professionThe Bar Standards Board (BSB) will have a majority of lay members for the first time next year.
Pupils will not be eligible to take up a tenancy or a position as an employed barrister until they have been issued with a full qualification certificate, which certifies completion of pupillage.
European Contract LawThe Commission is expected to adopt a landmark legislative proposal on or around 18 October. A flavour of what to expect can be gleaned from Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding’s call to arms on the subject, viewable at:http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/539&fo...The Academy of European Law in Trier is holding an event on consumer law just beforehand, at which it will be discussed. A member of the Bar will be speaking. See http://preview.tinyurl.com/4xl4qo4
professionThe Bar Council is calling on the Government to extend the ban on personal injury referral fees to cases in other areas of law.
Helping riot victimsA helpline for victims of the recent riots has been set up by LawWorks with the assistance of the Bar Pro Bono Unit, Law Society and several law firms. The initiative aims to help individuals, community groups and small businesses affected by the riots and looting to obtain free legal advice on matters ranging from insurance and compensation to contractual, property and employment law. More information is available at www.lawworks.org.uk/riothelp. The helpline number is 020 7092 3949.
criminalNew proposals have been announced regarding sentencing for multiple offences and mode of trial decisions.
CriminalIn two recent judgments, the Court of Appeal quashed convictions because of the judge’s behaviour during the case. Both matters took place at Kingston on Thames Crown Court and within four weeks of one another, in October and November 2010.
professionThe Bar Council has extended a cautious welcome to proposals to allow TV cameras in court.Currently, filming is banned in all courts in England and Wales apart from the Supreme Court - Sky News has broadcast a live video stream from the Supreme Court on its website since May.
professionThe Bar Council and the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA), hosted a national meeting of the family Bar on 17 September to warn of the effects of the Government’s intended justice cuts.
Woolwich
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Supervising Solicitor for Head of Woolwich Family Team to join and assist with developing our expanding team.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC