The outgoing chairman of the Bar, Alistair McDonald QC, has commended the Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of Michael Gove, for being prepared to listen to the Bar and act on its concerns. McDonald believes proposals in the recent consultation on criminal advocacy could, if implemented correctly, serve to strengthen criminal advocacy in England & Wales. Further evidence that the government was listening to the Bar’s concerns emerged when it announced that it would not proceed with the cuts to the Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme .
27 November 2015
Positive overtones at the Bar
MOVERS & SHAKERS
Bell Yard Kysen—Liz Giles
Bell Yard Kysen appoints senior legal PR and ex-government communications adviser, Liz Giles
Clarke Willmott—Lee Edwards
Clarke Willmott boosts Southampton commercial property team with addition of partner Lee Edwards
Lime Solicitors—four promotions
Lime Solicitors announces four promotions
NEWS
The Attorney General, Ellie Reeves KC MP, and Solicitor General, Andy Slaughter KC MP, marked the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week by joining lawyers, charities, students and parliamentarians at events celebrating voluntary legal work
A polished legal defence may owe more to artificial intelligence than legal merit—and creditors risk paying the price in delay and expense
Witness evidence can be compromised by AI before a solicitor sees the draft, leaving safeguards focused on authorship incomplete
Possession claims are entering a new digital era, with procedural traps awaiting practitioners who assume familiar rules still govern every step
The Environment Agency can prosecute offences beyond environmental legislation where proceedings support its statutory functions, the Divisional Court has confirmed
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