*/
The Bar Council has advised against extended court sittings, as a petition rejecting the government’s proposals garners more than 4,200 signatories.
A Protocol on Court Sitting Hours, published by the Bar Council, suggested that courts and tribunals should only sit between 10am and 4.30pm, except in cases of ‘genuine urgency’ or where a judge considers it is in the interests of justice to extend a hearing. Where the latter is the case it said the judge should give all parties at least 24 hours’ notice.
The Bar Council said the protocol was not a direct response to HMCTS’s planned Flexible Operating Hours pilots, but that the proposals ‘run counter to our attempts to improve the retention of women at the Bar’.
It said a ‘tendency has developed to list cases increasingly early or late’ which has ‘widespread implications’ for the ability of barristers to manage their practices, wellbeing and caring or personal commitments.
Under the government’s plan, to be piloted in six court centres, Crown courts would start sitting at 9am, and sit until 6pm instead of finishing at 4pm, civil courts will sit until 7pm and magistrates’ courts until 8.30pm.
An online petition opposing the scheme, started by Morweena Macro, a commercial and Chancery barrister at Five Paper Buildings, has gained more than 4,200 signatures.
An HMCTS spokesman said: ‘We are exploring flexible operating hours in six pilot courts to test how we can improve access to justice for everyone by making the service more convenient for working people.’
The Bar Council has advised against extended court sittings, as a petition rejecting the government’s proposals garners more than 4,200 signatories.
A Protocol on Court Sitting Hours, published by the Bar Council, suggested that courts and tribunals should only sit between 10am and 4.30pm, except in cases of ‘genuine urgency’ or where a judge considers it is in the interests of justice to extend a hearing. Where the latter is the case it said the judge should give all parties at least 24 hours’ notice.
The Bar Council said the protocol was not a direct response to HMCTS’s planned Flexible Operating Hours pilots, but that the proposals ‘run counter to our attempts to improve the retention of women at the Bar’.
It said a ‘tendency has developed to list cases increasingly early or late’ which has ‘widespread implications’ for the ability of barristers to manage their practices, wellbeing and caring or personal commitments.
Under the government’s plan, to be piloted in six court centres, Crown courts would start sitting at 9am, and sit until 6pm instead of finishing at 4pm, civil courts will sit until 7pm and magistrates’ courts until 8.30pm.
An online petition opposing the scheme, started by Morweena Macro, a commercial and Chancery barrister at Five Paper Buildings, has gained more than 4,200 signatures.
An HMCTS spokesman said: ‘We are exploring flexible operating hours in six pilot courts to test how we can improve access to justice for everyone by making the service more convenient for working people.’
Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC highlights some of the key achievements at the Bar Council this year
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
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
Professor Dominic Regan and Seán Jones KC identify good value bottles across the price spectrum – from festive fizz to reliable reds
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
Tom Cosgrove KC looks at the government’s radical planning reform and the opportunities and challenges ahead for practitioners
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
