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20 May 2010 / Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC
Issue: 7418 / Categories: Opinion
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All Bar none

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Receiving the usual crop of invitations from barristers’ chambers to join them in celebrating the appointment of new Queen’s Counsel prompted me to wonder how this strange relic of class privilege has survived and what has really changed since the 1950s.

Geoffrey Bindman calls for unification of the legal profession

Receiving the usual crop of invitations from barristers’ chambers to join them in celebrating the appointment of new Queen’s Counsel prompted me to wonder how this strange relic of class privilege has survived and what has really changed since the 1950s.

I applaud almost any excuse for a celebration and I do not begrudge the lucky winners their joy in the enhancement of their professional status and income, but it has long been obvious that the status of QC is of value only to them. Indeed, the QC continues to exemplify the costly and anachronistic rituals of the Bar which the efforts of reformers seem unable to eliminate.

Lawyers cling to arbitrary and restrictive practices which obstruct access to legal advice and representation

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