News

Diversity

The Commercial Bar Association (“COMBAR”) has published a menu of action to address the “unjustifiable” under-representation of women and black and ethnic minority groups within chambers. 

Profession

The Chief Executive of the Bar Council, David Hobart, will be leaving the Bar Council in May 2011. 

Referral fees

The Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association have called for an end to referral fees. 

Trial management 

The Justices of the Supreme Court have taken part in a paper-saving “test case” that could eventually see more than 1.25 million sheets of paper saved every year. 

JUDICIARY

The Judicial Institute—the first research and policy centre in the UK to focus on the judiciary—is to pioneer practical courses for lawyers interested in becoming judges.

Family 

A unified code of procedure for the family courts has been published. 

Welcome to the new look Counsel magazine. Hot on the heels of our 25th anniversary, we thought it was time to introduce a fresher and more modern design for easier navigation. As the Bar Council continues to publicise its “Prepare for Change” campaign, Counsel is eager to stay one step ahead. We hope you enjoy reading it and look forward to hearing your feedback. 

CBA Chairman raises concerns 

The Criminal Bar Association (“CBA”) has given a lukewarm response to Government proposals to offer defendants who plead guilty at the earliest stage a 50 per cent reduction in their sentence. 

• CLA Conference 
• Hyderabad, India 

The Commonwealth Law Conference takes place from 5 to 9 February 2011 in Hyderabad, India. The Bar Council will have a prominent presence at this event to promote the Bar vis-à-vis common law practitioners from other Commonwealth jurisdictions. It will launch the new edition of the “Barristers in International Arbitration 2011–12” brochure, have a stall and will hold a reception to which all barristers are invited. 

bsb appointments 

Four new board members have been appointed to the Bar Standards Board. They will take up office from 1 January 2011.
Commenting on the appointments, Baroness Ruth Deech, Chairman of the Bar Standards Board said: 

“On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome our new members. It was an extremely competitive field of candidates and we were encouraged to receive over eighty applications. The new board members share a wealth of experience which will assist us to manage the ever increasing demands of professional regulation.”