News

Profession

Michael Mansfield QC is taking over from Cherie Booth QC as chair of the judging panel for ‘the LALYs’ (the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards).  Booth, who is stepping down due to a surfeit of commitments, has chaired the panel for the full nine years since the awards launched. Panel members include justice campaigner Doreen Lawrence OBE and Lord Justice (Andrew) McFarlane.

Barrister Connect

The Bar Council and the Bar Standards Board have launched a new online system for renewing practising certificates. The renewal process is now called ‘Authorisation to Practise’ and is accessed via ‘Barrister Connect’, an easy-to-use site at  www.barristerconnect.org.uk.

Judiciary

Part-time judges may one day be able to draw judicial pensions, following a landmark European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision.  The case, O’Brien v Ministry of Justice, will now return to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. If the Justices follow the ECJ and decide in favour of Dermod O’Brien, a Recorder, then about eight thousand part-time judges will be able to claim pension rights.

The Bar Standards Board, along with the Bar Council, has now launched Barrister Connect, a new system to enable barristers to renew their practising certificates online. This renewal process is now called ‘Authorisation to Practise’, and introduces a more formal approach to the annual renewal of practising certificates and the authorisation of barristers to undertake reserved legal activities as defined by the Legal Services Act 2007.

Profession

The Goverment’s decision to award a single Framework Agreement contract for court interpreting to the Oldham-based company Applied Language Solutions (ALS) has come under criticism.  

Details on activities which are considered accredited or unaccredited can be found in ‘A General Guide to CPD’ and further information on CPD can be found in the CPD Information Pack which is available at the following link:

www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/regulatoryrequirements/for-barristers/conti...

Hon. President: The Rt. Hon. Lord Justice Jackson

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday 28 February 2012
Seminar: “Experts – their use and abuse”
Moderated by The Hon. Mr Justice Akenhead 

Profession

The Bar Council has issued a plea for the government to protect the right of citizens to hold private conversations with their lawyers.

Plans are underway for a delegation comprised of representatives from the Bar Council, led by Chairman Michael Todd QC, to visit Singapore and Seoul in the week beginning 26 March 2012. The visit aims to raise the profile of the Bar within both jurisdictions and to promote the services barristers can offer international clients.

Chambers can advertise third six pupillage vacancies on the Bar Council website free of charge.