations with the Government over fees. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor, considers who is winning this trial of wills.”
The Independent, 23rd January 2008
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Barristers’ legal aid boycott may leave defendants in limbo - The Guardian
Published January 21, 2008 barristers , legal aid , news 0 Comments“Hundreds of barristers are boycotting new legal aid contracts which must be signed by today, in a move which could leave defendants charged with the most serious crimes, including complex fraud, terrorism and murder, without proper representation.”
The Guardian, 21st January 2008
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
