The Bar

Articles

A losing battle

Direct access is pitting solicitors and barristers against each other when instead we should be working together, says Marilyn Stowe

Bar claims credit for delaying competitive tendering

Michael Todd QC, incoming chairman of the Bar Council, said the government's decision to delay competitive tendering for criminal legal aid by two years was the result of “a sustained effort by the Bar”.

Appeal judges back LSC in battle over payments on account

The Court of Appeal has rejected arguments by the Law Society and Bar Council that the LSC's ability to recoup legal aid payments on account should be limited to six years from the end of the case.

Public sector strike closes magistrates' courts

Today's strike by public sector workers has resulted in the closure of at least eight courts.

Keeping pace

With personal injury litigation about to undergo drastic upheaval, barristers must act now to avoid being left behind, says Simon Edwards

Consumers let down by legal quality schemes, panel says

Voluntary quality schemes for legal services failed to check providers' technical competence, didn't take account of consumer's views and offered "no proof that they are delivering on their quality claims", the legal services consumer panel has found.

Ready to engage

The legal profession must continue to find new ways to innovate and adapt, to meet the many challenges – and opportunities – that lie ahead, says Peter Lodder QC

Willing and enabled

In the new world of ABS, the knowledge and expertise of barristers isn't enough to compete; what's needed is clear leadership from visionaries with a more corporate mindset, says Emma Waddingham