ProfessionThe Joint Advocacy Group (JAG) has published the revised timetable for the implementation of the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates (QASA).
Sierra Leone initiativeA special interest group has been established by the Bar Council under the chairmanship of Mrs Justice Dobbs to co-ordinate the pro bono work being carried out in the Sierra Leonean justice system by UK-based organisations.
The Bar Council will have a signifi cant presence at the Commonwealth Law Conference in Cape Town which is one of the best opportunities to make connections with an estimated 1,000 attending leading international practitioners from other common law jurisdictions.
ProfessionThe Supreme Court has ruled against extending legal professional privilege (LPP) to non-lawyers, following a case put forward by financial services group Prudential, requesting its extension to protect advice given by accountants.
Please note that from February, the Legal Ombudsman’s time limit for accepting complaints will increase to six years from the date of the act or omission or three years from when the complainant should have reasonably known there were grounds for complaint.
CriminalA shorter, streamlined version of the Code for Crown Prosecutors has been published following a three-month public consultation.
ProfessionPublic access barrister training is to be overhauled, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has announced.
Please remember that the deadline for renewal of practising certifi cates is 31 March 2013.
FamilyJudges have been given greater powers over expert evidence in family proceedings.
Legal aidCriminal Silks could be the latest target of the legal aid budget cuts, the Lord Chancellor has revealed.
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
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
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse