News

Last December, the International Committee of the Bar Council delivered a training programme for UAE judges, prosecutors, civil servants and practitioners. A team of four senior barristers, delivered two seminars funded by the UAE government, one on delivering legal services for government entities and one on professional ethics for UAE practitioners.

Profession

The first full-length edition of the Bar Barometer, the annual report on statistical trends within the Bar, is now out.

Criminal

The Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have played a leading role in a project to produce an accessible factsheet for defendants in criminal proceedings. 

This year’s lecture was held on Monday 5 December at Inner Temple Hall, by kind permission of the Inner Temple. The keynote speaker was Patricia O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs at the United Nations who spoke on “the UN and the rule of law: current challenges” to an audience of around 200 barristers, law students and judges.

Criminal injuries

People with unspent criminal records could be barred from making claims to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme unless there are exceptional circumstances, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has said. Convicted criminals could also be ordered to fund victims’ support services. The proposals are subject to a consultation, “Getting it right for victims and witnesses”, which is due to end on 22 April 2012.

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

Bar Council business development mission to New York (to coincide with ABA Spring Meeting)

A business development mission led by the Chairman of the Bar, Michael Todd QC, to visit New York is being organised for 15-19 April 2012. This coincides perfectly with American Bar Association (ABA) International’s 2012 Spring Meeting which is also being held in New York that week. As the Bar Council is a cooperating entity, barristers can benefit from a registration discount.

The Bar Standards Board has published an analysis of responses to the International Practising Rules consultation, which is now available to view and download.

Profession

The Bar Council has proposed an alternative means of funding for civil claims, during debate in the House of Lords on the legal aid bill.

The Bar National Mock Trial Competition seeks to introduce the legal system to 15-18 year olds in an innovative and exciting way, giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of the law. Currently in its 21st year, the Competition involves 2,500 students from state schools across the UK.