News

Judiciary

District Judge Paul Mildred has warned the legal aid cuts will heap pressure on the courts, in his first public comments since becoming President of the Association of District Judges.

INTERNATIONAL REPORT

• International Committee 
• Criminal Bar 

Middle Temple Bencher Michael Bowes QC and Middle Temple Bar student Eva Anderson have mobilised barristers and chambers staff to help organise an
event in conjunction with the Helium Foundation, one of London’s premier contemporary art dealerships. From 14-16 July, the Bloomsbury Art Fair will showcase an exciting array of artwork in the stunning surroundings of Goodenough College and its private courtyard garden in central London.  

Profession

Sole practitioner barristers are on the rise, according to the Bar Standards Board’s inaugural annual Bar Barometer report.

INTERNATIONAL REPORT

• International Committee 

The Bar Council was recently licensed by the UK Border Agency as a Tier 5 (Government Approved Exchange) Sponsor.  

INTERNATIONAL REPORT 

• International Committee 
• LCTS Training Programme 

The final group of 13 Chinese lawyers returned to China at the end of April, bringing to a close the Lord Chancellor’s Training Scheme for Chinese lawyers. This seminal Ministry of Justice supporting programme, managed by the Law Society and Bar Council, began 20 years ago when the Chinese legal profession was in its infancy.  

Profession

School and university students interested in a career at the Bar can now click onto www.become-a-barrister.com for advice.

Profession

A total of 120 Queen’s Counsel have been appointed in  the 2011 Silk round, 48 per cent of those who applied.Three chambers gained four new QCs apiece — Maitland Chambers, Thirty-Nine Essex Street and No5 Chambers.

REGULATION

The Bar regulator has received praise for its proactive approach in the latest Legal Services Board (LSB) report.

Consultation on a future European Contract Law

The Bar submitted a full response to the European Commission’s consultation on the future of European Contract Law. COMBAR responded separately (see below). We support the publication of the Commission’s work and the development of a toolbox for EU legislators, but, along with others, say that the Commission has failed to make a case for anything more. Its plans are costly, legally uncertain and unsound, and disproportionate. Nonetheless, the Commission intends to issue a proposal for a regulation later this year, creating an optional instrument. 

http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/consultations/pastresponsestoexternalconsultations/