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“It is unlikely that there will be enough publicly funded criminal case work to support the number of people who wish to earn a living from publicly funded practice at the criminal Bar.
That is a simple economic fact of life”, the Legal Aid Minister, Jonathan Djanogly MP announced during a Westminster Hall debate on 15 September, citing both the rising number of barristers (12,000) and of higher court solicitor advocates (2,500).
In the discussion of “Criminal Bar (Public Funding)” initiated by Geoffrey Cox QC MP, Mr Djanogly stated as well that “a single fee for Crown Court cases covering litigation and advocacy would encourage greater efficiency between litigator and advocate”.
While sympathetic to the need to recognise and protect the diversity of the Bar “the numbers of black, minority ethnic and women barristers are affected by issues other than simply fees”.
He praised the efforts of Nick Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, for “travelling the length and breadth of England and Wales to explain to members of the Bar, face to face, why it is time for the Bar to prepare for change”; “the Bar Council is right to advocate change”. At the same time, “I want a level playing field so that barristers, other advocates and litigators can compete on an equal basis”.
Five MPs who have practised as solicitors or barristers in criminal law took part in the debate. Cox in particular pointed out that a single fee “alone could dramatically increase the ‘competitive imbalance’.”
That is a simple economic fact of life”, the Legal Aid Minister, Jonathan Djanogly MP announced during a Westminster Hall debate on 15 September, citing both the rising number of barristers (12,000) and of higher court solicitor advocates (2,500).
In the discussion of “Criminal Bar (Public Funding)” initiated by Geoffrey Cox QC MP, Mr Djanogly stated as well that “a single fee for Crown Court cases covering litigation and advocacy would encourage greater efficiency between litigator and advocate”.
While sympathetic to the need to recognise and protect the diversity of the Bar “the numbers of black, minority ethnic and women barristers are affected by issues other than simply fees”.
He praised the efforts of Nick Green QC, Chairman of the Bar, for “travelling the length and breadth of England and Wales to explain to members of the Bar, face to face, why it is time for the Bar to prepare for change”; “the Bar Council is right to advocate change”. At the same time, “I want a level playing field so that barristers, other advocates and litigators can compete on an equal basis”.
Five MPs who have practised as solicitors or barristers in criminal law took part in the debate. Cox in particular pointed out that a single fee “alone could dramatically increase the ‘competitive imbalance’.”
“It is unlikely that there will be enough publicly funded criminal case work to support the number of people who wish to earn a living from publicly funded practice at the criminal Bar.
Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC highlights some of the key achievements at the Bar Council this year
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A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
