News

Last year the Bar Standards Board consulted on a number of rules aimed at promoting equality and diversity in the profession.

Regulators from across the legal, accountancy, financial and property sectors have signed a formal agreement that will allow even greater sharing of information.

profession 

The Bar Standards Board has signed a cross-profession agreement to share data with regulators from the legal, accountancy, financial and property sectors so that Alternative Business Structures (ABS) only have to deal with one regulator.

NY delegates

Michael Todd QC, Bar Council chairman, led a delegation of barristers to New York in April, to attend the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law Spring Conference. They met with representatives from law firms, the New York City Bar and the UN.

judiciary 

The Crime and Courts Bill which was introduced after the Queen’s Speech provides for major changes in judicial appointments. It follows on the Ministry of Justice consultation, ‘A Judiciary for the 21st Century’ which was published in May.

International

Barristers from 11 sets of chambers joined a Bar Council delegation to Singapore and South Korea to promote the merits of the Bar abroad.
The delegates, who also included representatives from UK Trade and Investment and the Bar Council’s International Committee, met with politicians, judges and lawyers from local firms and Bar associations.

Judges Wanted

Candidates are wanted for nearly 150 part-time judicial posts – and for the President of the Supreme Court. The part-time judges are needed for benefits appeals where there has been an assessment of incapacity and disability, in the social entitlement chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. Successful applicants will sit with a medical member and a disability member in a two or three-person tribunal. Lord Phillips retires as Supreme Court President on 30 September 2012. A selection commission has been formed to find a replacement. Candidates should be able to offer “outstanding leadership” skills and be able to represent the court in a wide range of circumstances.

The Board, at its meeting in March, approved new Equality and Diversity Rules and a timetable for implementation. These proposals will shortly be submitted to the Legal Services Board for approval.

Teenage Advocates

Queen Elizabeth Academy, from Crediton, Devon, has won this year’s Bar National Mock Trial Competition.  Dalriada School, Ballymoney, was the runner-up, and 16 schools reached the finals. Overall, 170 schools took part in this year’s competition, which aims to encourage future lawyers and is exclusive to non-fee-paying schools.

Consumer Law

New legal remedies to help consumers fight back against scams have been proposed by the Law Commission and Scottish Law Commission.
The report, Consumer Redress for Misleading and Aggressive Practices, recommends a new right of redress against traders that carry out misleading or aggressive practices. Consumers would be entitled to a refund or a discount and damages could be awarded. The new law would cover situations where consumers are harrassed for payment; remedies would include refund or damages for distress.