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20 Jun 26
On Saturday 13th June 2026, Circuit celebrated 150 years in Middle Temple Hall. What a night it was. An enigmatic location with an electric atmosphere and the spirit of Circuit was truly alive. Members of Circuit were the beating heart of this evening. It was a privilege to stand up and open the nights proceedings.
Read more14 Jan 26
A few months ago I put myself forward as a “candidate” to become Leader of the North Eastern Circuit. Winning the election was an incredible moment. I am so grateful for each and every vote.
Read more03 Nov 25
And the winner is….
Congratulations to Caroline Goodwin KC, who will be the next Leader of Circuit.
She will bring her usual energy and enthusiasm to the post and new direction. Well done!
03 Nov 25
Order your copy of HH Robert Taylor's new book 'Pudding, My Lord' here.
Read more09 Feb 25
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.
31 Oct 24
As you many of you will know, I am big on legacy and our future.
Tomorrow marks the countdown for the inaugural Pupillage Fair (North). Whilst it is in conjunction with the Northern Circuit it is to take place on this Circuit at the Law School at Leeds Beckett’s University, Leeds on Saturday 30th November 2024.
14 Jun 24
Summer, if that is what it was, is over and I hope as many of you as possible were able to get away (and actually find some sunshine), have a break and recharge.
Read more14 Mar 24
One of the themes of International Women’s Day is the acceleration of progress by investing in women.
Read more22 Dec 23
The thing about the Bar is that we are capable, when we pull together in the right direction, of great things. Not just for us but the wider community… Unity isn’t just strength but also kindness.
Read more08 Mar 23
Today marks International Women’s Day. A day which we all must recognise and embrace, as the theme for the day implores.
Read more13 Aug 21
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
This has been a sad week for the North Eastern Circuit with the death of two well-loved members Matthew Collins and Lorna Cole. You will all have read the heartfelt tribute paid to Matthew that was circulated earlier in the week, and it is right that I now say a little more about Lorna.
01 Jul 21
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
It’s all downhill from here!
That is not a reference to the fact that it is my birthday (my true age is as you know shrouded in mystery) but to the fact that today marks the half way point of my leadership of the North Eastern Circuit – the finest Circuit.
14 May 21
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
Attached to this message is a listing note issued by the Recorder of Leeds today. It concerns a new listing initiative at Leeds that might conveniently be described as ‘blitz’ courts. All of you who work in Leeds regularly should take some time to read it.
These two courts will commence sitting on 14th June and are aimed at tackling the backlog of short bail cases that are awaiting trial. The Courts will be heavily listed and will provide an excellent opportunity to get these cases on for trial much sooner that might otherwise have been the case. As is clear from the note this initiative will not apply to custody cases, or Class 1 or 2 cases.
19 Feb 21
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
I am sorry to have to begin this message by pausing to remember His Honour Simon Hawkesworth QC who passed away this week. He was a lifelong member of the North Eastern Circuit and a former Circuit Officer who is fondly remembered across the entire Circuit. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and the Circuit Office will keep you updated about any arrangements for a Eulogy in due course.
08 Jan 21
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
Nobody said that this was going to be easy…………..
We were all no doubt relieved to see the back of 2020, but are now starting 2021 with another national lockdown and the rates of COVID higher than they were last April. There can be no doubt that very difficult weeks and month lie ahead of us personally and as a Circuit.
04 Dec 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
We are nearly at the end of what has been a long and generally pretty miserable year. The vaccine is on the horizon and we can hope with growing confidence that at some point in the spring or summer of next year all of this will be behind us.
24 Jul 20
The North Eastern Circuit Women's Forum (NECWF) has conducted a survey amongst ALL members of Circuit on the proposed Extended Operating Hours. 678 members of Circuit responded. The report is published here and makes very interesting reading ....
Read more22 Jul 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteers,
Whilst I am sure that we all remain frustrated at the slow pace of the ‘recovery’, it is also right that we should acknowledge some of the positive steps forward that the Circuit has taken in the last week .....
