Welcome to the North Eastern Circuit
This site gives a range of information about the North Eastern Circuit, our history, our work, our constitution and our members. If you require further details please do contact our office at info@northeasterncircuit.co.uk.
The Importance of Circuit
The North Eastern Circuit has developed from distant historical origins as a dining club to an organisation with significant responsibilities which include Continuing Professional Development, Pupillage Monitoring, Pro Bono Work and free representation and life and accident insurance. There are also a number of social events.
Members of the North Eastern Circuit represent the interests of the Bar, and of the public, on Court User and Trial Issues' Groups, legal aid and other liaison Committees.
The North Eastern Circuit press office has ensured that we have a powerful voice in the debate over the reforms proposed for Legal Aid, Civil Justice and the Criminal Justice System.
The North Eastern Circuit is represented on the Bar Council by a minimum of three members, including the Leader.
North Eastern Circuit History
In geographical terms the North Eastern Circuit is Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumbria. It is bordered by Derbyshire in the south, the Pennines in the west, the Scottish border to the north and the North Sea to the east.
As late as the mid 1870s, this region was the northern most part of the Midland circuit and the eastern half of the northern circuit. However, new local Sets of Chambers began to meet the needs of an increasingly vibrant and confident industrial and commercial area. These changes weakened the influence of Manchester and Birmingham and saw the birth of the North Eastern Circuit on Tuesday 29 February 1876. Legend has it that a coin was tossed to decide who was to retain the Northern Circuit name and thus the North Eastern Circuit was born.
The North Eastern Circuit Today
Today the North Eastern Circuit has over 1,000 members, 68 of whom are Queen's Counsel. They practice in all the major court centres from some 27 Sets of Chambers around the Circuit including two London based Sets whose members work exclusively on the North Eastern Circuit. The trend of the 1870s is continued. Leeds and the North East now have the most important legal centres outside London. The circuit offers specialist Counsel in almost every field and high standards are universally recognised. It is from this strong base that we go forward and face new challenges with confidence.
