*/
Senior barristers have called for a review of family court advocacy over concerns that solicitor advocates have caused a drop in standards and “unjust outcomes”.
In a letter to Justice Minister Shailesh Vara, the chairs of the Family Law Bar Association and Bar Council warned that legal aid cuts have prompted insufficiently skilled solicitors to represent clients in court, rather than instructing better trained barristers.
Solicitors, they pointed out, require no advocacy training to appear in the county court, where the majority of children cases are conducted, or in the High Court.
Seeking an urgent review of standards, they warned: ‘The standard of representation being provided in many cases is so poor that unjust outcomes have occurred.”
They added: “Serious damage to the public interest has been caused by this situation”.
Responding, the Law Society and family lawyers group Resolution said the move was regrettable. They accused the Bar of acting out of self-interest and suggested its concerns were based on its own falling market share rather than quality.
Senior barristers have called for a review of family court advocacy over concerns that solicitor advocates have caused a drop in standards and “unjust outcomes”.
In a letter to Justice Minister Shailesh Vara, the chairs of the Family Law Bar Association and Bar Council warned that legal aid cuts have prompted insufficiently skilled solicitors to represent clients in court, rather than instructing better trained barristers.
Solicitors, they pointed out, require no advocacy training to appear in the county court, where the majority of children cases are conducted, or in the High Court.
Seeking an urgent review of standards, they warned: ‘The standard of representation being provided in many cases is so poor that unjust outcomes have occurred.”
They added: “Serious damage to the public interest has been caused by this situation”.
Responding, the Law Society and family lawyers group Resolution said the move was regrettable. They accused the Bar of acting out of self-interest and suggested its concerns were based on its own falling market share rather than quality.
The beginning of the legal year offers the opportunity for a renewed commitment to justice and the rule of law both at home and abroad
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
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
Imposing a professional obligation to act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion is the wrong way to achieve this ambition, says Nick Vineall KC
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
