News

Jonathan Sumption QC, now Lord Sumption, has been sworn in as a Justice of the Supreme Court. His appointment follows the retirement of Lord Collins last year.

Profession

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has dropped plans to abolish the role of chief coroner but is refusing calls to reform the law on coroner’s appeals.

Graduated Fees

The Bar Council has given the Crown Prosecution Service feedback on its Graduated Fee Scheme, after asking criminal barristers for their views on the scheme. A representative group from the Bar has been engaged in ongoing discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service on the subject.

Judiciary

Women have done well in the latest Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) rounds.

Civil Litigation

The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has published its much-anticipated Code of Conduct for Litigation Funders and the Rules of the Association for the Association of Litigation Funders in England and Wales. The Rules require every member of the Association of Litigation Funders for England and Wales to abide by the Code to the extent that it applies to them.

Profession

Michael Todd QC, the new Chairman of the Bar Council, has told barristers and the Government that it is time to invest in the future.
Giving his inaugural address to the Bar Council in early December, he emphasised his support for pro bono work, social mobility within the profession and a more effective Bar Council.

Profession

Sir Nicholas Wall, President of the Family Division, has questioned the need to set up a Family Justice Service - a central plank of the Norgrove Review recommendations.

House of Lords

The House of Lords constitution committee has highlighted “significant” concerns with the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

Judiciary

Part-time, fee paid judges could be eligible for pensions if  the opinion of Advocate General Kokott is followed in the long-running case of ‘O’Brien v Ministry of Justice’. In July 2010 the Supreme Court referred the matter to the European Court of Justice, asking (i) is it for national law to determine whether or not judges are “workers” who have an employment contract or is there a Community norm to determine the matter; and (ii) if they are “workers” may national law discriminate between full time and part time judges or between different kinds of part time judges in the provision of pensions? Advocate General’s recommendations are not binding on the Court of Justice but are normally followed

Profession

Proposed reforms contained in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill would, if the Bill becomes law, be postponed until April 2013, six months later than the original date for implementation.