Chambers

This event is the third in a series of annual lectures on current challenges facing the rule of law around the world, organised by the International Committee of the Bar Council. The title of this year’s lecture is “The progressive erosion of the Rule of Law in Independent Zimbabwe”, and will be given by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe, Judge Anthony Gubbay. The lecture will be held in Inner Temple Hall on Wednesday 9 December 2009 from 6.00pm and will be followed by Q&A and a drinks reception. 

The lecture is accredited by the BSB with 1.5 CPD points for barristers There is no charge for admission. Space is limited, so if interested in attending please register by Friday 20 November with Rukaiya Bhegani at RBhegani@BarCouncil.org.uk or on 0207 611 1357. 

The task of providing “independent quality advice” must take centre stage in any decisions on barristers’ involvement in new legal structures under the Legal Services Act 2007.

Name: Peter Rouse
Position: Director
Company: Bar Select 

Name: Lindsay Scott
Position: Chief Executive
Chambers: Matrix Chambers 

Name: Gavin Millar QC
Position: Joint Deputy Head of Chambers; Media Law and Employment silk
Chambers: Doughty Street Chambers 

The Bar Standards Board Published its final report on a pilot scheme to monitor Chambers’ compliance with the Code of Conduct. 

The pilot scheme ran from June until November 2008 and involved a representative sample of 35 sets of Chambers. The sample was selected to achieve a fair representation of Chambers across England and Wales and took into consideration size of Chambers, practice and area and geographical location. The pilot scheme focused on the following areas: 

Don’t get left behind in the new age of online marketing, writes HD Lodge 

• Non-Practising Members’ Services Fee renewals sent 4 March 2009 for payment by 6 April 2009. 
• Employed Practising Certificate and Members’ Services Fee renewals sent 2 March 2009 for payment by 6 April 2009. 

The Bar Council has produced general guidance on Internet issues. In brief, chambers’ and individual barristers’ websites should explain: (i) legal status of chambers; (ii) fact that services covered are provided by members of chambers as individuals; (iii) if any page accessed through the web includes any articles, case notes or other legal information, as opposed to merely business information such as is found in legal services directories, then it should include a disclaimer.   

Linked websites—if websites are accessed through a link (eg from a solicitors’ website) care should be taken to ensure that liability to that site visitor is not created. Be aware of referral/introduction fee implications. The e-commerce regulations and the Data Protection Act 1998 also apply. 

No mega-set devotee, Andrew Mitchell QC argues that compact is probably the best chambers’ format in the world.  

Bespoke. Tailored. Fitted. Snug. A proper fit is much admired. Big and baggy? Large and flabby? Not so much. As with life in general, so I think, with life at the Bar. Whilst ever larger sets of chambers appear to some observers to be in vogue, for my part I think the case for the compact is stronger and more conducive to the real referral profession that we should remain.