News

THE International Committee of the Bar Council has welcomed the Russian Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Yuri Liubimov, to London as the guest speaker at a seminar entitled “The Rule of Law in Russia - The Implications for Foreign Investors”. Mr Liubimov gave an unrivalled insight into the way in which Russia is working to establish a robust and consistent rule of law after the transition years between communism and fully-fledged democracy. At a time of global financial turmoil, with the recession showing little sign of lifting, it is more important than ever that investors have confidence in business structures, and the rule of law which frames these. 

DESMOND Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar, has spoken on the theme of ‘Human rights under threat abroad and at home’ at a fringe meeting at Labour Party Conference on Sunday. 

The meeting, organised by the Society of Labour Lawyers and the Bar Council, brought together a distinguished panel of speakers, consisting of Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Mtetwa of the Zimbabwean Bar, and Desmond Browne QC, Chairman of the Bar. 

The Bar Standards Board has appointed Sally Hawkins, an equalities consultant, as the new chair of its Equality and Diversity Committee, and Declan O’Dempsey,  an employment barrister at Cloisters Chambers, as the vice chair.  

Barristers will find out in November if they can become managers or shareholders of Legal Disciplinary Practices (“LDPs”).
By then, the Bar Standards Board (“BSB”) will have analysed further research it commissioned into the regulatory implications of the new structures, which are being introduced under the Legal Services Act 2007. 

Up to 2,000 full-time judges would be affected by the civil service pay freeze recommended by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling. This would include District Judges who, according to the Ministry of Justice Judicial Salaries (from 1 April 2009) figures, currently earn £102,921, Circuit Judges (who earn £128,296), High Court Judges (£172,753), and Lord Justices of Appeal (current salary £196,707). 

The moral courage to make unpopular decisions is a necessary attribute of a judge, according to Lord Clarke. 

In a paper on judicial appointments, “Selecting Judges: Merit, Moral Courage, Judgment and Diversity”, Lord Clarke of Stone-Cum-Ebony, formerly the Master of the Rolls and now a Justice of the Supreme Court, said four “essential” principles underpin any judicial selection and appointment process—openness, merit, good character and diversity. 

Moral courage is as important as honesty in defining good character. He said: “Individuals who are likely to be swayed by public opinion, who might not make the right, the just, decision because it is an unpopular decision or because it is adverse to their interests cannot properly be seen as having good character.” 

Doughty Street’s Paul Bowen, and Peter Rees of Debevoise & Plimpton, have both been shortlisted for “Advocate of the Year” at this year’s Law Society Excellence Awards. BBC broadcaster, Mishal Husain will present the awards at a black tie dinner and presentation ceremony at London’s Royal Horticultural Halls on 22 October. Robert Heslett, Law Society President, said: “We have received hundreds of entries from across England and Wales and the short list have been very successful in beating off the competition to reach this stage.” 

Baroness Ruth Deech, Chair of the Bar Standards Board, was the keynote speaker at this year's Young Bar Conference, held on 03 October at the Hotel Russell, London. 

Baroness Deech spoke of the future challenges the Legal Services Act 2007 presents to the Bar and how the young Bar can help shape the future of the profession. The speech can be read in full at: 

www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/news/Speeches/ 

Senior civil servant Sir Ian Magee is to lead a review into proposals to separate the Criminal Defence Service (“CDS”) and Community Legal Service (“CLS”), as part of a review to ensure that the £2.1 billion currently spent on legal aid every year is “delivering best value for money”. 

He will explore the available options for separation, including ring fencing both CDS and CLS budgets, look at ways to manage the finances of both funds, and identify appropriate delivery models for both the CDS and CLS and their relationship with the MoJ.
Sir Ian, who is due to report back in January 2010, said: “Naturally, I will be consulting a range of interested parties, including the judiciary, the legal profession and the relevant public bodies who play a part in the delivery of legal aid.” 

A period of pupillage is not valid unless and until it has been registered with the Bar Standards Board. All pupils will receive confirmation of registration by email. Anyone who has commenced a period of pupillage without registering it should contact Rachel Reeves at the Bar Standards Board, as a matter of urgency. 

Compulsory pupillage courses 

All registered pupils will have been sent information about the compulsory pupillage courses – the pupillage advocacy course, the practice management course and the forensic accountancy course. Those undertaking pupillage in London should undertake the pupillage advocacy course and practice management course run by their Inn. Those on Circuit should attend the courses run by their Circuit. The pupillage advocacy course must be completed as part of the non-practising period of pupillage. This means that a pupil who has not yet satisfactorily completed the pupillage advocacy course will not be issued with a provisional qualification certificate and so will not be eligible to commence the practising period of pupillage until the course has been completed.