Chair's Column

The publicly funded Bar is facing an “annus horribilis”, with yet more proposed cuts – this time to criminal defence fees, writes Desmond Browne QC 

Desmond Browne QC reports on events affecting the Bar and notes the passing of the House of Lords’ Judicial Committee 

Desmond Browne QC pays tribute to the people involved in drafting the Bar’s consultation paper responses 

Competition with solicitor-advocates is causing deep concern, writes Desmond Browne QC 

In recent weeks I have visited chambers in Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle. Everywhere I was met by deep concern about the wholly unfair terms on which solicitor-advocates now compete for Crown Court work. The grave consequences are now being felt in many ways, not least the reduction in the number of pupillages starting this autumn. 

Desmond Browne QC reports on a successful Commonwealth Law Conference 

The family Bar is at breaking point, warns Desmond Browne QC 

As the credit crunch bites deeper, calls to LawCare have naturally increased. Desmond Browne QC welcomes the launch of its new stress management service 

Desmond Browne QC welcomes the progress made on VHCCs, but notes the sombre news for publicly funded practitioners 

Desmond Browne QC reviews the state of the profession in 2009 

The temperature is rising at the Bar Council as it battles hard on public funding and key structural issues, says Tim Dutton QC