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The criminal justice system is ‘at breaking point’, the new chair of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) warned.
In her first ‘Monday Message’ email to CBA members, Angela Rafferty QC said: ‘We are heading into a post-Brexit world with a criminal justice system in crisis.’
She told members: ‘What we do is essential for the proper functioning of civil society’ but said the budget for criminal advocacy is ‘far too low and has been repeatedly cut to the bone’.
Rafferty said she was ‘well aware of the deep concerns’ about the proposed new Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme and said she would be meeting with heads of chambers and solicitors’ representatives to ensure ‘open, robust and transparent negotiations and a realistic debate whilst maintaining the honour and solidarity of our profession’.
On the pilots of the extended court sitting, launched in October, Rafferty said: ‘This initiative has been tried before and failed. As we keep repeating there is no good reason to try it again – it will have a disastrous effect on diversity and the working lives of all in the criminal justice system.’
Rafferty also pledged to tackle the problem of retaining and progressing women at the criminal Bar and to work to raise the prestige of youth justice work and those working in it.
The criminal justice system is ‘at breaking point’, the new chair of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) warned.
In her first ‘Monday Message’ email to CBA members, Angela Rafferty QC said: ‘We are heading into a post-Brexit world with a criminal justice system in crisis.’
She told members: ‘What we do is essential for the proper functioning of civil society’ but said the budget for criminal advocacy is ‘far too low and has been repeatedly cut to the bone’.
Rafferty said she was ‘well aware of the deep concerns’ about the proposed new Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme and said she would be meeting with heads of chambers and solicitors’ representatives to ensure ‘open, robust and transparent negotiations and a realistic debate whilst maintaining the honour and solidarity of our profession’.
On the pilots of the extended court sitting, launched in October, Rafferty said: ‘This initiative has been tried before and failed. As we keep repeating there is no good reason to try it again – it will have a disastrous effect on diversity and the working lives of all in the criminal justice system.’
Rafferty also pledged to tackle the problem of retaining and progressing women at the criminal Bar and to work to raise the prestige of youth justice work and those working in it.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
