The government's plan to bring down the Crown Court backlog by pushing cases into the magistrates’ court and restricting jury trials is high risk.
Data shows that the magistrates' court backlog is now at a record of high of 379,437 cases – 70% higher than in 2019.
Read more https://bit.ly/47uV2UG
Watch our Chair @kirstybrimelow.bsky.social explain to MPs why the government needs to focus on what's really causing delays in rape and sexual offence cases. The Bar knows operationally what works - and what doesn't - because barristers are in court every day.
#JusticeNeedsJuries
More than 300 KCs and 22 retired judges are among the 3,236 legal professionals who have signed our letter calling on the Prime Minister to stop the government's jury trial proposal ahead of a parliamentary debate on new legislation to restrict jury trials today.🧵
Join us at The Circuit's #IWD Lecture: Baby at the Bar with Rebecca Tuck KC, Emma Price and Emma Louise Fenelon.
A pink background features the logos of The Bar Council and The Criminal Bar Association. The text reads: "JUSTICE NEEDS JURIES" and "Last chance to sign our open letter to the Prime Minister."
⏰ Help us send a strong message to the government to ask them to rethink the approach to juries.
Sign your name by 9am tomorrow, Mon 2nd March ➡️ https://bit.ly/4kMn9DX
Thank you for your support.
#JusticeNeedsJuries
If you are a Head of Chambers please circulate these links to your members and encourage engagement of all levels.
@cdkc.bsky.social, Leader of the South Eastern Circuit
@thecriminalbar.bsky.social
@thebarcouncil.bsky.social
@kirstybrimelow.bsky.social
Now more than ever we ask that you write to your MP if you have not done so and add your name to the open letter to the PM concerning these proposals.
We recognise the additional investment that will be made in our Justice system after years of under investment by successive governments.
We welcome the decision to allow the courts to operate at full capacity, this is long overdue, and a real reason why there is a substantial backlog. Measures being enacted to improve efficiency are to be encouraged.
We remain opposed to the curtailing of the right to jury trials. We are working with the Bar Council, CBA and other Circuits to consider the next steps to be taken in our opposition.
⛔ Protect the Constitutional Right to Jury Trial ⛔
You will have no doubt seen the news that the Courts and Tribunals Bill has now been laid before Parliament
The Government seek to push this legislation through fast curtailing the right to jury trial.
We will await the Government publishing their formal response to Sir Brian Leveson’s Report before fully responding to the proposals.
It is your Circuit your voice and your voice will be heard.
Claire Davies KC
Leader South Eastern Circuit
All Bar leaders have met and will continue to do so. The Circuit maintains its position in opposition to the creation of a Crown Court Bench Division as a dilution of the right to trial by jury. We have a working group ready to address the Government proposals when they come.
The Circuit are deeply concerned by media reporting of a ‘leaked’ government memo setting out drastic curtailing of the right to jury trial reported to go significantly further than the Leveson Report. This has caused a great deal of concern and anger amongst the profession.
The SEC Mentoring Scheme remains open.
If you are interested please reach out to the Circuit through mentoring@southeastcircuit.org.uk.
We want to reassure you that we will continue to work closely together and listen to your voices. We stand firm in representing your views.
We will respond fully once the government response to Sir Brian Leveson’s report is published. We anticipate that the government’s response will include a number of measures and that it will be made in the coming weeks.
We continue to argue that the government’s focus should be on fixing the swathe of inefficiencies plaguing the system, which could be resolved and make a real difference now.
@cdkc.bsky.social and the Bar Leadership across the country, have released a joint statement on jury trials through The Bar Council of England and Wales.
All Bar Leaders stand together against the curtailing of jury trials.
To read the full statement visit: r1.ddlnk.net/cr/AQiNsAwQm...
We want to reassure you that we will continue to work closely together and listen to your voices. We stand firm in representing your views.
We will respond fully once the government response to Sir Brian Leveson’s report is published. We anticipate that the government’s response will include a number of measures and that it will be made in the coming weeks.
We continue to argue that the government’s focus should be on fixing the swathe of inefficiencies plaguing the system, which could be resolved and make a real difference now.
As it gets colder, why not settle down with a hot drink and check out the Autumn copy of 'The Circuiteer' now available! ☕ 📰
southeastcircuit.org.uk/images/uploa...
If you'd like to contribute to future issues, please reach out to the Circuit.
If you would like a mentor or you would like to volunteer as a mentor, please visit www.linkedin.com/company/seci...
We will pair those wishing to be mentored with an appropriately experienced mentor, who will endeavour to assist with, for example:
· practice development opportunities
· Chambers or practice area moves
· challenges of returning to work
· challenges or conflicts within Chambers
Mentoring will be on a one-to-one confidential basis and those seeking mentoring can choose between a mentor in the same discipline/ specialist area of practice, but from a different chambers, or a mentor from a discipline/ specialism different to their own.
We have a panel of volunteer mentors available to assist tenants, both new and established practitioners.
We are delighted to announce the launch of the new SEC mentoring scheme.
Resilience at the Bar – A Conversation with Heidi Stonecliffe KC
Heidi will share her insights into sustaining resilience in a demanding profession. She will reflect on the psychological pressures faced by barristers and offer strategies for maintaining wellbeing and perspective.
