Monday Message 01.07.24
Dear colleagues and friends,
We are well into Summer Garden Party season and we hope all your parties and events go well – you all deserve some well-earned rest and relaxation.
Well done to all the walkers at the Cambridge, Chelmsford, King’s Lynn, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Northampton, Plymouth, Sheffield and York Legal Walks raising funds for The Access to Justice Foundation to sustain and improve the provision of free legal advice for those that need it most. We know that early, high quality legal advice not only saves money but saves the human cost to individuals who find themselves, for whatever reason, involved in legal disputes. Good luck to everyone walking in Doncaster, Derby and Newcastle this week!
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at our own Summer Reception on the 12th July 2024 at Sea Containers Buildings, London. We invite our guests to wear something sparkling to dance in.
Talking of sparkling … many congratulations to Stephen Moses KC, Charlotte O’Connor and all at Furnival Chambers for their hugely successful Strictly Furnival event in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. It was an awesome evening of dancing and music in memory of those who have left us but are not forgotten. Please can we do it again next year!
Last chance to apply to Inner Temple Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (‘PASS’) – deadline extended
PASS supports students from underrepresented backgrounds who have not yet started the Bar Course by helping develop skills that will help further a career at the Bar. Please share this link for applications by 30th June 2024.
Midlands Circuit Invitation
The Birmingham Law Society Criminal Law Committee are holding a panel discussion “Talking Crime 2024” on the 4th July 2024 at No.5 Barristers’ Chambers, Birmingham. Please book your place for this in-person event.
Practice Note from Southwark Crown Court
The Practice Note comes into effect at Southwark today, 1st July 2024. This is the product of a year’s work by the Southwark Court Users Group and acts to remind practitioners of how Judges may exercise their case management powers and the relevant CPR and Practice Directions for heavy fraud and other complex criminal cases. It has its genesis in a document drafted for the 2014 pilot at Southwark, Birmingham, Manchester and Kingston Crown Courts and has been brought up to date with the developing technical aspects of disclosure (meta data and Technology Assisted Review) and brings guidance into line with the principles of Better Case Management. A copy will be uploaded on the DCS for every heavy fraud case at Southwark as a reminder. Please find the Practice Note here.
New court news
Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr attended the “bottoming out” ceremony for the Salisbury Square Development off Fleet Street in London on the 25th June and gave a welcome speech. The development will include the new City of London Police HQ and the new City of London Law Courts.
The City of London Law Courts will have 18 courtrooms (8 of them Crown courts) and will combine all the London Square Mile’s courts into one building (save for the Old Bailey). Set to be all singing and all dancing with new technology to manage heavy fraud, economic and cyber crime cases, we look forward to seeing these new courts coming into operation at the end of 2026.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidance and Templates
The BSB are committed to supporting the professional development of members.
If you are a practising barrister, you can use the BSB’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Guidance and Templates to help:
- Understand and fulfil its CPD requirements and expectations.
- Use reflection, feedback, and the Professional Statement for Barristers to help maximise the benefits of the CPD process and improve your practice.
- Showcase good practice.
The above mentioned resources can also be used by barristers’ chambers and employers.
Recent Young Bar Lecture on Written Advocacy
Sincere thanks to Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb and Duncan Atkinson KC who have kindly authorised the circulation of their slides from our recent Young Bar Lecture on ‘Written Advocacy’. Those slides can be accessed here.
Deadline extended for nominations for Vice-Chair of the CBA
We have decided to extend the deadline for nominations to 16.00hrs on the 12th July 2024. The role of Vice-Chair of our Association is to support the new Chair, Mary Prior KC and take over as Chair in September 2025.
We represent the views and interests of the practising members of the Criminal Bar in England and Wales. Whilst there is a time commitment, it is extremely rewarding and interesting, offering the opportunity to listen to and care for those practicing in a very difficult area of law at the Bar.
Nominees must be proposed and seconded by members of the CBA by email to the Administrator by 16.00hrs on Friday 12th July.
If any one wishes to discuss the role with me please feel free to email me on [email protected].
A message from Richard Atkins KC
Dear all,
Our beloved daughter, Lucy and her pet dog Simba were killed last Monday morning whilst Lucy was walking him. They were struck by a car at a set of pedestrian lights in Birmingham. Some of you will have known her.
She was a fabulous daughter who was full of energy and who brought joy and fun into our lives. She had just finished her first year at Cardiff University and was looking forward to a year living in a rented house with her mates.
Sadly all that was before her has been snatched away. I am sure this will come as a shock to you all and I am sorry that I could not tell you in person. Nicky, my wife, Harry, my son and I are obviously trying to come to terms with it all, as are her two Godfathers Chris Millington KC and Jim Puzey who loved her deeply.
We are obviously very sad as we know many of you will be.
We would ask though that those of you who knew her remember her for the force of nature she was and think happy thoughts of her. I shall be back in robing rooms once I have taken a little time out, please do come and speak. I may get a little emotional but I will do my best to hold it together. Many of you will already have head the news and have sent messages for which we are very grateful.
Yours ever,
Richard, Nicky and Harry
We send Richard and his family all our love and support from the Criminal Bar, now and always.
Be excellent as always,
Yours,
Tana Adkin KC
Chair, The Criminal Bar Association