‘Monday’ Message 27.08.24
Dear colleagues and friends,
Whichever government is in power their duty is to promote the common good, protect the vulnerable and uphold justice. The last of these is by no means the least. The Criminal Bar Association has been calling for sustained and proper investment in the criminal justice system and criminal advocates in particular for years, far beyond the previous government.
The future of the Criminal Bar depends on sustained investment in the people devoted to upholding justice. No matter how hard we try to stay on top of the increased workloads in terms of cases and volumes of evidence, it must be recognized that we are a reduced and aging profession. Despite our drives to recruit and retain the brightest and the best we struggle to compete with other legal professions and careers. Pupils and students facing increased debt cannot see a visible and viable career in public criminal practice. The independence of our profession, one of the most valuable assets for upholding justice, is no longer compensation for the poor remuneration and working conditions. This is also demonstrated by the increased number of experienced criminal advocates who have diversified to support themselves and reluctantly left or are leaving.
We know that those of us that care about justice and who have given their working lives to public service are frustrated by the prevarication and delay in investment by successive governments who expect us to be there when needed. Dealing with the recent public disturbances relied on a functioning criminal justice system with all parts working together to achieve fair and just outcomes. It is always expected that we will be there, always expected that we will do our public duty.
We have asked the new Labour government to ensure that
- the October 2022 deal with the Criminal Bar is delivered,
- that they increase fees for specialist Rape advocates as a matter of urgency to cope with the increased Rape cases being charged
- and that they embark on sustained investment in criminal advocates in public service.
We look forward to the recommendations of the CLAAB (“Criminal Legal Aid Advisory Board”) due in September and sincerely hope that the public service of the Criminal Bar is recognized and rewarded in order to sustain the profession.
Sad news
It was with great sorrow and heavy hearts that 15NBS Chambers announced that our friend and colleague, Mat Hardyman, died on 15th August 2024. Mat passed away whilst on holiday with his family. His wife, Suzy, was by his side. Although he had been unwell recently, news of his passing was a shock to us all. We offer our condolences to Suzy, his young daughters, family and friends.
Mat was Called by Lincoln’s Inn in 1997. The word ‘Gentleman’ fitted him aptly.
15NBS, the Bar and solicitors who instructed him are all the better for having known him and all the lesser for him having left us far too soon.
If you wish to share memories, photographs and stories of Mat, please include them in the Book of Condolence on the 15NBS website.
Suzy, Freya and Saffy would like to invite all who knew Mat to join them at his funeral, followed by a celebration of his life, on Friday 13th September. If you would like to attend, please contact the Chambers Director on – [email protected]
Farewell to one of the good ones.
Invitations
Submissions to the House of Lords Public Services Committee
The Committee is inviting stakeholders to submit written evidence by 30th September 2024 to a short inquiry into Interpreting and Translation Services in the courts. The call for evidence can be found here.
Please could any members interested in joining the Working Group on this please contact Aaron Dolan. There is a pressure of time given the short timeframe for submission of evidence.
Contempt of Court Consultation
We would be grateful if members would consider joining a Working Group on this important Consultation. The deadline for submission of the CBA paper will be the 8th November 2024.
BSB Presentation on reporting concerns (Northern Circuit)
Wednesday 11th September 5.30pm
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is committed to ensuring that reporting of misconduct, including bullying and harassment at the Bar, is taken seriously. The BSB want to ensure that anyone who wishes to report a concern feels comfortable about doing so.
The BSB has launched a series of outreach presentations to inform the Bar about how to report such incidences to the BSB and what steps they will take after receiving a report, including disciplinary action. The sessions will feature a presentation delivered by BSB staff who deal with reports of concerns about barristers and provide an opportunity to ask questions.
The next event will take place on the Northern Circuit on Wednesday 11th September, at 5.30pm at Nine St John Street Chambers (9 St John Street, Manchester M3 4DN).
Introduced by the Leader of the Northern Circuit, Jaime Hamilton KC, the presentation followed by a Q&A session will last around 90 minutes. Beverages will be kindly provided by Nine St John Street Chambers.
All barristers, clerks and administrative staff working within the Bar are welcome to attend, however the BSB are particularly encouraging those who are junior members of the Bar to come along.
This session will be hybrid, but members are encouraged to attend in person, if possible.
Reserve your place by completing the registration form or emailing [email protected].
We will let you know when further outreach presentations across the other Circuits are arranged.
Safeguarding and Local Authority Duties Towards Care Experienced People
This webinar is FREE to our mentees, mentors, mentorship organisations and care-experienced people. Taking place on Thursday 29th August 2024 at 18.00hrs.
Please join for an insightful webinar hosted by Lawyers Who Care CIC, featuring distinguished guest speakers Dr. Laura Janes and Jonny Hoyle.
This event is dedicated to raising awareness and deepening understanding of the legal responsibilities that local authorities have in safeguarding and supporting individuals with care experience.
Whether you are a care-experienced individual, a legal professional, or someone involved in the support and advocacy of care leavers, this webinar will provide you with valuable knowledge and practical advice.
Dr. Laura Janes will delve into:
- The legal definitions of care leavers and qualifying children.
- Landmark ages when rights and entitlements shift.
- Strategies to challenge inadequate support from local authorities.
- The intersection of care leavers’ rights with other legal duties (e.g., adult social care, housing, mental health).
Jonny Hoyle will explore:
- The distinctions between Care Experience and Care Leavers.
- The practical challenges faced by those lacking traditional family networks and how this impacts access to opportunities.
- The realities of Leaving Care Services and how they are implemented.
- Pathway Plans, local offers, and the difference between transactional and relational services, with a focus on young people qualifying for assistance.
- Practical advice on advocating for needed support and insights into the care leaver apprenticeship bursary uplift.
The session will conclude with a Q&A, providing you the opportunity to ask any burning questions you may have.
Register your interest here.
Recycling Mitel telecoms Kit
Due to recently upgrading their phone system, Falcon Chambers have the following equipment available which is all working and ideal for office use:
- Mitel 5312ip x 49 (12 programmable buttons)
- Mitel 5340 ip x 3 (42 programmable buttons – used for reception)
- Mitel 5304 ip x 3 (a more basic phone – used in our kitchens)
- Polycom soundstation 2 x 2 (conference phones)
- Konfetel 250 x 2 (conference phones)
Collection from EC4.
Please contact Geri on 020 7353 2484 if you are interested in some or all of the equipment available.
Thanks
My time is up and Mary Prior KC now takes the helm. I know that she will be a steady guiding hand for the Association and we will all give her and Riel Karmy-Jones KC, our new Vice Chair our full and unwavering support.
My sincere thanks go to the Officers at the Criminal Bar Association, past and present who have supported and assisted me as Vice-Chair and Chair. My thanks also to the Chairs and members of the CBA Executive Committees who give up so much of their valuable time to advise and drive forward principles and policies to assist the Criminal Bar and the Criminal Justice System. My personal thanks also to James Rossiter and Aaron Dolan who have looked after us all.
For everyone’s kindness and generosity during my leadership of the CBA I am truly grateful.
Signing off, be excellent as always,
Tana Adkin KC
Chair of The Criminal Bar Association.