The former criminal barrister turned commercial, clinical negligence and personal injury silk, who has spent two decades as a Recorder and Deputy High Court Judge tackled a range of subjects. He used the occasion to announce a Bar Council scheme where commercial sets will fund criminal pupillages ‘which have been postponed, cancelled or which would otherwise not be available as a result of COVID-19’.
Sets taking part in the scheme include 20 Essex St, Atkin Chambers, 3 Verulam Buildings, Matrix, Brick Court, 4 Pump Court and Blackstone, while Quadrant Chambers is meeting the same need by another route. Sweeting also thanked Keating Chambers and Lucy Garrett QC who helped initiate the scheme.
He pledged support for the Criminal Bar and opposition to extended operating hours in courts, as well as highlighting lengthy delays in civil justice.
Sweeting, of 7BR, vowed to continue progress on tackling inequalities and career barriers affecting black barristers, with a significant event planned in July, and promised to ‘set tangible short-term targets and track whether they are being met’. He will be mentored by a young black barrister in 2021, as part of the Bar Standards Board’s reverse mentoring scheme, and encouraged other senior members of the Bar to consider following suit.
With the Brexit transition period due to end this month, he said the Bar Council was working towards creating a forum for common lawyers in Europe to discuss the future, and would stage a major event in 2021 to bring together the Bars of the home countries with those of Ireland, Cyprus and the other common law jurisdictions in Europe.
Referencing comments about ‘lefty lawyers’ by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary, he condemned the derogatory language used by politicians to attack lawyers for simply doing their jobs, and the troubling consequences of this.
Sweeting also thanked the outgoing team, including current chair, Amanda Pinto QC, and paid tribute to the many barristers, legal professionals and staff who have worked hard to keep the justice system going in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
‘Whatever differing views there may be as to the size and role of government, it is a core duty of the state to provide a functioning justice system,’ he said.
‘Instead, we often have courts that struggle to function and are under-resourced, with low-paid staff working in crumbling buildings.’
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