News

Commercial and civil mediation has grown by 30 per cent in the last three years. 

The Royal Courts of Justice (“RCJ”) are currently conducting a review of the Robing Room facilities at the RCJ and are seeking the views of advocates about the type of facilities/services they would like provided.

The Legal Aid Practitioners Group have unveiled their shortlist for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2010 (“the LALYs”).
Rabinder Singh QC, of Matrix Chambers, Mark Henderson, of Doughty Street, and Stephen Cottle, of Garden Court Chambers, are the finalists for the Legal Aid Barrister Award, sponsored by the Bar Council. 

The Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) has published a major report reviewing pupillage training for the Bar, following its meeting on 17 May.
The report is the second in a three step review of all stages of education for practice at the Bar, led by Derek Wood CBE QC. 
There are 95 conclusions and recommendations, covering all aspects of pupillage, which is still seen as the best and fairest way of preparation for the profession. 

The Criminal Bar Association (“CBA”) and the Young Barristers’ Committee (“YBC”) are calling a meeting to debate the effects of cuts to criminal legal aid fees.

Barristers Dominic Grieve QC and Edward Garnier QC have been appointed Attorney General and Solicitor General respectively in the new Con–Lib Dem coalition government. 

The Bar Standards Board consulted in 2008 on proposed changes to the Code of Conduct in respect of accepting and returning  instructions. 

The Commission is also working on a legislative proposal on the private international law rules relating to Matrimonial Property. 

The BSB’s development of a chambers monitoring scheme is making good progress. 

THE Chairman of the Bar Council, which represents barristers in England and Wales, has reacted angrily to the deep cuts to publicly funded criminal barristers’ fees, which came into force on 27 April 2010. Barristers’ fixed fees for criminal defence will be cut by a total of 13.5% over the next 3 years starting with an immediate cut of 4.5%.