The View from the Chair - Autumn Term Update

“Welcome to the new View from the Chair’s Update – providing a snapshot of the work and engagements that I have been undertaking on behalf of the profession since the start of the new legal year.

Since the start of the Michaelmas Term, Bar Council has developed its new Operational Plan for 2019-2020 which includes 20 ambitious and exciting projects aimed at not only enhancing the services on offer to members but also on helping to shape public policy making by promoting the unique role of the independent referral Bar alongside ensuring that we are regulating the profession effectively and upholding the highest standards. View the Bar’s Operational Plan for 2019-2020.

In my role of representing the profession, the Bar Council and I have been continuing to promote awareness of the work of barristers, particularly around the importance of the independent referral Bar. It has been a turbulent time politically in recent months, particularly given the issues surrounding Brexit and the continuing lack of devolved Government in Northern Ireland.

Read my views on the crucial role of an independent judiciary and legal profession in relation to the ruling of the Supreme Court on the prorogation of Parliament in September. I was also interviewed for the latest Business Eye magazine where I highlighted the importance of our work across the business community and beyond. Read the full piece.

“The Bar of Northern Ireland: Leaders in Legal Excellence” series highlights the role of barristers and the unique way in which they serve the public interest by upholding the rule of law and serving the administration of justice. Follow the Bar on Twitter (@TheBarofNI) for all the latest updates on our next Leaders in Legal Excellence event. Read about the last event.

Since September, I have met with the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Justice, highlighting a range of issues around access to justice and member views on the new digital legal aid management system. Meanwhile the Bar Council has established a new Access to Justice Committee with representation from all practice areas at the Bar which will coordinate our policy work around publicly funded legal services.

The Bar Council has also been busy responding to public consultations and submissions have been made on a range of issues, including the DOJ’s consultation on the prohibition of cross-examination in family proceedings and the LSA’s Civil Legal Services-Decision Making Guidance in relation to digital legal aid. The Bar has also been engaging with the Gillen Review Implementation Team on the proposed development of an action plan for the coming months.

Further afield, I represented the Bar of Northern Ireland at the IBA’s Annual Conference 2019 in Seoul, South Korea where I spoke at the launch of an important new report on legal expenses insurance and access to justice as part of the conference. This report suggests that greater uptake of legal expenses insurance by individuals could increase access to justice for the ‘forgotten middle’ – individuals without disposable income to spend on private legal services, but whose earnings or assets prohibit qualification for legal aid or pro bono assistance. Read the report or view my contribution to the debate.

A particular focus at the conference was the launch of a new report from the IBA and the World Bank demonstrating the economic benefits of legal aid as part of a new toolkit calculating the costs and benefits of providing access to justice. It adds to a growing body of evidence worldwide which shows that access to justice is a “win-win” for clients and the economy given the financial and economic returns that can be generated through investments in legal aid.

Finally, closer to home I joined colleagues at the opening of the legal year in Dublin as well as the 10-year anniversary celebrations for the Supreme Court in London. A highlight of a busy but rewarding few months was undoubtedly the Benchers’ Prizegiving 2019 which was a night of celebration with thirteen prizes being awarded in recognition of excellence and advocacy to members of the 2019 call, including the John PB Maxwell Scholarships. Over forty John PB Maxwell Scholars have entered the Bar since the awards were established and I am proud to see the tradition continue.”

Sarah Ramsey BL, Bar Council Chair