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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
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
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The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
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
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts