Chair's Column

With the election upon us and populist threats to the rule of law, it’s time to speak plainly: UK justice needs a staunch defender and a place at the high table, writes Andrew Langdon QC  

This month’s column starts in Poland.  

Due to the decline in court reporters, justice operates essentially unseen and unheard by the public, writes Andrew Langdon QC. The recent attacks on judges illustrates the need to inform the public of how law works in practice  

A recent survey by The Justice Gap  has confirmed what many of us suspected. Court reporters, and especially court reporters from local newspapers, have been declining in number for years and may soon be largely a thing of the past.  

Four years on from LASPO, the wheels of justice are in urgent need of repair, writes Andrew Langdon QC. No hyperbole: policy-makers are fixated on the technological revolution and the Reform Programme and do not want to talk about fixing legal aid  

April is the fourth anniversary of the coming into force of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), a measure which removed legal aid from many sections of our community.  

Andrew Langdon QC adds the Bar’s weight to a chorus of criticism on the intolerable state of immigration detention: no judicial scrutiny; no time limits; and scant access to justice  

I would like to devote this column to our treatment of immigrants whom we detain in Immigration Removal Centres (IRCs) and in prison.  

With major issues ahead, not least keeping the young Bar afloat, Andrew Langdon QC outlines the Bar Council’s work to protect the profession’s interests – in the public interest  

Perhaps every year begins like this.  

Andrew Langdon QC pays thanks to the outgoing Chairman for her unstinting work on behalf of the profession, and sets out his aims and aspirations for 2017  

On your behalf I would like to thank the outgoing Chairman, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC.  

In her last column as Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC calls on One Bar to continue to stand in support of our judiciary
 

The Bar’s wellbeing portal is launched; lobbying priorities for the autumn season; and countering threats to independence
 

A bold ‘hi-tech’ vision for the future of HMCTS shouldn’t ignore that access to justice is being steadily eroded by ‘enhanced’ court fees and the radical cuts to legal aid
 

Technological advances give barristers greater flexibility, but less chance to unwind: the Bar Council’s forthcoming suite of wellbeing support can help