News

personal injury

The 2.5% personal injury discount rate could be reduced to take account of the current value of Gilts yields.  A long-awaited Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation – “Damages Act 1996: the discount rate” – will examine whether the rate should be re-calculated using up-to-date data on Gilts, or whether the rate should be based on the returns from a mixed portfolio of investments.

2003
“The South Eastern Circuit Bar Mess series of lectures on ‘The Art of Advocacy’”
CPD accredited – 8 hours.
Cost: £15.00

All pupils commencing pupillage from 1 September 2012 must register their pupillage by completing a 2012/2013 pupillage registration form. Pupils will be sent a confirmation email confirming registration of pupillage and outlining requirements in relation to the compulsory pupils’ courses. The pupillage handbook will be sent out to all those who have successfully registered their pupillage.

This year the IBA conference takes place in Dublin, making it much easier and more cost effective for members to take part in what is probably the largest gathering of international practitioners in the world. For the last three years, the Bar Council has built up the Bar’s presence at this event, which provides excellent networking opportunities to develop new business with leading firms from around the globe. Further information is available from the conference website: XXhttp://www.int-bar.org/conferences/Dublin2012/

The Law Reform Essay Competition for 2012 is again generously sponsored by the Bar Council Scholarship Trust.

The competition, which is open to law students and pupils, invites entrants to submit an essay of no more than 3000 words, identifying and making the case for desirable, practical and useful law reform. Prizes are as follows:

courts

Judges face greater burdens without a commensurate pay rise. The anomaly is pointed out in the latest Lord Chief Justice’s Report, laid before the House of Lords on August 3.

bar discipline

A review of the Bar’s disciplinary functions, chaired by Desmond Browne QC, has highlighted a series of administrative failures including panel members whose appointment has expired.

Issue Deadline

• October 31 August  
• November 5 October 
• December 2 November  

international 

The Bar Council has launched a training programme for young Chinese lawyers.  Nine Chinese lawyers with between two and ten years’ post-qualification experience have been selected. They come from some of China’s leading firms including King and Wood Mallesons, AllBright, Dacheng, H&Y and Yingke.

Bar Transfer Test

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is calling for views on changes that could be made to the Bar Transfer Test. This test is taken by solicitors or overseas lawyers seeking to be Called to the Bar. A 2008 review of the test highlighted a lack of clarity in the way the syllabus was laid out. Responses should be submitted by 31 August 2012. More information is available on the BSB website www.barstandardsboard.org.uk.