10 Jul 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
It has been a couple of weeks since I was last in touch with you all. I would like to be writing to you now to celebrate how much progress we have made in the intervening period. Regrettably the pace of change is slow and we are still taking the tiniest steps towards recovering capacity in the Courts in all jurisdictions.
10 Jun 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
This update focuses on one issue only – the resumption of work in Courts across the Circuit.
Over recent weeks I have tried to keep you all updated on plans to re-open buildings and resume in person hearings. As soon as I have been able to tell you about the plans of HMCTS on Circuit I have shared the information with you.
05 Jun 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteer,
Another two weeks have passed since my last message and whilst the rate of change may be slow, we are continuing to edge gradually in the right direction as we see further baby steps being taken towards the volume of cases being heard in all jurisdictions being increased.
22 May 20
IMPORTANT: Leader's Bulletin & Updated Protocols and Important Documents 22nd May 2020
Read more24 Apr 20
As many of you will already know HMCTS have accelerated the launch of a new remote court hearing platform – the Cloud Video Platform (CVP).
Read more21 Apr 20
I was delighted to see over 100 of you at the first ever Virtual Grand Court of the North Eastern Circuit held by the medium of Zoom on Thursday evening. Oddly enough we weren’t hacked by the Russians and did not face any grave threat to our security – and it worked a lot better than Skype for Business has ever worked!
Read more07 Apr 20
Please see attached - Leader's Civil Update, Listing Protocols, BT Meet Me update and Boxwork
Read more06 Apr 20
As the second working week of lockdown draws to a close I suspect that we are all getting used to a very different way of life and familiarising ourselves with a new normality that seems anything but normal.
Read more03 Apr 20
Please click here for a guide to Skype hearings prepared by our Technology team technology@northeasterncircuit.co.uk - I can assure you that a complete incompetent can follow it (because I managed to).
Read more02 Apr 20
Dear Fellow Circuiteer, This short update focuses on three very important subjects - wellbeing, technology and money.
Read more31 Mar 20
Just to remind you of the Help Lines & support that Circuit is providing at the moment. Grateful thanks to those who have kindly agreed to provide this service...
Read more27 Mar 20
Suspended Courts - You will all be catching up with the news that many Courts and Tribunal Centres on our Circuit are either suspended or no longer open to the public. Click here for a link to an excel spreadsheet that sets out the position on our Circuit.
Read more27 Mar 20
Dear all, Please see attached:
NEC Leader's Update Bulletin, Wellbeing Bulletin - Wendy Showell Circuit Scheme contact details, Wellbeing - Face Covid-19, Dr Russ Harris, NEC Listing Protocol
27 Mar 20
You will all be catching up with the news that many Courts and Tribunal Centres on our Circuit are either suspended or no longer open to the public.
Read more23 Mar 20
I am sure that for most of you the last week has felt like the longest of your life. The uncertainty generated by fast moving events that are beyond our control is unsettling and unnerving.
Read more23 Mar 20
The Vice-President of the CACD has provided the following guidance for hearings in the CACD during the period whilst there are variations in the way appeals and applications are conducted.
Read more20 Mar 20
We all want - and I dare say need - to keep working. Not just to pay the bills but to do our part at this time of national crisis.
Read more20 Mar 20
This has been the longest week of all of our lives I am sure. I had an excellent meeting today with our presiders and resident Judges and I am certain of three things. First, there will be a Circuit wide approach to managing work in the coming weeks. Second, we have the support of our Judges on Circuit. Third we are always stronger working together.
Read more16 Mar 20
Please see attached. Coronavirus Update from Richard Wright QC, Leader of the North Eastern Circuit, Note from the Senior Presider
Read more04 Feb 14
This years Mooters for the Louise Godfrey QC Memorial Moot are......................
Read more04 Feb 14
Sarah Greenan Zenith Chambers
Mastermind Friday 31 January 2014
29 Jan 14
West Yorkshire version of the National Protocol on Disclosure re Children in both Family and Criminal cases.
