*/
Sir Duncan Nichol CBE’s review into the system for appointing QCs has been submitted and is now being considered by the Bar Council and Law Society.
Commissioned in September 2008 by the two bodies, the review investigates the criteria and assessment methods of the current system. Since 2005, QCs have been appointed by a selection panel in an open competition. Following the move away from the previously used “soundings” process three years ago, Sir Duncan considered the operation of the new selection process; the business model supporting the selection process and the personnel who will comprise the selection panel in the future.
In January, a Law Society survey found many solicitors believed the current system was biased in favour of barristers and was too costly and time-consuming to complete. Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said: “The essential point remains that the current system is infinitely preferable to the former ‘soundings’ behind the scenes.”
Bar Council chief executive David Hobart said he was keen to “ensure that the QC marque was not diluted”. The Bar Council and Law Society plan to produce a concerted response once they have considered the report further.
Commissioned in September 2008 by the two bodies, the review investigates the criteria and assessment methods of the current system. Since 2005, QCs have been appointed by a selection panel in an open competition. Following the move away from the previously used “soundings” process three years ago, Sir Duncan considered the operation of the new selection process; the business model supporting the selection process and the personnel who will comprise the selection panel in the future.
In January, a Law Society survey found many solicitors believed the current system was biased in favour of barristers and was too costly and time-consuming to complete. Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said: “The essential point remains that the current system is infinitely preferable to the former ‘soundings’ behind the scenes.”
Bar Council chief executive David Hobart said he was keen to “ensure that the QC marque was not diluted”. The Bar Council and Law Society plan to produce a concerted response once they have considered the report further.
Sir Duncan Nichol CBE’s review into the system for appointing QCs has been submitted and is now being considered by the Bar Council and Law Society.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
AlphaBiolabs has been awarded the contract to provide drug, alcohol, and DNA testing services for Hull City Council, following a rigorous competitive tender process
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
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
At least not that way, says Richard Paige
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
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base
