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Profession
Barristers can now talk to the media about their cases, following removal of the prohibition from the Code of Conduct.
Rules 709.1 and 709.2 are removed with immediate effect and replaced with Bar Standards Board (BSB) guidance on the factors and risks in making such comments. Approving the change on 28 March, the Legal Services Board said that allowing barristers to talk to the media when “justified, appropriate and in their client‘s best interests” was consistent with regulatory objectives.
General Code of Conduct obligations of not engaging in conduct that is dishonest or otherwise discreditable, prejudicial to the administration of justice or likely to diminish public confidence, will also mitigate risk of undermining confidence in case conduct and outcome, the BSB said in its application.
Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, agreed that barristers should be able to speak to the media “in appropriate circumstances”, but said that many will be hesitant to speak publicly about their live cases and hoped that the media would respect that position.
Rules 709.1 and 709.2 are removed with immediate effect and replaced with Bar Standards Board (BSB) guidance on the factors and risks in making such comments. Approving the change on 28 March, the Legal Services Board said that allowing barristers to talk to the media when “justified, appropriate and in their client‘s best interests” was consistent with regulatory objectives.
General Code of Conduct obligations of not engaging in conduct that is dishonest or otherwise discreditable, prejudicial to the administration of justice or likely to diminish public confidence, will also mitigate risk of undermining confidence in case conduct and outcome, the BSB said in its application.
Maura McGowan QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, agreed that barristers should be able to speak to the media “in appropriate circumstances”, but said that many will be hesitant to speak publicly about their live cases and hoped that the media would respect that position.
Profession
Barristers can now talk to the media about their cases, following removal of the prohibition from the Code of Conduct.
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
The case against judge-only justice – and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
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
