The report of the BVC Review Working Group was well received by the BSB at its meeting on 17 July. The full report (plus annexes) is now available on the BSB website at: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/publications
A China Interest Group has recently been formed by the International Committee in response to a recommendation by the Bar Council delegation that visited Shanghai and Beijing in September 2007.
Plans are underway for a small delegation comprised of representatives from both the Bar Council and Law Society to visit Beijing, Chongqing and Tianjin to hold seminars on environmental law in conjunction with regional bar Associations.
In the spring the BSB, with the support of the International Secretariat took part in the public consultation on the Services Directive.
From 27-30 June, the 4th Conference of the ten referral bar professions (Australia, England & Wales, Hong Kong, Ireland (Rep.), Namibia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Zimbabwe) took place in Dublin and Belfast.
The BSB reviewed draft Terms of Reference for its forthcoming review of pupillage at its meeting on 17 July.
An amendment to paragraph 905.b(i) of the Code has been made to reflect the wording of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, and the repealing of Section 116 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The phrase ‘serious criminal offence’, no longer present in the legislation, has been replaced with ‘indictable offence’.
The Bar Council Brussels office has moved to new modern and well equipped premises at 85 Avenue des Nerviens, a stone’s throw from the European Institutions.
CHAIRMAN of the Bar Council, Tim Dutton QC, called on the Government to forge a ‘new partnership’ with barristers to enhance the legal aid system in the public interest.
The EP Plenary has adopted a resolution supporting this 2007 proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment through the criminal law. Council adoption should follow. See: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/file.jsp?id=5445232&language=en&mailer=true
Isle of Man
Applications are invited for the appointment of His Majesty’s Attorney General in the Isle of Man.
Chair of the Bar reports back
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
A career shaped by advocacy beyond her practice, and the realities of living with an invisible disability Dr Natasha Shotunde, Black Barristers’ Network Co-Founder and its Chair for seven years, reflects on a decade at the Bar
Responding to criticism on the narrow profile of government-instructed counsel, Mel Nebhrajani CB describes the system-wide change at GLD to drive fairer distribution of work and broader development of talent
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines