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At the time of writing, the BBC has reported that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has now agreed budgets with all of the government departments, and by the time you read this you will know if justice secures the additional resources needed to start to tackle the ongoing crisis affecting all of the system.
The Lady Chief Justice used her first speech at the Lord Mayor’s annual dinner for judges in October to tell ministers that ‘sustainable and long-term funding’ is needed to help the courts and judiciary secure the rule of law effectively. We agree. We know from other media reports that the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been lobbying hard with her colleagues in government for more funds.
We continue to work with colleagues from across the justice sector to put forward a compelling case for further investment, and we have offered evidence to show where it is possible for the government to spend on justice in order to save money for the Treasury elsewhere. October’s Budget is just the start of the conversation – the Spring Spending Review then sets the funding for the rest of this Parliament. We will continue to prioritise this work on behalf of the Bar – your support via the voluntary Bar Representation Fee allows us to do this.
We have welcomed the announcement of the sentencing review and the appointment of former Lord Chancellor David Gauke as its chair. One of the real drags on seeking to get the Crown Court backlogs down and to ensure swift and efficient justice has been the mismatch of ever heavier prison sentences and inadequate prison places to meet the imposed demand. Measures to speed up the Crown Courts have previously been thwarted due to the lack of prison spaces. Addressing sentences and the capacity of prisons is a necessary prerequisite to turning around the criminal justice system and in particular the delays in the Crown Courts.
The terms of reference for the sentencing review includes the establishment of an independent panel. We have been assured that the Bar will be given the opportunity to make submissions to the chair and panel and would expect to play a positive role in its deliberations.
The Opening of the Legal Year is always a wonderful occasion marked by a service in Westminster Abbey and judges and others processing to Westminster Hall. Lawyers representing over 50 jurisdictions convened in London to honour the pivotal role that the judiciary and lawyers play in safeguarding the rule of law.
The Bar Council and Law Society hosted a leaders’ event focused on the function of the legal profession in elections. The theme was chosen as there are more than 80 countries undergoing general elections this year and more than half of the world’s population will be going to the polls or have already been. I was fortunate to address the Bar leaders on developments in international rule of law.
Our International Committee will be collaborating with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) to offer support for the draft European Convention on the protection of the profession of lawyer. The aim of the convention is to strengthen the rule of law and help protect lawyers when doing their jobs.
We have seen attacks on lawyers increase in recent years and this has included harassment and threats (both online and offline), surveillance, imprisonment, enforced disappearances and murder in countries that are part of the Council of Europe. A new instrument is needed to ensure there are effective protections in place.
As the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC stressed in his Bingham Lecture on the rule of law, it is important to combat disinformation and misinformation about the law and lawyers. He said: ‘The disgraceful scenes of violent disorder over the summer, including threats against immigration law firms and advice centres, showed only too vividly that what is said online can have dangerous consequences in the real world.’
Lord Hermer’s comment that it is now time for us to ‘reaffirm the rule of law’ will no doubt resonate with the Bar. In the speech, he emphasised three key themes: rebuilding the UK’s reputation as a leader in the field of international law and the international rules-based order; strengthening Parliament’s role in upholding the rule of law; and promoting a rule of law culture. The Bar Council will play its part towards achieving these laudable goals.
Sam Townend KC is Chair of the Bar 2024. Sam is a silk at Keating Chambers and practises in domestic and international construction, energy and professional negligence work. He is a mediator and adjudicator, and a Bencher at Lincoln's Inn.
At the time of writing, the BBC has reported that Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has now agreed budgets with all of the government departments, and by the time you read this you will know if justice secures the additional resources needed to start to tackle the ongoing crisis affecting all of the system.
The Lady Chief Justice used her first speech at the Lord Mayor’s annual dinner for judges in October to tell ministers that ‘sustainable and long-term funding’ is needed to help the courts and judiciary secure the rule of law effectively. We agree. We know from other media reports that the Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been lobbying hard with her colleagues in government for more funds.
We continue to work with colleagues from across the justice sector to put forward a compelling case for further investment, and we have offered evidence to show where it is possible for the government to spend on justice in order to save money for the Treasury elsewhere. October’s Budget is just the start of the conversation – the Spring Spending Review then sets the funding for the rest of this Parliament. We will continue to prioritise this work on behalf of the Bar – your support via the voluntary Bar Representation Fee allows us to do this.
We have welcomed the announcement of the sentencing review and the appointment of former Lord Chancellor David Gauke as its chair. One of the real drags on seeking to get the Crown Court backlogs down and to ensure swift and efficient justice has been the mismatch of ever heavier prison sentences and inadequate prison places to meet the imposed demand. Measures to speed up the Crown Courts have previously been thwarted due to the lack of prison spaces. Addressing sentences and the capacity of prisons is a necessary prerequisite to turning around the criminal justice system and in particular the delays in the Crown Courts.
The terms of reference for the sentencing review includes the establishment of an independent panel. We have been assured that the Bar will be given the opportunity to make submissions to the chair and panel and would expect to play a positive role in its deliberations.
The Opening of the Legal Year is always a wonderful occasion marked by a service in Westminster Abbey and judges and others processing to Westminster Hall. Lawyers representing over 50 jurisdictions convened in London to honour the pivotal role that the judiciary and lawyers play in safeguarding the rule of law.
The Bar Council and Law Society hosted a leaders’ event focused on the function of the legal profession in elections. The theme was chosen as there are more than 80 countries undergoing general elections this year and more than half of the world’s population will be going to the polls or have already been. I was fortunate to address the Bar leaders on developments in international rule of law.
Our International Committee will be collaborating with the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) to offer support for the draft European Convention on the protection of the profession of lawyer. The aim of the convention is to strengthen the rule of law and help protect lawyers when doing their jobs.
We have seen attacks on lawyers increase in recent years and this has included harassment and threats (both online and offline), surveillance, imprisonment, enforced disappearances and murder in countries that are part of the Council of Europe. A new instrument is needed to ensure there are effective protections in place.
As the Attorney General Lord Hermer KC stressed in his Bingham Lecture on the rule of law, it is important to combat disinformation and misinformation about the law and lawyers. He said: ‘The disgraceful scenes of violent disorder over the summer, including threats against immigration law firms and advice centres, showed only too vividly that what is said online can have dangerous consequences in the real world.’
Lord Hermer’s comment that it is now time for us to ‘reaffirm the rule of law’ will no doubt resonate with the Bar. In the speech, he emphasised three key themes: rebuilding the UK’s reputation as a leader in the field of international law and the international rules-based order; strengthening Parliament’s role in upholding the rule of law; and promoting a rule of law culture. The Bar Council will play its part towards achieving these laudable goals.
The age of criminal responsibility, extreme weather and conflict resolution – plus, new protocol for reporting bullying at the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves KC MP discusses her decade as a trade union and employment law barrister, the demands of life as a Law Officer and the number one priority shaping her work. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
A decade of reviews and research has disrupted accepted thinking in the search for causality. Suicides following abuse have overtaken domestic homicides. Is the law keeping up? Professor Susan Edwards KC (Hon) examines recent cases and the obstacles to successful prosecution
Why every major sporting event needs an anti-corruption policy. By Louis Weston
At least not that way, says Richard Paige
