*/
NICHOLAS Green QC, the Chairman of the Bar Council, called on the Government to take a more considered approach to lawmaking as Liberal Democrat Conference delegates came together to consider the repeal of some of the huge number of criminal offences created by the previous Government.
Speaking at a fringe meeting, hosted by the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association, at Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Liverpool, Nicholas Green QC said:
“We welcome the Coalition Government’s commitment to publish a Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill and its efforts to canvass public opinion on which laws should be considered for repeal. There is a wealth of expertise that the professions and the public can offer Government in identifying otiose, overly-burdensome or excessively authoritarian legislation. The thousands of new criminal offences created by the previous Government present a sensible starting point.
However, the Government must also take a considered approach to making new laws, so that it does not fall into the same trap as previous administrations. In the past there have been too many knee-jerk reactions. Parliament and the Select Committees must play a strong role in scrutinising legislation, and thorough impact assessments should be carried out before any further criminal offences are introduced.
The Freedom Bill presents an excellent opportunity for the Government not just to scrap unnecessary laws, but also to reflect on its approach to lawmaking and to consider a broader codification of criminal justice legislation. The recent Law Commission consultation, which has called for a reduction of the role of the criminal law in regulated fields, such as banking and food safety, is a perfect example of a rational approach.” He added:
“The Bar Council also supports greater post-implementation reviews of secondary legislation, for which the Lords Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee called last year. Departments should include in their Impact Assessments a clear baseline position against which change introduced by legislation can later be measured to assess whether success criteria can be met. The Bar Council, particularly through the work of our Law Reform Committee, welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the debate.”
The Bar Council’s presence at Liberal Democrat Party Conference was part of a broader effort to update parliamentarians on the Bar’s interests and activities.
Speaking at a fringe meeting, hosted by the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association, at Liberal Democrat Party Conference in Liverpool, Nicholas Green QC said:
“We welcome the Coalition Government’s commitment to publish a Freedom (Great Repeal) Bill and its efforts to canvass public opinion on which laws should be considered for repeal. There is a wealth of expertise that the professions and the public can offer Government in identifying otiose, overly-burdensome or excessively authoritarian legislation. The thousands of new criminal offences created by the previous Government present a sensible starting point.
However, the Government must also take a considered approach to making new laws, so that it does not fall into the same trap as previous administrations. In the past there have been too many knee-jerk reactions. Parliament and the Select Committees must play a strong role in scrutinising legislation, and thorough impact assessments should be carried out before any further criminal offences are introduced.
The Freedom Bill presents an excellent opportunity for the Government not just to scrap unnecessary laws, but also to reflect on its approach to lawmaking and to consider a broader codification of criminal justice legislation. The recent Law Commission consultation, which has called for a reduction of the role of the criminal law in regulated fields, such as banking and food safety, is a perfect example of a rational approach.” He added:
“The Bar Council also supports greater post-implementation reviews of secondary legislation, for which the Lords Merits of Statutory Instruments Committee called last year. Departments should include in their Impact Assessments a clear baseline position against which change introduced by legislation can later be measured to assess whether success criteria can be met. The Bar Council, particularly through the work of our Law Reform Committee, welcomes this opportunity to contribute to the debate.”
The Bar Council’s presence at Liberal Democrat Party Conference was part of a broader effort to update parliamentarians on the Bar’s interests and activities.
NICHOLAS Green QC, the Chairman of the Bar Council, called on the Government to take a more considered approach to lawmaking as Liberal Democrat Conference delegates came together to consider the repeal of some of the huge number of criminal offences created by the previous Government.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
By Kem Kemal, CEO, Henry Dannell
By BSK Financial Planning
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Kick off your career at the Bar Council’s Pupillage Fair this October – it’s one of the most valuable opportunities for aspiring barristers, says Amelia Clegg
Join us on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Leeds Beckett University and see for yourself why the North continues to be an exceptional place to build a career at the Bar
The golden age of advocacy? David Langwallner pays homage to the filmic if contentious barrister Sir Edward Carson and some of his contemporaries
Henry Fingerhut outlines what the Bar Standards Board AI guidance means for early career barristers
Not yet, says Jacob Turner. Regulation, unlike the technology itself, is a domain the legal profession can still control
