*/
The Bar Council was among surveillance campaigners who challenged MPs to boost safety and confidentiality measures in the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill.
Together with the Law Society and the National Union of Journalists it launched the ‘Speak in Safety’ campaign.
The groups warned that the Bill jeopardises a client’s right to speak to their lawyer in confidence and threatens the anonymity of journalists’ sources and whistleblowers. They called on parliamentarians to amend the Bill dubbed the ‘snoopers’ charter’.
The Bar Council also encouraged its members to write to their MPs to alert them to their concerns over the Bill.
Bar Chairman Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said: ‘We know that government agencies have in the past improperly eavesdropped on communications between litigants and their legal advisers.
‘Clients who cannot be sure that conversations with their legal representative are held in confidence often fail to communicate information which is vital to their case, thus compromising their right to a fair hearing.’
She said: ‘One of the essential rights in a democracy is that of a citizen to consult with a lawyer.’
And added: ‘Legal professional privilege is not the right of lawyers; privilege is the right of the client. Failure to protect that privilege amounts to a significant derogation of a fundamental constitutional right which is part of the foundation of the rule of law.’
The Bar Council was among surveillance campaigners who challenged MPs to boost safety and confidentiality measures in the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill.
Together with the Law Society and the National Union of Journalists it launched the ‘Speak in Safety’ campaign.
The groups warned that the Bill jeopardises a client’s right to speak to their lawyer in confidence and threatens the anonymity of journalists’ sources and whistleblowers. They called on parliamentarians to amend the Bill dubbed the ‘snoopers’ charter’.
The Bar Council also encouraged its members to write to their MPs to alert them to their concerns over the Bill.
Bar Chairman Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said: ‘We know that government agencies have in the past improperly eavesdropped on communications between litigants and their legal advisers.
‘Clients who cannot be sure that conversations with their legal representative are held in confidence often fail to communicate information which is vital to their case, thus compromising their right to a fair hearing.’
She said: ‘One of the essential rights in a democracy is that of a citizen to consult with a lawyer.’
And added: ‘Legal professional privilege is not the right of lawyers; privilege is the right of the client. Failure to protect that privilege amounts to a significant derogation of a fundamental constitutional right which is part of the foundation of the rule of law.’
On both fronts – representing the Bar’s interests and protecting the rule of law
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
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
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
This article is not designed to offend the Judiciary but the quiet word has only taken us so far it is time concerns were recorded formally, says the first set to introduce an external bullying policy By Eleanor Laws QC, Oliver Mosley and Kyan Pucks
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 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