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22 November 2018 / Andrew Walker KC
Issue: 7818 / Categories: Opinion , Brexit , Legal services , Profession
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A Bar for the future

Andrew Walker QC shares his reflections on a year in office & looks ahead

As Chair of the Bar this year, I have tried to focus relentlessly on seeking to secure a better future: for the Bar itself, of course, but also in every area affecting the Bar and which the Bar cares about as a profession. It has been a difficult agenda, with many strands. We owe it to the Bar to pursue all of those strands with vigour, and I hope the Bar will judge that we have done so, and are continuing to do so. As the end of my term approaches, what do I see ahead?

For years, we have seemed to be on the back foot, fighting off yet further damaging changes, with little opportunity to move forward. Some of this is now changing, little by little, and we have been working hard to try to build the relationships that can make this happen.

A major focus has been on improving the situation for the publicly funded Bar. A viable future requires criminal and family

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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