Read more07 Jan 14
Reminder: Barristers no longer have to return CPD cards to the BSB
Read more07 Jan 14
Justice in Jeopardy' from Cuts to Legal Aid, say barristers
Read more06 Jan 14
The Governments Proposal for Criminal Legal Aid - The North Eastern Circuit Press Release
Read more03 Dec 13
Lord Alex Carlisle QC has obtained a debate in the House of Lords seeking annulment of the SI enacting the changes to VHCC funding.
Read more19 Nov 13
The Government's attack on barristers is a looming disaster
Read more08 Nov 13
North Eastern Circuit Response to ‘Next Steps’ Consultation
Read more02 Oct 13
Louise Godfrey QC Memorial Moot 2013 winner is Laura Nagel Trinity Chambers in Newcastle.
Read more27 Sep 13
Elliot Kay is the highest achieving BPTC student this year with a hugely impressive 85.64%. He was awarded a much deserved Outstanding.
Read more27 Sep 13
ATC training film on child and vulnerable witnesses
Read more23 Jul 13
This is the last Parliamentary Update on Legal Aid and the Consultation due to the Summer Recess.
Read more17 Jul 13
John Harrison St Pauls Chambers Leeds has currently been nominated as Circuits’ representative for the International Relations Committee of the Bar Council of England and Wales.
Read more04 Jul 13
QC makes the case for working mums at top of legal profession
Read more04 Jul 13
Grayling Jumps to Defence of Legal Aid Plan
Read more03 Jul 13
Dispute resolution developments in the Middle East
Read more28 Jun 13
The Publication of the Law Commission’s Consultation Paper No 213, Hate Crime: the Case for Extending the Existing Offences.
Read more28 Jun 13
Circuit welcomes are newest members Phillip Morgan Dere Street Barristers and Niall Carlin Broadway House Chambers.
Read more12 Jun 13
We are delighted that Professor David Ormerod QC will be joining us at Grand Court please do make every effort to attend.
Read more07 Jun 13
New BACS system up and running. Apologies for the debits which will be shown as NEC Subs.
Read more21 May 13
Best Interest Assessment - A Practitioners Perspective
Read more10 May 13
Only Pupil Supervisors' Course this year is on 18th May.Everyone who might want or be asked to be a Pupil Supervisor must have done a course.
Read more09 May 13
His Honour Judge Michael Taylor is holding a meeting to outline the planning for the implementation of the Family Court in April 2014 including transitional arrangements for the operation of the Public law Outline effective from the 1st July.
Read more08 May 13
Please do make your views known, and start a discussion, on all the reforms as well as PCT.
Read more08 May 13
MoJ Consultation Event - Wednesday 8 May
http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/org/3715478557
08 May 13
Romany Cricket Club is a long-established cricket club. We play friendlies every week during the season mainly in and around North Yorkshire.
Read more03 May 13
It's the end of the legal system as we know it – Telegraph Blogs
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jakewallissimons/100213057/its-the-end-of-the-legal-system-as-we-know-it/
03 May 13
High Street solicitors could be forced to close by Government legal aid changes
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/393489/High-Street-solicitors-could-be-forced-to-close-by-Government-legal-aid-changes
03 May 13
Sovereign Chambers are running the Leeds Half Marathon
http://www.justgiving.com/SovereignChambersRunners
02 May 13
Make sure you and friends sign this petition
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/48628
30 Apr 13
The new North Eastern Circuit website has gone live, providing useful resources for all Members of Circuit
Read more
North Eastern Circuit
The North Eastern Circuit is an association of nearly 1000 barristers who practise on Circuit covering Sheffield, Bradford, Leeds, York, Hull, Teesside and Newcastle upon Tyne and all surrounding areas.
Full resources including webinars and useful documents are accessible in the members area. If you need a reminder of your log in details, please contact admin@northeasterncircuit.co.uk
Website quicklinks