Profession

Nigel Lickley QC, Leader of the Western Circuit, explains the role of the circuit within the modern Bar.  

An eminent Silk in London asked me recently at a dinner in Middle Temple “What is the value of the circuits? ” 

David Wurtzel considers the results of the Bar Council’s 2012 “Bar Barometer”.  

‘The Bar will shrink’ has been a common cry of alarm over a number of years. First, the Bar lost its monopoly over the rights of audience in the Higher Courts, then solicitor advocates entered the market in force and then Legal Aid declined, student debt rose and the number of pupillages dwindled. And yet, according the 2012 Bar Barometer, the self-employed Bar as a whole has instead expanded. Using the latest statistics available, between 2010 and 2011 the largest increase (1.2%) in the previous five years took place. At the same time, the proportion of women and of BME barristers has steadily if slowly gone up. 

Kirsty Brimelow QC, Chairwoman of the Bar Human Rights Committee, explains its work  

The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) was set up by a small group of English barristers in 1991. Its original remit was to provide support and remedies for judges and lawyers, in other countries, who were being persecuted or prevented from performing their professional duties. 

CPD is a system of inputs that is completely blind to the outcomes, writes Matthew Nicklin. How best, then, to ensure that barristers are competent in the areas in which they practise?  

When Continuing Professional Development (CPD) was first made compulsory by the Bar Council, it was the Bar’s first discernible quality assurance measure for consumer protection. The theory was simple. Practitioners were required to complete a designated number of hours of recognised activities designed to keep them up to the mark. 

With pro bono projects about to be tested to their limits, it is imperative that proper use is made of the hard-fought-for legislation and supporting bodies, writes Guy Skelton  

Despite a somewhat dubious public perception, the law has an honourable history of philanthropy and charitable work. The nationwide legal walks, for example, are a powerful symbol of the legal sector’s belief in ‘giving back’. The 6,000 people who took part in this year’s London Legal Walk — a host of chambers, solicitors firms, Citizens Advice Bureaus, the judiciary and pro bono projects — raised over £530,000. 

The Attorney General, Dominic Grieve QC MP, explains how he sees the relationship between politicians and judges  

A new polemic has emerged that the sovereignty of Parliament is being eroded and that the power of the judges, here and in Europe, is increasing to the point of their becoming the governors. 

Max Hardy explains how an effective introduction to Continental law can be gained through the Anglo-Dutch Exchange  

A common, although not universal, failing among many English barristers is a surprising ignorance of foreign jurisdictions. Of course we are familiar with the Common Law jurisdictions of the Commonwealth and the United States and used to citing their cases, but when it comes to our near European neighbours sometimes a blank is drawn. 

Nichola Higgins assesses the role of women’s forums in achieving equality within and retaining women in the Bar.  

“I’m not sure I approve of women’s lawyers forums,” was Mrs Justice Gloster’s opening gambit as she delivered the key note speech at the second Middle Temple Women’s Forum on 4 October 2012. “...Or women’s networking groups…Does it achieve anything? Or does it betray an unjustified lack of confidence in our own status and in what we have achieved? Why do we need them?” 

Counsel’s David Wurtzel interviews the incoming Chairman of the Bar, Maura McGowan QC, about her new role  

The first question I asked the 2013 Chairman of the Bar, is why she wanted to be chairman. Maura McGowan QC’s answer was a modest one. It is a good idea to have a change between civil and publicly funded practitioners, and it is good that “every so often” a woman does the job. It is in fact 15 years since the first woman chairman, Heather (now Lady Justice) Hallett. Maura adds, “I’d like to think I would make things better”. 

Andrew Hood on the tax implications of ceasing your self-employed status.  

When leaving the Bar whether on retirement, or to take up either a judicial appointment or a position of employment as a barrister, you will no doubt remember to deal with the major issues such as the ongoing relationship with Chambers, informing your business contacts and notifying the Bar Council. But there are, of course, also tax and financial implications which need to be considered.