*/
Many of us feel a powerful sense of responsibility to do what we can to minimise climate change, and more and more of our clients will expect this. We have therefore compiled a few of the ‘easiest wins’, which (we hope) will enable every barrister to start making a positive difference. Small changes, but their impact will be leveraged if they are adopted by Chambers, Circuits, Inns, and SBAs. Please help make this happen.
Most printers can be set to print on both sides of the page by default, and can also print multiple pages on each side. Even if you cannot see yourself going paperless at this stage, you can still cut down on paper use, or try smaller (A5) paper, and carry less weight around.
Next step: Set this up, asking IT if you need help, and encourage colleagues to do the same.
You may not even notice a switch to recycled paper, the quality is now so good. When your case is finished, make sure your confidential waste is shredded and recycled.
Next step: Convince chambers’ stationery purchaser to try a box of recycled paper, and if it is just as good, to make the change going forward. Ask what happens to the documents which go into confidential waste. Visit your local authority’s website to see how more business waste can be recycled in your area.
Or, ‘paper light’? More and more of us are using tablet computers, even at hearings. With the right software, it is easy to convert multiple documents into a single PDF ‘bundle’, with bookmarks, virtual sticky notes, and colourful annotations and highlighting. If you have a visual memory, you may find that bold annotations can give you those visual placeholders.
Next step: Read ‘‘How to e-work' and 'How to e-work Pt 2' by Paul Hart for Counsel. Ask around for recommendations (a good place to start is iPad Pro and app, PDF Expert).
You can’t just throw away a computer – you need to get the data securely wiped, and comply with various regulations when disposing of it. So why not donate it instead? Keep the hard drive (and the confidential data on it), and donate the rest to a charity.
Next step: Ask IT for advice about this, and see whether they can help action it for the next person who upgrades their computer.
Use refillable glass bottles for water in your conference rooms. You can buy or hire specialist kit to make sparkling and still water in re-usable bottles. They look great, don’t cost very much, and save a great deal of plastic or glass from being wasted.
Next step: Search the web for branded glass bottles, and plumbed carbonated water coolers. Ask your office manager how much is spent each year on disposable bottled water.
How many of your members and staff drive as part of their commute? You could encourage cycling instead with a government funded ‘cycle to work’ scheme (giving your staff cheaper bikes and gear). If you have shower facilities, make sure that they are made available and pleasant to use. Ditto ironing facilities!
Next step: Send an email to members and staff to gauge interest in cheaper bikes and/or better facilities. If the demand is there, visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employers to see the options.
If you have a radiator with an adjustable valve, consider keeping it a notch or two lower, and wearing a jumper. With electric heaters, adjust the timer to make sure you’re not heating an empty room.
Next step: Adjust your radiator – or, if there is no timer/adjustable valve, speak to the person in charge of maintenance to try to get one fitted. A small cost now may save significant amounts of energy (and money) in the future. If you have old sash windows, think about whether draft excluders could be installed to cut down on chilly drafts.
Switching to a ‘pure renewables’ electricity tariff is likely to be the single biggest step your chambers can take to reduce its carbon footprint. In the near future, a special discount may become available for barristers’ chambers. If you are interested, please watch out for an article on the subject – or contact Sam Mercer at the Bar Council (smercer@BarCouncil.org.uk) for more information.
Many of us feel a powerful sense of responsibility to do what we can to minimise climate change, and more and more of our clients will expect this. We have therefore compiled a few of the ‘easiest wins’, which (we hope) will enable every barrister to start making a positive difference. Small changes, but their impact will be leveraged if they are adopted by Chambers, Circuits, Inns, and SBAs. Please help make this happen.
Most printers can be set to print on both sides of the page by default, and can also print multiple pages on each side. Even if you cannot see yourself going paperless at this stage, you can still cut down on paper use, or try smaller (A5) paper, and carry less weight around.
Next step: Set this up, asking IT if you need help, and encourage colleagues to do the same.
