News

A “tolerance” fee for personal injury work, and a separate preparation fee for in-house advocates working on family public law care and supervision cases would be introduced under plans to amend the civil fee schemes.

Family barristers are stepping up their campaign against proposals to pay fixed fees for advocacy in family legal aid cases from 2010. 

• Response to the Second Consultation Paper issued by the Bar Standards Board in December 2008 by the Working Group on Behalf of the General Management Committee of the Bar Council and the Bar Council of England and Wales  
• Chairman’s letter to Ms Cathryn Hannah, Legal Services Board: 13 March 2009 Response of the Law Reform Committee to the Select Committee on the Constitution, House of Lords Call for Evidence: Emergency Legislation  
• Response of the Law Reform Committee of the Bar Council and of the Criminal Bar Association to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s Consultation on Principles of Sentencing for Youths  
• Neuberger Progress Table Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 - A Parliamentary Briefing Paper prepared for Report in the House of Commons on 23rd and 24th March 2009  
• Barristers’ Complaints Advisory Service - Panel Members  
• Remuneration Conference Booking Form 2009 

THE Coroners and Justice Bill has begun its Report Stage in the House of Commons. The Bar Council, and the Criminal Bar Association, have welcomed Government concessions in relation to information sharing and in putting the decision for an inquest to be held without a jury into the hands of judges rather than the Secretary of State. 

Further improvements can be made to this important Bill. These have been set out in a briefing paper sent to Parliamentarians, which draws their attention to those aspects of the Bill which could usefully be amended. The provision of public funding for bereaved families and other interested parties at inquests has not been properly addressed in this Bill. The absence of public funding for those going through the inquest process means that the majority of bereaved families and other interested parties will either have to pay privately for their representation, or rely on the pro bono efforts of the Bar or other legal professions. This situation is in stark contrast with the provisions for organisations such as Government Departments, the Police or the Prison Service, all of whom are often represented by lawyers paid for at taxpayers’ expense. Commenting on the Coroners and Justice Bill, Peter Lodder QC, the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, said: 

Northumberland’s Ponteland High School triumphed against Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, Bucks, at the 2008/09 national final of the Bar Mock Trial Competition at the Old Bailey in March. Students took on the roles of barristers, witnesses, court staff and jurors before judges and recorders. More than 2,000 students took part in regional heats See also p 33.

• Response to the Second Consultation Paper issued by the Bar Standards Board in December 2008 by the Working Group on Behalf of the General Management Committee of the Bar Council and the Bar Council of England and Wales  
• Chairman’s letter to Ms Cathryn Hannah, Legal Services Board: 13 March 2009 Response of the Law Reform Committee to the Select Committee on the Constitution, House of Lords Call for Evidence: Emergency Legislation  
• Response of the Law Reform Committee of the Bar Council and of the Criminal Bar Association to the Sentencing Advisory Panel’s Consultation on Principles of Sentencing for Youths  
• Neuberger Progress Table Coroners and Justice Bill 2009 - A Parliamentary Briefing Paper prepared for Report in the House of Commons on 23rd and 24th March 2009  
• Barristers’ Complaints Advisory Service - Panel Members  
• Remuneration Conference Booking Form 2009 

The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is to merge, the Attorney General has announced.

The Legal Services Board’s draft business plan for 2009-2010 does not refer to “promoting and protecting the public interest” or the rule of law, Bar Council Chair Desmond Browne QC has pointed out in his response.

The Government must return funding of the civil courts to a “realistic level”, the new President of the Association of District Judges has warned. 

At a recent disciplinary hearing, a barrister was found to have brought the Bar into disrepute by completing a crossword puzzle in open court during a lull in the proceedings but when a jury and the defendant were present in Court. Such activity can lead to the wrong impression being formed by those witnessing such behaviour and create the perception that the barrister is not interested in, or paying proper attention to, the proceedings. This is likely to bring the profession into disrepute and is not in the public interest. If complaints are made to the BSB about this type of behaviour, the Bar should be aware that the BSB will consider taking disciplinary action.