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
London plus travel throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The Home Secretary is required to appoint an Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation (IRTL) under section 36 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and section 20 of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
AlphaBiolabs has been awarded the contract to provide drug, alcohol, and DNA testing services for Hull City Council, following a rigorous competitive tender process
By Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group
Modernising communication and collaboration at a leading Chancery set. A Zexi case study
How to build profile without compromising professional duties. By Naumaan Farooq, Co-Founder of Inked PR
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the role of cut-off levels, and the wider range of factors that must be considered when interpreting results for family court proceedings
A decade of reviews and research has disrupted accepted thinking in the search for causality. Suicides following abuse have overtaken domestic homicides. Is the law keeping up? Professor Susan Edwards KC (Hon) examines recent cases and the obstacles to successful prosecution
At least not that way, says Richard Paige
The case against judge-only justice and why efficiency is not enough. By Professor Leslie Thomas KC
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Lauren Fullerton examines the how, what and why of setting up a second chambers base