You may not even notice a switch to recycled paper, the quality is now so good. When your case is finished, make sure your confidential waste is shredded and recycled.
Next step: Convince chambers’ stationery purchaser to try a box of recycled paper, and if it is just as good, to make the change going forward. Ask what happens to the documents which go into confidential waste. Visit your local authority’s website to see how more business waste can be recycled in your area.
Or, ‘paper light’? More and more of us are using tablet computers, even at hearings. With the right software, it is easy to convert multiple documents into a single PDF ‘bundle’, with bookmarks, virtual sticky notes, and colourful annotations and highlighting. If you have a visual memory, you may find that bold annotations can give you those visual placeholders.
Next step: Read ‘‘How to e-work' and 'How to e-work Pt 2' by Paul Hart for Counsel. Ask around for recommendations (a good place to start is iPad Pro and app, PDF Expert).
You can’t just throw away a computer – you need to get the data securely wiped, and comply with various regulations when disposing of it. So why not donate it instead? Keep the hard drive (and the confidential data on it), and donate the rest to a charity.
Next step: Ask IT for advice about this, and see whether they can help action it for the next person who upgrades their computer.
Use refillable glass bottles for water in your conference rooms. You can buy or hire specialist kit to make sparkling and still water in re-usable bottles. They look great, don’t cost very much, and save a great deal of plastic or glass from being wasted.
Next step: Search the web for branded glass bottles, and plumbed carbonated water coolers. Ask your office manager how much is spent each year on disposable bottled water.
How many of your members and staff drive as part of their commute? You could encourage cycling instead with a government funded ‘cycle to work’ scheme (giving your staff cheaper bikes and gear). If you have shower facilities, make sure that they are made available and pleasant to use. Ditto ironing facilities!
Next step: Send an email to members and staff to gauge interest in cheaper bikes and/or better facilities. If the demand is there, visit www.cyclescheme.co.uk/employers to see the options.
If you have a radiator with an adjustable valve, consider keeping it a notch or two lower, and wearing a jumper. With electric heaters, adjust the timer to make sure you’re not heating an empty room.
Next step: Adjust your radiator – or, if there is no timer/adjustable valve, speak to the person in charge of maintenance to try to get one fitted. A small cost now may save significant amounts of energy (and money) in the future. If you have old sash windows, think about whether draft excluders could be installed to cut down on chilly drafts.
Switching to a ‘pure renewables’ electricity tariff is likely to be the single biggest step your chambers can take to reduce its carbon footprint. In the near future, a special discount may become available for barristers’ chambers. If you are interested, please watch out for an article on the subject – or contact Sam Mercer at the Bar Council (smercer@BarCouncil.org.uk) for more information.
On both fronts – representing the Bar’s interests and protecting the rule of law
Kate West discusses how best to interpret a drug test report, and the common misconceptions about what can be learnt from a drug test
Ashley Hodgkinson looks at drug testing methods and some of the most common ways people try to cheat a drug test
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
... have you seen through yours? asks Julian Morgan
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Clerksroom Chambers has recruited Matthew Wildish from 3 Paper Buildings (3PB) to a newly created position of Director of Clerking. Matthew joined the team at Clerksroom on 1 June
In this tale of hope, success really has been the best revenge! A difficult journey teaches Rehana Azib QC invaluable lessons along the way
The Chief Inspector of the CPS knows first-hand the difficulties prosecutors face but is no pushover. He talks to Anthony Inglese CB about Operation Soteria, putting victims and cooperation at the heart of criminal justice reform, and his unique and life-changing career prosecuting the crime of all crimes, genocide
Having represented many Davids against many Goliaths over a 30+year career at the publicly funded Bar, renowned silk Professor Leslie Thomas QC critically assesses what the Human Rights Act currently under challenge has done for coronial law and equality of arms
The future of robotics in surgery is likely to hinge on what it enables does the legal system yet have the tools to protect patients?Conor Dufficy and Finn Stevenson investigate