Below is an open letter published by five junior criminal practitioners in relation to the new Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme (AGFS), which for non-lawyers is the scheme for payment of defence advocates in legally aided criminal cases. 19thNovember 2018 We write in relation to a case which has just collapsed at the Crown…
Read moreGuest post by Mukul Chawla QC: Reflections from my years at the independent Bar
I am delighted and honoured to publish this guest post by Mukul Chawla QC. Many readers will know that, after 35 years at the independent Bar blazing trails that leave us mortal practitioners feeling very humbled indeed, Mukul is stepping down as Head of Chambers at Foundry Chambers (formerly 9-12 Bell Yard) for a new beginning in employed practice….
Read moreAnnouncement: Free Representation Unit
Those who read these pages, follow on Twitter or have waded through the book will know that access to justice is a cause about which I’m prone to making a fair bit of noise. The rule of law only works if individuals have the means to enforce their rights in the courts, which is only…
Read moreGuest post: Some calculations on the new Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme
In the latest of a series of guest blogposts looking at the consultation on the proposed new Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme, a contributor has offered the following calculations and comments. Dishonesty For dishonesty offences (category 6), we propose increasing the basic fees for trials, guilty pleas, and cracked trials: in band 6.1 by around…
Read moreGuest post by Francis FitzGibbon QC: A response to Michael Turner QC on Advocates’ Graduated Fees
Another former Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, Francis FitzGibbon QC, writes in response to this week’s guest post by Michael Turner QC. This is my reply to Michael Turner QC’s post. He doesn’t seem to have read the first ‘Monday Message’ by Chris Henley QC, the current Chair of the Criminal Bar Association….
Read moreGuest post by Michael Turner QC: Advocates’ Graduated Fees – Where are we now? Up the creek
Michael Turner QC, former Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, writes regarding the new Advocates’ Graduated Fee Scheme. Much of what I would wish to say has been more ably put by Polly Toynbee in this recent article. However, now that the cuts under the new Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme are beginning to bite,…
Read moreThe Big Issue: Why The Law Is Broken
I’ve written a piece in this week’s Big Issue on the crisis in our criminal justice system. The article can be read online here, but if you are able to grab a paper copy and donate to a brilliant cause, I’d urge you to do so.
Read moreDid this kitten really conduct a criminal trial by itself… and WIN?
I am informed that one of the liberties you can take as a writer with a (undeserved and long-suffering) loyal following is to indulge in a little creative sleight of hand. One might, for example, in an effort to gain wider attention for a mundane-sounding issue, attach a ludicrous and unrelated clickbait headline to draw…
Read moreNo Returns: A non-lawyer’s guide
Last night, following an intriguing debate in the House of Commons in which members displayed the full gamut of understanding of criminal justice, MPs voted to bring forth the “cost neutral” changes to the way barristers are paid on legal aid, which in some cases amount to cuts of 40%. (Technically the Commons voted against Labour’s…
Read moreGuest Post: The Secret BPTC Student on legal aid cuts and the criminal Bar
I am delighted that a current law student, and soon-to-be criminal pupil, has taken the time to write the following explainer on the ongoing dispute between the criminal Bar and the government over legal aid fees and the funding of the criminal justice system. A point which would be easy to lose – and which, more…
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