Monday Message 10.06.24
Dear colleagues and friends,
You may have seen last Thursday’s commemorative events recognizing the 80 years since D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe to end the Second World War. The British Normandy Memorial records the names of the 22,442 servicemen and women under British command that died during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944 which included people from more than 30 different countries. Many of the surviving veterans of the operation are now more than 100 years old and hearing their stories and memories during the commemoration was a moving reminder of the heavy price individuals paid to secure our freedoms; freedom of speech, freedom to worship as we wish, freedom to establish economic stability, freedom from fear of war and freedom to vote.
If anyone would like to visit The Standing with Giants installation in Normandy, it will be in place until the end of August 2024.
To all Prosecutors – new process for contacting the CPS to take instructions when at court
The CPS have received feedback from the judiciary and HMCPSI that prosecution advocates at court sometimes have difficulty contacting the appropriate person to obtain instructions from the CPS.
To address this and provide more effective channels of communication a new process has been devised. The process sets out minimum standards which all CPS Areas must follow which can be supplemented to reflect local arrangements.
The document has been shared with the SPJ and all CPS Areas have been asked to share the process locally with Resident Judges, HMCTS and the Bar.
In due course the CPS will update the Advocate Panel Members Commitment to reflect the new process.
Education and Training
With thanks to our on-line speakers presenting the series of 3 CBA Lectures on “Serious Fraud, Investigation and Trial”.
If you missed Duncan Atkinson KC and Adam Paynter on the 5th June 2024 you can still join Esther Schutzer-Weissman who will discuss recent developments in the investigation and prosecution of fraud on the 13th June 2024 and Vincent Scully who will discuss recent developments in sentencing fraud and confiscation on the 19th June 2024. The access link will be circulated on the day of the Lecture.
In-person Morning Lecture at Inner Temple “In Conversation with Sarah Goom, Director General, Commercial with Trade and Intl. Directorate, Government Legal Department”
Sarah Goom will discuss her career with Simon Regis CBE (Deputy Director, Government Legal Department) including her role as Solicitor on the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War and her position as Legal Director at the Home Office before moving to her current role in September 2023. The lecture takes place 8am to 10am at Inner Temple on Tuesday 18th June 2024.
Invitations
London Legal Walk 2024
You are all invited to walk with us after court on Tuesday 18th June 2024 in support of The London Legal Support Trust, the access to justice charity. The 10 kilometre walk starts on Carey Street and works its way through London from 3pm to 7pm. This is an opportunity to support equal access to justice for all members of society whatever their social, economic or other status.
The Old Bailey Choir and Orchestra’s Concert
A choir and orchestra, comprising many members of the legal profession, including High Court and Circuit Judges, will be performing John Rutter’s Requiem at St Lawrence Jewry Next Guildhall in the City at 7pm on 27th June 2024.
Other pieces include the Cantique de Jean Racine and Bach’s Double Violin Concerto (Dame Geraldine Andrews and Damian Falkowski).
Tickets (£20 + Admin Fee) include refreshments after the concert and can be purchased through the link on the attached flier.
CBA Summer Reception
We extend an invitation to all CBA members and practitioners to join us at our Summer Reception on Friday 12th July 2024 at Sea Containers Building London from 6pm to midnight with music and dancing. Please book early to avoid disappointment!
And finally …
It will soon be time for practitioners and chambers to renew their annual CBA membership. You may want to encourage colleagues that are not members to consider joining.
But what, members may ask, has your Criminal Bar Association done for you? Or as in Monty Python’s Life of Brian … “All right but apart from fighting for CLAIR and fee increases, improvements to the court estate, well-being, working conditions, better listings, education, responding to consultations, giving evidence to committees and communicating with the public, what has the Criminal Bar Association ever done for us?” “Supported the Rule of Law?” “Oh the Rule of Law … shut up!”
Be excellent as always,
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