Rest, Routes and Roots
Now term has ended, hopefully as many of you as possible are about to start or are in the middle of a well-earned summer break. Take what time you can to find a route through to rest, reset and recharge for the final push to the end of the year.
I will therefore keep this message “relatively” brief so that you can focus on these more important things.
Leveson and Others
I hope that as many of you as were interested were able to engage with the various calls for response to the Independent Review of the Criminal Courts Part 1 (reform), that was published at the beginning of last month.
Whilst we wait to see what proposals the government will adopt after the summer break, the reforms are likely to be significant and make fundamental changes as to how we go about our business. It is not for me to set out any analysis in this message other than to say there are aspects that are plainly positive for the system and also for the Bar, whilst others are much more controversial. What I can say is that along with the other Circuit Leaders we have contributed by expressing the various views and making representations about the potential shortcomings of some of the proposals (and now recommendations). I am also grateful to David Brooke KC, who on behalf of Circuit contributed to the Bar Council submission during the consultation and response to the proposals.
That has been part of a lengthier process of senior judiciary and government engagement on behalf of Circuit and the Bar over this last term. This has included the Lady Chief Justice, the Justice Select Committee, the DPP, the Shadow Justice ministers and the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood. There is a collective agreement that at the moment we are being listened to, and we can only hope that translates to results. That is in particular to the organisation of the work on Circuit, our working conditions and resourcing of our profession across all practice areas.
Legal Aid Agency
In this regard, we still have the ongoing disruption caused by the cyber attack on the Legal Aid Agency. I am conscious that for some it is having a major impact on their financial position, notwithstanding the interim measures in place. For those affected we are raising the issues on a regular basis. Can I request that for those on Circuit who are particularly affected to not hesitate to let us know if there are ways we can assist. This includes with the impact on your wellbeing which such issues can raise. Please do contact our Circuit Wellbeing Psychotherapist Wendy Showell Nicholas if you require support at this time on 07891 835446 or at wellbeing@northeasterncircuit.co.uk.
Also to remind you all generally of the Henry Scott Fund which has the provision to give financial support to pupils and members of Circuit. It is managed on behalf of Circuit by Toby Coupe who can be contacted on a confidential basis at tcoupe@kingschambers.com. Please see further details at: https://www.northeasterncircuit.co.uk/circuit-officers/henry-scott-fund/
The Future
The Scholarship Fund, co-ordinated through the Diversity Outreach Group, remains one of our prized assets. Its worth and success is demonstrated by the fact that the recipients are flourishing (or soon will be) with careers at the Bar and they may not have been able to do so otherwise. A number of our Circuit scholars met The Lady Chief Justice during her visit to Circuit in June and she was very impressed by them and also by the strides we have taken on Circuit in relation to diversity across the board. As she observed, we are setting a standard which the Bar generally could learn from in relation to the fund.
I cannot leave the topic of our Scholarship programme without again applauding the generosity of our membership. Of particular recent note are the efforts (or rather sacrifices) of Gill Batts KC and Rebecca Randall who together raised nearly £5,000 by running the Ilkley half marathon in July. For those wanting to give generously you can still make a donation via the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebecca-gill-ilkley-half-marathon
Looking further forward, the Pupillage Fair (North) is to be held this year on Saturday 29th November in Manchester on the Northern Circuit. The inaugural fair last year in Leeds was a resounding success supported by both Circuits. You will be contacted shortly to sign up to exhibit your Chambers’ stand at the event and to support if possible with CV clinics and with the Pupils Meet and Greet area ahead of the event in November. Please do what you can to support it to replicate the success of last year which benefits us all by showcasing to the potential pupils what Circuit has to offer.
History and Roots
Thank you on behalf of the Circuit Remembrancer HH Robert Taylor for those who made contributions to his next Circuit publication. It will be a book of Circuit anecdotes and will be in celebration for the Circuit’s 150th year anniversary next year. Please support it (it is worth it!) when published later this year and also the events to celebrate our anniversary, being organised by a team headed up by Richard Wright KC. More to be announced on this in coming months.
It is appropriate, in dealing with recent history, to bid farewell to HH Sloane KC, the former Recorder of Newcastle, who formally retired this week. He had an unsurprisingly warm and touching Valedictory last Friday. He was a friend of the Bar and will for obvious reasons be greatly missed but not forgotten. It may be that he will be joining us a special guest at the Retired Members and Judges Mess on Thursday 18th September in York. A reminder to you all that it is open to all members and those who retired are keen to see their former colleagues and catch up on Circuit news. Please do sign up via the Circuit website here https://www.northeasterncircuit.co.uk/events/ and support the upcoming events in the next term.
Can I finish on the fact that we are in the middle of South Asian Heritage Month as many of you will know. The theme this year is “Roots to Routes”, honouring the ancestral journey of our South Asian community to where we are today and the important contribution that has been made. To mark it I have asked our most senior practicing member of South Asian heritage, Abdul Iqbal KC to share his ancestral journey with us. He has kindly agreed and has written an interesting and touching piece that will follow this email. Let’s together enjoy it as we acknowledge all of those who are engaging with and celebrating the month.
Here’s to a restful summer.
Jason Pitter KC
Leader of Circuit