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The Law Society and the Bar Council again hosted around 60 international bar leaders and their guests for the ceremonies in conjunction with the Opening of the Legal Year (OLY) on 1 October. On the preceding day a well-attended seminar was held at the Bar Council, with input from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, which examined the implementation of the Legal Services Act 2007 and looked at the latest developments in other jurisdictions.
There remain significant concerns about the possible introduction of Alternative Business Structures and key jurisdictions in Europe do not see the need to follow the changes to the regulatory system contained in the Act. Nevertheless, some elements of the changes in England & Wales have been crossing the channel, with the introduction of a consumer panel to advise the Dutch Bar, following a review of its regulatory structure last year. A particular question mark remains about the ability of ABS vehicles to practice in other EU Member States where such structures are not permitted domestically. It will be interesting to see how the review of the legal services regulations in France, launched ostensibly with the aim to introduce ABSs, will influence the debate. The seminar was a valuable exchange of news and views and is establishing itself as a regular feature in the OLY diary.
There remain significant concerns about the possible introduction of Alternative Business Structures and key jurisdictions in Europe do not see the need to follow the changes to the regulatory system contained in the Act. Nevertheless, some elements of the changes in England & Wales have been crossing the channel, with the introduction of a consumer panel to advise the Dutch Bar, following a review of its regulatory structure last year. A particular question mark remains about the ability of ABS vehicles to practice in other EU Member States where such structures are not permitted domestically. It will be interesting to see how the review of the legal services regulations in France, launched ostensibly with the aim to introduce ABSs, will influence the debate. The seminar was a valuable exchange of news and views and is establishing itself as a regular feature in the OLY diary.
The Law Society and the Bar Council again hosted around 60 international bar leaders and their guests for the ceremonies in conjunction with the Opening of the Legal Year (OLY) on 1 October. On the preceding day a well-attended seminar was held at the Bar Council, with input from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board, which examined the implementation of the Legal Services Act 2007 and looked at the latest developments in other jurisdictions.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
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
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
