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Barristers should stop calling themselves a “referral profession”, Anthony Speaight QC told delegates at the annual Bar Conference. The term “referral profession” concealed the “most important characteristics and qualities of the Bar”; barristers should refer to themselves as “the legal profession’s specialist branch”. “Disposing of the image of the Bar as a referral profession and launching the concept of it as a specialist profession might assist both barristers and the public in the development of new ways of supplying cheaper legal services,” he said. Speaight drew an analogy between the Ba r and the medical profession, which has 56 areas of speciality. Barristers already identify
themselves in directories and on websites as specialised in a particular fi eld, although there are no formal higher qualifi cations. He argued that, if the Bar were to adopt the medical profession’s approach to specialism, barristers would still be able to work outside their speciality—just as doctors are able to practice in any area within their competence. For a full round up of the Bar Conference see pp 12 to 17 of this month’s issue.
Barristers should stop calling themselves a “referral profession”, Anthony Speaight QC told delegates at the annual Bar Conference. The term “referral profession” concealed the “most important characteristics and qualities of the Bar”; barristers should refer to themselves as “the legal profession’s specialist branch”. “Disposing of the image of the Bar as a referral profession and launching the concept of it as a specialist profession might assist both barristers and the public in the development of new ways of supplying cheaper legal services,” he said. Speaight drew an analogy between the Ba r and the medical profession, which has 56 areas of speciality. Barristers already identify
themselves in directories and on websites as specialised in a particular fi eld, although there are no formal higher qualifi cations. He argued that, if the Bar were to adopt the medical profession’s approach to specialism, barristers would still be able to work outside their speciality—just as doctors are able to practice in any area within their competence. For a full round up of the Bar Conference see pp 12 to 17 of this month’s issue.
Barbara Mills KC, the new Chair of the Bar, outlines some key themes and priorities
A family lawyer has won a £500 donation for her preferred charity, an education centre for women from disadvantaged backgrounds, thanks to drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs’ Giving Back campaign
Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management highlights some of the ways you can cut your IHT bill
Rachel Davenport breaks down everything you need to know about AlphaBiolabs’ industry-leading laboratory testing services for legal matters
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
Barbara Mills KC wants to raise the profile of the family Bar. She also wants to improve wellbeing and enhance equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession. She talks to Joshua Rozenberg KC (hon) about her plans for the year ahead
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
Reviews by Daniel Barnett
Governments who play fast and loose with the law get into real trouble, says the new Attorney General. The Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC talks to Anthony Inglese CB about what drew this boy from Cardiff to the Bar, bringing the barrister ethos to the front bench, and how he will be measuring success
Mark Neale, Director General of the Bar Standards Board, offers an update on the Equality Rules consultation
