News

consumer protection

Consumers who don’t read the small print could be given extra protection under new proposals.

To follow up from a successful seminar run jointly with SIAC in Singapore in March this year, the Bar Council is delighted to welcome SIAC to London for a seminar focusing on international arbitration.

damages

General damages are to rise by 10% in civil cases from 1 April 2013, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge has confirmed. The rise will apply to cases involving pain, suffering and loss of amenity in respect of personal injury; nuisance; defamation; and all other torts which cause suffering, inconvenience or distress to individuals.

Nominations are now open for the legal category of Women in the City’s Women of Achievements Awards, this year endorsed by the Bar Council. Exceptional legal candidates are invited to enter (or nominate a friend or colleague) before 20 September 2012.

profession

Barristers will increasingly be able to offer their services to solicitors on a contractual basis in future, giving them greater certainty that they will be paid.

Now in its fourth year, the International Professional Development Grant Programme offers financial assistance to members of participating Specialist Bar Associations (SBAs) or Circuits who are of seven years’ Call or less, fully qualified (i.e. post pupillage) and in self-employed of employed practice. The grant is intended to assist applicants in participating in international legal events and conferences of their choice. The event must take place before the end of 2012, and successful applicants must demonstrate that it will contribute to their professional development and legal practice.

profession

The joint Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards has created a possible precedent for other committees by deciding to invite specialist advisers – including counsel appointed as specialist advisers – to examine witnesses.

family

The judge in charge of the modernisation of family justice has called for “strong judicial leadership and management” when the new single family court is set up next year.

The BSB has welcomed the LSB’s approval of the Bar Course Aptitude Test, which follows several years work on the project.

Saturday 15 September
Saturday 20 October
Saturday 17 November
Monday 10 December